Euros 2024 — Day 12

Ashley Young and Jack swooped up for another year in the face of hot and intense competition. Phew, so that's two starting places sorted out for Brighton.

Despite my Austrian heritage I must put football first. C'mon Holland!!

Despite my Austrian heritage I must put football first. C'mon Holland!! A draw is most likely

it just clicked, you were one of the kids in Sound of Music Colin, weren't you. Join in mate: doe a deer, a female deer.

No relationship to the Von Clapp family, Paul. But if there are any royalties on offer I'll accept my share.

Those kids never got what they deserved

Just tuned in. Osterreich 1-0. Good stuff.

Didn't they sue Disney a couple of years ago asking for money? If they get some I think the penguins in Mary Poppins should get some as well.

Inclined to support Austria but IF England win their group they may have to play wheoever comes third in this. I just don't trust Koeman "that blonde man shouldn't have been on the pitch," not to pull some Graham Taylor era sneakiness against us, assuming that is we do win the group and Southgate actually figures out a way not to defeat ourselves.

What about the poor exploited puppies in 101 Dalmations?

some great oggies in this tournament

Are France just playing possum in this tourney or have they just turned crap?

Disney was lucky the RSPCA weren't around when he was abusing animals, Paul. Is that our old boy, Hitzelberger chatting to gabby? I must admit it, Gabby Logan gets better with age.

now that was a good goal

Old Walt was not a nice person, was he? Welcoming Nazis to his gaff a month after Kristallnacht. But he was a fan of our Dixie.

right now Southgate's journeymen and bin-men could be playing the orange in the next round.

Immer wieder Österreich. Paul. If we went through a list of nazi sympathisers we'd be here all night

Colin

Jay Woods (Lat) would be bound to return to the site

In spite of the torments that Landberger Gessler rained down on William Tell ( ITV late 50s) I cannot support a team with that has St Virgil in its line up

Koeman is the Uncle Albert of footy management. No matter how good the squad is he will sink the ship

I remember Jay Woods (Latvia) for his nonsensical muttering, Kieran. On the other hand, Jay Wood (Brazil) was both highly intelligent and condescending in equal measure. I know which one I'd prefer to see back.

Alan, I think you're mixing up Switzerland with Austria.

Ah, the religious fundamentalist Kieran. I'd forgotten about him.

Same Alan. But I don't particularly want that gang of skinheads who attacked us (unsuccessfully) on the street at Rotterdam to be happy either. We had a Austria Vienna fan - Ralf - who stayed with us all day on his mission to maim as many Rapid fans as possible. Good old Ralf, he saved me when I got legged outside the ground outside their end and ran straight into a tree.

I hope Ralf has had a good life!

Paul

You're mate Ralf may not like that VAR intervention. It looked almost as if the gravity from his arm guided it in without somehow actually making contact.

Both games going mental now.

No, but I would not like to see Southgate's lads playing Austria who have their top keeper, defender, and midfielder missing today.

Hang on!

Ralf is smiling again. What a game this is.

That finish was a thing of beauty.

It's fin watching St. Virgil's face.

I just turned to take a bite of my sandwich and its 3-2. Poland at it also.

Austria heading the group now. The Orange dickheads in 3rd. Good to see, like Southgate's clowns, the Austrians drop so deep after their third.

How can you mention a sandwich without telling us what is on it?

Turkey and tomato or should I say Türkiye

Must remember that in the 1930's Austria were probably the best team in Europe until the Anschluss. They never really recovered from that.

Turkey and tomato?

Pervert.

I thought it was called a butty.

Brian

there was a bit of lettuce too

Nice one Dale! Lettuce!! We got a tree hugger lads and lasses.

Lettuce? Hippie!

Lettuce does NOT excuse turkey and tomato.

Throw away the key.

You guys slam Nazi sympathizers then you go all jackboot on veggies. Sheeesh!

Dale.

There are standards my friend"

I ran out of marmite what can I say

Hitler was a veggie.

That one is for Ralf.

Mein gott!!

Well done Austra.. Some decent team players great team spirit!

France the "favourites" have managed an og and a penalty.

Thelwall needs to be looking closely at Austria, Slovakia, Albania, Turkey.

