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I had no idea what to expect from the game but came away pleasantly surprised. Dolan's early goal helped Rovers look really good in the first half. They started the second badly and it was no surprise when Derby scored. I expected the worst but got the complete opposite. Great finishes from the subs. Szmodics is class. I hope that he stays. Him deciding to hold his run rather than rush the 6-yard box made his goal easy. I'll not pass judgement on the new lads as 1 game is a very small sample size (Brett Emerton's debut was one of the greatest ever and was lauded by all, yet that proved not to last as he got a lot of stick on here throughout his Rovers career). Pears needs replacing. He makes some excellent saves at times but makes too many mistakes and there is a general air of unease that seems to affect the confidence of those in front of him. He made 2 smart saves off the attempted goal direct from a corner, but he should never have put himself in that spot. Hyam looked like the player who got into the Scotland squad tonight, yet he's another who can turn in an abject performance when Rovers don't need one. I've said this before; Dolan should not play a full 90 minutes. In short spells he can cause problems but if he starts a game he usually ends up becoming anonymous after 70 minutes.

Can someone who lives locally give me some background on this; LET: Planning permission granted for 600 homes in Blackburn Why do people not want it? Will it create a mess?

Do you like anyone? All I've seen from you is disparaging comments about anyone proposed. An English Alex Ferguson/Bill Shankly/Pep Guardiola combo candidate isn't available.

I have a good enough memory to remember the endless debates on here about if Rovers should keep or sack Allardyce. Looking back now it should never have been a question. He should never have been let go. Southgate is in a different spot as the pressure is so much greater on him but he is on the brink of success again. I think he wants to go. It is taking a toll on him, but he has an affinity to his players which may keep him going. This ESPN article is pretty good. It's gives an insight of things the public does not see; ESPN: Southgate seeks redemption

This post and your earlier one bring up some good points, that have been discussed earlier on. I don't know whether Guardiola taking over Barcelona was the catalyst or the game was moving toward it anyway but football is now somewhat homogensied. Back in the day every country had a distinct way of playing, and England's fast paced get the ball forward quickly style got found out regularly. After one failed competition (early 2000's I think) the FA did a review and came out with a summary that international football is closest to how Portugal play, so they started down that road. Shortly thereafter Southgate got the FA technical job and started implementing it. This also coincided with club academies treating young players as professionals rather than discount labour, and local authorities building 3G pitches giving kids more opportunities to play. As a young kid I grew up playing on all sorts of sloped, windswept, boggy pitches. It wasn't conducive to silky football at all. As to Bellingham, mentality aside, one thing that makes him special is that he's 6'2" and weighs about 14 stone yet can glide past players with ease.

They aren't great. Rodri, Ruiz, and the 2 wide men are very good, but the team is average compared to Spain teams I've watched over the last 15+ years. I'd also rather have England's squad than theirs. Cucurella? Morata? Carvajal was banned against France so they had to stick 38 year old Jesus Navas there. Their subs aren't much to write home about either. Merino's mis timed header against Germany included. Last night was England's best performance. England are also familiar with their players and how they play so no surprises. They should be confident, something that Southgate has given them plenty of. I think that the drink throwing after Slovenia gave Southgate some pause, and also ammo to build upon. I'll go with the same team for the final as last night. Trippier to start again - he was good last night - but his constant turning onto his right foot negates any chance of overlaps on the left, so Shaw will come on at half time again.

I completely forgot about that one.

Lightyears ahead? One of the best in tournament history? No way. They are a balanced side with a fearless young star getting the headlines but they aren't miles better than everyone else. They have an average keeper, a solid yet slow back 4, and a misfiring striker. Their midfield is very good though. This forum has been banging on about how England have been on the soft side of the draw, but Spain have had an easy ride of it too. Although their group looked hard on paper, it wasn't. Croatia still relied on 38 year old Modric and failed to get out of the group, and that was only because an awful Italy side scored a last minute goal to send them through instead. Albania had little to offer anyone. They beat Georgia in the last 16. A side just happy to be there. Then they beat a completely underwhelming France side in the quarters with a wonder goal and a quick fire second shortly thereafter which forced a France team completely devoid of attacking prowess (despite a ridiculous amount of talent) to attack. They keep the ball well and have finished their chances. England have nothing to fear.

They don't. If this messageboard is anything to go by Southgate is up there with some of the most hated people in Britain. Today's game will be much like the others. Tight, cautious, and hoping for a flash of skill from England's flair players.

I agree with that. Reijnders isn't up to it. Neither is Depuy up front. Gakpo is playing well, but you'd think that Kyle Walker will be able to keep him quiet.

There are plenty of stories over here (generated mostly from rumours I may add) of the US trying to get Guardiola They just exited Copa America at the group stage despite having their most talented side in years. Current coach Gregg Berhalter has a lot of Southgate in him. The USA host the World Cup in 2 years, they want to make sure that they are well accounted for so money won't be an object.

