Euros 2024 — Day 3

I can't really get into the Euros but one refreshing thing this time around is the total absence of those silly little St George car flags!

I hope the England supporters look after themselves today. The Serbs can be a nasty bunch.

I'll go and watch them later, not bothered by the outcome. I'll be surrounded by London England supporters who will inevitably be singing songs about RAF bombers even though they aren't playing Germany.

There have been some entertaining matches so far.

And by the way, the England supporters have ruined one of my favourite Apres Ski songs Sweet Caroline.

I can't listen to it anymore.

The Only big game today is the Saints away to London.

I’m gutted Paul - I agreed to host a cricket match today - should’ve checked the calendar!

Danny #3, that a RU song as well, along with the much maligned Delilah.

Well, despite my indifference to England, I wish them well today.

As I said on the other thread, for those who have travelled, look after yourselves, as from first hand experience (in very different circumstances), the Serbs can be a hostile and violent bunch.

Just listen to FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS, instead Danny!

Probably the best stage to show your wares, the Euros, but Broja certainly did not make the most of it and did not impress me at all.
Granted he had very little service, but seemed happy to flit about, never thinking of going in for a tackle, and covered in sweat doing sod all. Given a comparison with DCL I would settle for DCL all day long.
Broja has a couple/three more games to impress - otherwise no thank you.

Unfortunately the England fans tend to resort to hooliganism. I have never been into watching them play. When it comes to the Euros or the World Cup which are nearly always great tournaments I might show a bit of interest. All the same it's great to see the stars of European football in action in teams that look like proper teams. England very often have the look of a bunch of guys who have never played together before.

I listened to that moronic 10 German Bombers song, beloved by the great unwashed over there. The ill educated, xenophobic half wits are doubtless unaware that the R.A.F. in those dark days was comprised of numerous Czechs, Poles and flyers of many nations.
These latter day heroes would be straight under the bed if Rishi got his way with conscription. Prats.

I see the German bombers song been sung this morning. Some lad even brought an inflatable plane.

Just banter of course by a minority ruining it for the real fans.

I don’t think it is a minority with England fans, Shane, but I remember being in Cologne, during the 2006 World Cup, and there was a few Germans, in amongst the crowd of English, going through their repartee, and they seemed happy enough to me.

Hopefully the violence doesn’t kick off, because that’s when I think it genuinely gets ruined for most sensible people.

If you find the TV commentary somewhat moronic, I have found the iPlayer is pretty cool for the games that are on BBC 1.

If you click on 'Extras', one option is to watch the BBC 1 video feed with fully synced audio from Radio 5Live. Call me whatever you want but I think 5Live commentaries are usually excellent.

Still, even with this arrangement, I found my concentration lapsing and drifting away to other things during that Italy v Albania match last night – despite (or maybe as a result of) the scintillating start.

The rest of the match plumbed the depths of boredom for me. Maybe I should drink less?

Good luck to England today. Serbia can indeed be an, shall we say, interesting fan base.

I hope you utterly destroy them. Bare bottom spanking please.

It’s not so much the game as the commentary, Michael? No wonder football courts controversy, because it can often be very boring now that it’s become such a saturated television sport, imo mate!

But the TV coverage shouldn't affect the way the game is played, Tony?

I can recall being enthralled by a Manchester derby back in the 1990s that I only witnessed thanks to that 'blanket' TV coverage that enabled me to watch it thousands of miles away on the West coast of America, and it was just a fabulous game of relentless attacking football.

Is it really TV that has caused managers and coaches the world over to play this utterly boring defensive shite?

Is it just me or is anyone else hacked off about the substitute info.
Players out and players in,wtk.Thought it was football not bloody cricket.

Despite my dislike for koeman and Saint Virg, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Dutch ever since the days of Cruyff, Neeskens, Rensenbrink etc… For such a wealth of talent since the 70’s they should’ve won a few World Cups and euros by now.

Why the hell aren't the cloggers playing in lurid orange?