Austria have been a great watch in this tournament.

Also great to see Dickead Van Dyke and Ronald Mrs Doubtfire Koeman feeling sorry for themselves

Linzer torte mit schlagsahne for those Austrian boys, bitte. No lettuce.

It took me years of going to mass before I realized the priest wasn't actually saying "Lettuce pray..."

A manager who can make the team better than the sum of its parts deserves great credit. Well done Ralf. Good looking bunch also

Lettuce not start with lettuce puns, please.

One change - Gallagher. Not a hint of Palmer who had to start surely. Gordon too, maybe. The similar stale tactics from the Harrogate wet. Does he ever learn/change anything. The shite right back on for Gallagher around '60 and then, ten minutes later, Watkins, Bowen, and Eze.

That sabitzer is a gem. Cool as an iceberg with that finish.

Ar ru gula change anything you Harrogate shitbag. Jesus that was desperate.

Wet rag Southgate will no doubt stumble into the next round but from then onwards it's in the hands of the players.

In this day and age couldn't the players just tie Southgate up in the closet and get a hologram AI to fill in with tactics and team decided by someone else?

Anyone know why Sabitzer did the Palmer goal celebration?

Liam, Cool as a cucumber, not an iceberg (lettuce) Salad sandwiches for you my boy, no more hamming it up! I do wish people would stop egging you on, a chip off the old block I hear..
Ok did it, got lettuce and cucumber sandwiches into it followed by ham egg and chips..
More entertaining than watching Ebgland

Shame about the Dutch going out. I mean Koeman is such a great manager

Yes Paul but God forbid he look at the lettuce. Lettuce pray.

Couldn't happen to a nicer manager, James.

They have qualified James.

Southgate really saps the fun out of footy.

Having said that, England will probably play like 1970 Brazil tonight

Sorry Christine, I didn't notice you already played that one. I will eat some spinach.

Only for his holidays Paul...or maybe just for pre-season for the Blues.

So open the Euro's this time around,so many teams just flatter to deceive,too much tippy tappy shite for me in every game I watch!?

England don't do tippy tappy Billy

Booing the old enemy Slovenia's anthem.

I was looking up famous Slovenes and most results were the 11 out there today. IF we win the old "you're boys took a Hell of a beating" doesn't have the same ring if you direct it to those boys. So if we win it will just be "Melania Trump you're boys. "

Slovenia's must be the least nationalistic anthem in the world:

"Live, oh live, all the nations
Who long and work for that bright day
When o'er earth's habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway

Who shall see
All men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours,
No more shall foes, but neighbours be!"

A disgusting habit, Shane. So disrespectful. Our neighbours even boo their own anthem.

Oh fecking crap, we got Landon cretin sleeping pill Donavon over here with tits for brain Ian Darke, again.

You missed the last line Kieran: "Except the fucking Serbians"

Who's that Colin?

England look dreadful so far.

That first 15 minutes has been embarrasing.

Nothing has changed. Slovenia growing in confidence. Bellingham has done nothing. Foden, Saka, Kane, fleeting mentions, now and then, passes going astray.

Crazy stupid tackle by Trippier.

Slovenian fans outsinging the knights of St. George and their maidens.

Southgate's decision not to take a fit left back is proving an absolute fucking howler. I don't understand what he was thinking.

Phil - which fit LBs could he have taken? Maybe Mitchell at Palace? Can't think of many others?

Still can't believe he didn't take Jarrad who could have covered LB in a fix

Or a fit left-sided defender Phil, like you know who, who can also fill in at left back with his left foot.

It's like watching Everton. No one can pass 10 yards.

Don't Czechia play Turkiye tomorrow?

Mitchell should definitely have gone and if he's not deemed experienced enough then that's the manager's fault.

England are playing like they've never played together before.

You know what we should do? There's an RS fellow who is apparently a great passer of the ball. Let's stick him in midfield and then we can bring on Ollie Watkins for Kane. That'll show these Slovenes.

This England team reflect Southgate ie dull and boring.

Southgate out!!!

Livramento maybe?, Lewis Hall? Dan Burn?

Joking of course, but Sothgate is playing the barcodes FOURTH choice English left back!

