I thought it was poor, obviously. I still maintain it doesn't suddenly mean the last 3 tournaments were crap, but clearly it was a poor performance.

Bellingham was incredibly quiet, and when the entire system is built around him performing, that's going to mean the team is flat.

Main issue for me tactically is the left side - we literally don't have anyone playing down the left so it's a complete non-factor in build-up. If Shaw isn't fit and it has to be Trippier (or another right-footer), then we need a proper winger in front of him to hold the width, and let Trippier tuck inside as he does naturally. Grealish should be there for exactly that role, but I guess Gordon is the next best option.

If Trent is going to play, he needs runners for his passing to be any good - neither Foden nor Kane ever run in behind, so his only outlet is Saka, who he found to decent effect a couple of times.

When he finally brought on runners yesterday (Bowen and Watkins), he took Trent off at the same time.

Assuming he wants to stick with Kane, Foden, Bellingham & Saka in the attack, then it's pointless playing Trent and it should be Wharton alongside Rice. If we need a goal, I'd chuck on Trent along with the Bowen and Watkins types who do run in behind, and I'd expect he'd be a lot more effective.

I still feel we're only a few tweaks away from something clicking and performances improving - long way to go and every chance we hit some form at the right time.

I've avoided all football talk since the 70th minute last night when I gave up with the game, and this dreadful team.

But that's the point, it's not a dreadful team. The Manager has them forced into a system and style that doesn't suit any of them. except defenders, who are involved quite a bit.
He's hamstrung himself with the Squad that he's selected, picking on form and not on tactical nous, of which he has none.
To suggest there is no replacement for Kalvin Phillips would be laughable if it wasn't quite so true; we have no combative DM, but that infers that he, an international manager, can't produce a match winning team without one. and that is laughable.

I was a massive critic of Foden after Serbia, but he was one of the only decent performers last night. Bellingham was having his worst game in an England shirt, so what does Southgate do? Take Foden off, leaving Bellingham on.
TAA was Again shocking. The amount of times he gave the ball away was shocking, offering nothing in defense either.

The Answer from many is we have is to 'Play X from the bench' but in this system and style, none of them are going to work. Wharton is not the golden goose, neither is Palmer. The secret to succeeding is for Southgate to get possessed by the ghost of Johann Cruyff, or even someone who actually watches the game.

Of all the games played in the tournament so far, the 2 england games have been the worst, in performance and spectacle. In possession we're boring, out of possession were conservative and invite the oppo on.
Seriously considering switching allegiances to the Netherlands. if their first game is anything to go on; great attacking play - nearly always ending in a Depay hoof into the crowd - and comedy defending. 100% entertainment.

Up the Oranjes!

Fair enough, any indication of this must have passed me by.

I sincerely hope you're correct however I am more of the toys out of the pram type so I'll stick to my hysterics for now

Imagine people reacted like this every time Palace had a bad game.

And without wishing to over-egg my point:

England have an army of staff with specialist credentials usually ending in "-ist". They would include those who have the skill to set out formations that are not inducive to thrashing opponents in an exciting way, but to achieving the minimum required to top the group (as I think we have done every tournament Southgate has been at the head?) by exerting the least effort with the lowest cost in terms of goals conceded (the best defences win tournaments, not the best attacks), suspensions and injuries. It ain't pretty at this early stage but who cares if we get to express fully in the final game(s).

Denmark could only muster a draw with lowly Slovenia and had to get a win. They played a game against a country whose football they grew up with, most of the team play here, and they played it like the proverbial final. Of course they were more progressive and exciting. And all they got was another draw; and they now need to beat Serbia to be sure of going forward.

In whose shoes would you prefer to be? Go and support Netherlands, Spain or whoever if you wish. You'll be back when England are in the final games.