EURO 2024

If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard that since euro 96…!

I think Southgate has done incredibly well. And a few years ago, the squad was not as good as it is now. However, he should not be immune from criticism. There has been a fairly robust sample of games where we have gone from “control/domination” to “backs to the wall/lost the game”.

Neither do I think games are won and lost on substitutions. If it’s not required, there is no point in using subs. That said, the opposition often make tactical or personnel changes to deal with the early pressure. Despite this, Southgate makes his tactical substitutions relatively late when the balance of the game has tipped and we are chasing or trying to keep control. The last Euro final was a good example. Actually on that occasion, Mancini firstly changed tactics (not personnel) in the first half drinks break which led to Italy dominating possession thereafter and made his first substitutions early in the second half.

Southgate himself said he would step down if we didn’t win, so obviously he has some expectations….

Georgia do not look a very good side.

Goal!

That's some second goal for Turkey.

Czech with a top drawer goal to take the lead over the Ronaldos.

1-1. Owen Goal.

Shocking goalkeeping. Hold the fucking ball there. This keeper has had a couple of dodgy moments earlier as well.

Is it Danny Murphy on the co comments? Never has a man be more wrong about everything so consistently ever, in a competitive sector, than him.

We do have left sided players (Cole Palmer and Foden are the best left footers, Shaw is ok if fit), and I don't think we've ever had a player as good as Bellingham since I've been watching football. Rooney in 2004 is probably closest, Shearer at Euro 1996 also good. Italia 90 maybe Gascoigne. But Bellingham is more complete and influential. He certainly shits all over the Lampard/Gerrard "golden generation". The Serbs were shitting their pants when he got near them. Did you see the look of terror in the eye of the goliath of a defender he shoulder barged? That look said I'm scared of you, you're way way better than anything we have and you can handle yourself with it. Very occasionally you get players who have their moment when they are bigger than the game and he is that right now. Couple that with Europe's current best goalscorer (avert your eyes tricky but it's true), Foden and Saka who are surely going to be in the top 10 for the balloon door top trumps whatever award, Rice, Stones and Walker and whatever else you chuck in to that mix you have quite the team. Those 7 would very likely get into the first XI of every other team at the tournament and there is quality behind them like Palmer and Gordon. Pickford and Guehi are also playing very well. It's a very good squad.

I think Czechia (formerly known as the Czech republic) were absolutely robbed by the referee in this game akin to the Liverpoo game against us. Semedo essentially assaulted the winger and the ref said play on and Portugal went down the other end and scored. Ridiculous.

I guess all refs are a bit rubbish.

Chicago: Sad I didn't see Ronaldo crying...

Roberto Martinez is Portugal manager? I think you'll see Cronaldo tears at some point.

Actually the ref had his face full of two other Czech players who were screaming about some other perceived offense that they think he missed, and thus didn't see Semedo's body check at all. It wasn't an offense that VAR could call his attention to so essentially they did it to themselves.

McKenna on for the last 30 minutes.