This really is truly shocking. If the Harrogate gobshite makes no changes at half-time if it stays 0-0 then, quite frankly, we on here should ruddy well be typing angry messages to him.

The knights of St. George and their maidens are starting to boo LOL

It's like some fusion of a shitty style Arsenal possession but not near as good, meets crap Man U tactics. It's just annoying.

Take the shackles off!!!

Pickford is amazing so even if you're exposed at the back sometimes, out-score the opponent! They are more than capable of doing that against any team in the world.

Unleash the talent Southgate!!!! God above it's infuriating to watch!!!

A complete lack of a functional midfield. Not sure exactly what they are even trying to do in the middle of the pitch

Bring back Capello!!

Yes Liam, too many similar players who are not doing anything: Foden, Saka, and by far the least effective Bellingham.

Watkins, Gordon, Eze, Foden in the 10, Palmer allowed to roam freely, Rice

THIS THE WORST '45 SO FAR BY FAR

Southgate needs to get back to his day job as an IT Network Manager

Howard Wilkinson must be turning in his grave

As they say have seen more go on an urgent note, Problem is the manager, as dour as he is supposed to be I think Dyche would get more out of this team than a trainee manager

It seems obvious to me they are told to keep shape and emphasize defending.

If I managed this team (thank your stars I'm not I suppose) I would have them playing completely fluid, attacking, unstructured football sans the two center backs.

This team was born to sin miedo and just fucking toss the kitchen sink at the opponent.

I imagine Gareth tells the likes of Stones, Walker, Foden, Bellingham etc… “you're not playing for your clubs now, you're playing for ME!!”.

It might be sacrilege, and Godfrey forgive me, but we need a klopp like manager.

Clearly missing Grealish and his ability to create and win set pieces. Cole Palmer is probably a good option. Need Kane to stay up top and not dropping deep

Colin -

It's not sacrilegious at all to say that.

In fact, it's 100% spot on. If Jurgen managed this team you'd be on the edge of your seat and watching them play wonderful football and dominating teams.

You're exactly right.

Do yu think big bad wolf Gareth is shouting at them ... now look here chaps ...

Dont England have a better choice than slow,slow quick, slow slow Declan Rice midfielder

Who cares about England really

Ryan - I'm Irish descent and still root for England.

USA's greatest ally in the world. So...

There's no patterns of play, no worked movements, no midfield control. Someone said its similar to Everton and that's apt. Without repetitive training on movement, positioning and ball retention it just breaks down. Ask any Player who plays for Pep - it's repetition, shape, positoning, thinking 6/7 passes ahead. The hardest thing to coach. These players are just getting the ball and have no idea where it's going to go.

You can see how frustrated Foden is, as he's light years ahead of most of these in the above. Mainoo or Wharton may help

I'm sat in a local pub that I've never been in before (my mates idea) watching this shite with hoards of drunken kids who haven't got a fcuking clue what's going on but having a right old go at the Scot's, of whom there are none whatsoever in the pub.
This isn't my idea of fun.
Up the fcuking Irish! ☘️

Jamie, a good time to be talking about the US and its allies.

Thank you, Jamie. I was expecting more flak

that's a big feck off to Gallagher but that position was the least of England's attacking problems

Bellingham was brilliant this season for Madrid but he looks like he can't be arsed playing for England. Maybe after playing for Carlo he gets no inspiration from Southgate.

So far England being taught how to keep the ball.

They've qualified anyway right?

Why do the home nations and Rep of Ireland always play it safe?????

Shane - We could use friends right now!

Colin -

I know it's taboo to compliment anything having to do with them, But anyone with eyes and a modicum of objectivity can only come to the conclusion that Klopp is a great coach. Not good, not average, great.

He has his style of play, and I'd wager a TON of money his style would be fantastic for this England team.

Sue me. Don't care, it's the truth as I see it.

If England were a club side you'd say the manager has lost the dressing room.

Mainoo much higher up the pitch than Gallagher and it's starting to make a wee difference.

These kids are singing about German bombers now.. FFS

Jamie, it makes sense. He enjoys life in the uk. He wouldn't have the day-to-day pressure and we wouldn't have to worry about him picking any Everton players. He'd probably drop Pickford.

