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Exactly, we couldn’t move away from 4-4-2 and we never really had Even in 2010, we had one of the best qualification records and had a brilliant team. Ferdinand and Lampard have spoke of the culture in the England camp with that generation. Southgate has put a lot of effort into building a...

Talent wise, France are the best team by far. But, if this Mbappe and Giroud bust gets out of hand it could be a concern since they’re in the Group of Death. It’s a cliche, but we’ve got to play without fear and a bit of ego.

This kind of psychology is something that’s held us back as a footballing nation. Spain also had a drought similar to ours before they dominated between 2008-2012. Most of this group of players have experienced a semi-final at a major tournament, and they’ve gotten the penalty shootout monkey...

It’s tough to say. In terms of star quality, we’re a very good outfit. France are the best team, after that, the pack is quite crowded. Personally, I think we’re a promising squad in a similar mould to Germany in 2010. This tournament is a big opportunity to test this crop of players...

Just checked and neither are in the squad. A lot has changed from 2018, and frankly, I could see Czechia doing well and Scotland are a host nation so this could be a tricky group for Croatia.

For starters, we haven’t had a major tournament since 2018 to judge on. We did get to the semis in the Nations League where we topped a group that had Spain and Croatia. Only losing to a rejuvenated and promising Netherlands team, a disappointment but exceeded expectations. Even between...

Nor is Perisic, Rakatic, Lovern or Manzudkic. Croatia should progress from the group, but it’ll be close. A draw would’ve been an underwhelming result today.

No chance, their team has got older and not much better since 2018. Like us, they had an easy route to the final. Our team in 2021 is a lot stronger than it was in 2018. For starts, Lingard and Alli - two stalwarts in 2018 - haven’t even made the squad this time around.

International and club football is different though. For years, Germany selected Mirislav Klose as their number one striker - someone who scored for fun for Germany even as his club form took a dive. Sterling has scored 12 in the last 16 for England before today. So it wasn’t a ridiculous...

Southgate has shut up a lot of doubters today. Phillips was fantastic, Sterling was our biggest attacking threat and Trippier made some really good direct passes. Ultimately, judge Southgate on results and so far, he’s done v well at his one and only major tournament.

I like him, but he’s not good enough to be a starter and we needed to take White because we had 3 fit centre backs. I did not know that! Southgate must prefer Trippier on set-pieces or has trained really well. Maybe I’m reading into squad numbers too much, but generally I think the players...

Well, not necessarily. It’s a creative solution to avoid a hard customs border in NI. The EU is prioritising the sanctity of its Single Market above the GFA. The UK Government definitely has a point here and it definitely risks stirring the Unionist community in a similar way a hard border...

Set pieces. With Trent being injured and no Ward-Prowse in the squad, we do not have a dead ball specialist. Our success in 2018 was down to our set-pieces.

There’s something to be said about the implementation of the NIP though. The EU conducts 20% of its customs controls in Northern Ireland which is evidently not proportionate. Things like Sainsbury’s own brand goods being checked when there’s no Sainsbury’s in ROI. The NIP has claimed Arlene...

You’re forgetting that we’re not playing 5 at the back like we did in the World Cup and Maguire is out injured. We’ve potentially got Foden, Sterling, Mount and Kane as attacking players. Compare that to just Sterling and Kane in 2018 who were supported by Alli and Lingard. I think Southgate...

I raised my eyebrow at Trippier’s inclusion at LB. Both Chillwell and Shaw are both good fullbacks. However, I’m not mad at that team if that’s what we go for. I think Grealish should start, but was unlikely after playing all the warm ups. Trippier adds a lot of value from set-pieces and that...

He called Greece winning the 2004 Euros too, I have you know!

In the past, I’d read into qualification and friendly matches. I just want to judge us against Croatia and see what happens from there. Some questionable decisions by Southgate, but his last tournament showings have been strong. Keeping the faith! Southgate really ought to stick with 4-2-3-1...

I voted Micky Gynn, McAllister, Hutchison and Hadji. Only seen Gynn and Hutchison at Gynn’s testimonial. Never got to see Hadji too but I appreciate he’s a legend. Surprised Ndlovu wasn’t an option!

It’s interesting because these professional fighters are going to use the Paul brothers to get their easy pay days until the fights no longer draw the crowds. KSI beat Logan Paul. That’s all we need to know and I’m glad the fight was booed.