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.

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 see you say Southgate's preferred line up - do you agree? There are a few I don't agree with. Some I downright don't think good enough. Mainly defence and goal but also midfield.

Pickford - I prefer Ramsdale or (obviously biased) Johnstone. Pickford hasn't been the same for a couple of seasons now.
Defence, I would like to drop Maguire - I know Southgate won't. I think Stones, Guehi, White - even Dunk, are better options.
Full backs - a hard one - bring White as cover, Tripper, Walker, Chilwell.
Holding midfielder - just one at a time in my opinion. Play Rice as an Anchor. Bellingham can cover, Stones plays this role foran City sometimes.
Box to box - Bellingham, covered by Mainoo, maybe Advanced midfielder central - both can play that role as can Foden
I feel there's room for someone like Maddison in the squad.
There are loads of no. 10s in England, arguably Eze is right up there. The jury's out there. I'm having an embolism thinking of what to do with all those tens and inside forwards. The nailed on ones are Foden and Saka - I'd agree with that. But there may be something to this play Foden centrally argument - that really throws a spanner in the works. Anyway a good problem to have. Up front - obviously Kane, I personally feel next best is Toney - so no Watkins.
Cover for wide men quite hard to think of. England missed Saka and Rashford is right off the boil. Perhaps try and get his head right. Shame Utd have ruined Sancho.
Anyway, probably still left largely confused.

Hes not generally rated by the Everton fans either . Another ? today with the Coleman OG . Some are saying it was Pickfords to come and get (I haven't seen it)