It's not right, I tell you.

ps: Trevor, can you be more specific about your subs beef?

I, too, have a very soft spot in my heart for the Dutch.

Amazing fans. That sea of Orange is something else.

I have them in the final against France. It was unquestionably a "heart" pick, not a "head" pick. Can't help myself.

Gotta say every single stadium so far has looked fantastic, and the solid banks of colour…

And someone saying a lot of the huge stadiums were home to Second Division clubs? It's another world, I tell ya.

I see corn rows are the new man bun.

Lovely headed goal for da Polskis!

Left Virgil looking a right tart trying in vain to mark him! Hahahah.

How do you get a one-armed Pollock out of a tree?

Wave to him!

BOOM! 1-0.

Dale -

I so prefer the man bun to the corn rows.

If you're gonna do corn rows, why not just go dreadlocks? Corn rows are like the red-headed beaten stepchild of hair styles – just no.

Most of the top teams are playing fast paced, pass and run games in this tournament. I hope Gareth’s plodders do the same to the Serbs.

Brilliant chance for Depay! Wellied it.

What a dirty piece of shit that van Dijk prick is. Foul!

Tremendous movement and pace from the cloggers going forward. Fantastic.

Jamie, I got none so I despise them both.

What I do not like about the Dutch is their lack of fight. They always carry an arrogance somewhat deserved by the collective skill in their squad. Then, when backs are against the wall, they rarely find that fight that is the essence of international football.

Bloody jammy rs

One goal up and you make a silly attempted clearance to just outside the box, aaaaagh. A Dutch treat.

My father told me, just once, about the horror of flying in bombers.

Of the sheer terror of being in the sky in a crate full of bombs. Explosions going off all around you as people shoot shells trying to make your aeroplane explode. Bullets coming through the thin metal. Insane noise. Your mates being hit, some going up in flames. And all the time, you are aware of the hell you are unleashing on people on the ground.

Not really a subject for singing songs about as you enjoy your beer.

Fantastic tackle by that Polish player. A+ stuff there. All ball, hardy, clean as a whistle.

I haven’t seen Poland play such adventurous football since the great side of ‘74 (aaaaaaarrrrggghhh, still hurts).

Peter -

My Grandfather, "Pop" Meagher, flew a B-17 on D-Day.

He said it wasn't like the movies flying in and out of stuff. You just flew straight and prayed.

Hence the saying, "God is my Co-Pilot."

Frightening as (fill in mother of expletives).

Shane#12.
I saw that this morning on Facebook and couldn't resist posting my reaction to what I consider moronic behaviour.
Wow, the backlash I've been getting is uneffingbelievable, which merely strengthens my belief that this country (not judging others as I don't have enough experience of them) is laden with complete and utter idiots.

Just had a horrible thought……….has anyone noticed during international tournaments, in the middle of the advertising boards by the halfway line, the name of the city where the game is being played? Does that mean we have to put Liverpool when we hold Euro 28 games? 😨😨😨

No Rob, we'll blank that out somehow........either that or sneakily add "nil" after that word.

Anyone else lose TW for a bit? Site crashed for me.

Leave the last “L” off Brian, so it reads Liverpoo.

TW on my iPad has been shite for weeks now, Jamie. It’s like trying to write on treacle.

Happy Fathers Day to any Americans out there. I'm off to Mass and a family day.

Caught 17 blue crabs Friday and yesterday. We're eating like kings today for free.

C'mon England, destroy the Serbs.

Everyone have a great day.

On my IPad as well Colin. Mega slow. I can go for an Eartha, come back and it’s still trying to upload a thread or finish what I’ve typed.

Loving the little digs at St Virgil from Martin Keown

It’s Father’s Day here as well Jamie. 3.24pm and still not a peep from my kids🙄🙄
I’m glad it’s just not me, Rob. I was on the verge of chucking it in the bin although all the other websites are loading fine.

Well Happy Father's Day to one and all then! Good stuff.

