We all know Pope starts, but Gareth as expected has rung the changes.

England XI: Pope; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw, Foden, Rice, Phillips, Sterling, Kane, Mount.

Tripps on the bench.

4 players missing from the squad who would be first choice if available and you have Southgate's starting 11 for the Euro's

Why Phillips , Is he playing 2 holding midfielders against Albania ?

I hope those that moan about the England team stay clear of this thread.

“Only watching because of Pope”
“Like watching paint dry”



Grab a beer and try to enjoy it!

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:09 pm

4 players missing from the squad who would be first choice if available and you have Southgate's starting 11 for the Euro's

Who are the 4? Henderson, Pickford and Rashford I'd guess as 3 of them, but the 4th escapes me Grealish perhaps but I can't see how he and Foden could play together against the better teams, England would be in danger of being picked off too easily.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:24 pm

Who are the 4? Henderson, Pickford and Rashford I'd guess as 3 of them, but the 4th escapes me Grealish perhaps but I can't see how he and Foden could play together against the better teams, England would be in danger of being picked off too easily.

TAA at right back although think both his and Pickfords place in doubt.

Grealish is the unlucky one who i think will lose out when Southgate picks two from either Foden, Rashford or Grealish

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:30 pm

TAA at right back although think both his and Pickfords place in doubt.

Grealish is the unlucky one who i think will lose out when Southgate picks two from either Foden, Rashford or Grealish

TAA is available though, just hasn't been selected

matttheclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:32 pm

TAA is available though, just hasn't been selected

He's been out a fair bit though this season hasnt he so I expect Southgate is happy to let him get back to full match fitness with his club.

If he's fully fit and playing for Liverpool at the end of the season then I think he's Southgates 1st choice RB however its a very IF with good supporting options

djemba-djemba wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:17 pm

I hope those that moan about the England team stay clear of this thread.

“Only watching because of Pope”
“Like watching paint dry”



Grab a beer and try to enjoy it!

Bowland Beer opened....

“Nick Pope, in the middle of our goal, Nick Pope............”

And a week off work.......

Taking your advice DD!!!!!!! Ready to enjoy.....

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:36 pm

He's been out a fair bit though this season hasnt he so I expect Southgate is happy to let him get back to full match fitness with his club.

If he's fully fit and playing for Liverpool at the end of the season then I think he's Southgates 1st choice RB however its a very IF with good supporting options

Has he missed a match through injury? I think GS said he’s had a difficult season(he’s been crap). Missing the midfield cover is how GS explained it. A top FB doesn’t need midfield cover.
He is quite correctly behind Walker, Tripps and Reece James.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:30 pm

TAA at right back although think both his and Pickfords place in doubt.

Grealish is the unlucky one who i think will lose out when Southgate picks two from either Foden, Rashford or Grealish

Ah! yes forgot about Trent, on present form he'll struggle to regain his England place, but he does have some time before the final squad is selected, so he could still force his way into Gareth's thoughts.

Grealish would have likely played in at least one of these 3 games but for his injury, and I'd say as it stands Foden has slightly nudged ahead of him in the pecking order, but it's a nice problem to have, and you'd rather have options than not have them.

If Pickford is fit and playing well at Everton then he'll be first choice, for all his critics he hasn't yet let England down in a major tournament, and he's got the experience that both Henderson and Pope lack.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:36 pm

He's been out a fair bit though this season hasnt he so I expect Southgate is happy to let him get back to full match fitness with his club.

If he's fully fit and playing for Liverpool at the end of the season then I think he's Southgates 1st choice RB however its a very IF with good supporting options

Played 26 out of 29 games in the PL. Doesn't suggest he's been out a fair bit.

Nice to hear Roy Keane bigging up Pope

I don't think we will be seeing any of these lads singing on BGT (other talent shows are available) soon thank god they (mostly) can play football cos singing is certainly not their forte

Well that was bloody embarrassing miming our countries national anthem, disgraceful

matttheclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:54 pm

Played 26 out of 29 games in the PL. Doesn't suggest he's been out a fair bit.

Possibly more to do with form then.

I remember him being out Nov/Dec time and maybe with all the other injury's he's been played when not fully fit a lot this season. I know we've seen it with Barnes previously and people have defended Jay's form this season as saying he's not fully fit so its possible

That said as you pointed out he's not been selected on form rather than injury so I stand corrected

Oh here we go.......Pickford club after 3 minutes....

Very good chance for Albania there. Should have punished us really.

Maguire was fouled there but every time he is put under pressure he’s as ungainly as Bambi on ice. Just defend lad.

