edprice1984

Let's be honest here. We all know that we aren't going to win it. But I would rather we win as many games as we can, rather than trying to 'tactically lose'. Pretty sure FIFA would have no qualms in throwing us or Belgium out of the competition if we did try anything anyway. It would amount to match fixing for starters. Any possible chance of hosting a World Cup in 2030 would be down the drain. FIFA could even ban England from entering the 2022 World Cup (see Chile in 1994 - one of the best football stories around by the way). If England get through to the Quarter Finals, that would be a success in my eyes. Any further and I would be ecstatic. I honestly think 2020 Euro's or even 2022 is where we will see the end product of the recent developments in the youth sides. I think we will win tonight, play either Senegal or Japan in the 2nd Round - hopefully win and then it's going to be a one off game against Brazil (likely). Even last night the Serbs had chances, if that had been Kane rather than Mitrovic it may have been a different result. Neymar doesn't look right, Coutinho is currently their key player. I just hope Southgate has got the lads practicing Penalties every training session. No stupid run ups, no Panenka's, just run up and smash the f*cker into the corner a la Kane. Make sure we have 7 or 8 players who want to take them (unlike Paul 'the Choker' Ince). Pickford and the GK team clearly do their homework - before the Tunisia penalty, Henderson had a word with the coaching staff and gave Pickford the info on which side the player was likely to go. On that occasion, to be fair to the Tunisian, it was an excellent pen but Pickford wasn't far away. For those old enough, I remember watching Shilton in 1990 and he never looked like saving a pen. Seaman always seemed to save at least one too. Just enjoy the ride. England has broken my heart too many times but this is the first time in 22 years where I am enjoying watching England in a tournament.

Looking like we could get our first 0-0. France and Denmark both through courtesy of Peru beating the Shackle draggers. The more I see of the french, the less I am worried about them. Disjointed, no shape, their big players either look out of form or knackered. No doubt they will improve, but should Messi manage to rescue the Argies tonight I doubt Deschamps would be looking forward to playing them in the next round.

The ref was poor, but the players need to take responsibility. Diving, play acting, running to the ref etc. Utter disgrace. Can’t decide who I want to lose more, Portugal or Uruguay

If England ever win a major tournament it would be an unofficial National Holiday. Not sure the government could sort it quickly enough to make it an official bank holiday. But it would be full on mental. Can’t honestly see it happening this time round but in two years time I genuinely think we will have a fantastic squad Tadic is having a blinder so far. Playing with confidence and freedom. Really hope we aren’t selling him

Neymar, what a c***

Ah the conspiracy theories are beginning. Firstly Russia have played two of the weakest teams in the competition. Secondly, due to the stupidity of the FIFA rankings because Russia haven't played any competitive football over the past two years their ranking is artificially low. Finally, don't underestimate the effect that playing at home can do for a teams confidence. I expect that they will lose to a savvy Uruguay side and then lose to either Portugal or Spain in the second round. Iceland could effectively knock out the Argies today, while ze Germans have to beat Sweden tomorrow. French were unconvincing again and I am not convinced that Deschamps knows his best team - also think that there is a mental fragility. Belgium have looked most convincing of the big sides, with Spain and England not too far behind.

When fit (and that hasn't been very often unfortunately) Wilshere is a fantastic player. I suppose it depends on if our offer includes clauses based on time played etc. If he gets an offer where they pay him loads of money whether or not he plays (I am looking at West Ham here) compared to say quite a lot of money with bonuses if he plays 30+ games etc, then his decision will tell a great deal about him as a Professional.

You will get a chance to test your theory on Friday when Brazil play Costa Rica. Neymar is struggling with an injury according to reports. I don't think even a fully fit and firing Salah would have helped last night, Egypt were dreadful. Difficult to assess Russia's performances based on how bad the other two teams have been. A similar performance v Uruguay would certainly get people talking. Although having to beat Portugal and or Spain in the last 16 is pretty unlikely.

Becoming a very very open World Cup. As I said yesterday, could quite easily see Argentina and Germany out in the group stage. Colombia v Poland is a massive game now - depending on the Senegal result, it could mean one of them goes out on Sunday.

Panama look awful. Worse than the Saudi's. Just a matter of time before Belgium score. Then the flood gates could open.

England to win 2-0. Tunisia to give us an early scare before we settle into the game and grab a goal midway through first half. Tunisia push for an equaliser and we catch them on the break to seal it with about 10 minutes to go. Might even be time to grab a third if their heads drop/we bring on Vardy to catch them again on the counter. For all the caution most England fans are sensibly showing, Tunisia's best player is Khazri (formally of Sunderland). England SHOULD have more than enough to win the game tonight. Obviously we do have a wonderful ability to f*** things up, but I would expect us to be in the 2nd round on Sunday afternoon with a Group decider v Belgium to look forward to. Interesting to see how important the next round of matches are for Argentina and Germany though, no room for mistakes! I fancy Iceland to get a win against Nigeria, if the Argies slip up against a confident Croatian team, a mutually helpful point in the last game between Iceland and Croatia would see them both through. The Germans HAVE to beat Sweden, as again, Mexico should have enough to beat Korea and then a similar scenario to that in Group D could develop.