Have a great day.

Jamie#36 - A salute to your grandfather.

Nice one Jamie, and the same to all TWrs Grandads and Dads today.
Have a Ball!

Same here, Colin. I've now swopped from Chrome back to Safari. No doubt given time, that will slow down as well.

Weghorst the best donkey in the game ?

All about getting ball-side of your marker.

Watch and learn, Dominic!

koeman morphing into Barney Rubble

I'd take Weghorst if we could flog Beto

Seeing Koeman on another high salary is just wrong. Horrible man. On another note England fans, cheaper beer, sunshine and late kick off. What could possibly go wrong?

Kunai, I’d take Weghorst as well but I’d prefer Fullkrug from Dortmund.

Is this the same Weghorst who played for Burnley and got booed ?

I am the same about the Dutch Colin. I think their issue has often been team harmony.

That team that won the Euros in 1988 was special and who can forget that Van Basten Goal? If you weren't around or were too young, just go on You Tube. Truly special.

Almost as good as Graham Sharp's at Anfield. Almost!

On Weghorst, he is still a Burnley player on loan. Maybe Dyche can use his contacts and get him in?

Weghorst was also on loan at man united last season. Well 22/23 season.

That was one sweet goal right there by the Danes. Simple, elegant, perfectly executed.

Mike

I remember vividly listening on the radio in the car when it appeared Eriksen was gone. Incredible to see him score that goal three years later

Rob I love your unrelenting hate of the red shite. Who else would have thought about the name on the half-way line!!!! Only pure unadulterated hate explains how you came up with that one. I simply cannot fathom it when some on here have a dig at someone else having a dig at them (I don't care etc.)

Hating them is part of the natural identity we get when we get chosen to be one of us. It helps to define who we are.

Slovenia in it. Wicked deflection, but a great strike.

@Paul Ferry, every single one of them, even my relatives!

Slovenia deserved that

They are the unforgiven Danny.

I see there have been "skirmishes" between England and Serbian fans in Glekwhatsitsname.

Gelsenkirchen Brian, although the BBC presenters keep pronouncing it wrong.

It's actually an ugly city, dominated by Schalke 04.

But although it was built around coal mines, it does remind me of Liverpool.

Gluck Auf to the England supporters attending or watching.

Yeh that's it. Thanks Danny. 🤣

I see Eni Aluko is one of the pundits for our game. Will she give us any more insightful gems?

TAA cult continues on the Beeb. Vomit inducing.

Colin (69) I saw that: announcement he was playing with a picture. Ludicrous: that will be the RS gimps who infest the BBC who have done that.

Alexander the scrote ahead of Palmer; that's seriously wrong

Wonder if the commentators will be calling him Trent, or Alexander Arnold? Makes you wanna throw up! 🤮🤮🤮

The lack of match fitness of Guehi is the only likely target that Serbia have.

So apart from former Ireland international Declan Rice blasting out God Save the king, this is unlikely to be entertaining.

On the contrary Paul, endlessly reading about Liverpool FC on an Everton website wears me out. I’ve no interest in them but yet they’re everywhere. It’s almost as bad as the BBC 😀

As Moriarty was to Sherlock Holmes and The Master was to Doctor Who, the Red Shite are to Everton. It is in the duality of the DNA of the football universe. Accept it and hate the fuck out of them.

Oh yeah, Rob, let’s be sure “Liverpool” is printed in Royal Blue.

Hi Shane mate, I don't think that this site is saturated with red shite reading - I make a distinction between a quip or dig and something more serious. These digs and quips are a part of our ammunition and there is no reason at all therefore why they should not pop up on here..

Tell you what though, do 5Live ever stop talking about Alexander the Scrote.

Shane, my immediate family are Evertonians.

My extended family are a mix of red and blue.

And having lived in in west London for so long I mix with so called Kopites who can't spell Anfield.

I don't mind debating with them. I shamefully end up educating them!!

