I've never rated Southgate as a manager.

I would say that the crop of players we have is probably the best of the last forty years....but not by much. Ability wise I'd say we were in the top four in Europe. I don't think Southgate has improved the side at all....if anything he reigns it in.

What we are seeing is the result of a favourable draw. I don't think on most nights we beat Italy, Spain or Belgium.

Still, let's hope that we play well and Italy don't.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Why am I still unconvinced by Harry Kane?

In my opinion some very harsh opinions here on Southgate.

Thinks he’s been pretty spot on so far. I’d say the biggest problem he’s faced has been turning the national team into a team who believes, after decades of underachieving. We now play like we want to and can win and that’s refreshing.

I get he’s plays conservatively, but he’s there to manage not entertain.

"It feels much better than it ever did, much more sensitive." John Wayne Bobbit

And isn’t it refreshing not to have a national team full of prima-donnas?

There's a number of former establishment types who had the England job and let's face it. They were totally f***ing useless.

People don't like admitting Southgate has done a fantastic job because it would mean admitting they were wrong about his predecessors.

In a former role, Southgate implemented a root and branch reform of the FA coaching set up. That's helping pay off with the quality of the coaching.

In the managerial role, he's looked at absolutely every aspect of what can get the best out of the players.

One of the best traits about Southgate, is that he admits he doesn't have all the answers. Where as former managers used to go round, watch a few games, and shoehorn a side into a 4-4-2. When Southgate is away from the players, he seems to be looking to see what he can do to improve the team in any way he can.

Spare a thought for Greg Dyke.

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He deserves some credit as he set out a plan to win the world cup by 2022. I don't know how much of his plan has been altered since he left but he kick started the whole thing.

The main idea was invest in coaching and the youth and take the youth competitions seriously which we did winning the U17 world cup. It is this generation that Southgate is benefiting from.

So when the McWhingers complain that England are arrogant and lucky remind them that the FA did have a plan and threw money at the problem much like the government did with the British Olympic team after Atlanta.

You can't guarantee a tournament win but considering England is the richest football nation and has a huge number of professional teams a semi final appearance is a realistic expectation. We should be on a par with the other top European teams maybe that is going to happen now.

One more point