LionOfGosforth

That was the direct result of an individual mistake, nothing at all to do with anything else, tactics, philosophy, whatever. I get it wouldn't stop the "narrative" anyway, but it's bollocks for anyone to suggest otherwise.

On the subject of Grealish, he appears to function more as a player to stretch tired defenders late in a game. You could argue any of the other attacking players could do the same thing really, though Grealish has a handy ability to win free kicks in dangerous areas as well. The personnel might change slightly (I doubt it though, GS is risk averse at his core) but the system and overall philosophy is rigid and will likely remain unless injury or game situation dictates. Honestly at this point, we are what we are, disciplined, motivated, organized and obviously very hard to score against. As mentioned by Pilko, we're everything that we've needed to be at a tournament but never were until now.

Some good debate in here, find myself agreeing with most of what is being said on both "sides". I feel like, yes, we could play objectively better stuff, but it actually really no longer matters, the stakes are too high for me to care about that anymore. Watched it last night, with no prior knowledge of anything. Felt like there were Flints (Likely Lads reference for the old timers in here) everywhere, trying to tell me the score I thought Germany absolutely bossed the first 15-20 then something changed and it became a much more even game with ebb and flow like a PL game in some ways. Couple of good chances each, great save by Pickford from Werner. Fascinating to watch at times, utterly tense throughout. About as even as i've ever seen an England/Germany game. I think we've obviously reached a stage now where this is how we're going to play and it's not going to change and that's fine with me. Many think we should be playing more "attractive" football and be playing Grealish and/or Sancho (personally would have liked to see more of Foden) but within this tactical framework that Southgate has constructed, I don't think the personnel changes will happen unless we're forced into it (losing in a game) and I think the change in perception of how we're playing would be minimal anyway. As much as the football is functional, rather than artistic, I think it's laudable we've only allowed Germany (even if they're in a bit of transition) one clear chance that they created (Werner), one long ranger (Havertz) and the Muller chance that came from a mistake. How a player of that quality and experience has missed that, I doubt even he knows. For England, there's a mental strength and togetherness wrapped tightly around a well thought out tactical plan that's yielding results in a highly competitive and exciting tournament. Despite the general misgivings about style and few chances created, I'd have settled for that 2 weeks ago.

Never seen a flatter head than that on Chiellini, looks like he got hit with a concrete slab

Crazy improvisation by the beanpole!

Never a 2-0 game this, Austria have played their bollocks off

Surprised Insigne didn't fall over on his way off there

Yup, most of the contention has come from the horrendous offside analysis, I don't think it was ever intended to be used to determine that someone's lug is offside. Otherwise, it's being implemented pretty well on the whole

Looks like his own grandad

Vialli looked about 90 there, must smoke 6 packs a day

Tough on Austria but fabulous technique

sick of the sight of players diving, no shame whatsoever

There must be a landmine on the edge of the Austrian box given the height Jorginho gained there

Such a nice goal, pity if it's ruled out, Italy have been trash

First thing Pogba has done in about 4 years

the winker never misses like

Struggle to recall Griezmann touching the ball

He's just a feckless twat. Contrast him with Kante man, a humble little player who works his bollocks off for the team.

Fuck off Pogba, go get your name tram-lined into your hair again you waster

Hate the commentary style that emphasises the "star " players to a ridiculous degree, like they're pandering to an audience that doesn't have the prerequisite knowledge about these players. There's commentary silence for 20 seconds, ball arrives with Mbappe - cue commentator "NOW, Kylian Mbappe the superstar!!! what can he conjure up!?!?" as Mbappe plays a simple 5 yards backwards pass. Sod off man.

Been away on holiday so only just watched the Scotland and Czech games this morning. Decent first half but second half was eye bleedingly bad, all 3 group games have been basically the same. I saw a little more tempo in the first half of this game plus the goal so it looked a bit better but there hasn't been much difference between the 3 performances. This England is needlessly dull and functional, it's a bit like watching Cliff Thorburn at the snooker in the 80's Hate the system at this level, the way we implement it, it's like having 2 separate teams, 6 at the back and 4 up top, that have no real link, it's no wonder we generally look disjointed and vulnerable (which defeats the point of using 2 DMs to be solid). Since Southgate doesn't appear to have either the brains or the balls to change it, i'd play Bellingham and Henderson in the middle, we may be more exposed against the better teams but at least we'll have 2 central players who are forward-thinking and mobile and can carry the ball forward and link with the attackers, instead of the only attacking philosophy being have a defender lumber forward or give it to one of the attacking 3 and hope they conjure something for a central striker who isn't moving much and is too easy to mark out of the game. The 3 behind Kane, I tend to agree with others, there's not a lot of difference between them. People are suggesting dropping Sterling but without him, we'd probably have ended up with 3 points so I think he's "earned" his spot. Besides, Southgate clearly isn't dropping hm. Saka looked good but lacks experience and i'm not sure a France or Germany wouldn't expose him. He does bring a slightly refreshing and nerveless element to our attack though. No clue what we do with Kane, the system isn't working for him, he needs more support and service but i'd be surprised if the system changed in any way. Maybe against a team that really goes for our throat, there'll be more space up top for him to operate but his movement and mental agility seem way off, like he's ill or something. Can't see us getting past the next team but maybe there's a big performance coming.

If I was a Scottish fan or player, I wouldn't be celebrating like I just won the World Cup, i'd be seething to not win that. England were absolutely fucking terrible and there for the taking. Italy, Belgium or France would hammer us playing like that. 2 DMs, backwards and sideways passing, barely a single attempt to dribble with the ball, defensively vulnerable all night despite 2 DMs. Dog shit.

Hanley looking like Baresi back there

Southgate so passive and safety-first, rarely been so bored watching England in decades

Quality from Perisic, thought at first the keeper could have done better but on reflection a bit unsighted and the shot had real pace on it, whistled past him