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I’m worryingly optimistic about our chances at Euro 24. We have two of the best players in the world in Bellingham and Foden and while the defence could be stronger, I expect us to reach the last four, which is my minimum requirement for a team with our resources. Once you reach that stage you also need a dose of luck, as there is very little difference between the top international teams these days. Southgate’s record is impressive and he does seem to be losing his cautious instincts gradually. There are no outstanding teams to fear.

The fixtures for the 2024/25 National League season will be released on Wednesday 10 July, and the season will kick off on Saturday 10 August. www.thenationalleague.org.uk/key-dates-confirmed-ahead-of-new-national-league

It wasn't a competitive match and if they get it right over the next few weeks who cares. It's not down to the manager that Kane shinned a sitter.

Many say that Southgate is far too defensive being an ex defender himself, We might have abundant riches up top, yet we can't defend for toffee. Even though last night's game was only a warm up, it was as disjointed as we've seen and a total embarrassment, He even had the luxury of 78 minutes plus stoppage time to rectify it but could he? Another useless tactician with ridiculous resources at hand He'd do a good job here

You'd start TAA at left back?? It certainly shows the lack of alternatives as Trippier looks shot to me

I’m the same as you when it comes to knowing a lot of the players! But in my limited knowledge isn’t an issue that Southgate has is that Bellingham, Foden and Palmer are all best in the number 10 role?

If I'm honest, I've sort of lost interest in the wider game aside from Latics...I've had to look up who a couple of the players in the England squad play for (Crystal Palace, FFS!) With my limited knowledge of the Premier League/England squad, I would suggest there isn't the expectation for us to do as well as the last couple of tournaments in this one. We've sort of missed an opportunity to win something under Southgate in the last couple of tournaments when a lot of the players he had available were at their peak. That said, I think this is going to be (Champion's League winner!) Jude Bellingham's tournament to shine. Isn't there also some controversy about Southgate playing Foden out of position? One of the best players for the Champions of the Premiership and he plays him where he's not going to be at his best. Bonkers..

Feels a bit harsh on Saka. I’d have him in instead of Palmer and Trippier instead of TAA in the back line (Walker at RB). I’m not sure about Gallagher. Maybe TAA alongside Rice for me.

Absolutely Dave. We have an embarrassment of riches in some areas but some positions are still weak. We have an expectation to be winning tournaments based on very little evidence I think. Maybe a narrow view of the premier league’s quality? Maguire and Stones have been a long standing partnership, now we’re going into a tournament with a new pairing and no left back. It’s not a massive surprise that Southgate prefers 2 midfielders in front of that rather than just playing another forward. But because of all our great forwards the expectation is again that we should win. We should be getting to the business end but going that extra step won’t be as easy as some think it should be.

Some good points but…if we treat Real Madrid as a special case(!), in the previous ten years, three English clubs have won the Champions League Chelsea, Liverpool & Man City, one other Spanish club in Barcelona and one German club in Bayern Munich. Toney missed the first half of the season so at least he shouldn’t be tired…. For me, the worry is around players like Stones, Trippier and Shaw - all are carrying injuries and are likely to break down in tournament conditions. fwiw my starting eleven against Serbia: Pickford TAA, Stones, Guehi, Walker Rice, Gallagher Palmer, Bellingham, Foden Kane

Is it not just the case that we think our players are better than they are? English teams don't win the Champions League very often. But a bigger issue and one that's not really up for debate is that we are really weak in some areas and teams have to be strong everywhere to win tournaments. Maguire's place wasn't even up for debate if he'd been fit and nobody thinks he's a world class centre half. Now we appear to have plenty of good players but in similar positions. So if Southgate picks Saka he'll be slaughtered for not picking Palmer. Same for Mainoo/Wharton, Gordon/Foden etc. and then there's the situation that the player possibly in prime position to back up Kane missed half the season and hasn't scored since February.

l do. maybe even a quality CDM to finish the team..

Always have a little chuckle at some of the comments thrown at this guy I wouldn't mind but he's still posting exactly the same about our obvious shortcomings and now into the third season of total obscurity. You lot haven't been able to prove him wrong, even with your glasses overflowing

There's something not quite right about Southgate. Games like tonight an example. He has done well in a couple of tournaments but I think - with the talent at his disposal - we should be playing better..

Bit like us I think.

I just don’t think we can afford or even need to blow 500k a season on 3 players in this division.

Previously the likes of Maguire, Henderson and Rashford might have figured though so it's a refreshing change that he's finally picked players in form.

why isnt l meant. why cant we have more than two big earners in the squad??? PS you always seem very patient with me and my strange volatile ways. thank you for that.

And were did I say it isn't? Of course-it is a post by another glass half empty kindred spirit.

Suspect Suzanne just lifted the gossip about Madden from on here or X/twitter, or whatever it's called. Unsubstantiated rumour.

We lost it in a penalty shootout in unfortunate circumstances. Give the guy some slack.

We got knocked out in the quarter final against France, but the rest I agree with.

In the next tournament we played more freely against France. Undone by Kane missing a pen and by giving too many chances to Giroud. But we didn’t sit back like against Italy. There’s always been progress under him. If he doesn’t take us all the way, the next guy probably will but Southgate should get huge credit for his role.

Why doesn’t what?