I think you need to engage the capitals key. To me "bog standard" in relation to a professional footballer means a player who will have spent their career in the lower divisions. I don't think anybody professionally engaged in the game would consider that phrase would be appropriate to Southgate. As a manager he clearly learnt from his initial experiences. When the time comes for him to return to the club game he will not be short of good offers. As for Hoddle a good understanding of the game but poor man management skills - England players called him "Chocolate" because he loved himself so much he wanted to eat himself. He was fired because of unpleasant remarks about disabled people - nothing to do with anyone being self righteous. As I recall Tony Blair called for him to go.

"Mediocre" players don't get to play 57 games for England and "mediocre" managers don't take teams to World Cup semi finals.

The manager had him taking corner kicks in the previous euros. Not sure he knew how to use him - or anyone much.

But you don't or can't say or suggest someone who would do better than the manager with more tournament success for England than anyone alive.

A much more reasoned answer than the other poster but still no alternative is offered and in naming Capello and Hodgson, managers with more track record than Southgate, you illustrate how difficult it is to get this "someone better" that people always hanker after.

Even those with the shortest of memories will be aware that his record is vastly superior to very many of his predecessors. It says everything that your reply utterly failed to identify a successor but was more aimed at myself.

Who have you identified who will take England further than the World Cup semi final ?

Your memory is playing tricks - they beat Arsenal in the 1988 League Cup final.

Is it not the case that the Blackburn area has suffered just about the worst rate of Covid in which case the club will suffer more than most others - Accrington had their game called off on Saturday because of it.

I think the EFL window closed 2 to 3 weeks ago when Magloire was injured.

I think if you bother to look back on past posts the riposte to "Mowbray Out" is to point out that it is Venkys making the appointment - not this board - and their record does not inspire confidence that they will appoint a superior manager - but more likely an inferior one.

Precisely. Don't expect a coherent response.

I am on the side of fairness and common sense. Which of our players have been in Dubai ? Which of our players have broken the rules ?

Your post to which I replied appeared to suggest that footballers should be prevented from contacting families, friends etc for months on end. That is not lucky.

I understand that. My post was in reply to a suggestion that players should be cooped up for months on end.

Money pays for the clubs to stay in existence. Would you really prefer them to go bust ?

The season will last until May - you can't seriously be suggesting no player at this or any other club will not have contact with the outside world until then.

Players are getting it all over the world - Ronaldo has tested positive twice. How on earth do you blame the club for this ?

Yes I know what you mean - but then you have to believe that leopards do change their spots.

They don't know anything about football - however it seems likely that ultimately they make the decisions.

For the owners it is relevant.

I assume that was Paul Senior who is no longer at the club.

Who do you think is at the club who can/will identify the "better" manager ?

The signs are very promising for him. He looks a good bet to go on to be an England player. Over the years we have been fortunate with individuals with a Liverpool background- the likes of Dalglish, Souness, Friedel. I don't understand the silly anti Liverpool stance of some posters on here.

Up to 4th in the division now behind Jake Cooper,Ivan Toney and Bradley Johnson.