Rousseau

Italy have been woeful.

No - I've wanted them to win I the past. At this stage it's a point of pride: I don't rate their style of play, I don't think it's that good. They don't create anything. It's basically defend well, and rely on someone to create a bit of magic most of the time - or rely on a mistake. Tactically they got it spot on - as much as Italy didn't, though.

I must be blind. I've seen England create nothing, with Italy creating several, albeit half, chances. England have been like this all tournament. Create bugger all, yet nick goals and defend well. At some point I'll need to concede that they're a better side than I think.

This is a typical England performance: they actually create bugger all, yet nick a goal through bad defending. They started well, but I think that was down to a poor Italy.

Mancini has to make changes. Italy have made a shocking start.

BBC: Lineker, Shearer, Lampard and Rio. ITV: Pougatch, Keane, Neville, Wright (and Emma Hayes pitch-side). ITV it is -- at least there's a semblance of objectivity and insight, there.

I thought he was poor.

When Gerrard's sitting down, you know sh*ts about to hit the fan... ?

Itten has looked a better target man for these crosses.

He's always had that bandaged wrist, has he not?

Lovely move, started by Kelly's sublime pass. I'm not saying he's the new Busquets, but...

Aribo, Kent, Bassey and Chris Whitty making things happen.

Don't want to play Real Madrid now...

I want to see Kelly in the second half. Alongside Bassey, Williamson, Itten and Mayo. Result doesn't interest me.

To be fair, we've missed about three sitters. And, they've scored with a belter, but it was still a gift in itself by us not covering the space.

That was comical.

I'd like to see us get better with crosses. We do cross a lot, but we don't get much joy out of them. OK--we do have Defoe, Roofe and Wright in the box, who are quite small, but I still think their positioning could be better.

Was that Simpson or Goldson with those long diagonal passes? Damn, they were nice.

I much prefer these cutbacks to taking on shots from tight angles, but we really need to improve with them, both in terms of pace and accuracy on the pass and the positioning of recipients.

I quite like Hagi in this deeper position: I think it helps with creativity and build-up through the lines.

If that was the case, I'd expect a new signing. Bassey then might become the first-choice, but Middleton at LB just doesn't seem an option to me.

10 minutes played, and we've not scored yet. Gerrard out.

It suggests to me that Middleton is surplus to requirements. There's no way he's going to be a LB option, with Barisic and Bassey around. And, if he can't get his normal position (off the striker) in a friendly, he's not going to get it in a proper match. He'll be on his way, I think. Maybe another loan?