And it’s a short pass by Jordan out to Kyle, who plays it back inside to John. John carries the ball forward and finds Declan in space, who moves the ball onto Jude Na Na Na Naaah, Hey Jude. Jude Na Na Na Naaah Hey Jude plays a ball out wide to Phil who moves down the line. Kieran is overlapping and whips in a wonderful cross onto the head of Harold who knocks the ball down for Bukayo to slam home!

And not a fucking Alexander Arnold in sight!

brilliant tunnel at Schalke, made from local stone. Jordan likes a singsong, you could drive a car down his gob at "born to.. " Wow what a demise for Schalke and seemingly little to give them much hope - shite Schalke is Deutsch for Everton.

Serbia has such a dodgy history: start with Bigger/Greater Serbia and WW1. The deity is supporting Ingerlaund and singing about bombers.

Apparently, it was Albanians and Serbs fighting in Gelsenkirchen earlier

Alright then!

Wrong thread previously!! Cracking goal.

C'mon you Imperialist bastards!!! JK!

Great goal. But my God what are Serbia doing? No real pressure, allowing England to just pass the ball around at will. Don't like how they are set up.

Mong cross got a poxy deflection and bellend given a hemisphere of space.

Pickford can pull out a lawn chair and crack a beer right now.

I don’t know. This is where TAA could cost us in the middle. Going wide for possession and the overload switch is fine but now he will need to defend occasionally.

Jamie, England's defence is very very fragile (there you go, on cue, Alexander the Scrote), Jordan will be tested.

Fuck off Shearer, you mong. “Trent’” wasn’t caught on it, it was piss poor control which made him lose the ball, nearly resulting in a Serbia equaliser.

England's weakness - you can F around in your own end against the likes of Serbia and get away with it sometimes.

Try doing that against France, Spain, Germany... you will get torched.

Paul you beat me to it! EXACTLY!

Ya Dale gotta say, be judicious with the "us" m'man.

I believe your "us" us USA! England ain't "us". Root for 'em, I am. But us?

Never, never, never.

Our boys hid behind trees and picked those boys off to win Independence. Never an "us".

😜

Paul -

You can take that gun from me when you pry it from my dead, cold fingers.

Foden and TAA not in this game so far. Saka and Bellingham superb.

TAA having a stinker. No energy and no quality. Commentators know they can't criticise though...

Jamie, once I get a couple of verses of Jerusalem in my lungs I am English for a while. Not sure they’ll have me but I’m doing this rather than that lame ass Copa Gringo. Fuck maaan, they even let Canada in.

I sing the Mark E. Smith version btw.

Eze on the other wing from Saka and these would be toast.

Dale Hahahahahaha!!!!

Brilliant response.

Steve, thanks for reminding me that Foden is playing ...

Alexander Arnold off for Eze or Palmer. Foden and Bellingham in front of Rice. Job done

Yes, we have a goal. Get TAA off the pitch.

I thought England played a good half. Aimless passing first 10 or so minutes, but they controlled the game.

Expect a much tastier second half as Serbia will come out of their shell.

So basically one jammy cross that could have gone anywhere, happened to pop up nicely. The other cleanly hit crosses have completely missed everyone.

And poor Harry hasn't had a touch, has he?

Excellent goal by Bellingham who looks in a different class to the rest.
Serbia sure like to get stuck in.

Southgate trying to play his version of PepBall. Dull and boring just like him. What a load of codswallop so far.

Jamie, a poor England performance let Serbia back into the game who looked the more likelier to score in the last 15 minutes. England's defence is just not working. The Palace lad is not up to it and is out of depth. The holding mids are giving the Serbs way too much room. Foden, Saka, and Bellingham goal aside have had no real effect on the play. Has Kane actually touched the ball? It's crying out for Palmer and Eze and a half-time chat with the whole defence.

LOL Harold had 2 touches in the whole half.

I’d put Gallagher on for golden boy. We need a bit of energy in MF.

