ARTICLE: Pope named in England squad

[ClaretTony]

Come on. You don’t think a player plays as many games for club and country because his grandad was once part of the FA?

A manager like pochetino and mourinho would never entertain that.

Dier is a decent if unassuming player.

I’d take a look over your head if I were you

[cricketfieldclarets]

I’d take a look over your head if I were you

Fair enough... tone is difficult to read on here you should know that.

[scouseclaret]

That's true England did reach the last 4 at the WC, but most football connoisseurs know that going that deep was flattering to Southgate and the squad,
let's see how far England progress at the next Euro's when there'll be no easy games to navigate, and despite reaching the semis it was still a big opportunity missed by England, given the fact that many of the favourites fell by the wayside, that's unlikely to be the case next year, and the pressure will be on England to at least match their 2018 showing.

And if England hadn't survived that penalty shoot out with Colombia Gareth could well have been shown the door, the sticking block to England winning tournaments is the midfield, defence and keeper, up front there's a goal threat, but you just can't see England being tight enough at the back in the latter stages of tournaments to proceed past the better teams, when push comes to shove.

I would go as far as to say the last World Cup was a failure. Not only did we nearly throw it a away against Colombia, but we lost to Croatia in the semis. They were a decent side but hardly world beaters - it was a much easier tie than we had a right to expect at that stage of the Tournament.

It may have saved us a humiliation against France in the Final, but with the hand we were dealt, we should at least have got there.

[tiger76]

I would go as far as to say the last World Cup was a failure. Not only did we nearly throw it a away against Colombia, but we lost to Croatia in the semis. They were a decent side but hardly world beaters - it was a much easier tie than we had a right to expect at that stage of the Tournament.

It may have saved us a humiliation against France in the Final, but with the hand we were dealt, we should at least have got there.

Yes I totally agree that's why neither England or Belgium wanted to win the final group game, so they could avoid the tougher side of the draw, and our performance in that Croatia match was a disgrace, sure it went to ET, but Croatia totally outplayed England, and Southgate was at a loss as to how to change the flow, ironically England then beat Croatia a few months later at Wembley, but it's doing it when it really matters that's what counts, and ultimately major tournaments are what GS will be judged on.

[SalisburyClaret]

Lewis Dunk next in line to replace Maguire apparently

I need a drink

[Papabendi]

I would go as far as to say the last World Cup was a failure. Not only did we nearly throw it a away against Colombia, but we lost to Croatia in the semis. They were a decent side but hardly world beaters - it was a much easier tie than we had a right to expect at that stage of the Tournament.

It may have saved us a humiliation against France in the Final, but with the hand we were dealt, we should at least have got there.

You know, I'll take the last WC over going out against the likes of Iceland.

[Dodobdobodobo]

Perhaps Tarky is injured? Not seen him on any training photos.

[boatshed bill]

Perhaps Tarky is injured? Not seen him on any training photos.

Didn't see Ben Mee either.

[whiffa]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... -southgate

Grealish called up to replace Winks/Rashford. Interesting.

[ClaretTony]

Perhaps Tarky is injured? Not seen him on any training photos.

Tarkowski back now and playing. There wasn’t an injury.

[tiger76]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... -southgate

Grealish called up to replace Winks/Rashford. Interesting.

I'm sure Messrs Rashford and Winks will shake off their apparent knocks in time for the PL season starting.

Gives Grealish the platform to impress, I just hope if he gets on at some stage, he concentrates on the football and not his Tom Daley impersonations.

Can't be certain, but due to it being early in the season, and the relative strength of the opponents, I think they'll be a lot of rotation between the 2 starting XI'S for each game.

[Gordaleman]

You know, I'll take the last WC over going out against the likes of Iceland.

We onhly played two decent teams and managed to lose to them three times. That's how good we were. Garbage.

[ClaretTony]

I wonder who will be in goal - will it be a third cap for Pope?

[Vino blanco]

If Southgate knows anything about football he will pick Pope. Pickford will more than likely play though.

[Gordaleman]

I wonder who will be in goal - will it be a third cap for Pope?

Nah, Sarfgate will stick with Pickford, otherwise there would have been no point picking him at all. He always says "Pickford has never let England down." and he obviously still thinks that way. Surprised actually that he didn't pick Hart, now he plays for a 'Big' club.

[summitclaret]

If Southgate knows anything about football he will pick Pope. Pickford will more than likely play though.

I am expecting Pickford to play at left back.

[ClaretTony]

Nah, Sarfgate will stick with Pickford, otherwise there would have been no point picking him at all. He always says "Pickford has never let England down." and he obviously still thinks that way. Surprised actually that he didn't pick Hart, now he plays for a 'Big' club.

I just think this could be the time that he gives Pope a real chance by playing him in a competitive game

[Gordaleman]

I just think this could be the time that he gives Pope a real chance by playing him in a competitive game

I hope you're right, and to be honest there is a chance. After all, all England managers in the last 50 years at least, have picked the team the press picks, so that they can't be criticised. There do seem to be a few touting Popey, so who knows?

[ClaretTony]

I wonder who will be in goal - will it be a third cap for Pope?

