Fabulous game but Argentina massively hampered by Sampaoli. Would have been some game if there had been a proper manager looking after Argentina.

Just seen this afternoon's selections. Argentina are already out..

Until proven otherwise, I'd back Waggott running Rovers over many of the posters on this thread..

Two tasty fixtures today with four teams on paper capable of winning the World Cup. Also a big Europe v South America showdown and the two worst managers with the best squads (Argentina and France) going head to head. Expecting Ronaldo tears- whether of frustration facing arguably the best defender, pain from being kicked thumped and pinched, elimination or elation- let's see. Incidentally Ronaldo has been timed as the fastest runner of all the players at this World Cup- not a facet of his game many think of. My tips: France to have too much for Messi and Uruguay too much for Ronaldo BUT both of those individuals can lift their countries into the quarter finals if today is their day.

People meet people over time. They do deals, they fall out, they make up... I can tell you with as much certainty as I can muster that in 2011, Nixon and Anderson were totally linked. I think the relationship continued and I now think Anderson's vast network (not just SEM and Kentaro as were and in whatever guise they have currently morphed into) is no longer favoured at Ewood. I suspect this could be a reason why Nixon is no longer a reliable sage but the guy is a reporter and has multiple sources. That said, if he suddenly gets a run of 100% accurate scoops on Rovers, it will time to be very very worried.

Moritz Bauer or Patrick Bauer?

Belgium Reserves were a bit too much...

The following changes have been made to the initial Sky Bet Championship fixture list distributed by the EFL on Thursday 21st June... Bristol City v Blackburn Rovers This game was scheduled to be played at Ashton Gate Stadium on Saturday 1st September 2018, but will now be played at the same venue on Sunday 2nd September 2018 – kick-off 1:30pm. Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United This game, to be played at Ewood Park on Saturday 20th October 2018, will kick-off at 12:00pm. Reading v Blackburn Rovers This game, to be played at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday 13th February 2019, will kick-off at 8:00pm. Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End This game, to be played at Ewood Park on Saturday 9th March 2019, will kick-off at 12:00pm. The following kick-off times have also been confirmed: Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers Elland Road, Wednesday 26th December 2018, kick-off 3:00pm. Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion Ewood Park, Tuesday 1st January 2019, kick-off 3:00pm. Queens Park Rangers v Blackburn Rovers Loftus Road Stadium, Friday 19th April 2019, kick-off 3:00pm. Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers Ewood Park, Monday 22nd April 2019, kick-off 3:00pm. As previously advised, our final game of the season against Swansea City at Ewood Park on Sunday 5th May 2019 will kick off at 12:30pm. Please note that all other midweek matches will kick off at 7:45pm whilst, with the exception of the Swansea City home game, all remaining weekend matches are scheduled to kick off at 3:00pm.

If I want to watch a reserve game, I could always search for old footage of the Central League.. Brilliant move by Southgate to give a bunch of hungry professionals to stake their claim for places in the later stages of the World Cup. Poor Alexander-Arnold was a bag of nerves who couldn't chip a ball above grass height. As for the rest- the performance by the subs in the fag end of the Panama game gave due warning that this bunch are neither hungry nor professional and are mostly pretty useless. OK don't risk Kane but otherwise it should have been the winning team given another run including giving Sterling a last last last chance. Now Colombia loom large and ominous, Belgium's reserves went 90 minutes untroubled and showed more strength in depth in Belgian football than England possess, and we are in a half of the draw which ought to be a smooth untroubled run to the Final....

I would put the chances of Switzerland topping Group E at least at 50%. At lease we will know which Lingard to play tomorrow before kick-off...

This might help:

Uruguay are the team which all round has been the most impressive thus far. Let's see if that has jinxed them!

Goal line technology is undoubtedly a step forward. By and large VAR is an improvement if officials work with it as intended.

Yes I am

I wonder when it became the fansite- probably 2010. I guess we are looking at a chancer who spotted Venkys hadn't protected their domains.

Would love to know who created it.

http://declanhill.com/why-the-match-fixers-are-at-the-world-cup-in-russia/

Agree with all your ratings. Coming on 5 goals to the good with 20 minutes left is surely the dream scenario to stamp your case for inclusion?

Irrespective of the 6-1 result, there is much better to come from Young, Walker and Sterling- I hope

Hmm. this doesn't resolve who gets the top spot if England and Belgium draw on Thursday...

understand irony

If Nixon gets anything right at Rovers I will be very worried.

Harry Kane is the only goal scorer

I know its the Mail but Russia's performance in the World Cup raises monster ????s http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5878241/FIFA-knew-cover-Russia-players-positive-drug-test-18-months-ago.html

Expecting England will contrive to make extremely heavy weather of beating Panama and could easily only draw. If we are a serious proposition then there should be at least a 3 goal margin. I cannot see us beating Belgium in the last game if we have to win to top the group (avoiding Brazil or Germany in the quarter finals) so we need a six goal margin this lunchtime. On the basis we don't do in game time what we do in pre-match preparation, I hope there has been extra air shot and putting it wide from four yards training for the lads- we had five of those against Tunisia....