Dale, Arnold has been by far the worst England player in the pitch. Surprised he started the second half but I can't see him lasting much longer.

Two words in Bellinghams head when that ball bounced up invitingly.

"Thats mine"

what is that asshole darke going on about "bouncer", it's always been called a "drop ball" in England, fecking knob.

“Trent” a liability in midfield

Wharton would be a better bet than TAA. and a left footer to provide balance. In fairness Guehi has been very good so far.

I wonder if it’s too hot out in Gelsenkirchen for our lads? That the usual English excuse for playing like they have lead in their legs.

You could very easily see this game turn.

Serbia well up for it!

Yeah Rob, most Serb possessions that cross the midline go to their left, our right, because TAA is over there. And he does his best defending with his fucking arms.

Let’s see the cogs on Southgate’s tactical brain slowly churn on the problems the Serbs are causing

Get Palmer and Eze on you half-wit Harrogate tit.

This is not working cardigan waistcoat turd.

Southgate is brain dead

Two years of prep and he picks a team that have never played together before featuring 3 right backs. Then we lack creativity and balance but Grealish, Madison, Chilwrll, Rashford and Branthwaite are on a beach somewhere so we can’t even bring them off the bench.

This lad Vich is all over the pitch for Serbia.

Keep on hanging on Southgate.

TAA has been nothing but a liability. Rice and Bellingham are running themselves into the ground here.

Does Fox use Musk’s satellites for TV transmissions?

I called Gallagher

If we don’t win this it’s gonna be no easier going forward. Slovenia have a bunch of journeymen but some great attackers and a top goalie. Denmark play like an organized team.

Colin

At this point I’d welcome Dermot Gallagher as a sub for TAA

Sheared must be crying into his cuppa!

GET FODEN OFF

Good fuck off TAA and take Southgate with you

Surely they’re not taking “Trent” off?!

Memorable performance by him - memorable as in shit.

Or the watermelon smasher.

Most of them have been shite, Paul.

Steve, he wasn't that good.

Palmer should have come on not Gallagher

And fucking Foden should follow him.

Southgate out!!!

2 shots on target after 75 minutes, with some of the best forward talent in the world.

In Southgate we trust.

Bowen and Gallagher on, Eze and Palmer left as spectators.

GET FLASH ON

Paul

Cole isn’t on the bench. Not sure if he’s sick or injured. On a different note, my 1987 school photo aged 10 was autographed by the now Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic. Long story.

How many touches has Kane had near or in the box? Fuuuck maaaan

When England went in front, I was expecting 4:0. Tight enough now.

world class save

Ok, there’s one with TAA off the pitch I would add.

Kane championship at best 😬

Cheers Kieran, I didn't know that

Dale

I think Kane read your post

Branthwaite having a little smile at home.

Colin

Phil Neville is at home thinking “If Southgate was boss in my day I could have been the number 8 midfield maestro”

Fantastic Jordan

I think that paint is still wet. I'll keep watching it.

Pickford the guy Dietmar Hamman says is Englands weak link ….

Spot on KK

Rory McIlroy tied for the lead in the US Open

Bellingham off??!!

Southgate told Jordan Henderson to warm up before he realised his mistake

Graham Taylor must be turniping in his grave. He got more out of Andy Sinton, Carlton Palmer and Alan Smith,

It’s not as we would like it but Picks and Kane could carry us. Kane headed that ball away from goal, did some fantastic work in the midfield and was over that Serb defender who had weight on him. We al know what Picks is capable of doing in the clutch.

"Us' does not say "in the clutch" Dale mate

I’m reporting that as an abusive comment Paul.

At no point in that game did I agree with a single word Shearer said.

Lucky.

Sorry Dale.

Pickford, Rice, Bellingham and Bowen carried the rest. Guehi and Walker were OK. Stones terrible. TAA sub terrible. Most of the rest had no involvement at all but it all falls on the negative imaginative manager because we know these players are good.

England wins a game like this - concerns, the sky is falling, Southgate is a numpty, we'll choke eventually, etc.

