Another blunder from Southgate

[Winstonswhite]

I think the tournament will be better for being mid season. Players always look knackered to me when it’s played 4 weeks after the seasons finished.

[fidelcastro]

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

That's fast becoming football in general though.

It won't be long before the championship has VAR too, and then all decent level football will be as you described. People will then decide if they want to watch this or not I suppose.

[Steve1956]

That's fast becoming football in general though.

It won't be long before the championship has VAR too, and then all football will be as you described. People will then decide if they want to watch this or not I suppose.

I'm throughly enjoying the Championship...the day it has VAR is the day it will cease to be the entertaining league it is...which will be a great shame,its quite easily the best division in English football...but back to the topic ...enjoy the World Cup mate...I really think I'll give it a miss.

[fidelcastro]

I'm throughly enjoying the Championship...the day it has VAR is the day it will cease to be the entertaining league it is...which will be a great shame,its quite easily the best division in English football...but back to the topic ...enjoy the World Cup mate...I really think I'll give it a miss.

Work commitments will ensure I miss a fair chunk of it, but I'll watch it when I can.

I still think you'll tune in if England get to the latter stages.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Leagues One and Two carry on regardless while the FIFA Farce takes place. That'll be my football fix for the month.

[Middle-agedClaret]

TBH, I don’t really care. I’ve watched every World Cup since 1966, with varying degrees of anticipation and enjoyment.
This one leaves me cold. Not sure exactly why, but I think the politics/lack of integrity/money obsessed game that we now have at international ( and , increasingly, Club) level is unappealing.

[Nori1958]

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

I've given up believing anything Southgate says

His big speech on getting the job was that players would be picked on form

What? 35 mins of form?

[TheFamilyCat]

I've given up believing anything Southgate says

His big speech on getting the job was that players would be picked on form

What? 35 mins of form?

I can't believe people are still judging him on comments he made 6 years ago. He's learnt a lot in that time and maybe realised that chopping and changing every few games based on form isn't the best way forward. He's also delivered England's best tournament finishes for decades.

[Steve1956]

I've given up believing anything Southgate says

His big speech on getting the job was that players would be picked on form

What? 35 mins of form?

Don't think Philips got 35 mins last night when he came on for City,but he was absolutely shocking spraying shite passes all over the place..so really not picked on form...he's just a favourite of Southgates and gets a place in the squad for no other reason.

[tarkys_ears]

I can't believe people are still judging him on comments he made 6 years ago. He's learnt a lot in that time and maybe realised that chopping and changing every few games based on form isn't the best way forward. He's also delivered England's best tournament finishes for decades.

Ah yes, god forbid a manager sticks to an outlandish ethos such as picking players on form.

[TheFamilyCat]

Ah yes, god forbid a manager sticks to an outlandish ethos such as picking players on form.

Which he has done for the most part.

The others are a bit like the Ryder Cup captain's picks - haven't earned their place but the manager trusts them to do the job.

[bobinho]

I can't believe people are still judging him on comments he made 6 years ago. He's learnt a lot in that time and maybe realised that chopping and changing every few games based on form isn't the best way forward. He's also delivered England's best tournament finishes for decades.

Trouble is, he never actually chopped and changed every few games did he?

I can’t imagine ANYONE could come up with one good reason why Phillips goes to the WC, other than the fact he plays for Man City. Selecting him is utter madness!

[RVclaret]

Trouble is, he never actually chopped and changed every few games did he?

I can’t imagine ANYONE could come up with one good reason why Phillips goes to the WC, other than the fact he plays for Man City. Selecting him is utter madness!

We’ve got no other good defensive midfield types to take and he was England’s player of the tournament at the Euros?

[Steve1956]

We’ve got no other good defensive midfield types to take and he was England’s player of the tournament at the Euros?

And he's been injured for months...picking him is madness.

[Nori1958]

We’ve got no other good defensive midfield types to take and he was England’s player of the tournament at the Euros?

Rice?

[Rileybobs]

Funny watching some of you get your knickers in a twist over a squad that practically selected itself. Almost like you have an ulterior motive as far as Southgate is concerned.

As for picking players on form, if he was to do this he probably wouldn’t have been able to name 26 players. Some of you look pretty desperate clinging to that line when it’s impractical and illogical for Southgate to pick a different squad for every game based on who is the most on form at that current moment. Surely you’re not all that dumb?

