ClaphamFox

This is so true and it can be seen in past tournaments that got the nation excited. Prior to the 1990 World Cup, we’d stunk out Euro ‘88, losing all three games. It felt like we were light years behind the other bug nations, playing a horribly unsophisticated brand of football. Then when we got to Italy we made a slow start before building up momentum and getting all the way to the semi-final (which we should have won). Truth is, we barely squeaked through the round of 16 and the quarters, but that didn’t matter because everyone was just so relieved that England were competitive again. The hot weather and Pavarotti helped. Unfortunately Graham Taylor took over from Bobby Robson and we were horrendous in Euro ‘92 (bottom of group, one goal scored in three games) and then didn’t even qualify for USA ‘94. Our self-esteem, which had been briefly lifted in 1990, was at rock bottom again. So when Euro ‘96 came around and Gary McAllister’s missed penalty sent us on another run to the semi-final, everyone was buzzing again. But we only had one brilliant performance - the 4-1 win against the Netherlands - and we were very fortunate to get past Spain in the quarters. But again, it didn’t matter - the fact that we were winning games again after the awful Taylor years was enough to generate national euphoria, helped by Baddiel and Skinner. This summer we expected more. The mere fact of being in the semifinals isn’t enough - people want us to do it in style. If we’d have had crap tournaments in 2018, 2021 and 2022, we’d probably all be loving it right now. Context is everything.

Most of the tournaments we remember fondly only featured one or two genuinely good performances. In both 1990 and 1996 a certain mood gripped the nation - I think it’s that which we remember rather than the quality of the football. 1966 was probably similar (apparently we weren’t great often in that tournament either). The only difference this time around is that we’ve reached the semi-final without a single genuinely inspiring performance. But we’re looking at least as resilient as we did in 1990 and 1996, and possibly more so.

So none of the signings we make from now on will make the first team? Depressing if so.

The can was dropped in front of us yesterday when our challenge to the PL's authority to charge us was dismissed, but we then gave it an almighty kick by immediately appealing. It will be dropped back in front of us again when our appeal is rejected, but nobody really knows when that will be.

Remember those innocent days when we thought we were going to be sponsored by a state-owned petrochemical company?

It isn't just fan sites. The journalist who wrote this article in the Mirror apparently has no idea of the difference between an overall financial loss and a PSR loss. But then again, half our own fans don't seem to get it either, so maybe it's unfair to expect other people to...

The £215m is the overall financial loss, not the PSR loss.

Has the amount of the breach been confirmed?

And has the London Borough of Lambeth offered me so much as an annual pass for Inferno's? Has it ****.

Wait - do some people get paid sponsorship for using certain handles?!

Maybe Cooper has already said he doesn't intend to use Vestergaard?

Apparently according to who?

Some players peak earlier than others. Ndidi's form dropped massively in his last two seasons in the PL with us. He was awful for much of the time. Yes, this coincided with the team generally being in decline, but even in a poorly-performing side Wilf often stood out as one of the worst performers. He went from being statistically one of the best tacklers in Europe to being almost ghost-like, wandering around with no physical presence. It is of course possible that his drop in form can be attributed to a combination of injuries and the team's general decline, and he will be able to return to the form he showed in his first few years with us. But giving him a bumper contract based on the hope that he can return to former glories must surely be regarded as a major risk?

Can Wilf play as an attacking midfielder in the PL, as he did last year in the Championship? Almost certainly not. Can he return to the imperious defensive midfield destroyer he was in 2017-21, as opposed to the chasing-shadows, highly ineffective defensive midfielder he was in the following two seasons in the PL? Possibly, but very possibly not. On balance I'd prefer it if another club took that gamble.

‘Old self’ could mean very different things, though. Are we talking about the PL Wilf of 2017-21 or the PL Wilf of 2021-23? Huge difference.

We absolutely need a new striker.

The club did not vote for PSR.

Why did the Netherlands carry on trying to score when they were already one-nil up? What were they thinking?!

It's the 2nd of July.

I've got a feeling we might just shithouse our way to the final before getting dicked by Spain.

Only seven out of 20 PL clubs have released their kits so far, so the majority of clubs aren't 'doing it right' either...

I'm really not convinced that 'no news on the kit' should be regarded as evidence of a 'mess' - at least not by anybody above the age of 15.

Where has Tanner suggested this?

Foden at number 10, with a genuine left winger on the left? I can see that...