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I'll be happy with a quarter final appearance. After looking at your squad I reckon that Tarkowski won't make it. I think Smalling will go instead. He's been a regular for Man U this year. You had Jones in there and although Ithink Jones is a better player, who can also play midfield at a push, he's always injured. I also have Andy Carroll in the back of my mind. He would be a great super sub, coming on and causing havoc. But he's another one with the robustness Jacob's crackers.

I'm surprised that Southgate is announcing his World Cup squad next week. It seems early. I assumed that he'd name a provisional 28 or so then whittle it down. However, by naming only 23 he probably decided a while ago and sees no point in prolonging it. My quote above was the squad from the last round of friendlies. So using that as the provisional squad with Ox and Gomez out, Kane and Loftus-Cheek back my guess for those missing out are; Joe Hart, Alfie Mawson, Lewis Cook, Ashley Young. Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Tripper, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Harry Maguire Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Jake Livermore, Adam Lallana, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek Attackers: Danny Welbeck, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane As for a starting 11 Southgate has stated he is playing with a back 3. Kyle Walker played as one of the 3 last time out which has me stumped as to what he'll do. Today's prediction; Pickford Walker Stones Maguire Lingard Henderson Dier Rose Sterling Alli Kane I'd like to see Loftus-Cheek ahead of Dier as he is a class act. Palace improved dramatically when he returned. I'd also not argue against Rashford for Alli, or Welbeck for Lingard. Despite his bang average club form Welbeck has always been excellent for England, which is rare.

Here here. Fantastic for Stanley. Rovers need to get out of the division sharpish. I heard from a couple of mates who reckon they are getting season tickets for next year. They've never set foot in the Crown. I'll believe it when I see it.

Weirdly, I remember people saying put some wallop on it when I was a kid. I just thought it was something strange that adults said. East Lancs does have a long history with engineering, and aerospace. There are loads of companies no longer around.

Vinjay's belaboured point does have a little merit, and I understand his view; he's not from Accrington, so he has no affinity. But it is relevant, certainly not small minded, to think that the 2 clubs in the same league is bad. 20 years go Stanley were in the Northern Prem, and Rovers were in the actual Prem.

Yes it is. Stanley were one step up from a pub team when I was growing up. I think because of that I never gave them a second glance. I don't now either and I'm an Accy lad. What they have managed to achieved is remarkable. Promotion to League 1 would be up there with Leicester winning the league as far as achievements go. Coleman has done a tremendous job. The once chasm like gulf between Stanley and Rovers could be no more. Not good, but I'll give Stanley all the credit they deserve.

I'll argue that your top quote says that you did. Anyway, I really hope that Kane shines this summer. If he does then England will do well and he'll banish the horror show of 2 years ago. He is an impressive player in the Shearer mould but not as good. His physical strength has improved as has his finishing. He's not much of an aerial threat but Spurs don't really play that way. Southgate needs to get his side picked. These friendlies will hopefully bring some clarity. Is Wilshere out for good? Him missing these 2 games won't help his cause.

As Jim says, he scores lots of Premier League goals but until he proves it for England I'll not consider him world class. I've still not forgotten how bad he was at the last Euros.

True true. Coupled with the cheap import being easier is the continued practice by big clubs of signing any promising English youngster long before they are fully developed. Luke Shaw is the latest. Ashley Cole's heir 4 years ago. Now he can't get a game as his club mate, a converted right winger, is ahead of him. It's tragic and hurts the national team. Jadon Sancho upping sticks and leaving City for Dortmund last year was a good move. More should follow his lead and play their trade abroad.

Decent run out for England. Still a long way to go, but I'm a hopeless fool when it comes to England. Germany drew 1-1 with Spain. Germany will be there or thereabouts as usual. Their team tonight was; Ter Stegen, Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Hector, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Draxler, Werner. Premier Leaguers Rudiger, Sane, and Gundogan were subs. As was Mario Gomez who I thought retired years ago.

That is unfortunately true. England doesn't produce enough world class players. I'm sure the powers that be have debated long and hard as to why. Is it facilities? Mentality? Weather? Set up? My hope is that it's all changing though. Take out Cahill and Hart and this England crop is the youngest in a long time. Couple this with the youth teams' successes last year should build a platform to improve.