[Nori1958]

Funny watching some of you get your knickers in a twist over a squad that practically selected itself. Almost like you have an ulterior motive as far as Southgate is concerned.

As for picking players on form, if he was to do this he probably wouldn’t have been able to name 26 players. Some of you look pretty desperate clinging to that line when it’s impractical and illogical for Southgate to pick a different squad for every game based on who is the most on form at that current moment. Surely you’re not all that dumb?

Perhaps he was the dumb one for saying it....

[CaptJohn]

How on earth has Jarrod Bowen not been picked and Conor Galagher has? It beggars belief it really does and how Maguire gets the nod instead of our own Tarks. The mind boggles it really does.

[Rileybobs]

Perhaps he was the dumb one for saying it....

What exactly were his comments? Can you post a link?

[Rileybobs]

How on earth has Jarrod Bowen not been picked and Conor Galagher has? It beggars belief it really does and how Maguire gets the nod instead of our own Tarks. The mind boggles it really does.

Our own Tarks This is what we’re up against.

[Swizzlestick]

How on earth has Jarrod Bowen not been picked and Conor Galagher has? It beggars belief it really does and how Maguire gets the nod instead of our own Tarks. The mind boggles it really does.

Bowen has been very poor this season if you listen to Hammers fans.

[bobinho]

We’ve got no other good defensive midfield types to take and he was England’s player of the tournament at the Euros?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked him. But 35 minutes this season? He’s a risk. A gamble. And so is Henderson. It reeks of Southgate.

[bfcjg]

To many gambles IMHO.

[Rileybobs]

I wonder if all the Wales fans are getting into a tizzy because Gareth Bale’s been named in their squad.

[bobinho]

Funny watching some of you get your knickers in a twist over a squad that practically selected itself. Almost like you have an ulterior motive as far as Southgate is concerned.

As for picking players on form, if he was to do this he probably wouldn’t have been able to name 26 players. Some of you look pretty desperate clinging to that line when it’s impractical and illogical for Southgate to pick a different squad for every game based on who is the most on form at that current moment. Surely you’re not all that dumb?

No. We’re not. And neither are you despite suggesting we have said we only want players picked based upon their latest 90 minutes, so behave.

And I have NO ulterior motive here.
I want GS gone. Sacked. Consigned to the history books. He’s a dullard, and his ideas of how to approach games is utterly bizarre. What on earth did he say to them before and during the last game against Scotland!!! He speaks well in public, and he handles the media well, and he probably knocks up a lovely chilli, but as for managing and organising the best group of attacking players in absolutely YONKS, well - he’s managed to turn them from fearsome lions, to frightened rabbits caught in the headlights. That’s an absolute waste of talent in my book.

[Rileybobs]

No. We’re not. And neither are you despite suggesting we have said we only want players picked based upon their latest 90 minutes, so behave.

And I have NO ulterior motive here.
I want GS gone. Sacked. Consigned to the history books. He’s a dullard, and his ideas of how to approach games is utterly bizarre. What on earth did he say to them before and during the last game against Scotland!!! He speaks well in public, and he handles the media well, and he probably knocks up a lovely chilli, but as for managing and organising the best group of attacking players in absolutely YONKS, well - he’s managed to turn them from fearsome lions, to frightened rabbits caught in the headlights. That’s an absolute waste of talent in my book.

1.) I didn’t say anything about players’ latest 90 minutes.
2.) You say you don’t have an ulterior motive then follow it straight up by proving that you do. Obviously if you dislike Southgate so much you will take any opportunity to criticise him, and the latest opportunity is his very uncontentious squad selection.
3.) This is not the best group of attacking players in absolutely YONKS. I’ve got no idea how anyone can think this.

[Lancasterclaret]

No. We’re not. And neither are you despite suggesting we have said we only want players picked based upon their latest 90 minutes, so behave.

And I have NO ulterior motive here.
I want GS gone. Sacked. Consigned to the history books. He’s a dullard, and his ideas of how to approach games is utterly bizarre. What on earth did he say to them before and during the last game against Scotland!!! He speaks well in public, and he handles the media well, and he probably knocks up a lovely chilli, but as for managing and organising the best group of attacking players in absolutely YONKS, well - he’s managed to turn them from fearsome lions, to frightened rabbits caught in the headlights. That’s an absolute waste of talent in my book.

European Championship finalist

World Cup semi finalist

We've come nowhere near that for about thirty years

It might well be a tournament too far for him, but his achievements are there for everyone to see

[Nori1958]

What exactly were his comments? Can you post a link?

