MarkBRFC71

I remember both those tournaments and England performances well - we were poor in '86 up to we played Poland and beat them 3-0 (I think?), and then in '90 we drew the first 2 and scraped through by beating Egypt 1-0 - it was the Belgium game that kickstarted that WC for us. Praying that last night was 2024's 'Belgium' game but it's the hope that kills you :)

If anyone thinks there will be any changes to the starting 11 other than replacing Guehi (and maybe Trippier if he's not fit - we can only hope as he's been utter wank) then you're deluded. That was as poor an England performance as I can remember - and I witnessed the Graham Taylor years. But somehow - despite and not because of Southgate - we're through. Are we actually going to win it being comfortably the poorest (but luckiest) team, or are we going to be found out by anyone half-decent?

Agreed. But we all know the world's dullest man will make one change - Gallagher for TAA - then bring TAA on after 60 mins when it's not working. 1-1 - England take the lead, sit back and invite pressure, concede an inevitable equaliser. So predictable it's almost scripted.

No.

That's the difference between club and international football - at club level you can have a 'system' and buy players specifically to fit into it; at international level you have to be able to adapt the system to fit the best available players, or pick/play players that best fit your system and if that means leaving out a brilliant player because there's a better one for the role (eg Bellingham vs Foden) then you have to have the bollocks to do it. What you must NOT do (and Southgate is falling into the oft-repeated trap) is shoehorn what's considered to be the best players into unfamiliar roles.

Exactly - should have brought Tyrick Mitchell, and told Trippier to retire. Was a pathetic display last night - no movement, no width, no fight. How on earth Palmer doesn't get on is incredible. Persisting with the same team as against Serbia - when it was blatantly clear that TAA isn't a midfielder as long as he's got a hole in his arse, the opposition can read what Trippier is going to do EVERY time he has the ball (cut inside), and Foden keeps on drifting inside and frankly getting in the way was madness. Bringing on Gallagher (a headless chicken if I've ever seen one), and Bowen when there are far better options on the bench - madness. The only thing he got right was subbing Kane who looks a shadow of his former self. Makes no runs, keeps dropping too far back. Feels like we have the best squad (at least going forward) but a League One manager right now - let's see what he does to change it but honestly I wouldn't be massively surprised if it's the same starting 11 against Slovenia. Oh and the post match comments about Kalvin Phillips - REALLY Gareth? What a load of absolute bollocks.

Do we need Trippier to offer RB cover when we've got Gomez and Trent who could cover Walker - arguably more proficiently? I still maintain that Mitchell would've been a better option as he's an actual LB, and being the most likely option to succeed Shaw it would have been good experience against lesser opponents in the group stages, rather than someone who's very much a stop-gap who shouldn't be starting at international level anymore. I agree defensively he did OK but offered absolutely nothing going forward. Agree about Gordon or Eze though - one of them has to play next game out left.

Positives: 3 points - when all's said and done we got the result. However it was in no way convincing and could easily have been a draw. Bellingham - superb. Guehi - considering our defence was supposed to be our weakness, I thought he - all of them to be fair - did well defensively, especially against two very physical strikers. Negatives: TAA - simply not a midfielder. One Hollywood ball every 25 passes does not an international footballer make. Positionally poor, first touch is average, loses the ball way too much and too easily under pressure. Trippier - shouldn't be in the squad, never mind starting. Should have taken an actual LB if we need someone to fill the gap until Shaw is fit, eg Tyrick Mitchell. He looked OK defensively but offered zero going forward and predictably turned inside every time. Couple that with Foden drifting in constantly meant that there was absolutely nothing coming from the left. Foden - in danger of being the new John Barnes, ie great for his club but doesn't fit into the England team. If he's going to play it has to be at nbr 10 - but unfortunately for him we already have perhaps the world's best 10 at the moment blocking his path. Southgate - once again, just like the final v Italy, we go 1-0 up and drop deeper and deeper trying to defend it instead of keeping the momentum going and trying to put the opposition to the sword. Subs - poor choices, too few and too late. Palmer should've been on instead of Bowen, Gallagher I thought did OK in that he at least added the energy and willingness to get in people's faces which TAA didn't. Foden should have been taken off for Gordon, also I'd have subbed Kane for Toney to give them something different to think about. Overall - a win's a win but it was far from inspiring. Southgate needs to stop falling into the trap of trying to shoehorn players into unfamiliar roles just to accommodate them playing.

I mean if the EFL system is anything like Ticketmaster no wonder it went tits up.

Went to see Depeche Mode a couple of weeks ago here in Munich at the Olympiastadion - absolutely brilliant. Second time seeing them - they actually just announced a new (arena rather than stadium) Euro leg of their tour so the third time is on the cards! Also bit the bullet and got tickets to see U2 at that new Sphere thing in Vegas in Oct - if you've not seen anything about that building look it up - it's unreal!

The ref has been abysmal but make no mistake the subs and change of shape cost us 100%. Piss poor decision.

Awful subs. Put us on the back foot when we were comfortable. Should’ve brought Dolan on for one of the front men to keep that energy in defending from the front. Cost us the game.

Having not lived in the UK since early 2016 I'm kinda glad I don't have to make a conscious decision to not go watch a team and club I used to be proud of, but that has steadily has become a shambolic, utter joke of an organisation. I'm back home in 2024 so I hope (but doubt) we will be at least respectable and moderately well run by then instead of this absolute shitshow we are right now.

Manic Street Preachers - Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier

This reckons £15m total - including whatever add-ons etc there are…. https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-southampton-blackburn-adam-armstrong-5759743

The Jam - English Rose

New Order - Leave Me Alone

Primal Scream - Come Together

The Doors - Touch Me

Africa Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

Morrissey - Suedehead

Saw IDLES a couple of weeks ago in Minneapolis (actually at First Avenue - where Prince did a lot of his early gigs and where good chunks of Purple Rain were filmed). Fantastic gig - not seen that much energy both on and off stage in a while. If you get chance to see them, take it - got some great songs, and love the juxtaposition between the ferocity of their songs and the message of unity and acceptance they deliver.

The Who - Let's See Action

Quite flattering that the obvious highlight of his career appears to be scoring against Lancashire's Only Premier League Champions - I'm guessing nothing will change in the next 10 years to alter that either. Also, not sure why Nob End think they are suddenly our massive rivals?