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:58 pm

I don't think we will be seeing any of these lads singing on BGT (other talent shows are available) soon thank god they (mostly) can play football cos singing is certainly not their forte

It’d be almost as embarrassing for them as when people get humiliated on quiz shows #thechase

Fair play to ex Claret Lee Dixon for putting the ITV comontery mon in his place for putting the knife in Pope

Jumping on Pope’s passing at every opportunity.

Sod the football.................the cricket is awesome!

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:31 pm

Sod the football.................the cricket is awesome!

Me too ... have switched over to the cricket ...

This itv commentator must be one of the most annoying going. Instead of just commentating on what’s going on he keeps giving his opinion on players such as Pope and talking ********

Finally Kane gets decent service and he bags, just keep it simple and feed your striker.

It's not been great from England, but this is one of those tricky trips you just want to get the win and get home, and thus far it's job done.

Pope halfway to another clean sheet also.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:55 pm

Finally Kane gets decent service and he bags, just keep it simple and feed your striker.

It's not been great from England, but this is one of those tricky trips you just want to get the win and get home, and thus far it's job done.

Pope halfway to another clean sheet also.

The pundits were right about Kane dropping too deep in this game.

Not sure how he managed to miss that one when he hit the bar.

Come on Pope.............get a(nother) clean sheet............

That’ll be £40m thankyou very much!

I just can’t stand watching Rice play. Constantly pointing where other players should play the ball

On Albania they’ve improved quite a bit over the years haven’t they? Look good on the break and good discipline at the back.

This England team look lacking in leadership and personality, when they reach the finals it will go like it always does and end in disappointment

Really see little to be optimistic about, about this set up bar Pope

Tomorrows media.
Southern Press...Pope 4. Poor distribution
Northern Press...Pope 7. Did everything asked of him
Sky...Pope N/A. Notable by Absence

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:33 pm

Me too ... have switched over to the cricket ...

A valiant effort.........with some better running between the wickets we might have won it.

Blimey man with tin hat coming on.........is Big Sam the Albanian manager!

Albania bringing on a second row forward, complete with scrum cap.

Popes distribution then was magnificent

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:10 pm

A valiant effort.........with some better running between the wickets we might have won it.

I was going to go on that thread next , thanks

Goaaal... Amazing

Would be good to seen Kane and Llewelyn Bowen on together.

Missed most, I watched a cracking grand prix.

The issue I've picked up is the same old story, why put a cross into the box, when we can walk it into the net .

God help us, and Nick, when we play the Poles. We don't half overplay the ball, and decent TEAMS will punish us for it.

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:27 pm

Missed most, I watched a cracking grand prix.

The issue I've picked up is the same old story, why put a cross into the box, when we can walk it into the net .

God help us, and Nick, when we play the Poles. We don't half overplay the ball, and decent TEAMS will punish us for it.

Football folk don't watch motor cars

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:27 pm

Missed most, I watched a cracking grand prix.

The issue I've picked up is the same old story, why put a cross into the box, when we can walk it into the net .

God help us, and Nick, when we play the Poles. We don't half overplay the ball, and decent TEAMS will punish us for it.

Hopefully that game will see Nick get plenty of action and cement his starting place at the Euros.

Pope hasn’t covered himself in glory tonight unfortunately. He could do with some proper action midweek which no doubt he’ll get.

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:33 pm

Pope hasn’t covered himself in glory tonight unfortunately. He could do with some proper action midweek which no doubt he’ll get.

Dropped as Soon as..... Cant be having him get a clean Sheet.

tim_noone wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:37 pm

Dropped as Soon as..... Cant be having him get a clean Sheet.

This proves the genuine dilemma that Southgate faces. Because Pope has now played in two consecutive games where he hasn’t had a single save to make. Which goes to show that as an England goalkeeper, in a lot of games, a substantial part of your contribution will be with your feet. That’s just a fact.

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:33 pm

Pope hasn’t covered himself in glory tonight unfortunately. He could do with some proper action midweek which no doubt he’ll get.

Unfortunately players such as Robert Lewandowski wouldn't have given Pope a chance with the opportunity presented to Albania in the first few minutes.

Again England are playing back passes 30yrds back when we are on the front foot
Total nonsense with Walker and Rice the biggest culprits

The worst ref I’ve seen in a long time. Doesn’t know the game at all.

Pope gets his patented dying swan in!!

Spijed wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:43 pm

Unfortunately players such as Robert Lewandowski wouldn't have given Pope a chance with the opportunity presented to Albania in the first few minutes.

I'm sure our Nick is Relishing playing against Poland.

Let’s hear it for Nick - the most successful keeper of all time in his first 6 games