KB1862

@Chris I've heard quite a few of the players mention Luke Shaw and reporters have all been asking the question about him. Agree we shouldn't be pinning all our hopes on him. Personally, I don't think we should be thinking about including him from the start considering he's not played since Feb and now we're at a Quarter final stage. If he had played 20 mins in previous games during this tournament, I'd see a case for it.

@Chris Yeah, I remember reading it and thinking he's wormed his way out of that one with an unconvincing lie. I still find it hard to believe how he could have gone his whole life without knowing exactly what that meant.

Before the tournament began if you had said England will play Switzerland in the Quarter final, I'd have said we'll take that. However, given how we've performed this tournament it's going to be a tougher game than expected. Given the players we have, if the team performs the way they can and issues of the previous games are rectified then we should be able to get through this game. Switzerland have shown that they will be no pushovers after their displays against both Germany and Italy but also got to remember that Scotland managed to hold them to a 1-1. I'm doubtful of Southgate making necessary changes but I hope I'm wrong about that. The golden generation had an issue with Sven not changing tactics and formation, it could be the same with this group. I would like to see him change up the formation and go 3 at the back. Guehi has been exceptional this tournament but with him now suspended, we may need to restructure. Pickford. Ever present, there's no faulting Pickford as England's number 1. Back 3 of Walker Stones and Konsa. Stones would be able to bring the ball out from defence as he'll have Walker as a recovery defender which is one of his strengths as he's shown in games gone by for England. Konsa is good option moving out left. Trent at Right Wing Back and Saka at Left Wing Back allowing for attacking threat down either side as Southgate mentioned after the Slovakia game about width and wing play. Trent is one of the best crossers and passers of the ball in this England squad so that would be a strength pushing up and Saka gives the balance of a left footed player on that side getting down the wing. Bellingham and Rice in the centre allowing Bellingham to make runs forward and Rice can cover the space needed. Foden playing in the 10 role to show what he can really do and how effective he can be in that position. Kane up top with Watkins or Toney. Preferably Watkins as with Kane dropping as deep as he does, he's capable of passing the ball in behind defences to which Watkins can do what he does and get in behind the defence. Kind of like an old fashioned big man little man strike partnership.

100% agree with this. Shouldn't be blown up as much as it has but I suspect with it being someone like Jude Bellingham, an English player making moves, that's played a part in making it as big as it is. Wayne Hennessey made a Nazi salute but got cleared because he didn't know what the salute was. There's plenty of political/provocative gestures during games in the past some go punished some get cleared. Hopefully Jude learns from this.

Save of the tournament. It's definitely up there and in the conversation for one of the greatest match saving saves of all time. It's remarkable how some people are now re-analysing it and downplaying just how good the save was in the importance of the occasion. As far as comparing it to Gordon Banks v Brazil, I see where people are coming from but wouldn't put it in the same category myself.

Austria v Turkey last night was quite possibly the best game of the tournament so far. Given how they have both played throughout the tournament I was expecting a lot from the match and it didn't disappoint. It was a highly energetic match that made for a great watch. Plenty of attacking football, both teams gave it their all and the referee helped the game by telling players to get on with it allowing for a flowing game. Gutted to see Austria go out as they've been a breath of fresh air in this tournament and have been really great to watch with their well organised high pressing displays. Ralf Ragnick and Austria certainly gained a lot of respect in this tournament.

Agreed with this. When I took my daughter to her first Notts game, the first thing she said when we left the stadium was "there's a lot of swearing at football".

It's a bit extreme to think about banning him. It doesn't look great when seeing the videos of the incident but it could well be a gesture made as an inside joke like he says it is. Unfortunately that's easier said after the condemnation of the gesture. He has to be cut a little bit of slack, he's still a young lad who had just scored a 95th minute equaliser to keep his nation in the Euros. Bellingham has a lot of arrogance but that's to be expected from a player as good as he is at a young age. While this arrogance can be a good thing at times, it will land him in hot water like this incident may have done but it's still a learning curve and maturity will come as he goes on. He had an incident against the Serbia game when he decided to barge a Serbian for no apparent reason. Experienced players round him will help him channel that arrogance in a positive way.

Walker Stones Konsa (Guehi when returned from suspension)

@Piethagoram Very good article to read. Highlights what Southgate is lacking in managerial terms and how the win was more fortunate than deserved. Slowly more pundits and journalists are starting to question his managerial ability when it comes to tactics, in game management and selections which has been a problem for a number of years now.

Portugal are a much better team without Ronaldo in their squad. Unfortunately, given his reputation and who he is he'll always remain a part of the squad for as long as he desires. Their last manager, if I'm right in thinking this, was sacked due to considering dropping Ronaldo.

I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again. There is no consistency with English weather. Last week, it was all t-shirt and shorts weather with windows wide open during the night, fans blowing and waking up at 5am to temperatures of 16 degrees. Then it all changes, rain falls weather drops and away with the shorts. There's still a warmness but not as much as there has been.

@Piethagoram That's why Bellingham needs to be in there rather than playing as 10. He has the ability to chase the ball down, recover possession, bring the ball forward. I think playing in the 8 role, we'll see the best out of him something we haven't this tournament. Mainoo has been a breath of fresh air with the appearances he's made taking on that role. Alternatively, allow Stones to do the job he does at Man City by bringing the ball out and playing almost as a CDM with midfielders like Rice pushing forward.