USA wins a game like this - Hung on. Did what they had to. Big opening win. Massive three points to start the group stage.

Eat their own I swear those English.

Typical England, score relatively early then shit themselves and lose all confidence and sense of self belief.

Commentators and pundits are all part of the old boys club, Steve. Southgate is fucking useless

Can’t wait for the highlights.

4 weeks of 'Trent'! I think I'll watch on Swiss TV!

Mal. Here they . did you see that?

Jamie

With respect mate one of your greatest ever coaches was Bruce Arena and greatest player was John Harkes an average EPL right bsck 30 years ago so expectations vary.

Ouch, Kieran

But but Alexi Lalas. Actually, Tab Ramos could have made it to Europe respectably if Valderama hadn’t smashed his head in.

But but..Landon Donavon

Bellingham is supremely confident without being arrogant. Looks and sounds the part.

Awful, boring game. But we won. This is why you can never judge transfer targets from international football. Kane's lack of pace got exposed. Foden and Alexander-Arnold were very poor generally.

I'll give credit to Guehi though. Obviously he's playing in Branthwaite's spot but he had a good game tonight.

Colin, Southgate should feel comfortable in company of England managers of the calibre of Graham Taylor, Steve McLaren, Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson.

Couldn't agree more Julian. Rory doing well here. Come on lad.

Kobe Jones was half decent.

Bellingham reminds me of one of the old school Brazilians. He has that stature and seems to just saunter around without breaking a sweat even though he works his ass off. Serbia kicked the crap out of him too but he had some brilliant touches and a brave Andy Grayesque header. If as Spanish league player of the year, 20 plus goals from midfield plus league and champions league titles he doesn’t win Ballon d’or then something is seriously wrong.

Just watched that utterly abject pile of shite and reflected that Alan Ball, Ray Wilson and the rest got £2k each for winning the world cup.
Probably, allowing for inflation, what Cunt Alexander- Arnold earns in a week.

Ace Rory now two clear in the lead.

Multiply that by 10 or 15 Andy.

Steve, I’d say Southgate is the worst out of that bunch. They didn’t have the crazy talent Southgate has at his disposal.

Kieran # 140, what a story. Stojkovic was one of my favourite players from the first world cup I can remember (1990) - a brilliant player. Cherish the signature!

Robert

It was from the football league v the rest of the world. My Dads Russian mate was the translator for the 3 Soviet players and asked him to get a signed photo of Belanov. He said in Russia it’s the tradition to sign a photo of the person receiving the autograph. So he insisted on my Dad giving him my school photo. Anyway instead of just getting Belanov he got the lot Stojkovic, Platini, Maradona, Lineker even Pele who was a guest. So I’ve got this 1987 St Joseph’s school photo with my messy hair, yellow tie and blazer graffitied over by the best football players of the time lol,

Had to turn off after 60 minutes of Shearer stating the bleeding obvious.

Allen

You’re lucky in the US most games are Warren Barton and a woman who during the Italy game yesterday said “Italy didn’t qualify for the last World Cup but in Italy that’s not as important as the most important thing is the European championship which they’ve won twice in their history.” So I guess no one in Italy cared about the FOUR World Cup wins?

Southgate has turned England around since he took charge, he has got rid of all the childish cliques that came from players rivalry with playing for different club teams.
The team spirit and the togetherness in the camp is far better since he took over. Players now love playing for England witch wasn't always the case before, in terms of success he is the only manager since Sir Alf to get us to a Final. I do think if he had been more positive we could have won that Final and also got to a World Cup Final as well.Overall he has done a good job and the players all enjoy playing for him.

Not much to get enthused about.

A win is a win but very much expected against one of the inferior nations.

Very disjointed at times but should get at least a point against the Danes and also Slovenia who showed more than I expected.

The tougher games are to come but some players may need to be replaced.

