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Just as we beat Columbia on penalties to break the curse, beating Germany would give us a huge psychological boost for years to come. We’re stronger defensively and I genuinely believe we can beat Germany. I just don’t think it’s a sackable offence, frankly.

Would losing to Germany in the Round of 16 be apocalyptic? Not really. I’m advocating patience. If we see of Germany, and beat the winner of Ukraine/Sweden*, we would be in with a v good chance of another semi final. Would you U-turn on your previous opinions on Southgate? *Interesting that...

He won Serie B with Juventus. Just to clarify for the audience. Deschamps is a good manager, but was undoubtedly in the managerial wilderness before going to France. In fact, lost to Hodgson’s England and knockout at the quarters in 2012 and 2014. Then, things started coming together for...

I did not realise you were being sarcastic!

Exactly. Before his success he was criticised quite heavily for his negativity. Tolisso is playing on the right. They have the likes of Dembele, Martial, Coman and so on in that slot. Matuidi started on the left wing in their world cup winning side. Even if France go on to lose (I don’t think...

The same France that has also scored the same amount of goals as England and a draw against a minnow... Shouldn't Deschamps get the sack?

International management is not the pinnacle of a managerial career anymore. Even the 'qualified' managers in the field are there after poor spells with clubs e.g. Mancini and Luis Enrique. By every metric, Southgate has outperformed more 'qualified' candidates to manage England. Which goes to...

Under Southgate we’ve been to two semi finals too, which no England manager has done for a long while. Since Southgate’s club record has been brought up, I’d like to point out Joachim Löw’s career highlight in club football is managing FK Austria Wien. If we get thrashed by whomever we play...

Germany battered Portugal in the group stages and followed it up with a draw to Ghana and a 1-0 win over the USA. Germany and France were favourites for both of those World Cups having come very close to winning major trophies previously and we’re not at that level, yet. We’ve got a good...

I travelled around France for Euro 2016 and watched the France games with a few French mates. They had similar things to say about Deschamps as we do about Southgate now. He’s a negative manager with a team with great attacking talent. Well, he’s done alright since. Despite starting Giroud...

Southgate has a very pragmatic view of international football. Even recently successful international teams have bored fans en route to success. 2010 World Cup - Spain won every game by 1 goals, bar a 2-0 win v Honduras. 2016 Euros - Portugal, drew all their group games. Won in ET v Croatia...

The Czechs were launching it from distance, and the source of their best chance. Structurally, we were sound, we looked quite good, if not particularly special. Germany had more shots than France, but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who genuinely thought Germany were the better team. Far...

I’m sure everyone was quaking their boots after Portugal came 3rd in their Group in 2016. The same team that failed to get a win against Iceland, Hungary and Australia won the championship. We’ve got a good chance of progressing deep in this championship, but we’re by no means the best team in...

Case and point being today. Created chances, didn’t take them, drew to Hungary. Even against Germany, France looked in 3rd gear, which suggests that they were either toying with Germany, or generally weren’t all that sharp. It’d be foolish to discount France despite a very disappointing result...

It’s irrelevant because football is an outcome driven game. In all the tournaments Southgate has lead us in, we’ve got to a semi final. That’s what Southgate will be judged on. Not meaningless qualification games or friendlies.

Do you think French fans are all defeatist over their draw with Hungary? It could well be the case that Southgate’s caution pays dividends in the knockout stages. The same French and Portuguese teams we’re fawning over are led by Deschamps and Santos*. Both are managers have been criticised for...

More recently Portugal too - they looked terrible in 2016. Very disappointed with the result last night, but things can improve and as long as we’re in the tournament, there’s a chance we can win. Intense rivalries can bridge the gap in quality, it’s not quite the same, but even Finland beat...

Something to try and cheer you all up a bit. Even 1990 and 1996 had stinkers apparently. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/euro-2021/2021/06/19/dispiriting-gets-england-not-lost/

For the round of 16, yes. But the quarters and semis would be a tougher draw.

The bigger picture is that we’ve all but confirmed qualification to the next round, regardless of the result against Czech. Then, it’s knock out football and anything can happen. Portugal scrapped out of the Group in 3rd and won the tournament. A few things that really concern me: 1) Kane’s...