VP.

WC 2018 we played Tunisia, Panama, Belgium, Colombia, Sweden, Croatia. Losing to Croatia in the semi final which I would expect to be the minimum achievement after that set of fixtures. EC 2020 we played Croatia, Scotland, Czech Rep, Germany, Ukraine, Denmark, Italy. Yes some tougher matches but all except for the Ukraine game were played at Wembley stadium (if I remember right) so this was and will be our best chance at winning a tournament for some time. WC 2022 we played Iran, USA, Wales, Senegal and France. Once again like 2018 we achieved the minimum expected with that set of fixtures then lost as soon as the opposition got tougher. Really don't understand what is so hard to see there lad? Though I'm sure it'll give you 'bant' none the less. Clearly my expectations of what this nation should be capable of doing on a football pitch is a lot higher than yours.

None of that makes what Southgate achieved any more or less impressive though. Nothing you or anyone can say will change my mind that Southgate had achieved the minimum of was expected during his time in charge. This would be the same whether it was Pep, Wenger or Mourinho managing the side too. And a quick reply to your last post - We've all seen what happens when he tests himself agaijst a better or equally as good side, we lose

Judging Southgate on other managers failures does not make his achievements any harder to achieve. In fact it appears to have made people think he's done a better job than he has when in reality he's met the minimum he should have when you take the players at his disposal and the extremely lucky fixtures he's had in the knockouts of tournaments into consideration.

Yeah I meant him coming on for half an hour if we're winning, I genuinely don't see him starting a match even if we reach the final but would definitely be a good sub to bring on if/when needed.

May have already been posted but apparently Shaw will be available for Slovakia, though let's be honest there's little chance he's going to get anywhere near match ready now. Only hope is that we get a couple of goals in front and he can have at least half an hour (during which he probably gets injured again).

He fell off his bike

Get in

Trippier hasn't done much wrong and obviously it's not his fault he's having to play out of position but I just find he slows the pace of the game down a lot when on possession. Plus I think we would be more solid defensively if/when TAA goes forward with Walker there as Stones/Guehi/Walker can move across and function as a 3 as Walker does have experience playing CB though obviously on the other side. Yes he probably will get caught out positionally at times (like Trippier does) but Walker has the speed to get himself out of trouble (Trippier doesn't). We've not played anyone yet who has quality out wide to trouble Trippier but when we do he will look lost. If we draw the Dutch Frimpong v Trippier would be a massacre!

Pickford TAA - Stones - Guehi - Walker Bellingham - Rice Saka - Foden - Gordon Kane

No ones criticised him, it just shows how completely ineffective he was? Though I will add that if he wants to charge around the pitch with the arrogance he showed against Serbia trying to wind them up then he needs to be very consistent in his performances.

Absolute **** yet again.

Southgate just resting Gallagher for the last 16 no doubt.

Right Gallagher is bordering on the worst player I've ever seen in an England shirt.

Gallagher's awful touch ended up being a pass to Saka