I’m not telling you what you should or shouldn’t think. But when you post here, I think it’s perfectly reasonable for others to give their opinions on your views. That’s all I was doing.

Yup, and I've always accepted differing thoughts to mine. But your response was over-the-top, pun intended

Ok, let's be friends

Couldn’t agree more. You’re just as entitled to think my response to you was over the top as I thought your stuff about Ødegaard was. I think the main strength of the forum is others giving their views on the opinions expressed.

Arteta has said he eventually wants to move towards a 4-3-3 formation but doesn’t have the players to do it.
The two best teams in the prem with a 4-3-3 are City and Liverpool. Liverpool’s is more rigid in terms of the make up of the 3 in midfield. They are generally quite similar players, all technically good, good quick passers and press well with high energy. Essentially the job of these 3 is to win the ball and get it wide to the full backs or forward to the front 3 quickly. They aren’t really responsible for huge amounts of creativity and don’t get many goals or assists.
City’s midfield 3 make up is different, the 3 have more staggered roles as a pure defensive mid, a box to box and a creator, or sometimes 2 creators - but never really with a classic No.10.
So that brings me back to Arteta’s 4-3-3, I don’t think you play a classic 10 in this formation and of all the midfielders we’ve been linked to Ødegaard feels like the most natural 10. Maddison a close 2nd. I’d imagine Arteta will want a midfield 3 more like City than Liverpool so I kind of feel plays in the de Bruyne mould (hard to be as good but in style) might be better suited. I see these players as starting deeper than a classic 10 but being able to carry the ball forward and create chances. Smith Rowe I could see doing this role, also Aouar feels like this sort of player.

Yes he was easily outrun - quite painful to watch such a fine player so reduced. He plays too many games for Spurs to ever be fresh enough for the end of season international tournaments. Can't blame Spurs for getting their moneysworth but as you suggest they may have had the best of him.

Have to agree with Wrighty - Foden was the main attacking bright spark for England, so it was strange to see him subbed. When we needed forward momentum late in the game Grealish chose to showboat around the centre circle, which was frustrating. Just how good he is remains to be seen. I enjoyed Mings' showing and Shaw was decent enough.

Yes it is a good point - Kane was often isolated. If England are to continue that way then they may as well play the quicker young guys up front who at least have an even chance of outpacing a defender. Oh for Vardy!

and a bag of Eboues to go with it.

Aouar is an interesting case. To me he looks like a really talented player, and we were allegedly close to signing him last summer but couldn't quite get the deal done. If rumours are true he's available for less than 30m this summer we should seriously consider it.

As I explained, what’s wrong with someone else giving their thoughts on the opinions of others here? Isn’t it what makes the forum?

Also, Kane's strengths are his pure finishing and his link up play. Both of those stem from his composure, speed of thought, and technical ability. He's incredibly composed when picking a pass or a finish. England don't play to that whereas Spurs do.

The may be Bananaskin with different ideas.

Weird to see a French team without an Arsenal player even on the bench.

Perhaps that’s why they are losing.

Nagging wife jokes! The 1970s will never die on the Steve Gleiber Forum!

Cheers Bernard

I like the pace of the Hungarians. Positive, purposeful football.

They've put in a heroic performance, lifted by their magnificent, passionate support. Into stoppage time now.

And they hold out for a draw against the world champions.

Just like England holding out for a draw against Scotland eh?

Great start to Germany - Portugal. Have to say it's been a brilliant tournament so far, almost every game has been entertaining to watch.

Similar LTG

Portugal are on fire. Now scored three. Only problem is that the last two were in their own net.

They seem to have given the first Germany goal to Havertz, not sure how as he never touched the ball

When you said they are 'on fire' I thought you meant ...

But I see you meant ...

Grealish Cpuld easily move to a real big team this summer, City are meant to be interested. I think he’s a fantastic player but one of the things he’d have to prove if he moved to City is can his box of tricks work against an 11 man defence.

When I’ve seen Grealish at his best it’s on a counter using dribbling and pace and skill, and in 1 v 1 situations when defenders are back peddling.