Here's a little snippet to illustrate what England are up against in Russia. Spain squad for friendlies; Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli) Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad). Midfielders: Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Dani Parejo (Valencia), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Hernandez (Villarreal), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid) Excluded from this squad are Busquets (Barcelona), Alacantra (Bayern Munich) - injured, Martinez (Bayern Munich) - out of favour, and Morata - currently crap. It will be a tall order for England to beat their best 11.

Well spotted. No wonder I think England can win. I'll drop Lallana and Wilshere then. Here is Southgate's squad for next week's friendlies; Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Tripper, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Alfie Mawson, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Jake Livermore, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Lewis Cook Attackers: Danny Welbeck, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford My guess is that Pope, Mawson, Tarkowski, Cook are being rewarded for playing well but they'll struggle to make the WC 23. I reckon Southgate will take Hart for his "experience". Cahill too. Loftus-Cheek and Kane to return therefore, marring injuries, there aren't many spots to play for,

This is the first article I've seen in 2018 trying to predict England players; Who to take? For the first time in a while England have options. Some middling v. middling but still options. Here's a starting 11; Pickford Gomez - Stones - Maguire Walker Rose Dier - Loftus-Cheek Lallana Sterling - Kane - Rashford Subs; Butland Smalling - Lascelles- Cahill Trippier Bertrand Oxlade-Chamberlain - Henderson Wilshere Alli - Vardy - Lingard

No question at all. England will be there. It's not the first time it's happened, nor will it be the last. The British government won't do anything. Nor can it in it's current weak state. Russia's status in the world should be debated, but in the non football section of this forum. Russia will be on its best behavior this summer. Streets will be clean. Stray dogs will be gone. Beer will be plentiful. But you still can't pay me to go.

Some interesting tunes there K-Hod. I'll add a few to my playlists. Living abroad I forget loads of songs that I like but never hear.

I hadn't thought about that. The only stipulation was only 2 European teams in each group. They must not think that it's needed. I think Moyes has done England a favour. He dropped Hart yesterday. Adrian kept a clean sheet. Hopefully Hart doesn't get back in and Southgate leaves him at home.

As the draw has been made for the World Cup in Russia next summer I'll start a separate thread for it. GROUP A: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia GROUP B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco GROUP C: France, Peru, Denmark, Australia GROUP D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria GROUP E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia GROUP F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea GROUP G: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama GROUP H: Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan Not a bad draw for England. Belgium are a good side but a lot of their players play in England so they'll know all about them.

Quite right. Well done Sweden. Italy weren't good enough. Topping Spain was always going to be tough, but the performance in Madrid by them was woeful. Classic Italian defending may have got them a draw.

Flemish is Dutch. An equivalent would be what American English is to English.

What language to the Belgium team speak when they are together? Training? Games? Team talks? The national languages are Dutch and French. Head coach Roberto Martinez is Spanish, but has lived more of his life in England. His assistant is Thierry Henry, a native French speaker who has spent more time away from France than in it. Most, if not all of the squad don't play in the Belgian league either. I'm curious. PSG is another one. There's not much native French in that dressing room.

Is it me or are tattoos more popular than ever? When I was young (80's) tattoos were the realm of old men. Usually unremarkable in design, recognising events of the past. Now there's all sorts. I don't have any but who on here does? Why did you get one? Who'd consider more?

Here's an interesting article in the Guardian regarding club youth players; https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/06/football-biggest-issue-boys-rejected-academies?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Fiver+2016&utm_term=246909&subid=6923483&CMP=EMCFTBEML853#comment-106370893 It mentions Huddersfield who have indeed scrapped their u8-u16 set up. They did an extensive review and found that the last person who played in those age groups for Huddersfield who then went on to play in the Premier League was Rovers own Jon Stead, in 1999. Relating this to Rovers, I don't see how the club can keep funding a cat 1 academy that isn't producing players. No manager installed at Ewood would be willing to bring up youngsters, they want proven players who are known commodities.

the 2016-2017 Puskas nominees have been announced. The winner will be decided at the end of October. Puskas award - top goal of 2016-2017 I liked Mandzukic when I saw it live.

We were. I bet that it took Butterworth a long time to get over that game. Man handled from beginning to end by a relative youngster. I was at the game and didn't know until watching those highlights that both Wegerle and Shearer missed absolute sitters that could have made it even more.