Dan

It is strange - I've heard less 'its coming home' than in any of the previous three tournaments and that's despite this one falling brilliantly for us for the most part. I sensed it picked up a bit yesterday but it's still not quite the same. It just feels so built on sand. Lose the shootout yesterday and I think even Southgate's most ardent defenders would want him out. Even in this thread - there's usually a lot of arguing between the critical side and the supportive. I feel like the critical is almost everybody whereas in previous it felt more balanced. I just think we're too bad to win it. It would eclipse Portugal 2016 for me. I think you can forgive Greece - they were a huge underdog. We are a favourite (rightfully, our squad is 4th best minimum for me) yet haven't put together a good 90 minutes once all tournament. We've not actually won a game in 90 minutes in 4 games against Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Denmark. It's hilarious to think you could have a final of this against a team who've yet to actually score in open play. Would be tournament football on steroids.

Feel like it's another that'll go all the way. I really can't put my finger on how highly I rate this Netherlands side. Something tells me they aren't that good, but they've done pretty well in these knockouts. They have something about them. Feel like there is vulnerability to them though. I can see a Croatia 2018 type game - England take the lead this time but end up going out.

He's got cult hero vibes. Supposedly scores big goals and got a good name. That usually helps.

A comparison to Vardy is pointless, that gives nearly anyone a pass at any point. The fact he's so exceptional means he's a bad example. I'm quite confident that De Cordova-Reid is better than McAteer.

On a sensible contract this really isn't bad addition for me. He's also been part of a side who has done what we're hoping to do this season.

Didn't even get Ronaldo tears what a revolting game of football.

I do think this is Southgate's aim as well.

These tournaments always reward this shite. Guarantee Spain lose the semi.

These two and England can always be relied on to stink a tournament out no matter what level of ability. France are bafflingly good at keeping teams at arms length. So many times you think they've conceded and they just don't.

Still not a single open play goal from France

Spain Germany ended up being quite good after a pretty bitty first half. This is just awful and I think it was predictable for anyone who has watched enough of these two over the years. Martinez continuing the Ronaldo pandering is a mistake too. I think at this stage he has to be a sub.

Sooooooo bad

As boring as expected from these two.

Thought I'd start this years thread. The TV games for August and September are meant to be out today. Below is the dates the Premier League will announce (miss) TV moves.

This does feel quite a similar signing to the Albrighton one in 2014. Versatile, hard-working, albeit fairly limited player but fine for your squad. Fulham fans (was hard to find any) seem to like him which is a good sign. The obvious concern in him is his age and what's tempted him here - have we gone and offered out 'another' stupid contract. But on the whole in a squad lacking bodies, a versatile player on a free who has been steady at this level is fine by me really. It's not the most exciting but that's what you get when your owner, director of football and ex manager make the choice to set you back 7/8 years.

Midfield needs some serious work.

England aren't the only lucky ones. I'd argue the Dutch even luckier - 3rd in a group yet somehow get Romania and Turkey in their knockouts. Luck does exist.

Probably in a front three. I'm thinking maybe 3-4-3. We definitely need to do something about the midfield though. I think Winks could struggle in that sort of set up as well.

So played on the left of a back three for Frosinone albeit is right footed, sometimes played in the centre, according to flash scores. Seems a more physical player than a technical one. Not a bad thing in our situation. Concerns for me are this implies a back 3/5 going forward, which I did expect / fear under Cooper. I don't mind that for occasional games but not as a long term strategy, I can't think of many sides who play well with it in the long run. We're overloaded on CBs even though I do think we probably needed one - but we need probably two out now. The obvious concern to me is the Italians think Atalanta are doing well out of this, doesn't seem to be overly rated by them. Good luck to him but definitely got my reservations.

I can nearly tolerate Gray going for more than KDH due to his age (albeit he became massively overhyped) but Rutter? ****ing hell.

Quite fancy France. They're dull and they're hard to warm to but they haven't been as bad as their lack of goals suggest. They're categorised alongside England and I think they've been quite comfortably better, to be honest.

Kind of fancy Germany, always feel like the teams people warm to for being fun always get knocked out earlier than expected - see Austria.

A system change is England's only way of going all the way. There is no way he can persist with that dirge.

Don't go near him. What has he ever done bar one decent loan spell in the league below?