Another blunder from Southgate

[Woodleyclaret]

Phillips whose played all of 35mins this season and Maguire whose not even a regular with Manu included. Best cb in Premier league, Tarks not

[Fretters]

When he's called Coady up, I really don't understand why you wouldn't try the triangle of Coady, Tarks and Pickford who play together every week.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Tomori should have been picked.

Connor Gallagher is the weirdest one he has been poor most games, even worse than Mount has this season which is some effort

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Abraham missing out because he's playing abroad by the looks of it

[bobinho]

Clown.

Out at the group stages following massive forehead shaped blunders and a defeat against wales.

Phillips…..

[RVclaret]

Abraham missing out because he's playing abroad by the looks of it

He’s been really poor this season. 2 goals in 18 or something.

[nyclaret]

Can't wait to play 5 at the back v Iran...

[claptrappers_union]

When he's called Coady up, I really don't understand why you wouldn't try the triangle of Coady, Tarks and Pickford who play together every week.

I agree, especially when Pope and Tarky were solid together too. Magure needed dropping.

[jrgbfc]

Maguire was always going to be there, he'll probably start as well. Tomori has never really been given a chance.

[Lancasterclaret]

Only real question mark is Maguire

Look, the manager lives and dies on th e team he picks but the loyalty to Maguire is more than a little weird now

Saying that, not sure that anyone else screams out as a replacement

[GodIsADeeJay81]

He’s been really poor this season. 2 goals in 18 or something.

4 in 19
27 in 53 last season

Rashford -
7 in 17 this season
5 in 32 last season.

I'd say Abraham is suffering for playing abroad, out of sight etc

[Vino blanco]

We’ll be fine with Harry Mcguire and Eric Dier at centre back. They could turn out to be the best centre back pairing in the world.

[RVclaret]

4 in 19
27 in 53 last season

Rashford -
7 in 17 this season
5 in 32 last season.

I'd say Abraham is suffering for playing abroad, out of sight etc

I wouldn’t say so, he’s been in the squad for every game this year. 4 in 19 in a league which is a much worse standard than the PL is poor. Rashford, however, is full of confidence right now and can provide versatility.

[jrgbfc]

4 in 19
27 in 53 last season

Rashford -
7 in 17 this season
5 in 32 last season.

I'd say Abraham is suffering for playing abroad, out of sight etc

Same with Tomori, regular at AC Milan and won the league last season. Both could have chosen to stay in their comfort zone and earn big money just being squad men at Chelsea.

[Lancasterclaret]

I watch a fair bit of Serie A, and Abraham is nowhere near the levels he was setting last season

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Rashford has been out of form for a few seasons now, last season he was shocking

[RVclaret]

Rashford has been out of form for a few seasons now, last season he was shocking

But we are in this season now? And he’s been rejuvenated under Ten Haag.

[daveisaclaret]

Huge blunder from Southgate picking a player who played every game as we made it to the final of the Euros 18 months ago.

[Woodleyclaret]

Maguire is shite now forget visiting the history books.

[Lancasterclaret]

Maguire is shite now forget visiting the history books.

Southgate doesn't think so, and if (and its a big "if") he can find the form of two years ago then he's an asset

But its a big gamble

[claretonthecoast1882]

He was always going to pick Phillips.

He probably wants a 3 of Henderson Rice & Phillips infront of his back 5 for the Iran game

[GodIsADeeJay81]

But we are in this season now? And he’s been rejuvenated under Ten Haag.

Yes I know, he's being picked based on half a season of form.

[Vegas Claret]

Snoozegate out

[Woodleyclaret]

Henderson has been injured for most of the year and looked miles off the pace for Liverpool this month Phillips must think all his birthdays have come at once, making a World Cup team despite not playing for City

[RVclaret]

Henderson has been injured for most of the year and looked miles off the pace for Liverpool this month Phillips must think all his birthdays have come at once, making a World Cup team despite not playing for City

Unfortunately we have zero other sitting midfielders.

[BurnleyFC]

Southgate doesn't think so, and if (and its a big "if") he can find the form of two years ago then he's an asset

But its a big gamble

I can’t forget Maguire’s last England performance against Germany in a hurry.

He was an absolute calamity.

[bobinho]

Abraham missing out because he's playing abroad by the looks of it

Not really a factor I think.... Bellingham plays abroad, he's in. He's not in because he's been quiet this season. Not as quiet as Kalvin Phillips, or Maguire, or Rashford, or Henderson, but quiet none the less.

Not taking Abraham is one of GS's better decisions.

[bobinho]

Southgate doesn't think so, and if (and its a big "if") he can find the form of two years ago then he's an asset

But its a big gamble

I agree. It's the WC in just over a week or so, and after four years of preparation, we are taking a gamble. More than one by the look of that squad. And STILL people will defend this lame duck manager. They hang on the semi and the final like that was success. The current group of international standard players should have done better. They have been held back by one thing only. A manager who is absolutely petrified of the opposition.

