PV4 manager of Crystal Palace

To be fair, I think you'll get there. Sweden/Ukraine, then Czech Republic/Denmark, no excuses not to get to the final.

Fair play to Southgate. He's taken a lot of stick for being negative but he's playing tournament football. Make them hard to beat and nick a goal...

Italy have been doing it very well for years. Not a bad model to copy. Under Southgate England seem to have stopped shooting themselves in the foot, which is half the battle, though Sterling's error went unpunished. It takes two to tango and surprisingly, after a bright start, Germany were even more cautious than England. Maguire was immense and Shaw was my MoM.

Have to say that statement is crackers. You must have seen enough football to know nothing is a given - ask Monsieur Deschamps!

Italy have been doing it very well for years. Not a bad model to copy. Under Southgate England seem to have stopped shooting themselves in the foot, which is half the battle, though Sterling's error went unpunished. It takes two to tango and surprisingly, after a bright start, Germany were even more cautious than England. Maguire was immense and Shaw was my MoM.

Not sure I've ever seen Italy field 5 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders. All of the great Italian teams were characterised by a mix of top class defenders and gifted playmakers. The 2006 World Cup winners had Pirlo, Totti and Del Piero in their ranks.

To be honest I’m more disappointed about England winning than Germany losing. It will really surprise me if England don’t reach the final considering who they’re likely to play in the quarter and semi. Then on paper the hardest opposition in the final now France are out looks either Belgium, possibly without De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, or Spain who are nothing like what they used to be. The game is at home for England too.

For me it’ll be unbearable in this country if England win it. I know I’m in a minority but I consider the English really bad winners. Practically the whole country becomes obnoxious, even those who don’t follow sport. I hate, despise and loathe the English national team of any sport, but football far more than cricket or rugby both of whom have won their world cups in living memory.

It’s my thirtieth wedding anniversary today so I’ve got to pretend to be happy with my wife when going out shortly. But God I feel like going abroad for a month to get away from the more revolting English people.

If England had a Pirlo or a Del Piero I am sure Southgate would play them! I am not going to moan if the manager cuts his cloth according to the quality available to him. Three weeks ago if a World or European Eleven was mooted I doubt if the unattached pundits would have included many England players in it. I imagine the same stands today.

If England had a Pirlo or a Del Piero I am sure Southgate would play them! I am not going to moan if the manager cuts his cloth according to the quality available to him. Three weeks ago if a World or European Eleven was mooted I doubt if the unattached pundits would have included many England players in it. I imagine the same stands today. Southgate may yet see a "Golden Generation" of youths come through, but right now he has to keep his team in the business end of a major tournament, and so far his pragmatic way is working.

Come on, why is a "world eleven" some sort of benchmark? Sterling, Kane, Grealish, Foden, Saka, Mount, Rashford, Sancho are all top top class players, producing wonderful performances week in week out in the biggest leagues. None of them may be THE best at a given position, but the depth of top class attacking talent for England is ridiculous, and measures up with any national team in the world.

Jack Grealish is the most talented English midfielder. In my view, he is one of the best in Europe. TAA is probably the best attacking fullback in world football. Jadon Sancho has been a star in the Bundesliga. I think you are under-rating the talent you have available. Rice and Philips and 5 defenders is too conservative for me. I think England could be much more exciting and a better team for it.

Jack Grealish is the most talented English midfielder. In my view, he is one of the best in Europe. TAA is probably the best attacking fullback in world football. Jadon Sancho has been a star in the Bundesliga. I think you are under-rating the talent you have available. Rice and Philips and 5 defenders is too conservative for me. I think England could be much more exciting and a better team for it.

Maybe but honestly you can’t say England misjudged that. The tactics were essentially that our 7 defensive lads fancied cancelling out theirs and the remaining guys made the difference. It worked. For once in my whole life

At the same time, Muller missed an absolute sitter and England should've had at least one player sent off (Phillips, for the challenge on Kroos in the first half). Not sure that's a strategy I'd bank on for the next game...

To be honest I’m more disappointed about England winning than Germany losing. It will really surprise me if England don’t reach the final considering who they’re likely to play in the quarter and semi. Then on paper the hardest opposition in the final now France are out looks either Belgium, possibly without De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, or Spain who are nothing like what they used to be. The game is at home for England too.

For me it’ll be unbearable in this country if England win it. I know I’m in a minority but I consider the English really bad winners. Practically the whole country becomes obnoxious, even those who don’t follow sport. I hate, despise and loathe the English national team of any sport, but football far more than cricket or rugby both of whom have won their world cups in living memory.

It’s my thirtieth wedding anniversary today so I’ve got to pretend to be happy with my wife when going out shortly. But God I feel like going abroad for a month to get away from the more revolting English people.

But he missed it’s still 2-1. I agree I’d have picked mount but the idea you flood the team with attackers.

Think there's a middle ground between being super conservative and going all out, abandoning all structure. The starting eleven against the Czechs was more attacking and played better, while still maintaining the defensive solidity.

You must be joking, I went last week. :15laughter:

First 30 minutes was the best England has produced this tournament, second half wasn't as good but it still shows it's possible to attack and defend in the same match.

England weren’t any less defensive than Germany today.

Another player waving his arms in innocence. Bye bye Danielson.

Yeah, not much to wave about there. Doesn't really matter how much you hit the ball if your studs go straight up into an opponents knee.

No, Germany was very disappointing too in that regard. Only managed to hit their level in one game this tournament.

Truly grim, especially seeing the fouled player’s leg bend under the impact.

Grealish's quality evident in both goals.

Congratulations, Bernard.

If it makes you feel better, you mentioned that you have only watched full matches involving Germany and England. Well Spain are much better than you give them credit for and Italy are very impressive, without having big stars.

Lots of football to be played yet.

This is such a daft charade you persist with.

England are off to Rome but if they win that and keep going it will be 6 out of 7 games at Wembley. I think Bernard mentioned it before but with some big name favourites knocked out it really does feel like a home tournament for England.

I’m perfectly entitled to express my support in international football, just like everyone else is. You express your desire for England to win. I just shrug my shoulders and let you get on with it, as I do with everyone else who does the same.

Just as you are entitled to support who you want and post viewpoints on the issue, so am I. Hence I’m puzzled why you think of my support of Germany and dislike of England as a daft charade. I’ve explained the reasons in the past. I see them as valid and understandable.

Considering there isn’t supposed to be a home nation, I wonder why UEFA thought it okay to have, if England reach the final, six of their seven games at Wembley? I realise the venues were decided some while back, but with both semi finals (I believe) and the final being at Wembley, I would gave thought it fairly obvious that if England progressed they would have a significant and arguably unfair advantage. Is it even arguable, especially with all three of their group games and their last sixteen match also being at Wembley? It just seems odd.

The competition format is absurd I agree with that wales player. There is an element of luck that England won their group but to only play 1 game away from England when wales have gone to Baku and the like is simply ridiculous

If England don’t win this tournament I doubt we ever will.

Yes, it's a weird one, but I doubt that there'll be a similar tournament - England at home in six matches out of seven, and with Wembley semi-finals and final - in the next 20 or 30 years. If the next few Euros give the same advantage to other nations (especially Germany, Bernard: we've all got our fingers and toes crossed!), there's no particular harm done.