Gary_Parker

Its also the pundits (most of whom have the brain capacity of a vegetable though) and a lot of fans who think they should all just be able to play and be done with it.

This is where England just won't learn. Spend more time trying to shoehorn players into positions or weaken other areas of the side by switching formations etc than just accepting that not everyone can play and sometimes you have to make a decision. Look at Spain with Pedri and Olmo, couldn't play both of them together so their manager decides to play one and bring the other on from the bench until injury took Pedri out of the tournament. For me you're dropping Foden, Bellingham is just better than him.

Aside from Shaw and Chilwell, who is there at left back either pushing them or coming through? Chilwell and Reece James should be put on the 'nah, maybe just don't bother' pile given they're more brittle than RAAC built houses.

And not be afraid to drop players who play in the same position as others, regardless of who they are. Pedri/Olmo being the example. Most of the time when Pedri played, Olmo didn't until injury took Pedri out.

The fact that everyone is talking about TAA as a potential midfielder for his national side highlights one of the biggest issues England have. No depth in a key position. Rice, Mainoo, Gallagher, Trent, Wharton is not a top class midfield*. Mainoo has less than 50 senior appearances and he's being chucked in at the biggest stage as a last hope of sorts given how much the midfield pairing was tinkered with. Gallagher is the epitome of the word 'meh' and Wharton is untested and only has 6 months of top flight experience behind him. Who else is there? Similarly at fullback, there is a lack of decent depth. Especially on the left. Shaw and Trippier isn't a top quality selection. One is just back from a long injury and playing in a really poor side, the other is a right back who has struggled for form in the latter part of the season. Problem again is, who else is there? Chilwell? He's dropped into the Reece James category, good when fit, but cannot ever be relied upon. Joe Gomez? * at this time. Mainoo and Wharton still have a lot of time to grow and develop.

Thats the main problem. Quality depth in midfield for England is an issue.

Feel for the majority of England fans tonight, except those wearing chainmail, **** them. A lot of potential in the England squad, if they can get some strength in depth in key positions. Weak at fullback and in central midfield. Rice and a kid with less than 50 senior games isn't enough to win a tournament. Especially when they're backed up by Conor Gallagher and Alexander-Arnold or god forbid Kalvin Phillips.

An absolute clackerbag of a man. Such stupid defending, racing off to a ball he was never winning. Wonderful finish though

Find it funny that when England are doing well, Shearer is saying "We are..." when talking about them. Minute they're under pressure its "They are..." Gormless tw*t

Great goal. Shaw loses his man for the first time all game and they concede. Spain trying to finish this off quickly at the start of the half.

Kept Yamal quiet really well, defended well, been pretty weak in forward situations. Worst thing about it so far is that they really have ruined an iconic Springsteen song. Also, if someone could wrestle the microphone away from Ferdinand, that would be wonderful.

It's ridiculous. Like the Daily Mail, it just tries to get a reaction out of the worst people in the country. Paddy Power have done it right though. At least it's in the right humour.

Which one has Rio Ferdinand?

Ahh forgot about that one. That has got to be worth a shot of something.

At home, watching it and playing a drinking game. A decent swig of beer every time one of the commentators or pundits remarks that they've already won it before the game kicks off, uses the phrase "England expects" or makes a joke/pun about Yamal's age and the kick off time. Half a beer when the crowd shot focuses on a grown ass adult with their face painted and downing a full beer when it focuses on some sad twit dressed as a medieval knight for no good reason,

Is Kane dropping deep his natural game or instructions? Either way his manager should be able to rectify that, surely?

Cracking strike. **** poor from Rice.

Quite possibly one of the dumbest people to ever be allowed to hold a microphone.

Had Saliba made that tackle, I don't think anyone would have said lucky then. Great tackle from the keeper.

No one should be that good at anything at 16 years old. Ridiculous. Though the BBC commentator made it really creepy with his comment of "Sweet little 16"

The usage of "just about" feels detrimental to the point you're making. I do get what you're saying though, Trippier is like the old dependable option, like a fullback version of Kalvin Phillips last tournament. Though in fairness, Trippier at left back isn't the problem with the way England are playing. Its an average team made up of very good individuals mixed in with the old dependable options that have "never let the manager down" historically. Its currently a mixture that is not getting the best out of the players available. Of course, its also got the team to the semi final, it would be mad to change it up now. Just got to ride the wave of mediocrity and see where it takes you. Could be another glorious failure "if only" campaign or the least attractive winning side since Greece 2004

Good penalties from the England lads, all 5 were well taken. Got to love Rio Ferdinand, possibly the dumbest pundit this side of Paul Merson. Yesterday claimed that penalties were a lottery (even that is just wrong) and that all the practice you can do doesn't mean much. Yet tonight saying he had no doubt because the players have practiced.

Usually by really poor referees like those in the EPL?

Interesting to see how England get on today, different setup, same personnel.

That was a very tough watch. Doku and Griezmann spent a lot of it trying to see who could come up with a worse final ball between them. France have managed to ********* their way to the QF's without scoring a goal from open play. Madness.