David

He’s also pushed out anyone with a personality. Grealish and Madison are a bit cocky Jack the lad types so they’re out. Cole Palmer is only in cause he stepped into Mason Mounts role as the preppy Chelsea player whose stats are inflated by penalties and set pieces. His little England attitude means Dier for years as a utility player at Spurs was picked but once he went to Germany and impressed he was dropped along with everyone else playing overseas bar Kane. Then Sterling a key player leaves camp cause his family endure an armed robbery and he’s suddenly banished after years of being a key man. The guy is an insecure control freak who just wants yes men. Don’t tell me the 66 team didht have some cocky and arrogant players. But Southgate would pick a Lallana or Bamford private school boy every day of the week over a working class Gazza type. Beyond that his tactics are overly negative.

It's not even funny how much this team could use Branthwaite. But what do I know?

Bill

Funny thing is Guehi who was picked over him actually played well. But Stones was dreadful. That hospital ball straight up in the air from kickoff then that attempted clearance that nearly went into his own net. I wonder if Stones is one of those guys who needs a steadying influence beside him? Either way Branthwaite would have been better than him.

I've never rated bloody Southgate. Branthwaite and Grealish should be there and Twent in midfield in front of Palmer or indeed Eze. Pathetic. Dull. Negative.

Watched the entire match on TV but, as is now commonplace for me, for years, was hugely unimpressed with the attempts on target - a mere three in the entire game.

Kane has not improved as a goal scorer since going to Germany and given he's decided not to backtrack, in which he excelled at Spurs, in favour of staying higher, as he said after the match, he was somewhat additionally ineffectual. The physicality of Toney/Watkins would have been a better option but the best option would have been Cole Palmer, a slippery intuitive scorer/playmaker in the box.

Foden and Stones playing for City, with their plethora of talent all around them, find the game a breeze. For England they rarely shine though, but a player who really does shine in an ordinary Palace team is Eze, prolifically scoring/teeing-up chances every week, on his own. He should be in the team....... as should Branthwaite.

Classic Southgate there, take off your best player on the night Bellingham (see Rice vs Italy) and squeak a 1-0 win. Unlike vs Italy.

Only Rory has a tighter collar than Gareth. Absolutely brutal how he played those last 4 holes with the lead. Exhibit A why he hasn't won a major in 10 years.

Serbia committed so many fouls in the first half, yet I can't remember an England player running into the box with the ball at his feet even once. Early doors I was expecting at least one penalty from Foden or Saka doing just that, but it never happened. Better to just check up and pass it back to the halfway line. Surely that's on instruction from Southgate? Yes he's reached a final and a semi, a better manager would have won both those tournaments though. He's likely to win nothing with a very good generation of attacking English talent much like Martinez did with Belgium.

Bellingham barely had a jog in him by the second half. No wonder he was replaced. Take your pick though, none of the midfield looked interested in playing the cut and thrust football they play for their clubs. Saka was good first half, to be fair, but faded.

The left side is a big worry when it really didn’t need to be. Tripper is really poor on the left and with no support ahead of him we looked completely stale.

As others have said, Eze and Palmer should get a look in, but we really need to change the philosophy that slow, ponderous, keep ball is the way to go when the game is on the line.

Kieran 191,
I agree with some of your views regarding Southgate not being more positive, I would have taken Branthwaite as he would have given the team balance. I would also have taken Grealish as he gives us something different but think he made the right call not taking Madison.
We do have another overseas player that he picked and who has personality, is cocky and arrogant Jude Bellingham!

David

Good call on my “slight” 😬 oversight on Bellingham. But how can he completely disregard Tomori, Lofus Cheek, Dier, Sancho, Gomes, etc but then agonize over Saudi based middle aged Henderson who went and failed to make an impact in Holland, after Jarrod had a starring by role there for a year before doing the same in the EPL?

Well, that was a dull watch.

I was surrounded by England supporters who seemingly think they've already won the competition after a narrow victory.

Well played Jordan Pickford.

For the England supporters, the important thing is to get through the group, which they should.

