Eh, yeah.

Woo Hoo - one Christain Rock band down, now if Nickelback split up the music World would be such a better place. Creed are very good. I got their last two albums and thought that both Human Clay and Weathered had some great stuff on them. Nickelback are not a Christian rock band and IMO are brilliant. I'm not a Christian rocker but do think that Christian rock bands like Evanescence, Disturbed, Seether and P.O.D do some great music. If you can get past all the 'God', then you can see that they are good, without buying into their beliefs.

A good move to replace Flitcroft, because I don't think that we will be seeing as much of him next season, so it is important that the captain is someone who plays every game. Ferguson was an excellent captain at Rangers and is the perfect replacement. The sad thing is IMO is that there aren't too many other players that you give the captains armband to, Amoruso or Friedal maybe.

Good points.

It was hard luck on England, to lose the way they did. The ref was hopeless, although I thought that Campbell's goal was 50/50 and it just went against England,as many things did. However, I thought Portugal played better than England and deserved to go through. There is no doubt that England worked hard, and their defence was outstanding, but being under pressure for nearly the whole match, finally took its toll. As some people have already pointed out, the substitutions played a big part. Big Phil had to go for it and put on attacking options, which were better than Englands. You could see way Sven put on the players he did, Portugal were in control of the midfield and were looking very dangerous, so he was hoping that the likes of Neville and Hargreaves would be able to add more stability to the midfield. If he had brought on the likes Of Dyer or Cole, would it have made a difference? Would England have been even more over run, because these players aren't defensive, or would they have been able to catch Portugal on the break? Again, I thought that Beckham was totally anonomous and I don't understand way he wasn't taken off in any of the matches. I know that he is the captain, who lead by example, but when he isn't leading and is one of Englands poorest players, then you could make a case for his substitution. But then again, you would keep him on for his delivery from set pieces alone. Overall, a great game, with some great goals, Rui Costa's imparticular.

What are you talking about? I came out and explained the meaning behind my post even though I didn't need to, to try and defuse some tension and you post some smart ass comments about how these teams, that we all know are out, are out, out, out, just so we are not in any doubt. On the rare occasion that England actually perform in a big tournament, people like yourself try and be as ignorant as possible, to those who echo the thoughts of some of your own countrymen in relation to England's performances. Very big of you.

First off, I wasn't 'slating' England, I was saying exactly the same thing as alot of other English people said, because after the first two games, England weren't playing the way that their fans hoped they would in order to trouble the favourites. England defended well against France, but didn't have much of an attacking threat. I tell you now, if Ireland play like that against France in qualifing, I'll be more than happy, but not with that result. Can you argue against the idea that England didn't play well against the Swiss, which numerous English supports have also said. In my post I also said that it is the result that matters, hardly 'slating'. These weren't sneering comments, but because they came from someone who didn't support England they were percieved to be so. If under my location, was written London or Southampton, I doubt that the comments would be taken in the same way. As for the predictions, what predicitions? I was pointing out the strengths of the other teams that were just casually dismissed. I never said that they would qualify, even if I believed that the strength that the Italians and Spanish had would lead them through the group stages, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one. Also by saying that I said that Spain had the best attack, when I said that they had some of the best attackers in the world, would indicate that you saw a couple of lines, which wasn't praising England, but looked at some of the strenghts from some of the other countries and took it to be anti-English slagging, where all the other teams were so far ahead of them, that they had no chance. Moreover, with the Germans, we all saw how such an awful side, somehow got through to the World Cup Final, and last night should have qualified, even though they were one of the worst teams in the competition. I for one am glad that they are out and that the Czechs and Dutch are through after showing what they are a capable of. But no mention is made of that, because it isn't as funny and was a decent assessment of the teams.

Totally agree. Good thing that I don't support them.

Indeed they did, and I never believed otherwise. They had as much chance as the Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden etc.

Would it be as funny if England went out?

My powers of looking into the future must have been off that night, along with the other people who laughed at the idea of England having more quality than Spain. As for the analysis, people saying things like England are going to win the the competition, with it being pre-ordained like the rugby world cup is hilarious. If they were to win it, it would be one big upset.

They coped with Spain pretty well. And the only ageing player in the team is Figo, who is still brilliant. Since they have drafted in Carvalho, their defence has tightened up, with both centre backs being one of the few pairings who could handle the pace and movement of Rooney and Owen. Also, thought Beckham had another average game.

England played well tonight, but Rooney is on a different planet. They were helped along by some crazy defending, considering that Tudor plays for Juventus and Kovac plays for Bayern Munich, who'd expect better. The best perfomance from England in some time. The Portugal game is going to be good. Both teams finding some form, Portugal have the home advantage and their own wonderkid in Ronaldo, while England have Rooney.

Absolutely.

Listening to a band called Seether, I think that they might be Christian rockers like Creed and Evanescence, but they are pretty good. My brother got the album of Melissa Auf Der Maur, who was the base player in Hole and it is brilliant, as well as the Soundgarden A sides which is top class.

