rubberman

Despite the wages, a 'two Aaron Ramseys' chant would be great.

I love this. Proper ambition and sensing that we are already a bit ahead of the journey now we could take another major step. Going to be a more exciting summer than I was initially expecting I think.

Yep. If he wasn't undroppable captain, England would be much better set up as a team, using the creators we have, with another centre forward - DCL or Ollie. The way Kane plays now means compromises elsewhere. He was also shit in the Croatia game.

Palace will be favourites for drop I think. They'll be easy pickings any time in the season.

September/October will show us where we are. Come through that with a decent points tally and we'll be on for a good season.

Ah - you said FACT in capitals so that's that. By the way, how do you know Jack works harder than any of the other forwards in the squad? Maybe he does, maybe sancho or rashford or kane does... You (and I) have no idea - (unless you work at St George's Park in which case I apologise).

A nice easy run over Xmas / New Year would be good. City/Liverpool early on + the likes of Palace/Newcastle to get off to a solid start. But really doesn't matter too much, we aren't going to fear anyone.

Can we take a moment out to have a chuckle that Chelsea are now 'favourites' to sign Jack this summer.

Why though? We have players for RW, including our new record signing. Why would you then move our (previous record signing) striker, who's just had an excellent breakthrough season up top, out of position. Makes no sense at all and 100% won't happen or even be contemplated.

There are 1 or 2 of us here. (Though I wasn't in boxpark). Now I think it's unlikely, but possible, that Southgate wanted a 'safe' side to not lose the first game - an issue England perennially has - and that he might surprise everyone by being more expansive and attacking against Scotland.

This. He'll get a chance, but unless he scores a hat-trick and/or sets up a Kane hat-trick, he won't replace Sterling as a starter for main games now.

Please, please stop. I think we've got it now..

I thought Kane was terrible - barely had a touch, and while he plays England need Sterling. Still - it's a long tournament (hopefully) and I'm sure Jack will be used in time,though I fear he won't have much opportunity to really make an impact.

That was always going to be the team (Trip pier excepted). Let's just hope Jack gets a decent run out later in the game.

I think it's interesting. For years we've been a club that has to offload (mostly) shite. We haven't had players until recently that anyone would really want. That's all changing now. Jack is a pretty unique situation being a fan and growing up in the club, but others don't have that connection. It feels like Martinez has some loyalty because of the chance he's been given to properly start his career but if the opportunity came for a big move, I'm sure he would go. Same for McGinn, Watkins, Konsa etc. Pretty much every club is a selling club when the price is right and we will have players who are desired, finally, so inevitably some move on. Hopefully we have plans in place for when it happens, like Leicester.

"still recovering match fitness after his injury" I imagine.

In the 4-0 Nations league win against Iceland it was Rice and Mount at CM, with Jack, Kane and Foden the front 3. All 5 scored or assisted. Should use that as the blueprint really.

Gonna cost a fortune to get his name on a shirt! (and a biiig shirt)

If he scores a similar goal against Belgium, that would do.

Spurs, Arsenal, West Ham, Leeds and Everton all absolutely possible. Arsenal finished strong, but still aren't that convincing. Spurs will be in transition. West Ham overachieved and will be lucky to have another season as good. Everton and Leeds were only marginally ahead of us. And I can see Man Utd having a trickier season, but they still have enough individual quality in depth so I'd have them 5th behind City > Chelsea/Liverpool > Leicester. We could be anywhere in the next few places IMO.

I think they ^^ are right that Jack won't start, but the longer it goes on with Sterling running around like a headless chicken, the calls for him to come on will get louder. I expect Jack to be a late 3rd sub and get 10 minutes which will probably see him try a bit too hard to make something happen. Hopefully he will get a proper chance later in the tournament and will put in an undroppable performance.

Didn't have to wait long! Anyway - even much, much worse than Pogba would cost more than £15m.

Better than Viera/Pogba for £15m max. Are you high?

I'm quite conflicted about the Euros. On the one hand I want Jack to showcase what he can do and hopefully drag England deep into the competition. On the other hand I'm pretty terrified his shins will be hacked to pieces after being targeted by some of the more agricultural defenders. Also being in the shop window could lead to an offer Villa can't/won't refuse (though I think he is very unlikely to leave at this point in our journey). Anyway - pretty sure Southgate won't be starting him and Jack will only get the odd 20 minutes here or there, so it may all be moot.

Top 10 and a cup final would be good. Top 8 and/or a cup win would be amazing. Anything better than that and the box of tissues will have to come out. I don't think there's much risk of Jack leaving this season, but if he has an amazing Euros (which I'm not convinced he'll have the opportunity to show) we really will need european football the following season to keep him. I'm sure that will be the target.