They are starting to take control

6 halves into the tournament and braingate finally puts an actual proper central midfielder in central midfield.

Hahaha. If he dropped Pickford I'd one-man riot.

it's nearly time to get Ollie, Bowey, and Ezey on

That Mainoo is going to.be some player. So comfortable on the ball and reads the play brilliantly. Struggling to understand where Bellingham is actually playing.

Watching. Paint. Dry.

Another level sticking your face into a bicycle kick. Impressive and respect.

Danny, who is??
The lizard people?
Neither of these teams seem to have a plan!

HAHAHA the BBC footy running commentary has a picture of an England fan fast asleep

SO much better

Bring Ramsdale on for his distribution. He and Rice would be a good midfield combo.

Kieran, I was just thinking imagine the boiling piss if he played Pickford in midfield.
But tbf, Pickfords control and passing is better than what's on offer here

Faking little bitch get up Janza er whatever your name is.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Get Palmer on you gozzy-eyed capitalist twat.

More great defending by Geuhi

Awful defending there.

Amazing it's taken this long for Palmer to get a run. The real POTY in my opinion.

Paul Ferry -

You've got your wish. Let's see how the boy does.

Should've taken Bellingham off. He's been poor tonight

Gozzy eyed capitalist twat that's made me piss myself that has!!!

If things stay like this Southgate's minnows will play the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday

Paul

Between Koeman and how England play it will be like watching Everton 5 years ago

Why doesn't the left footed player take that FK???

Palmer needs to be central

I think I had like 12 beers and ate chicken wings with that Slovenia substitute?

It's clear this game needs width so why put Cole Palmer out wide? He comes inside all the time.

Gozzy is a very underrated, and under used, word imo.

Bellingham should have been there for that. Great play from Mainoo and Palmer. Bellingham had been awful

Palmer has been excellent. Actually attacking.

Probably why Southgate doesn't rate or play him. 🙄

No one seems to be able to anticipate what anyone else is doing. Do they play "Football Manager" all day? Do they never go, "on the grass"?

This is poor. Slovenia is a beautiful country by the way. Ljubljana is a very nice city.

100% Colin.

It's just one hapless ball forward after another. That's all it is. Only the gozzy-eyed capitalist twat wuld push Palmer wide.

It's all too tight.

Foden could have got a second yellow for dissent there. Clive Thomas would have sent him off but he was a proper referee

It is indeed, Julian. Maybe we can send Southgate there to milk some cows

no worries, the shite right back is coming on

Oh, he's put his bum boy on

He gets fined if there are no RS or Spurs players Colin

Colin, I'd still fancy England despite Southgate. This is a talented squad but playing well below themselves.

Trent is like one of those Youth Training Schemes where they let snotty nosed teens try every job before telling them to get stuffed.

The GECT should have dragged Bellingham off at ht. He's been non existent

Flash should come on for Bellingham who I think is still on the pitch

what odds Denmark to get a 98th minute winner and consign us to a hammering against Germany. Maybe Southgate can be a penalty taker.

Palmer and Mainoo are class. Have to play at the weekend

Gordon? Well, stranger things have happened?

The gormless, gozzy-eyed, Tory twat making one of his Uber effective last minute substitutions

We are fed such inane hyperbole by Sky that we assume these are world beaters. The poor showing of the English clubs in Europe this season may have been a clue to how they'd perform.

Is there even a formation any more? It seems like he is just sending on random people

The GECT is just ticking all the boxes Jamie in minute 89

Excellent by Gordon there.

Subs are willing to go forward and make a play.

should have gone for the far corner

Bizarre celebrations for a team going home.

Edit- they may go through.

Southgate out. Klopp in.

Phil

They may go through

Well... disappointing honestly.

Good luck with the Dutch. I favor the Dutch honestly.

I agree Colin

Gozzy eyed capitalist Twat out

Gozzy eyed German Twat in

Slovenia will probably go through as one of the 4 third-place finishers Phil, they sit third of six right now and haven't been beaten

Actually confirmed Slovenia through ahead of Hungary on gd/ ahead of Croatia too

Denmark slip through with one less booking than Slovenia

Paul (#146), I know you write some tosh now and again but to extol Clive Useless Numpty Thomas as "a proper referee" is presumably some sort of weird joke?