This would be a very poor signing in my opinion. He is 30 years old, he played in the defence of possibly the worst team in the Premiership lasy yeart. He is injury prone and the money could be used to get someone younger, or pay the wages of someone out of contract like Thomas Helveg. It better not be our last signing, because Souness said that he wanted 4 players, which we need.

Well, after such impressive games, obviously no one will.

After tonights game, I think that even teams like Italy and France will worry about playing these teams. The Dutch for once played like a team and with the players they have it is inevitable that they will play well. The Czech's are a different class to anything that has been seen in the tournament and would beat even the best nations like France and Spain on that performance.

Yeah, the 9 other teams that England could apparently roll over on the way to European success. Can you actually argue with the comments I've made? For all this hype about England, we haven't really seen anything of them which would say that they are potential champions. Yes, they defended very well against France, restricting them to a few efforts on goal. But England were very negative, with Rooney's run being the only highlight of England's game. And moreover, they lost. They were poor against 10 man Switzerland and there are plenty of English supporters saying that. For the teams I mentioned, I also said that none of them have produced a performance they are capabe of. Apparently, the same thing could be said for England.

The signing of De Pedro came out of the blue for me. I know that we have been looking for a left winger, but I had totally forgotten about De Pedro, but I'm delighted that we have signed him. He is a class player, who has played at the highest level, who is 30, but most importantly he is left footed! I'm also happy because he has come on a free, so maybe the money that was being used to try and bu Pedersen will be used elsewhere?

I doubt there are many teams worying England either. They defended very well against France, but apart from Rooney's brilliant run which lead to the penalty, didn't have an attacking threat. Yesterday, England were playing like they usually do, pretty averagely. Rooney's goal went against the run of play, ball retention and creativity was terrible and Switzerland were more than a match for England. Steven Gerards goal was very well crafted and was probably the best bit of football England have played. Switzerland playing with 10 men finally took its toll. But then again, it is the result that counts. The Croatians showed that they can play and will need to win, so England aren't through yet. France haven't really shown what they are made of, but known of the top class teams have really done it yet. They are still one of the top teams in the competition and will be there or there abouts when the final comes. Their only real weakness is Desailly, but if they play Silvestre or Gallas in the midfdle, then the problem is solved. Italy will miss Totti, but when you have players like Fiore, Cassano or Del Piero to play in that position, then it shows us all the depth in class that they have. Added to that, their brilliant defence and goalkeeper. Germany showed that they aren't passed it yet and always raise their game for the big occasion and with players like Nowotney, Worns and Hamann, they are going to be extremely hard to break down. The Dutch do hate eachother, but there will be a point when they click and when they have the likes of Van Der Vaart, Sneijder, Van Der Meyde, Van Nistelrooy, Davids and Seedorf, the results would be devastating. Spain not having enough quality if England are on top? Apart from Raul Bravo, their defence and goalkeeper are world class. Their midfield has everything, passing ability, defences qualities, tones of creativity, wingers who really go past players and a real goal threat. Up front they have some of the best strikers in the world, although Raul is having a shocker like Owen. Not enough quality? Czech Republic going forward are one of the best teams about and with the likes of Nedved, Rosicky and Poborsky they can destroy anyone. It is in defence that they are shakey. The Greeks are indeed a handful and have shown that they are no pushovers, but like you say, are beatable. Portugal will be lucky if they are in the tournament, but with the players they have and having home advantage, they have to be a threat to any country. Sweden are my dark horses. A solid defence, a good midfield and in Larsson and Ibrahimovic they have one of the best striking partnerships in the tournament. The Danes are also quite useful. With Jon Dahl Tomasson and Ebbe Sand they have a good strike force, in Gronkaer, Rommedahl and Jorgensen they have top class wingers. Their defence is also very good, as they showed against the Italians.

I wouldn't say that England played well last night. Defensively they were brilliant, with France finding it nearly impossible to break them down. But England didn't actually play that much football, but then again, when you are 1-0 up against the French, you are going to defend your lead. I thought that Rooney was very good, but his run leading up to the penalty was the only time that England really looked a threat. I thought that Beckham was hopeless. A draw would have been a far result, but even to draw at that stage would have been cruel, let alone lose. Zidane's free kick was the work of a genius. He is the best player that I have ever seen and when you think that someone like Beckham is a world class player, you see Zidane and see that he is a class above.

What's all this twaddle about 'inspiring the fans'? This is Blackburn Rovers! I doubt even Zidane would fill our ground! Signing Andy Cole (a Massive signing at the time) hardly added thousands to the gates did it? Inspire the fans that do go.

A striker was needed, but signing Paul Dickov, no matter how hard he works, is hardly an inspiring transfer, that will excite the fans. I know that we don't have much money, but there are better players out there who we could get in on a free transfer. However, I will support Paul and hope that he can score a few goals for us.

I'm listening to Pearl Jam is I write this. Top band. I'm also into some new American bands, called Trapt and Story Of The Year. Their stuff is mostly on Kerrang is pretty good. I downloaded the albums, which saves me £15.