It's nice to be off the hook for a brief moment.

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

I'm not trying to wrest your pendantry crown from your very bonce...but shouldn't it be MCP?

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

I haven't watched any of the football up to the semi final, I still don't think much of it, some terrible basic erros by both teams.

Anyway enough of that, two non playing observations about England.

1. The FA has not ruled out the manager replacing Gareth Southgate, seriously ? I know the FA is woke these days and this lady has done a good job but c'mon.

2. Where on earth is Prince William? I get that Charles isn't going as despite the BBC the final is not as important as 1966 so why should an old man fly all around the world for it. However William is President of the FA and for the FA this is certainly one of the most important games an England team have been involved with in recent years.

I can only hope that he will attend and this is just about security.

Edited by Badger11 (18 Aug 2023 7.54am)

One more point

I'm not saying Wiegman is that good but I'll go out on a limb and say she's as good as Southgate. I watched the matches in general and thought her switching of tactics was spot on. Interchanging between a back four and back three has worked well. Kept the opposition guessing. Southgate wouldn't keep you up wondering what tactical masterstroke he might pull if you were the opposition. In fairness, Wiegman has changed. She's also had loads of injuries and has had to play players in other positions. That's worked too. Again, no way vanilla ice cream Gareth would. Wiegman's not exciting but at least she's more like vanilla with raspberry sauce and perhaps a flake. I honestly prefer her to Southgate - something about her. I'd say she's pretty good with the squad but also tough if she needs to be. Imagine Gareth getting tough - laughable really.

Red and Blue Army!

Yeah sure...... 40 odd flying hours to watch 90 mins of football, just imaging the mileage that the green lobby would get out of that if he did (even if he flew commercial). Oh, and most royals have diary engagements planned 6 months or more ahead so flying off to the far side at the drop of a hat is not always possible.

He'll be damned if he doesn't and damned if he does.

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

So its the decider tomorrow of a tournament that has surpassed expectations.

Sweden beat Australia for third place they were generally sharper.

The 'rojas' are actually favourites to win, but we have beaten them before and have Lauren James back.

COYE.