England were shite, as ever, but two goals amongst our entire group says a great deal about how unentertaining football has long since become.

Paul

I didn't realise some 3rd places went through to be honest. Now I know.

I think the gozzy -eyed Dutch players will give us a beating.

Well that wasn't inspiring but for the England supporters, they are through.

Well done Slovenia

I was being ironic Don. Yep Phil, it's much harder to get knocked out than erm knocked in mate.

They might tone it down though Phil. Now they're doing the human chain charge/dive at their end.

FFS England's side of the draw could well be Austria, Turkey, Romania, Switzerland, Italy. in other words all the good teams on the either side of the draw but we have the one manager who will make it look impossible.

Sometimes circumstances force changes and the manager stumbles across his best team...Not often though,

Sigh

Unless something horribly goes wrong, Spain should walk this competition.

Fuck me. that was,the biggest bag of shite you will ever see!!

Kieran you're right.

That one side of the bracket is hell. France, Spain, Germany, Portugal.

Brutal.

Dismal from Southgate.

We are crying out for pace and width but he persisted with a system that the Slovenes found so easy to defend against.

It's frustrating to see Everton play like this against better teams. It's criminal to see an England team blessed with this sort of quality play in such a neanderthal way.

I would like to have seen Palmer take centre stage instead of the completely ineffective Bellingham and Gordon and Bowen on the flanks to run at them.

Yep Kieran is right. Slovenia are through and will play Portugal.

Typical, make there way into the competitions and then show how far behind they are with other teams,
in major competitions. Its pure knockouts now and Southgate better look at players who are letting him down, but I imagine it will be the same team that started this game as he does not like to be proved he is wrong.

Time to bring back the Home Internationals... England MIGHT win that.

But I wouldn't bet on it!!!

Robert -

I couldn't agree more. Only when Palmer and Gordon came on did they go at them and break at pace.

Everything else was brutally slow build up. Neanderthal describes the tactics perfectly.

Someone said it above, and I texted my kids and they all agreed -
This team would do better under Dyche! And inasmuch as he's "Our Guy" that's really, really saying something.

England's path is now to get through the Dutch, and then probably Italy.

I don't see them beating either of those teams based upon what we've seen thus far in this tournament.

I think they can actually dodge the Dutch first round? But I'm not sure how? For England's sake they better avoid the Dutch.

Southgate is a Complete Joke. Palmer had to start today, and Laughable giving Gordon only 2 Minutes. All this was staring us in the face before kick off. The Hapless Manager has held back a group of Talented players since day one..

I see it differently Bill because I feel that Southgate, has let the offensive players in his squad down.

His obsession with keeping it tight, has made him pick the wrong system imo, and this has definitely affected the overall performance of the team, imo.

That was painful to watch and once again a very talented squad of players, can't find any fluency.

The tragedy for England over the last 30 years is, we've had the talent to win a few World Cups and euros. We just haven't had the managers to exploit the likes of Shearer, Cole, Neville, Campbell, Ferdinand, Lampard, shit head, Rooney, Beckham and now these kids.

Palmer needs to start in place of Saka. Play Foden just of the forward not out wide. Go with Rice and Mainoo, Gordon out left.
Take out Bellingham.

Favourite clothes shop Gareth? Easy, C&A

Favourtite drink? A splash of Baileys.

Favourite food? Home cooking and baking can't beat it. Chips and eggs with some cheeky and naughty bread and butter on the side.

Favourite group? Simply Red, didn't even need to think about it.

Favourite book? Don Trump, The Art of the Deal, must confess I'm still on chapter 2; Pilgrim's Progress a close second.

England firmed up as favorites to win the competition. 4/1 clear favorites with all the bookies.

Good news for all those who don't fancy their chances. You can get at least 5/1 (and rising) for everyone else

Look on the bright side, England fans.

You could be the USA.

Sitting on young talent the likes we've never seen, and we have Berhalter at the helm. You think Southgate is bad?

Hold my beer.

I expected England to get through the group after the draw but now the real tests come,

They have been poor and how Southgate picks his starting eleven is beyond me.