My thoughts from yesterday afternoon look to have been picked up by the national media. Seems Nick Pope is in with a genuine chance of playing against Iceland this week. Just as I was beginning to think we'd never get any sensible decisions from Gareth Southgate where Burnley fans were concerned.

[Lord_Bob]

Don't believe it anymore. If it's not Pickford, it will be Henderson.

[ClaretTony]

Don't believe it anymore. If it's not Pickford, it will be Henderson.

wait and see

[Paul Waine]

The Times, today:

Gareth Southgate may drop struggling Jordan Pickford as England’s No 1

Paul Joyce, Northern Football Correspondent
Wednesday September 02 2020, 12.01am, The Times

Jordan Pickford is under increasing pressure to prove himself as England’s No 1 as Gareth Southgate re-evaluates his goalkeeping options.

The England manager is giving serious consideration to starting Nick Pope in one of the Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark over the coming week in what is a real challenge to Pickford’s two-year reign as his country’s first choice.

Pope made his full debut in England’s 4-0 victory over Kosovo in November, which was the national team’s last outing before the coronavirus pandemic paused the international calendar.

Pickford had started 21 of England’s previous 22 matches, stretching back to the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The only game he missed was a friendly success over Switzerland at Leicester in September 2018, when Jack Butland, of Stoke City, was selected.

However, Pickford’s form has come under increasing scrutiny, with his performances towards the end of last season prompting talks with his Everton manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who called for an improvement. In the discussions, Pickford, 26, acknowledged that his standards had slipped.

Pope, the Burnley goalkeeper, appears to be ahead of Dean Henderson in the pecking order, especially as Henderson, who was on loan at Sheffield United last season, is unlikely to play regularly, having signed a five-year contract to stay at Manchester United and attempt to dislodge David De Gea. Pope kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, missing out by one, to Manchester City’s Ederson, in the race for the Golden Glove.

[Zlatan]

As selfish as it sounds, I’m worried Pope will get a long term injury leaving us up the creek without a goalkeeper...

[Paul Waine]

As selfish as it sounds, I’m worried Pope will get a long term injury leaving us up the creek without a goalkeeper...

Last time that happened to a current Burnley England keeper a young, untried keeper stepped in..... and proved he was worth our no.1 spot.

[Zlatan]

Kalvin Phillips in

The question is “would he be selected if we’d have successfully signed him last year?”

Looks like he’s playing tonight...

[martin_p]

The Times, today:

Gareth Southgate may drop struggling Jordan Pickford as England’s No 1

Paul Joyce, Northern Football Correspondent
Wednesday September 02 2020, 12.01am, The Times

Jordan Pickford is under increasing pressure to prove himself as England’s No 1 as Gareth Southgate re-evaluates his goalkeeping options.

The England manager is giving serious consideration to starting Nick Pope in one of the Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark over the coming week in what is a real challenge to Pickford’s two-year reign as his country’s first choice.

Pope made his full debut in England’s 4-0 victory over Kosovo in November, which was the national team’s last outing before the coronavirus pandemic paused the international calendar.

Pickford had started 21 of England’s previous 22 matches, stretching back to the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The only game he missed was a friendly success over Switzerland at Leicester in September 2018, when Jack Butland, of Stoke City, was selected.

However, Pickford’s form has come under increasing scrutiny, with his performances towards the end of last season prompting talks with his Everton manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who called for an improvement. In the discussions, Pickford, 26, acknowledged that his standards had slipped.

Pope, the Burnley goalkeeper, appears to be ahead of Dean Henderson in the pecking order, especially as Henderson, who was on loan at Sheffield United last season, is unlikely to play regularly, having signed a five-year contract to stay at Manchester United and attempt to dislodge David De Gea. Pope kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, missing out by one, to Manchester City’s Ederson, in the race for the Golden Glove.

The date says The Times six days ago, not today.

Edit - and now I’m looking foolish! I’ll leave it up though, we all make mistakes

[bobinho]

I just think this could be the time that he gives Pope a real chance by playing him in a competitive game

I agree. I think now is the time. I can’t have that Southgate doesn’t get how good Pope is.

We shall see.

[ClaretTony]

I agree. I think now is the time. I can’t have that Southgate doesn’t get how good Pope is.

We shall see.

I think the time was weekend

[tiger76]

I can't see Gareth changing keepers, if either Henderson or Pope were going to play it would have been in Iceland, I could be totally wrong, but there's already been damaging headlines for Southgate this week, and if he dropped his first choice stopper, and England went on to lose, he would be hammered by the tabloids.

[Paul Waine]

The date says The Times six days ago, not today.

Edit - and now I’m looking foolish! I’ll leave it up though, we all make mistakes

Hi martin, it's amazing what the papers publish sometimes, isn't it. Do you think we should ask The Times to issue an apology for their error?

Maybe they've been busy getting the papers printed, so no time to issue their correct.

I don't expect any change of keeper tonight. Jordan Pickford kept a clean sheet and Iceland couldn't even score from the penalty spot.

[wilks_bfc]

The date says The Times six days ago, not today.

Edit - and now I’m looking foolish! I’ll leave it up though, we all make mistakes

It’s fine. I was reading these posts thinking it was about tonight’s game then realised they were from last week