Over the group stage, there were signs from France, Argentina, Spain, Brazil and possibly even Germany, of them being able to step up a gear or two when they need to. As expected at the outset of the tournament, these are the teams for England to beat.

Not many....because presumably these clubs rate foreign managers over English ones.

You said the game was - and by implication England were - boring.

I'm probably mistaken, but I'm sure that you said that England were boring last night.

He shows his age a bit at times, but he's still mesmeric.

Like Ancelotti you mean?

With our continuous plethora of coaches of the highest order, don't you think that it's amazing how so few have gone on to manage abroad at either national or club level? These foreigners can't see what's right in front of them....

Perhaps that's because they have home grown managers of sufficient quality, and, therefore, don't need to look abroad.

Make your mind up. Half an hour ago you said that Foden was `doing what he normally does for England. Eff all`.

We did play well against Iran - although they were really poor on the day. My (poorly made!) point the other day was that - in the grand scheme of the tournament overall - we shouldn't read too much into England thrashing Iran in game 1. England should comfortably go through the group, then the real tests will come as the better teams get going.

Spain were lovely to watch at times yesterday. Their midfield 3 are right up there. As England did against Iran, Spain played very well, albeit against very poor opposition. I don't think either of these two games told us an awful lot about Spain or England that we don't already know, other than that they are capable of thrashing the weakest sides. I fully expect England to beat both USA and Wales, although they won't be as much as a walk over as Iran. The real test will be post the group stage. IMO, England's problem will be defensively against the better foward lines.

We've all seen England flatter to deceive against the weak sides, and then revert to type. That's not 'bollocks'. But yeah, let's see shall we.

My point is as pointless as the one you originally made. If no other team puts 6 past them, or if Iran put 2 past another side, it means nothing. I don't get over excited by beating a third rate team by any number of goals. We've all been here before.

... and if Iran put 2 past anyone else.

That's the crux of it to me. He's asking too many players to play in a way in which they aren't suited, or are incapable.

I totally agree, Tyrone. If he doesn't change, results will soon start to drop and then he'll know about it.

I couldn't care less about him giving some soft-arsed apology. I care far more about him realising and addressing his mistakes out on the pitch where it matters, starting with Preston Noth End.

Barnes is certainly not a likeable character, but sometimes you need a bit of skulduggery to win games. We don't have anyone like that, It's all too nicey, nicey.

For the intented style of football which JDT wants to play (keep the ball, high press etc) I think Ayala is the least cultured of our centre halves to play in that sort of system. In reality though, where we spend large chunks of each game sitting back, inviting pressure and defending balls into the box, he's vital IMO.

Szmodics is a limited footballer. Yes he's energetic and might grab the odd goal, but technically he's fairly poor & looks completely one footed. If we paid for him what has been reported, we've had our pants pulled down. He's not a patch on Dack.

Prior to last night, I was genuinely fearful that should we hit a bad patch, we'd struggle to fight our way out of it. With a better luck on the injury front, and with a solid set up as we had last night, I'm far more confident. As has been mentioned by a few posters, the team shape and set up last night was spot on. The back 3 are as good as it gets at this level. Ayala in particular is vital to the team.

He's just playing to his new audience, whilst at the same time taking a swipe at his ex employers who finally saw through him. Good riddance.

I'm with you. I'm not sure that, should we get on a sticky run, we'd have the wherewithal to fight our way out of it.

Don't you buy your pre-match food from the burger van, rather than paying what you've previously said are inflated concourse prices? Double standards, no?

For anyone yet to order Wigan tickets online. Rovers aren't doing a delivery service this week because of the postal strike, so tickets need to be collected either at Ewood or at the ground. After purchasing tickets online just now, then realising I hadn't requested delivery, I called the ticket office to confirm.