For this game he should have opted for Eze or Palmer to start and gone with an attacking style but no he goes with an average Gallagher who once again is next to useless.

They have a lot of creativity individually but nothing of note was created particularly in that first half.

Paul, are you calling him bland? Our Gareth is anything but😂🤣😂😂😂

Yer can't get anything past Mr Glassar in a month of Sundays

Jamie # 195. you are so right, we could be the USA, watching our team get smashed by England in the cricket world cup. But we're not!!! 😁😁😁

Southgate always looks shocked when he's asked a simple question. You can see the cogs and wheels turning as he tries not to panic and burst out crying.

Paul, he'd have been brilliant in the Kumars British Bland skit.

Someone has been arrested today in North Yorkshire for defecating in Rishi Sunaks lake. Apparently there's an angry tattooed mob of engerland fans on their way to Gareths lake in the same area to unleash tons of their post-game excess, gammonified slurry as a Reform inspired dirty protest

I just woke up in a pool of drool like a high schooler. What happened?

How England won the group without really trying.

Five sixes in one over Rob and a hat trick to boot.

You're spot on Dale, they did nothing to speak of and finished top.

He would fit that perfectly CG. Has he done his presser yet?

Lettuce know what you're eating, Dale.

Gozzy eyed capitalist twat: "I'm happy with the progress we have made"

and "we're operating in extremely unusual circumstances" - what the fecking hell does that mean?

They have not firmed up Dave they were 7/2 before the tourney started they should be 6 or 7 to 1.

They are only favs because the UK bookies know that England fans are daft enough to back them regardless of what price they offer.

Thats another 3 hours I've wasted again watching those overpaid and overated so and sos.

Theres a few teams in at this stage that will beat England.

I'm not a Scotsman, Welsh or Irish I'm a patriotic Englishman, I along with many more on here no doubt watched us win the World Cup in 1966 but they have always disappointed since, they will do again.

Paul
i think he means he means we are playing against teams that actually change there formations and tactics against different oppositions.

Our squad is heavy with allegedly brilliant young players who shine for their fabulously wealthy multi-talented clubs.

Unfortunately without the plethora of fabulous club players around them they're being shown up now, under Southgate, as bog-standard.

Meanwhile he has in his squad several players who've shone this season in less wealthy, more muck and bullets based teams. Step forward Guehi (our best player thus far albeit with a dearth of competition, and our Jordan), Konsa, Bowen, Gordon, Palmer, Eze, Wharton, Toney and Watkins, all of whom don't expect brilliance at every turn from their teammates yet still regularly produce the goods regardless.

We just can't afford to play so many show ponies any more........ not that I really give a monkey's about Ingerlund these days.

Rob -

I wish I even knew they played! I don't follow cricket at all, I have my baseball!

If England didn't absolutely batter the USA in cricket I'd look to the clouds and expect to see Jesus riding his white horse down to give us all a visit!

But I'd politely remind you in soccer England couldn't beat us in group play the last two times we matched up at the World Cup. Just sayin'. The mighty England drawing against the hapless Yanks? 🤔🇺🇸

Get in the hole!!!!

I bought into the hype and went the pub to watch an “high stakes” game.
Apart from the ale ( that I could have had anyway at home or a n other better pub) it was a waste of an evening.
Utter shite.
I won't be watching their next game

BBC, Wikipedia, Sun all have different formulas for how our next opponent will be decided. Surely the process should be easy to understand? How do they each have totally different possible permutations of what could happen? eg it's Slovakia or Holland, it's Czech, Georgia or Holland, it's one from Belgium's group or holland. The common denominator though worries me: Holland.

“Only when Palmer and Gordon came on did they go at them and break at pace.”
My mate said this as well.
At the time Gordon had seen one pass go into touch ahead of him.
He'd done fcuk all else.

England can only get better or can they ???

Ha Bill, how dare other countries mix it up and require England to think and adjust.

Maybe it's better we play Holland cause if we lose casual fans and kids reading history books in the future might think they were like the Cruyff era team. If we lost to Austria even the least sport interested people on Earth will be cracking up laughing. Probably even some folks in Reyjavik and that San Marino guy who scored versus Graham Taylor would have a chuckle.

