[Devongone]

Nicola Sturgeon's up for the whole of Scotland isolating isn't she?

Wakey, I reckon you've got the defence spot on and I do think he'll make the mistake of picking Henderson. Having spent a few years in Huddersfield I can't remember seeing any pitches that would accommodate three wide men. I hope he'll go Sancho, Grealish and Rashford because Grealish is more likely to pick a through ball from the middle of the pitch than any of the alternatives. The only trouble is I fear that team might win, because Kane would then score. And far be it from me to challenge typical Yorkshire bravery in taking on the best at the first opportunity, but I'd take a draw, finish second and play whoever from Group E wherever and WIN! There's always a chance a moderate side will play above themselves, knock out a top team and give us a readily-winnable quarter final. Why bat against Jimmy Anderson if you can get away with facing Dom Sibley?

That said, I'd want to go three at the back with Walker, Maguire and Stones, but Southgate seems to have benched creative thinking for now, much to my amazement.

[themaclad]

60,000 at semis and finals

[Lord Snooty]

How come.......whenever the Czech Republic play, they always mention that Czechoslovakia won this in 1976, but they never mention it when Slovakia play? Unless I always miss them mentioning it, but they have as much right to claim being former winners as the Czechs.

They're doing it again.  

[Lord Snooty]

Well there's been some cracking games so far.....

None involving England though.

Yaaaaaaawn!

[St Charles Owl]

Well there's been some cracking games so far.....

None involving England though.

Yaaaaaaawn!

Solid would be the right description for that. Played well in the first half, like they did against Croatia and then sat back and controlled the game. 2 wins and a draw, and no goals conceded is simply good enough to get out of the group as winners. Defensively we haven't really been challenged but maybe that because we have done enough to stop the opposition. Going forward we look good at times but whether its the players or Southgate we do seem to like to pass it around and kill the game. Hopefully better opponents will bring a better performance for 90 mins but I wouldn't be putting any money on it!!

[Lord Snooty]

If we weren't England, they'd be calling it "anti football".

[SHEP_HTAFC]

So Billy Gilmour hasn't gone near his teammates and therefore they don't need to self isolate.
Must have shared a room with no one, made his own way to the games and back, and trained on his own.
But 2 of our England players spent 20 minutes in a room with him after the game and therefore need to self isolate (even though they've both tested negative).

Methinks the Scottish management have been telling porkies here so that they could pick from a full squad for last nights game. Didn't work though.
Cheating gets you nowhere in the end.

[WakeyTerrier]

Imagine celebrating a 0-0 draw at Wembley like you had won the World Cup only to eff it up on home soil.

Oh how we all laughed at Wembley last night

[Devongone]

Thank the non-existent Lord that Saka and Grealish were on the pitch or there'd have been nothing worth watching at all. Maguire was our third best attacker!

How we can have so many players capable of moving and playing quickly, yet play so hesitantly baffles me. Only Saka, because he's obviously bright, seemed to have got the idea that he was there to play his own game. Grealish has no option but to be Grealish. Unfortunately now we've won we won't be seeing much of that in the later stages.

Player for player I'm sure we more than match Italy, but as Mick Channon remarked at Ascot races we haven't really had a proper team since 1966. AND we do obsess with individuals don't we? How will we manage without Mason Mount? What if Harry has stopped scoring? Has Marcus had too much exposure at United? Can you believe Jude is only 17? Jadon ate up the Bundesliga! Look at Jack's Calf muscles! Raheem's been struggling under Pep! Hendo's a real leader!

As for Scotland, if they were doing things properly how did Billy Gilmour alone contract Covid in their tartan bubble? Yesterday proved it was England ineptitude as well as a good Scottish performance that got them a 0-0 draw. Their team is improving, but they need more good players to take advantage of their teamwork and national pride.

And the next round? If we played our best game with our best team, if France did the same we still wouldn't be able to handle Mbappe. Portugal we could beat, but similarly if Ronaldo was at its best, we'd struggle. Play the Germans and the biggest worry will be that both sides will know they are the Germans ....... and in our case it'll be how we deal with that knowledge. The trouble is no entire team is likely to bring its absolutely best game, so how far would the French need to be below par to lose to us?

[hibeejim21]

Think the pundits are underrating Germany a wee bit.... They actually played ok against France and for long periods were very good v Portugal going forward.

I'd say that game would be a 50/50 for England. Portugal you should beat, France I think would have too much for you.