1-0 Russia after 13 minutes.

I am not a fan of the Home shirt at all. Hopefully the away shirt mock-up/leak is accurate. However it did dawn on me earlier today the new kit is reminiscent of the 03-05 kit. http://www.colours-of-football.com/colours03/eng/southampt/eng_southampton_1_0305.gif

Only going by the Premier League site. My point is that there has been very few signings. A few of them were players already on loan or signed last year. You also need to ignore the Top four anyway, their business is normally done early and at prices that’s e wouldn’t compete with. If we get to the later part of July with no rumours, no signings etc and the likes of Everton,Burnley and Palace are improving their squads then I might start to worry

Just to clarify the current state of transfers across the Premier League: Arsenal: 1 in; 3 out Bompey: 8 out BHA: 3 in; 4 out Burnley: 5 out Palace: 1 in Fulham: 1 out Huddersfield: 2 in; 7 out Leicester: 2 in; 2 out Liverpool: 2 in*; 2 out Man City: 2 out Utd: 1 in; 2 out Newcastle: 1 in Saints: 7 out Spurs: 1 out Watford: 1 in; 1 out West Ham: 1 in; 2 out Wolves: 2 in; 14 out *Naby Keita was signed last year! The World Cup starts on Thursday, some of our targets are likely to be playing in the tournament. It appears that most clubs are holding off until July before making any significant signings. We clearly have some irons in the fire. Patience is needed.

Or...should we read anything into the style of the zero in the date? Ø (but in reverse) A strange typeface for a numeral zero. It could have just as easily been 15.06.18

The problem in the past was that English players were routinely labeled as less technically gifted or lacking in guile. To an extent we do seem to mistrust players who don't work hard off the ball - see Arsenal fans and Ozil. But compared to previous decades, we now have some incredibly talented kids coming through winning or challenging for trophies. This does give me some hope for the future. I do struggle to watch England games, they can be dull. But with the exception of the glamour friendlies against Brazil, Germany, Spain etc most of the teams we play sit 9 or 10 behind the ball, stay compact and try not to get hammered. Rather than lump it forward to a big man or fire in hundreds of crosses, we try to pass it round them and play football. Maybe not the most exciting but it is probably the right way to do it. I still get passionate about England, but it does tend to be only the crunch qualifiers or the tournaments. Another factor that might account for the lack of enthusiasm is the sheer amount of televised football. 30 years ago, leading into Italia 90 (even Euro 96' unless you had SkySports) International football was the main televised football around. But the lack of any success (Semi finals as a minimum) does appear to have led to a whole generation of fans feeling disillusioned with the National team.

It is a football kit. You don't have to buy it! Personally I have thought ever since the sash kit, we should retain that design - it would give us an separate identity compared to the numerous other sides who play in Red and White stripes. I am looking forward to a return to Yellow and Blue in our away kit - its been a few years.

I want them to win it. Most of my family (on my Dad's side) are Liverpool supporters. I always want the English side to win (with the exception of the Skates). The only time it has ever been difficult was when Man Utd played Chelsea in Moscow.

Santi Cazorla - doesn't he nearly lose his foot!? Had to have a skin graft from his arm following MRSA. My personal wish for a player we should be looking at is Josh King.

Liverpool are talking to Buffon (according to Tancredi, who is normally pretty hot on these things). Nothing to see here.

Likely Hojberg, Cedric, Tadic and Yoshida, with Bednarek a possibility too. I'm not sure about Boufal (if he even really counts). In 2014 we had three overseas internationals playing at the World Cup - Yoshida, Gaston and Lovren. Plus Shaw, Lambert and Lallana. Overall not a huge difference. Also, I would imagine that many on here will be wanting us to be signing some decent players this summer - unless they are all Italian, Dutch or American we struggle to find many outside of the 32 nations playing in Russia.

The reason why La Liga (outside of Real and Barca, and latterly Athletico) are poor by comparison in terms of depth in quality, is that until recently only the big two got any money. Valencia, Deportivo, Celta Vigo and Villareal all chased the dream but have also found financial problems. The reason why the Premier League is as competitive as it is, is because of the equal share of revenue. If that ever changes then it will be a different story.

Last post of the day... Danny F*CKING Welbeck?! Everyone else I can understand - obviously gutted for Bertrand, but I would imagine he is on the standby list. Very little creativity in the midfield too. Looks like we are going to rely on pace and counter attacking football (which is fine by me, but I am not sure we are strong enough defensively). I think we will get out of the group and may surprise a big team if they aren't 100% - but Quarter Finals are going to be a real success.

I don't get the Silva fascination. Other than Estoril he has never had more than one season at any club. If he joins Everton then that will be 5 clubs in 4 years. Also what does success look like to Everton? Top 6 and attractive football? They are going to have to spend a hell of a lot of money to catch up with Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs - all of whom are going to be spending this summer too. They have a decent squad but, very much like us, you could see them getting dragged down towards danger again.