I have no idea, but if Frank Lampard can get a job managing a Champions League qualifying team then so can Southgate. His stint in club management wasn't good, but he has done more for the national team than any other manager outside of Alf Ramsey, especially including his work prior to lucking into the job. I don't get the hate for him. England have been nearly men my whole life and I'm close to 50. The FA has tried every type of manager and still England have failed. Maybe the manager is only one part of it? The rabid press and the FA themselves are the only constants that have followed the national team. Both need to be held to account too.

Thanks for the insight. I know precious little about the internal working of French football. He had a half decent club career before getting the France job and he's won a World Cup as a player and manager so with club chairmen liking shiny things I'd think someone would give him a look.

Name a manager at this tournament who Real and City would like? I don't think that there is one. Perhaps Deschamps, who would be a gamble. Martinez - no chance. Yakin - the Swiss hate him. I can't name the Spain manager. Nagelsman seems to be going backwards. Koeman - he's not good enough. Steve Clarke - need I say more? International football management requires different skills than club management. Southgate is no Guardiola, but he is more than competent at international level.

I've good skimmed few a good few pages of classic BRFCS England bashing. They won and are through, which is all that matters. I read a lot of posts before the game about how good Switzerland were, and that England would struggle against them. England's performance was an improvement on previous games and were the better side for all but 15 minutes in the second half. For those who think they are suddenly going to turn into Brazil 1970, it's not going to happen. Southgate plays it tight and hopes to win the margins. England are in the semi final thanks to Bellingham's brilliance and a well drilled set of penalty takers. Southgate came in for rightful criticism this tournament, but he's using that to his advantage. He is an excellent man manager but does need to be better managing in game situations, something I've charged him with for years. He also won't change much for Wednesday's game. Kane is struggling but will play. This system does stifle him. He likes payers who run past him, think Son and Sane, but all his England team mates like dropping in or cutting inside. I reckon that Guehi will come back in for Konsa (who played well), and Shaw for Trippier. The rest will be the same who started yesterday's game.

Are commentators on BBC and ITV pronouncing the team Turkey or Turkiye? My US coverage, with English commentators, has been saying Turkiye (Turk-i-ye). I've always said Turkey, like the bird.

Yet Sesko is being touted as the next big thing. He missed an absolute sitter that would have sent them through. I was torn on who I wanted to go out. Portugal, as others have said, are easy to dislike. Especially with over the hill Ronaldo pouting. The best thing Martinez could do is drop him, but he won't. Slovenia never tried to attack in 4 matches. Their defensive solidity is admirable but I'd like to see more. Much like England.

What also bothers me about yesterday is that a win would have guaranteed top spot in the group. The 3rd game could have been used to give everybody a game, but not now.

I have spent many an hour on here defending England and their performances over the years but today I can't. It was horrific. It looked like England of 20 years ago. All talent but no teamwork. I, like most, assume that Trent Alexander-Arnold's tournament is done. I hope that Southgate doesn't replace him with the equally ineffective Gallagher. Bellingham was unbelievably frustrating. He spent more time faking injury to try and get free kicks than actually playing. Rice couldn't pass straight. Kane and Foden decided to take up the same positions all game. Saka tried. That's about it. The back 4 were OK, which is the only positive; Denmark never got past England's 18 yard box. I've also not yet seen anyone complaining about how the pitch caused problems. It was in bad shape.

A good summary of the game. I'm glad that you had a good time. If Austria had a final ball France would have lost. They caused Mbappe and crew problems until the final 3rd, and the goal they conceded came from two sloppy Austrian passes gifting the ball back to France. It's looking like Mbappe being out for the Netherlands game. They have enough quality in reserve to replace him, but they'll still miss him. So far there is no clear favourite. Germany would probably have put 3 or 4 past 11-man Scotland. Spain beat an ageing Croatia so it's hard to judge both. Also, thanks for your observations on logistics. Germany's trains are good, yet I have met Germans who laugh that the thought of them being efficient.

Jason Steele mark II? From what I remember of him he was every bit as bads as Pears yet is now a Premier League squad regular. Football is indeed strange.

I'd cut Denmark some slack in the group stage, especially the Finland game. They had all just watched Eriksen collapse and almost die on the pitch. Their mental recovery was quite remarkable.

It is indeed a different game now. As has been debated in the Euros thread decades ago countries had different styles. The teams from the British Isles got it forward quickly. South American teams were full of flair but lacked defensive discipline, Spain flattered to deceive, Germany were ruthless, African teams were a true wildcard. I do miss that. Todays game has been homogenised, yet it is helping England.

I'd take today's game over the dark ages of the 70's and 80's 10 times out of 10. I'm sure that you had a great time, and being young and carefree was wonderful for me too, but what I have heard, read, and saw (late 80's so it was dying out) I am glad that that era of football is gone.

Ferdinand was close, Gerrard was another who was stifled when he played for England. The last 3 no. Gary Neville had no competition for his spot. We've debated ad nauseum on here about the underperforming on the "golden generation". Club rivalries, bad luck, and a still evolving style contributed to it. Southgate has a system and has built a unified squad, which can go a long way.