Croatia could be the worst draw we could have got..

Trust you got home OK

Nice meeting you two mate, feeling a bit "delicate" today

 

Yes, home in one piece, thanks

I had to draw the line at five pints cos we realised we hadn't taken a key so my mum was having to wait up for us so I was okay today. That said, five pints is the most I've drank all year thanks to a new found intolerance to alcohol. Age creeping up on me. That or a gut ulcer...

 

And the only answer to that is...

Put more emphasis on the national team by bringing the squad together more often, playing more matches and getting them used to playing with one another, as a team.

Trouble is, this conflicts with the busy domestic schedule so what do you do? Club teams don't want to lose their star players on a regular basis. That said, like it or not, the answer to these problems always boils down to money. To that end, given England matches are great money-spinners for the FA, could compensation be paid to these clubs? Dunno, it's not a very palattable idea is it. Contrary to a lot of posters on here I place country up high with club in my priorities. International tournaments are a great advert for football, where it isn't the team with the most money that wins everything, just the countries that can produce the world's best footballers (and get them playing as a team). It's what football is all about. But would I be of the same opinion if Barnsley were a Premiership team, with England internationals in their squad? Reducing the size of the Premiership is another obvious but unpopular solution. The home nations tournament will be a great start at getting more meaningful matches in.

 

If we get ourselves in order

then we will qualify. that's what we have to focus on imho, whoever is in our group - be it france, italy or croatia.