Far too early to write-off the England team. Admittedly the performances have been restricted / risk averse but there may be some merit from having basically ambled through the group stage. Slovenia weren't really interested in doing much more than being very difficult to break down and the naturally more attacking teams will automatically give England more room on the attack if England can blunt their attacks in their infancy.
Palmer did stand out, as he does at Chelsea, simply by continually chancing his arm.

“Joking of course, but Southgate is playing the barcodes FOURTH choice English left back!” The ‘joke' being that Trippier is their fourth choice left back because he's their first choice right back? Trippier at left back may be the weakest link but that doesn't mean the English defence is ruined because of that. Trippier is obviously getting a berth simply because of his dead ball / passing ability.

Paul

Southgates presser reminded me of last time we played Slovenia and Capello was trying to big up our golden generation in 2010 while John Terry was comparing their luxury hotel to a prison. Luckily we won't have to face Germany next on this occasion. Although I'm sure Muller and Neuer would love to roll back the years and give us a damn good thrashing

Spain are playing a 16 year old kid who under German labor laws can't play a full 90 minutes for an evening game. Southgate acts like he's courageous throwing on Chelsea's leading scorer and a Man Utd cup winner both in their 20s as subs versus the 57th ranked team in the world. If that doesn't typify his negative cowardly approach what does? Imagine WC 1998 if Hoddle left out the kid Owen and took Dublin. Or in 2004 if we wheeled out Sutton instead of Rooney. If you're good enough you're old enough. Let's not forget Muller and Neuer starred at Palmers age as they thrashed the now grey haired middle aged Carra and co at the WC a decade and a half ago.

England are a dull, boring team and won't win a major tournament until the FA fall on their swords and employ a manager with some bollocks. Get over it. Southgate is an inexperienced, safety first, yes man manager, scared of upsetting a few heads. No balance, no width, no ideas. Like the so called Golden Generation, the players are mostly flattered by those around them at club level. Lampard being a shining example.

That was the game where Tory Frank had a goal wrongly disallowed?

Southgate is Southgate is Southgate. I would not be surprised if today's starting XI started on Sunday.

I think that Southgate thinks that apart from the Shaw situation the only problem position is sitting next to Rice (who has been poor). That might be the only change with a third attempt to sort it out with Wharton or Bellingham who has also been shite could drop back to let Palmer start.

I would drop Saka (he won't drop Bellingham) and go with Rice - Bellingham - Palmer - Gordon - Foden - Harold

Theres nowt wrong with letting the sweaties know how shite they are

Paul

I wonder if Bellingham is burnt out he's played about 80 games the last year. I'd play Mainoo he's not amazing but at least as good as Phillips was albeit briefly

Yes, I thought Mainoo did well today and I would give him his chance next to Rice, but I just don't see Southgate doing that. Bobby Robson or Terry V would make changes but the Harrogate warm my slippers luv fella does not seem to have it in his DNA.

Terry might well have gone with Rice - Mainoo - Palmer - Gordon - Foden - Harold, but making it known that he is ready to bring on Bellingham or Saka as soon as he thinks it necessary.

I thought Guehi had a poor game, he looked shaky.
Trippier ain't a left back either.

He needs to play a few flair players instead of safety-first plodders.

Mainoo made a difference when he came on and should start the next game

Southgate should pick this team:

Pickford
Walker Stones Guehi Trippier
Rice Mainoo
Saka Palmer Eze
Kane

My mates keep laughing at me because I firmly believe if Branthwaite and Tarkarkowski were at the back, the defense would be solid. They're also no shrinking violets.

Absolutely convinced England would be playing much better with those two at the back. All the pundits are Sly 6 representatives and can't think outside the box.

Dan, watching Guehi, I thought Branthwaite would have played at least as well if not better.

Stones also looked pretty ordinary in that game, he doesn't catch your attention enough for me.

Maybe Southgate has them shackled with instructions.

Absolutely Raymond. No doubt Stones is a great defender but he's not fully fit and barely played all season. Our centre-backs were purring like a Rolls-Royce. Guehi has been pretty shaky. To be fair they all have been.

Trippier was found out against the Toffees and wasn't in-form for the second half of the season either.