I highlighted the stats.Having watched the game I have not been left with the feeling that Alexander-Arnold was an effective member of the midfield !

A dire performance all-round,however we were not defeated, have attained 4 pts from our opening 2 games and will almost certainly progress to the Round of 16.
I am reminded of the term "Slow burner" !

Undie wetters!

In the commentary, they described that we always draw the second group game. Guess what?

Walker said in interview after the game that this is tournament football. Clue?

They can't openly say we held back and did just enough, like a pre season friendly or Carabao Cup game. But obviously they did against Serbia and same again last night. Foden was clearly frustrated and escaped the leash for a moment but generally the team was tethered and the subs were made partly to appease the media, partly to freshen up the game but mainly to rest and protect the starting front line for later more important games.

Game ends. Top of group, only one (worldy) goal conceded, only one card (but that's Gallagher, so?) and no injuries unless there is anything residual from that pitch. But above all - no fatigue.

Much commentary is fixed on Shearer's co-commentary; but his comments were either deliberately misdirecting (still a team player?) or informed by how he did it as a player. Thing is, Southgate was also a player in a team that progressed far and he saw how he and his team mates were drained compared to the competition. Those who win are the best "team", the best defenders and who have the most energy at the end. They are rarely the team that plays high energy, high press and free scoring in the group stage.

The shackles at least partly come off for game 3. Slovenia have been a surprise package and the English will be predicting an ignominious defeat and England scraping through to face a high rank team. There will be the usual every two years gasp of "surprise" from fans and media when we cruise it leaving me to wonder if our beloved national team is supported by goldfish.

That England Manager Job description in full. Note all candidates must agree to these rules.

1. Always take a player who has been injured, what could possibly go wrong.

2. Pick the best players available and then try to fit them into the team out of position to their club role.

3. Always prefer top 6 players other smaller clubs.

4. Players must not run beyond the defence, cross the ball into the penalty area or even keep possession.

5. Once selected the manager must stick with the same team even though they are paying badly as "the lads have never let England down".

6. Should it come to penalties, key attacking players are allowed to skive off and leave the responsibility for missing to players who don't normally take penalties. This is known as the David Batty clause.

7. Once the England Manager has failed offer him a job at club level preferably with Crystal palace. This is known as the Steve Parish clause.

8. Under no circumstances are lessons to be learned, Managers and the Sweet FA must rinse and repeat at the next tournament.

9. Managers who like attacking footballer and picking players for their natural position not their Top 6 reputation need not apply. This is known as the Brian Clough clause.

I hope this doesn't get lost in translation here, this is a genuine question with no emotion attached, but are you suggesting that the team look awful, lethargic, clueless etc. because that is the plan? To scrape by with minimum effort which will all suddenly change once we're into the KO stages?

I'm not ridiculing it at all in fact I could see some sense in that approach. Just seems a bit fanciful if not delusional to genuinely believe this.