Despite the usual fallout, I thought they played very well last night barring the individual errors from Pickford and Dunk - created more than enough chances to win the game comfortably, despite no Saka or Kane.

I thought a lot of the Mainoo hype going into the game was over the top, but I have to say he looks top drawer. Assuming Bellingham and Rice are nailed on in the midfield 3, he's made a real claim for that third sport. Gallagher was poor against Brazil by contrast.

Toney gave a good account of himself and his link up play looked an upgrade on Watkins - I suspect he gets the 2nd striker spot behind Kane as it stands.

Bowen was also very lively and did his chances no harm.

I was also impressed with Konsa - he may well sneak a spot in the squad given his ability to play both right back and centre half. Looks a better player than Joe Gomez to me.

Dunk was really poor - suspect we will not see him in an England shirt again.

Very surprised neither Branthwaite nor Palmer were given any minutes across the two games.

Assuming everyone is fit, I think the preferred XI at the moment looks something like;

Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Mainoo Rice
Saka Bellingham Foden
Kane

Yes... who would you pick?

Don't disagree at all, but we were behind most of the game yesterday so naturally had to take more risks - Southgate is usually so risk averse I actually didn't mind seeing us play more open.

But you're right, knockout football is so brutal and there is no room for error - we certainly can't afford individual errors at the back like the two last night.

On the whole I do agree with it, yeah - I'd have Guehi over Maguire but I think that's my only change.

I think Pickford has his flaws but still the best of the bunch - Ramsdale hasn't played enough and he's just a error-prone as Pickford to be honest.

I'm not as hard on Maguire as others are - broadly I think Stones, Guehi and Maguire are our best 3 centre backs, and a fair way above the rest of the pack (Dunk, Konsa, Branthwaite etc.)
I'd start Stones and Guehi but Maguire comfortably third choice for me.

White has ruled himself out of selection unfortunately, which is a shame because I think he would displace Walker based on performances this season, but I'm considering him unavailable for the tournament.

As much as we do have exciting options to play 10 (Foden, Maddison, Eze), I would leave Bellingham there - as much as he can play deeper and the temptation is always to do that, I think you play your best players in their best roles, and I think getting Bellingham and Kane close together at the top end of the pitch is key to us carrying enough of a threat in games.

I would definitely have Maddison in the squad - if we are chasing a game he's so good at creating chances, as yesterday's late equaliser showed.

I hope Grealish can get fit and into some form as he's still a major upgrade on someone like Gordon - if we had Grealish & Rashford as back up wingers to Foden and Saka... those are great options. Maybe Bowen or Palmer sneaks in to add some depth off the right.

Southgate seems fixated with Pickford and I just think we've seen the best of him. I'd like to see Nick Pope given a chance or either of our two.

Maybe it's just because I find Pickford's behaviour annoying.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

The Performance yesterday, was a good one and gives hope.
Belgium were organised and defended well, played quite narrow and left little room for us to exploit. Clear cut chances were never going to be easy to create, and proved as such.
It was the finishing that let us down last night. Bellingham being a main offender for this, missing a header and blasting a chance over the bar after good pressure on their keeper and defence, the 2 that I remember. He is some player, mind, and those rare incidents was the only blemishes on a wonderful display, involved in everything good we do. I hope we do not become too reliant on him.
This Was our best effort at breaking down a resolute defence I've seen for a long while and that was mainly down to the triumvate of Bellingham, Mainoo and Rice. Foden was part of that in the second half with a much improved showing after the break.
What this midfield could have done with Kane and Saka alongside them is genuine cause for optimism.
Which brings me to their replacements; Bowen was lively, if a little too eager to please and at times greedy which hindered Toneys involement. There were times he should have passed to Toney instead of shooting but can't blame him for that. Thought overall Toney had a decent game, popped up everywhere, and got a few shots off, good movement to win pen.

Pickford needs to go back to 'keeper school. He's competent, that's about it. When he first came into the team, it was because of his distribution. He aint got that no more. Id rather an out of sorts Ramsdale than him.
Defence has a lot of questions over it. not convinced with any of the players on show last night. It's a shame we didn't get a look at Brathwaite. Never been sure of Stones, but it's got to be Guehi and Stones as our no1 Pairing.
Can't stand Chilwell, would rather a 50yr old Trippier.
Walker is top dog on the right, but Ponza had a reassuringly quiet night - even against Doku.

A promising performance, without the result it deserved. Which I've seemed to have said regularly over the past 25 years.

All in all a draw means that it changes nothing to my thoughts of our chances in the summer. We'll flatter to deceive before coming up against someone in the Semis or final with anything about them; too much desire, too much know-how and we'll get beat. repeat ad-infinitum. I really hope this time is different.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Thats a fair post . "Pickford needs to go back to keeper school" is spot on , he seems to think he is a footballer with his excursions away from the goalposts ,someone needs to tell him he is not ,he is a disaster waiting to happen . With Johnstone out Pope looks like the only other candidate thats playing regular first team football and Southgate seems to have discarded him .

The stars just need to align and this squad could go all the way in a euro's lacking any standout sides .Our weakest link will once again though be the managers in game management which doesn't seem to be helped by his assistant

Pope has been out injured for nearly 6 months so certainly not playing regularly. He’s also poor with the ball at his feet which is a big factor in the way England play.

Solid keeper but certainly not a major upgrade on Pickford.

I think Lewis Dunk has played himself onto the plane.

To Dubai for a holiday.

Old, Ungifted and White

Shows how much notice I take of Newcastle . Didn't realise he was out .