The Bard

Hopefully the England coach plays 2nd string for the last group game so he gets a rest

I'll be interested in the one about the Memorial Stadium, particularly how they cover the change in ownership shenanigans whereby the fewers ended up owning a stadium they contributed virtually nothing towards. You've wisely used the phrase sporting venue rather than stadium as the wreck is basically a cowfield with some scaffolding.

Given he publicly stated a desire to play for Ireland, this isn't as surprising as it initially felt. People assume a homegrown player will stay for their whole career.

So if Farrell wants him involved he could pick him in the Autumn & 6 nations as long as the IRFU are happy?

Will he be able to play for Ireland from next season?

He did an interview on the Bears beyond the gate podcast and said he'd rather play for Ireland than England - he must've spoken to Andy Farrell. Someone said on the forum there would be an announcement and that it was linked to Vui's 4 year deal. Perhaps we can't pay Joycey what he's worth or at least what he feels he's worth?

If you can't see that there is an understanding between the big EPL clubs and the England set up you're living in La La Land. If Steve Holland coached you, you have about a 50% chance of getting picked for England. If the under 19 side was picked on merit Scott would be captain. Instead the coach is expected to ensure the interests of certain clubs are met..

Demonstrably the most at ease player on the pitch. Clearly one of the squad's leaders. Just goes to show that it's better to play men's football than faff about in age group football.

Yeah. Pat Lam has got an issue at tight head prop. He could do a job.

Yeah sorry. I watched most of the game last night and there was a bit of the Korey Smith about him. Energetic and good at linking up play. Occasional bursts forward. In a league of comparable quality to the Championship and a decent age.

I got that which is why I pointedly referred to the criticism up till now. Most of it from people who've never watched an England game or who play football manager a lot. Overall I think he's done an excellent job. However, he has royally ballsed up his approach these last 4 weeks and I fear it will create a negative momentum going into the tournament. He let Henderson have a rest. Should've been 8 or 9 others as well. If we'd got the same results with 2nd/3rd choice players few would've really complained as even the most myopic could see that resting these players was done for the right reasons. His desire to test combinations has proved futile and brought a lot of pressure on him. He also cannot be any wiser about some of the newer players as they got dragged down by their more experienced, knackered team mates.

It's not nonsense. The sniping at him has always been with accusations of 'woke' and political correctness. That's political.

Competing consistently is precisely what England have done under Southgate. All the more impressive because the players aren't actually as good as they are often made out to be.

I've never been convinced by is basically saying I don't like but haven't yet felt justified in criticising. Most of The criticism up to now has been absolutely ludicrous and is more a reflection of the poisonous 'culture war' whipped up by the right wing media than football. Southgate is obviously more Guardian than Sun so would have got both barrels at some point. Now they have the poor run they were dreaming of they can really go for it.

The thing I'd criticise Southgate for is that he didn't just play a shadow squad and rest the players who needed a rest. Likes of Kane, Sterling, Mount, Rice, Saka, Maguire, Walker and even Pickford did not need to play any of these games. Even Alexander Arnold and Foden should've been sent on holiday and told to have a proper pre-season. The likes of Phillips, Trippier, James, Grealish, Coady, Abraham, Bellingham should've been the main players for this with others like JWP, Timori, Bowen and a few others given more gametime. It would've been better in the short, medium and long term. He's messed up strategically with his planning. My concern is a lot of our main players will pick up injuries early in the season simply because of fatigue and others will arrive at a very condensed tournament tired and not at their best. If I were an EPL manager I'd particularly be looking at Italians, Hungarians, Norwegians, Swedes, Ukrainians, Egyptians to sign. Any country not at the World cup basically because those who do make it are likely to be spent 2nd half of the season. The others will have had a lovely break.

Totally. Any player at the euro who's played through the season should've been left out. Play the understudies like Wales did at home to Holland in the same competition

Massive problem. Just when you want to sack someone for some shit performances in a load of pointless games you remember that they has a decent record.

FIFA currently stitching NZ up via VAR...

Bristol born playing for New Zealand as a CDM in World Cup Qualifier. Plays for Brondby in Danish league first division. Looks very good...

Also Webster was going straight into Brighton's side as 1st choice. Not sure that would be the case with Semenyo.

Well if we had a sensibly run league they would move that weekend's games forward to a Carabao cup midweek for all divisions and play the Carabao cup games on that weekend. Virtually all squad members won't normally play 3rd or 4th round of the Carabao cup. That would allow Southgate to get the squad together 2 or 3 days earlier with less worries about last minute injuries. They won't though because of Sky and international TV.

Football financial year??

You mean his high quality Mc abilities?

That would make sense. Despite my insults he may get some traction from it too given the gradual recognition of issues around concussion etc.

Gregor interviewing the current Prime Minister? That would be 2 peas in a pod. A mumbling incoherent series of non-answers to some non-questions.