Anyway, it's all irrelevant to me. I'll be on Netflix/Paramount+/Prime whilst he bores the living daylights out of everyone... and that's BEFORE the excuse filled post-match conference.

[bobinho]

Huge blunder from Southgate picking a player who played every game as we made it to the final of the Euros 18 months ago.

How about Tony Adams and Martin Keown? They've been outstanding in the past together. Bruce and Pallister?

[SalisburyClaret]

Don’t forget he promised to only pick players in form - - and he’s done exactly what he said. We just didn’t realise he meant bad form as well as good

[KefkaClaret]

I think that the team he picked is the best possible one. Coady is literally just a cheerleader so he was always going and Phillips was the only other holding midfielder. I think the team is perfectly fine.

[northernpowerhouse]

It's a decent squad. My only issue is that Shaw is the only left-back. Not a fan of Trippier playing there. Saka can play wing-back I guess but he's much better further forward.

[AlargeClaret]

What is it with the hatred of GS ? The squad almost picked itself with maybe 2/3 “ wild cards” . It’s a strong experienced squad mixing youth and experience and has depth . Sure ,we’re probs lacking that “ bit of magic “ and the odd bit in defence that wins a WC , but screaming and b1tching because Southgate has picked “ someone you don’t like “ is pretty pathetic .

[GodIsADeeJay81]

And STILL people will defend this lame duck manager. They hang on the semi and the final like that was success.

Getting to the final was a success though, especially after the last 30 odd years of barely average most of the time.
He's done better than any England manager since 66

[Targetman]

Yes I know, he's being picked based on half a season of form.

Of the two, Rashford is currently playing well and is showing his best form for some time.
Abraham did well in Italy last season but both his goalscoring and general form has been disappointing this season.

Picking Abraham instead of Rashford would therefore seem to be a little strange.

[warksclaret]

We can debate the merits of every player all day, and at the end of the day Southgate needs to make choices and be answerable. However I dont see how McGuire gets in, as he only plays for Utd when Varran or Fernandez are absent and we know he is not the player of 2 years ago, and has a mistake in him. Likewise Kevin Phillips who has played 35 minutes all season, and also missed the last part of last season.It doesn't give me a lot of confidence

[claptrappers_union]

How about Tony Adams and Martin Keown? They've been outstanding in the past together. Bruce and Pallister?

Sorry to be pedantic, but Steve Bruce never played for England… Probably do a better job than Maguire though.

[fidelcastro]

Ivan Toney and James Ward-Prowse are the biggest omissions IMO.

You'd want them in a penalty shootout!

[fidelcastro]

Sorry to be pedantic, but Steve Bruce never played for England… Probably do a better job than Maguire though.

Pretty astonishing that Bruce never played for England, isn't it?

I guess England managers went for more pacey options like Butcher and Adams

[conyoviejo]

I can't see England qualifying from this group.

[fidelcastro]

I can't see England qualifying from this group.

Seriously? Iran, USA and Wales?

I'm struggling to see how it could be any easier to qualify at finals level.

[conyoviejo]

Seriously? Iran, USA and Wales?

I'm struggling to see how it could be any easier to qualify at finals level.

Seriously.

[Steve1956]

Seriously? Iran, USA and Wales?

I'm struggling to see how it could be any easier to qualify at finals level.

Does anyone care...World Cup in the middle of the season...what a ballache

[fidelcastro]

Does anyone care...World Cup in the middle of the season...what a ballache

Judging from the number of posts already, I'd suggest people do care, regardless of the daft timing of the tournament and who its hosts are.

[fidelcastro]

Seriously.

Based on what?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not sure how anyone can complain at that squad.

It’s the best squad he could have picked.

[Steve1956]

Judging from the number of posts already, I'd suggest people do care, regardless of the daft timing of the tournament and who its hosts are.

Ok...but it's a terrible distraction and with us going so well at the top of the league I predict a borefest of cheating ...diving and shite VAR decisions

[KateR]

I'll be supporting the team and manager, think we'll get out of the group stages, that will give me more time to assess the team and how they're playing in regard to how far I think they might progress beyond the group. There's always moaning regarding, which players should be in the squad and the manager doesn't know what he's doing, thought we did very well at the Euro's but rubbish in the Nations league, he's got a little time to see them, emphasize tactics, etc.

I'm very much against, where and when this WC is being played and don't think I'll be watching anywhere as much as I normally do over the past few decades.

[fidelcastro]

Ok...but it's a terrible distraction and with us going so well at the top of the league I predict a borefest of cheating ...diving and shite VAR decisions

No different from any other tournament nowadays, then?

[Steve1956]

No different from any other tournament nowadays, then?

Exactly....and if you enjoy watching that I feel for you.