Germany have been masters of it over decades.

Jamie @164
My thoughts exactly.

Sky sports player ratings for last night give Trent Arnold an 8/10. 😂😂😂😂

Kane needs to stay up front and centre on the last defender. That would have taken up 3 of the defenders and stopped the pile on 2nd half. With him Bellingham and Fode. All tripping over each other in the 8/10 area Ingurlund will be out in the first KO stage. DCL could actually have been more effective than him and Gordon would have been more than Foden.

May as well have had Marti Caine up front

Rob # 201, you could sense a desperation from the commentators to find things to praise TAA for. It was embarrassing. The guy had a stinker but the media are he'll bent on him being the English DeBruyne. If he was an Everton player putting in that display for England he'd have been the lowest rated on the pitch with calls for him to be replaced with Curtis Jones.

Like many on here I'm not particularly bothered about how well Ingerlund do in this tournament. But the points were gained against a tough if unspectacular side. Credit were its due. I recall a mind numbing 0- 0 against Uruguay in 1966...things didn't end that badly.

Not very inspiring was it.

The England players with a few exceptions are over rated as per usual by the media who have a vested interest in doing so.
Then you have highlights they delight in showing which gives a false impresion that players and games are so good all the time.

Watching the majority of matches live now bores me ridgid, maybe because I'm almost 80 and have seen it all before, but mainly because of all the useless passing that now goes on back and forth.

We are now 7/2 favs with UK bookmakers mainly because they know the majority English punters will back them whatever price they offer.
They are false favs they should be a of minimum 6/1.

Dont get me wrong I hope they win the tournament but personally I cant see it happening.

Foden was poor on the night because he had a right footed player Trippier playing at left back behind him, I'm sure if Luke Shaw was fit they would have linked up better, felt a bit sorry for Foden as he just couldn't seen to get in the game at all, most of the play came down the right with Saka and Walker who compliment each other, I find it hard to believe that we haven't got a fit left back to pick, Shaw hasn't played competitvley since the end of February but he is the only left back in the squad, I thought Guehi looked solid and was the standout performer in defence.

Posted twice. Don't know why.

Just the same old England. Huffing and puffing away for a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a deflected cross against a tiny Serbia. The other three nations in our group just about manage a population if 15 million put together. Not even half of Englands. A giant Gulliver against the Lilliputions.
Once again we go into a tournament with a bunch of decent players but no idea how to form them into a team and ridiculously over ambitious hopes of winning it. Apparently the 58 years of failure since 1966 are always forgotten at the start of these things. Just being called "England" appears to be enough for the likes of Shearer to get carried away. According to the pundits Bellingham appears to be the New Gerrard/Lampard/Cole rolled into one. Maybe it's because he had the good sense to leave the pressure cooker of the PL behind for European football.
I think England's real problem is it's the only time English players are surrounded by a wholly English squad. Back at their clubs they are very much the minority surrounded by top class players from all over Europe and managed by top continental managers to make them look better than they actually are. As apposed to 2nd rate losers like Southgate whose only try at club management ended in relegation.

Yet more BBC anti EFC bias: On today's live match feed when discussing Ukraine.

KEY PLAYERS

Three Premier League players have been included in the Ukraine squad.

Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi, Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko paired on the left with Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk.

Either our Vitali doesn't play for us any more or, BBC doesn't think Everton are a Premier League club any more.

Isnt Myko injured??

Gary, Myko is out injured mate.

Don't start me Gary.

I don't actually mind the BBC, but that Breakfast programme boils my blue blood. I often get the remote control confiscated and the tele switched off due to my rants.

He's injured by the way Gary.

That Ronald Koeman looks more and more like Eddy Izzard every day.

He's on the bench

England's match was on Fox Sports in the states with commentary by Ian Darke and Landon Donovan. Darke was calling out the names of club banners and Landon added "And Everton". He is still one of us.

Folks, I know Myko is injured but he is still in the squad, contrary to what the BBC were saying.