Just now, Dreyski said:

Was Martin Olsson the slightly better one or the slightly worse one?

I think we secretly switched the two when we sold Martin. Marcus suddenly got a lot better. Good business.

4 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

                        Raya

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams

           Smallwood Davenport

Bennett         Dack              Rothwell

                      Graham

 

Starting to take shape nicely I think.

Armstrong and Chapman or players of that ilk plus a centre forward and we're looking good I reckon.

Just now, Sparks Rover said:

He just isn't good enough. I'd imagine non league beckons 

Why would we sign this Algerian kid? We’ve got Timmy Sherwood?!?!

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

Have you got all night? I'd take just about anyone ahead of Southgate. His managerial record at senior level prior to taking the job was roughly comparable to Steve Kean. 

Do you think a top Club side in the Premier League would employ him?

I think he’ll be in with a shout of a upper Championship side AT LEAST if the idiots end up hounding him out.

But a TOP club?

If you think we’re playing in those circles, do you think Pep, Mourinho, Klopp, Pochettino et al would take on the Croatia job, hypothetically?

Our national team position is no more attractive than theirs - AT BEST.

Third and final time I’ll be bothered... Who do you want?

I really want some ideas.

I can take all night, but two or three replacements would do. 

I’m not saying that Davenport is the second coming of Tugay or anything, but it really does make me smile and remind me of this footage when I see people lamenting the chances being reduced for Tomlinson et al.

Perhaps an extreme example, but if Tomlinson was better or even close then of course you would question the logic of signing Davenport - unfortunately you kind of have to just trust the manager’s judgement.

It is only time that will tell.

Unless Willem shagged Tony’s wife or something, or Davenport is Kentaro. 

I for one look forward to seeing him play.

Forwards is what I want. Wingers, centre forwards, goalscorers and a genuine Dack plan B.

Loads of them and the moon on a stick.

Score goals and create problems for teams in the Championship and we’ll be reyt.

8 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Would you want Southgate in charge of Rovers? I Wouldn't. His only attribute is he is a bland FA yes man who will never say anything controversial or ruffle any feathers and from the FA's point of view was the ideal man to come in and pour oil on troubled waters after the big Sam scandal.

I’ll take that as a no then.

But to follow your diversion - I think we could, and have, done worse.

Genuinely interested to hear who you think should be England manager?

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

For me we have some very good young players but the wrong man in charge and that will continue to be the case should he still be in charge when most of this lot are at their peak in 4 years time.

Any recommendations?

Delighted to see Courtois beaten twice with relatively low shots. 

Mouth.

You’ve got a good druggie pusher, if you think we’ll win it in Russia...

Just now, roverandout said:

Good to see positivity  ?

100% defence mechanism.

I hate England for making me hope.

Just now, Admiral Nelsen said:

Incredible game.

So nervous about tomorrow after the last few days. We're a better side than Colombia, but not by miles and it doesn't look like anybody's doing it easy.

Are we?

This World Cup proves that heart, guile and belief means at least as much as wage packet and exposure.

It’s a one off game.

Prepare the rubber underwear.

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

Belgium are through. Remains to be seen if we will be in 24 hours time.

Noticeable both Croatia and Belgium laboured badly after resting 9 players in the final group game.

Cheers.

Anyone else still wish we had it that easy? 

Suppose those that did will blame Belgium for resting players as we did.

1 hour ago, philipl said:

Working on the premiss Brazil haven't got going yet and this is a generationally good Mexico side which can pose Brazil many questions.

The Japanese won't have encountered the kind of creativity Belgium have and Lukaku is a the sort of big bully against smaller and less able opponents which makes today's game ideal for him.

Watch me get this all wrong!

 

Anything can happen I reckon - Yoshida is a unit at the back, could be a good tussle.

“Ethnic Albanian” but from Kosovo I thought?

They make the team. 

I agree it would have been a fantastic squad, and they would be punching far above their weight still.

Maybe a little tension in the dressing room though.

48 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

What, even if we'd been facing Japan?

Uruguay were tipped weeks ago to do well by one of the South American correspondents on Talk Sport and I've been meaning to back them for ages and not done it but managed to get a tenner on them at 16/1 in play when they were 1 up which I thought was very good value considering.

Yep. We’re going to have to play at 100% against ANYONE to go through.

I got them at 28/1, feeling pretty confident they could do it.

46 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Maybe theres no shame of going out to Colombia, a very good team, but of course how far we go should be a barometer for success.

The group we got put in was incredibly weak in that Tunisia and in particular Panama are far inferior. Progression from that whilst of course being positive to see should have always been fairly elementary and so it proved.

The route we have is also favourable, if we go out to Colombia in the last 16, its hardly a minnow and they might feel the same about it, but it would not be a successful tournament if we go out on Tuesday night.

I think you are underestimating the quality in the England team too, Kane, Alli and Trippier are all key for Tottenham, Lingard and Young for Man United, Stones, Walker and Sterling for City and Henderson for Liverpool, thats the majority of our team playing key roles for the Premier League top 4, we are short of the likes of Brazil, Spain and France but we arent of the quality (or lack of) that renders last 16 elimination as a success.

Today’s games have put the frighteners right up me.

We’re a stubbed toe away from Gary Cahill playing in a game like that last one.

Would be a cricket score unless we can play with that kind of intensity and quality. 

Hope we can.

If anyone. ANYONE. Thinks that England getting past this stage in the competition is any barometer for success they need their heads checking. We got out of the group. There is no shame of going out now, to anyone.

The standard of the football played today is so far beyond our capabilities it’s unreal.

Fantastic game.

53 minutes ago, ben_the_beast said:

A fella I watched the game with had a stopwatch on him. In the second half the ball was only in play for 25 minutes and 52 seconds. Makes no sense to me why fifa don't get a grip of this and stop the clock whilst the ball is dead

Because games would last over 3 hours.

You get to play for as long as the opposition.

“A star is born” - Linekar re: Mbappe.

He’s the second most expensive player of all time, thought he might have known about him.

Mbappe is a whole different level. Not even 20.

2 minutes ago, Ladyboys of Bank Top said:

I despise Danny Murphy. 

Absolute bellsniff.

It’s the stupidity of his arrogance that is most shocking.

He ALWAYS gives an anecdote or reference to his playing days at every opportunity. But to do it in France v Argentina at the World Cup?

Lad needs help.

France look great, but Argentina are absolutely woeful. Completely tactically bereft.

25 minutes ago, Husky said:

Ok. Stand up people. Put both your arms in the air and then lean over to your right. Now, look at where your hands are . . . If you needed to catch or stop a ball that was going past your right side which hand would you be best to use?

 

Depends on the shot, but in this case, the one that can go higher.

The left.

(just realised I think you agree?)

Just now, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Have an awful feeling the Argies will suddenly come to life....

Can’t wait to find out.

The last 24 hours have been horrendous.