Watching Mbappe today showed his class in this regard. I know France didn’t win but there were a couple of moments when he went from 0 to full speed in the blink of an eye over 5 yards and had his defender beaten inside the box

Sky Sports and also the official site still have it as an own goal

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uefa+ ... ;dt;fp;1;;

And as I type that Germany get another similar goal, albeit Havertz this time.

that's weird, the graphic on TV still had it as a Havertz goal at the end of the half. Very impressive game from Germany in any case, despite conceding the first goal. Portugal will need a result against France now.

Yep those bananaskins.

It will be interesting to see if Southgate changes style for the Czech match. I didn't find his after match presser very encouraging.

As it should be a lesser fee. Lyon finished 4th in Ligue 1. Hope a deal can be done.

Two former Arsenal midfielders have been pundits on BBC and/or ITV this competition. Vieira and Fabregas. Is it me or are they both looking quite chubby now? I suppose with Vieira it’s understandable as he would have given up playing many years ago. But Fabregas is still playing at Monaco, and unless I’m mistaken he looks much heavier now.

I enjoyed the Daily Cannon podcast this week, particularly Steven Bradley’s thoughts on Maddison. Looking at last years injuries he had a lot of knee injuries. I thought he wasn’t as good last season as previously.

So much of our transfer activity depends on Arteta’s preferred system. Some of the rumours on players clearly are not suited to 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1. Similarly if we revert to 3 at the back. I understand that White usually plays in a back 3. Is he then suited to us or can he adapt to a back 4.

People will know I do not have any faith in Arteta’s ability to properly recognise talent that will fit into our team. I am more concerned than ever with the money we are talking of spending and probably paying over the odds in wages who must immediately succeed and in some cases may not be a true fit with the club. We could be in danger of repeating past mistakes.

It’s not just us that have player contract issues. Pogba at Man U has 1 year left on his deal and they are worried he’ll just run down his deal and leave for free next year together with a much bigger pay day for him and his agent.
Man U may want to sell him this summer but won’t get anything like the £85m they signed him for and want for him.
Man U have failed to get consistent performances out of Pogba. He’s much better for France

Indeed. We focus on our own contract issues but it is a challenge facing most clubs. Man Utd regularly make losses on their transfers. With Depay joining Barca yesterday, it is a reminder that Utd bought him for £30m and sold him for about half that. Wijnaldum is leaving Liverpool next month on a free transfer. He is 30 now but has played the best football of his career in the last two seasons and has a lot to offer yet.

What about Palace though? 12 senior players out of contract at the end of this month.

I’m liking the profile of the players we’re being linked with. Young players who would clearly have a resale value. I think this is how we’re going to have to operate for a while until we can get back amongst the leading pack. We’re not what we were but, likewise, we can still prove to be a draw and offer these players minutes they may not get elsewhere should they opt for the bigger clubs right now. We need to be shrewder and this looks to be the way we intend to go.

This is where we differ. I get the impression that Arteta does have a clear vision and is working very hard to acquire or mold players who fit that vision, and to get rid of those who don't.

In any case, this season will give a definitive answer to this issue!

I agree, and that's why I like seeing us go for players like Camawinga and Lokonga. If we can get them, and integrate Saliba into the team, it also sends a signal to other young, highly talented players that Arsenal is a good destination.

Dortmund has that profile, and they're constantly attracting elite talents. Players like Dembele and Pulisic performed very well, and were then sold for huge profits. If Sancho and Haaland leaves this summer that will again be for huge profit after having performed extremely well for the club. And they still have players like Bellingham and Reyna who are on the same track.

Southgate faces a very interesting dilemma now. Lots of criticism for him and his team for a lacklustre performance against Scotland (although France only drew v Hungary). At the end I think Southgate was scared he could lose the game if he tried to really go and win it.
Defensively England seem sound enough but that has a lot to do with the defensive set up with 2 holding mids as well. Is he brave enough to bring a more progressive player in to the middle of the park? For me money Id have Bellingham in there now, he may only be 17 but watch him on the ball and he's superb.

Also lots of calls for Grealish to start, and general bewilderment from Germany why Sancho hasn't had a look in yet. Then we also have Saka who was good in the warm up games.

Up front Kane is a real problem for Southgate, he's looked heavy legged in both games. People talk about the service but that's only part of it, look at how well Che Adams linked the play for the Scots, he didn't exactly have tonnes of brilliant balls or crosses to work with he made himself available and controlled things really well as well as creating chances. Kane on this form is a problem for England.