Personally, I think Luke Shaw should be sent on the plane home. Hasn't played since February and not played a part in the previous 4 games. We can't be bringing in a player who's had a lack of football like he has into a quarter final match. We've already been underperforming without a semi fit left back. Fully agree. Let the midfielders do their thing, focus on your own job being up top and get the goals. Shearer has wrote a column on the fact Kane should be staying forward. It's annoying to see how deep he drops. There's been a few comments about how England don't provide enough for him but it's hard to provide a striker who's never in the box to receive the balls. Southgate should be strictly instructing him to stay up and avoid dropping deep but the fact that he drops deep every game speaks volumes that Southgate is allowing him to do this. Either instruct him to stay up top or bring someone like Toney or Watkins to partner him so he can drop deep leaving one player up.

@Chris I think it'd make sense to switch to 3 at the back with Saka playing as a LWB. Gives him the opportunity for balance on that side rather than relying a right footed playing LB. It would be more beneficial than having him fill in at LB. This has been the case in Southgate's previous 3 tournaments in all fairness. The only exception to this was the possibly the 2022 World Cup when England came up against France and lost. Even that was a winnable match tbf.

Would have loved Musiala to have selected England over Germany but unfortunately Germany offered him the opportunity where as England didn't do that. He's a world class talent that's able to showcase his ability for them, I'm not sure he'd have gotten a look in with the England set up as it stands. He'd probably be like Cole Palmer with the ability but only enough to see him sit on the bench and look on. Unfortunately, he probably made the right decision.

France have been underwhelming this tournament. Expected more from them. Still Spain and Austria are the only 2 teams that have impressed me so far. Germany have been good but I think when they play Spain, they'll be brought back down.

Emotions run high in those situations. But, for me, I see it as a waste of beer. Live by the saying "Drink Responsibly, Don't Spill It". Good for The Nest because those who chucked beer will go back up to get another. @thommo I remember when I turned 18 that whenever you went Rock City you never went with brand new trainers or white trainers cause they'll be wrecked by the floor. Not to mention walking on the floor works your muscles as you have to battle with the sticky floor ????

Another game, another poor England performance. I understand the whole thing about "play poorly but still get the win" but against Slovakia we should not be having to wait until the 95th minute to grab a goal let alone our first shot on target. I thought Slovakia deserved more than we did through the whole game. They outplayed us in quite a few parts of the game. Somehow we even managed to almost concede from our own free kick. Despite grabbing the goals, both Bellingham and Kane deserved to be subbed off. Saka didn't do much in the game. Game management was completely off, at half time subs were needed didn't happen. Toney came on way too late, the game was slowly slipping away and Southgate decided to make an attacking sub like Toney with just 1 minute to go. I'll be honest, I mentally switched off from the game because it wasn't good enough. Normally when England score late goals like that or even grab the goal to put us in front, I'm up celebrating, cheering and shouting with goal but neither Bellingham or Kane's goal got me off my feet. In truth, I'm glad they got the job at hand done eventually but it was embarrassing.

I'm still undecided whether I like the new kit or not. I'm leaning more to liking it but I just can't make my mind up tbf

We can feel fortunate not to be on the other side of the draw because if we play like we did yesterday, we'd get picked apart by the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France. I said before the tournament, and I do hope I'm wrong, that we'll be out by the quarter final. We were fortunate to make it to the quarters but against Switzerland it's gonna be a tough ask. It's concerning that we went into this tournament as one of the favourites and now pundits are all saying "I think England can beat Switzerland". Before the tournament we would have gone into this game thinking we're gonna beat them but how the tournament has gone for us and the performances, we'll have to massively up our game as it's gonna be a tough game. This tournament after watching all 4 England games, I've come away from all of them feeling deflated.

England's tactical issues were on full display yesterday against Slovakia. Gareth Southgate once again did himself no favours when speaking to the media or his squad selection and shown his lack of tactical knowledge. Before the game he was asked about why he's sticking with the front 4 that hasn't exactly been brilliant this tournament to which he said they were capable of breaking this Slovakia team down but then after the match he said that they just couldn't break the team down and it's been a feature throughout this tournament being unable to break teams down. He then mentioned the game needed wingers for England to advance which is strange considering he made just the ONE change in exactly the same position he has done all through this tournament in midfield yet failed to include a winger like Gordon who should have started despite claiming the game needed wingers. Whether it be on a podcast, social media or radio, everyone is the same thing there doesn't seem to be an idea when England are moving the ball around and substitutions are too late. I was surprised not to see any changes at half time. When England went 2-1 up, Gareth Southgate decided it was time to bring on Gallagher and Konsa to which then once again they sat back soaked up pressure and defended a 1 goal lead. The 2 goals came from England playing attacking football. It's a strength in our game that is being so under utilised. When England attack they're threatening, it's exciting to watch but Southgate would much rather have them sit back and defend a 1 goal lead. Slovakia can feel unfortunate to not have won the game as they were the better team if i'm being honest.

I do believe that heading the football, especially back in the days when the ball was made of pure leather and became really heavy when it was soaking wet, does have an impact on ex-footballers later on in life especially leading to issues like Dementia. Football's of today are nothing like they were but even despite this, there is still a danger that it could have an impact on the brain. It just depends on how long before it takes effect, especially if you're continually heading the ball. Irrelevant of how lightweight the ball is, it's about the impact. In the images of Jeff Astle from a post above you can see how much impact there is. The only thing that can really be done is something they've slowly started integrating and that is to limit heading in training. Matchday scenarios can't be helped as it is part and parcel of the game, unless they want to do something drastic like go 5-a-side rules and stop the ball going above head height. Though I do agree in doing as much as possibly to stop children heading the ball. I don't think it's right to sue anyone no matter how much you believe in it being the root cause. Even if it was proven to be the case, in those days there wasn't much in terms of assessing the dangers of heading the football as much as there is in today's world. Medical science has come a long way.

Given that we've strengthened an area which was our weak link last season and had an impact on our downfall, 14/1 may well be worth a punt.