Of course we deserved to win it. We were by far the better team.

And if your manager has a hoard of lucky charms, you keep him, at least till the magic wears off.

Don't get me wrong. I am not that rose tinted. Sticking with the same team come what may (a la Pulis and Hodgson) and the obvious lack of balance are critical issues. But are we not in our 4th consecutive QF? Do none of you see an improvement?

Of course they know how to go forward. As do Portugal with one of the best forward lines in the world. And they got beat 2-0 by a Georgian block that hit on the counter.

However, I agree one thing. That passing around in defence was designed to draw the Slovaks. It failed. But we carried on doing it anyway.

Adam Wharton has only played a clutch of games at the top level, accordingly in conversation with a learned gentleman prior to the commencement of the tournament I averred that I never expected to see him given a start.

I added that if England were playing a game in the group stages and had already qualified as the top team, it is feasible that Wharton might be introduced from the bench.

Edited by Willo (01 Jul 2024 10.10am)

We have reached this stage because our group was as easy as you could hope for, and we struggled past a team that is many places below us in the rankings in the first knock out round.

We have been absolutely dreadful.

I wonder if Southgate would have even put Palmer on had Trippier not got a knock.
We would still be out but for a long throw, a flick and one bit of quality.

Next time, we are playing a team of quality and unless that clueless fool changes something, we will be going out.

He has to start Palmer.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Eze playing as a left back.

You don't have to be particularly erudite to expound a notion that formulaic.

And for the record, you can easily present an argument to counter that accepted wisdom.

Thus, Slovakia played a level that was Championship at best. He has played around that level for enough to know how to cope with it. The rest of the team were having to play economic football in a style less familiar to them.

And did you see how long it took him to adapt to the Premiership. The highest level of football in the world. Mere moments.

And don't give me that rot about the international game being an even bigger step up. Top 6 clubs have learned to play fringe squad players for even the ECL in order to ensure some of their best players are ready for the sterner task of Wolves away at the weekend. The only difference is pressure, and he has evidenced no frailty to date?

I am happy he is not playing as the international scene has a tendency to return crocks. However, partnering him with Rice would be a superb combo.

It could be but it won't be.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)