hairwad

Not with me editing the database

Strikers' ages by then become an issue for England Kane (34.9) Toney (32.3) Watkins (32.6) If we get Shearer and Batistuta regens before then, then ok no problem.

I'm already slightly nostalgic for the Southgate era. I believe he has changed the identity and approach of England from a team that is direct and panics and wilts under pressure to one which attempts a better passing style with the players comfortable on the stage. A good example of this was the build up to the Watkins goal where we held onto the ball for more than a minute before the finish closing to the end of full time in a Euros semi final. It's that approach that has led to us having a better chance of going deep in tournaments. I'm just wary we don't throw the progress away and revert to type no matter which manager we get in.

Wearing my getting luckier England cricket one-day retro 1992 shirt. Sitting in my new getting luckier sofa position after the living room furniture has been moved around since WC22. Nodding with a calm knowing grin when we go 1-0 down after 6 minutes.

Who got booked on the bench last night for England just before full time?

Didn't realise Watkins is 28

Ollie’s goal to the eye looks like a classic tournament goal scored by another country.

Booking work holiday for Monday now

Shaw on

Has somebody accidentally selected the zoomed out view in FIFA?

I was not nervous for Slovakia, then nervous for Denmark, now back to not nervous. No reasons.

xCorridorOfUncertainty

"That is so Unbappe-like" - Jermaine Jenas

If Vivian moved to Roma you'd have him, Rick and Mike (Smalling) in the same defence. No Neil sadly though.

I've had the BBC pre-penalty feed on replay for 10 minutes now. I'm not a lip reading expert but I think the additional order would've been: 6 Rice 7 Eze 8 Pickford (!) 9 Walker 10 Shaw

This is going perfectly.

Technical question - if Kane had knocked Southgate out and he was unwell to manage the rest of tournament, would we be allowed a sub manager from outside the group?

Shaw is on and everything is like Euro 2020(21) again. Who would’ve thunk it?

Ah I see you now narrative, Kane 2nd yellow <nods sagely>

I’m calling this the Shrödinger’s formation - it is simultaneously all formations until observed

Andrich is giving me massive Jane's Addiction vibes

I wouldn't surprised if he does does 3 at the back as it's his older trusted formation. But if he did I'd really like to see Eze be given a chance on the left (at the expense of Saka). For cameos so far I've been most impressed by Eze, Toney and Palmer. It's a shame Palmer (and shoehorned 10s) have even less chances to play in a 3-5-whatever though. The only real solution here is for Shaw to be fit enough to start which will solve an awful lot of problems. Until then it seems we're stuck in this balance of starting the best players on the pitch who might do something individually vs fitting players to a style/formation.

Watching the end of the game back, the move between formations was notable (for an England side). We basically went to a 4-4-2 when Toney came on after the standard 4-2-3-1 all game. Then to a 3-5-2 for the first half of extra time. Then to a 5-4-1 for the second half of extra time, transitioning to a 3-4-3 for the few times we attacked. I wonder if he might consider a 3-5-2 for the Switzerland match as it a) removes the left back issue if Shaw is still not available and b) gives Kane a notional partner higher up the pitch whether that be Toney or Bellingham. We did look relatively comfortable in extra time compared to the first half.

Is there an online game route predictor - i.e. you fill in the groups and the knockouts then get filled in? Trying to do this manually on the 442 poster is hurting my old head

Got the England Panini one as the best of a bad choice. Thoughts: Stickers are good quality, some random shinies mixed in normal pages now I like the secrecy of which players go where (don't know if this is a new thing) Legends section speaks to me - the Keegan sticker is beautiful The 'Road to Germany' section seems a bit filler Next gen section is nice Wish there was 4 more pages outside of the 5 main countries (don't know if this is a reverse rights thing) Shinies are nice, remind me of the swirliness of Football '86 Spent £67 on a mega pack. Still need 103 of 387. 124 swaps. Need to find some local randoms on Facebook now! I'm aware I should grow up