Don't be silly... Unless you've lived in a hole whilst he's been manager you know very well what they were, as most on here have already commented on

[bobinho]

European Championship finalist

World Cup semi finalist

We've come nowhere near that for about thirty years

It might well be a tournament too far for him, but his achievements are there for everyone to see

And when you measure the performances in getting there, the opposition we faced and struggled against, surely you can understand peoples frustrations? We could have and should have done better than those achievements. We should at the very least be the reigning European champions.

[fidelcastro]

We should at the very least be the reigning European champions.

If we could actually take penalties we would be.

I say it again... Toney and Ward-Prowse have been left out.

[Lancasterclaret]

And when you measure the performances in getting there, the opposition we faced and struggled against, surely you can understand peoples frustrations? We could have and should have done better than those achievements. We should at the very least be the reigning European champions.

By that metric we should be finalists every year

[Rileybobs]

If we could actually take penalties we would be.

I say it again... Toney and Ward-Prowse have been left out.

Surely you wouldn’t bring players on just to take a penalty?

[fidelcastro]

Surely you wouldn’t bring players on just to take a penalty?

In extra time I certainly would.

Many managers do it.

[conyoviejo]

Based on what?

Nothing really Fidel,just have a feeling we won't.. I'm sure I will be wrong.

[bobinho]

1.) I didn’t say anything about players’ latest 90 minutes.
2.) You say you don’t have an ulterior motive then follow it straight up by proving that you do. Obviously if you dislike Southgate so much you will take any opportunity to criticise him, and the latest opportunity is his very uncontentious squad selection.
3.) This is not the best group of attacking players in absolutely YONKS. I’ve got no idea how anyone can think this.

1. You said “current moment”. So what does that actually mean? Maybe I took it way too far but what does current moment mean to you when making your arguments?
2. I don’t like Southgate management style or how he sets us up. I stated quite clearly that is why I want him gone. Having an ulterior motive would be saying those reasons but actually not liking him because he has a big nose and wears a waistcoat.
3. Even our defensive midfielder Declan Rice is handy going forward. Foden, Grealish, Kane, Tripps, Wilson, Sterling, saka, all game changers. Set up together some of them should be lethal and every defence facing them should be petrified. As GS sets us up, Kane spends more time in the centre circle than Jack cork.

[fidelcastro]

Nothing really Fidel,just have a feeling we won't.. I'm sure I will be wrong.

I think you will be too

[Rileybobs]

1. You said “current moment”. So what does that actually mean? Maybe I took it way too far but what does current moment mean to you when making your arguments?
2. I don’t like Southgate management style or how he sets us up. I stated quite clearly that is why I want him gone. Having an ulterior motive would be saying those reasons but actually not liking him because he has a big nose and wears a waistcoat.
3. Even our defensive midfielder Declan Rice is handy going forward. Foden, Grealish, Kane, Tripps, Wilson, Sterling, saka, all game changers. Set up together some of them should be lethal and every defence facing them should be petrified. As GS sets us up, Kane spends more time in the centre circle than Jack cork.

Well on current form Southgate would be leaving some of our very best players at home and taking some players who don’t have an England cap to their name. It’s neither logical or practical.

The ulterior motive is you criticising Southgate’s perfectly uncontentious squad selection because you don’t want him to be England’s manager. It’s clear as day.

Not going to name some of the attacking players we’ve had in the past, Erikkson’s teams for example, but it’s clear that we don’t have more attacking talent now than we have in yonks. And as for your comments about Kane, he plays a similar role under Conte for Spurs. Does Conte not know what he’s doing either?

[bobinho]

Difficult to argue with a fella who doesn’t understand the concept of an ulterior motive, or who is happy just to make stuff up to win the argument. I have explained why I don’t want him as manager.
I’ll try again…. One last time.
I have criticised Southgates squad selection. I don’t want him to be Englands manager BECAUSE of his squad selections and the way he stifles good players. That’s clear as day. Can’t be clearer. I just said it. It’s in print. I said it and I meant it. How is that an ulterior motive?. Google’s your friend here mate. Go and have a look at the definition of ulterior motive and then you will finally understand.

I suppose it is clear to you about the attacking talent. He won’t let them, so it’s difficult for you to see the potential of having them all together.

But I’m tired now…. Really tired. So that’s me done.

[Rileybobs]

Difficult to argue with a fella who doesn’t understand the concept of an ulterior motive, or who is happy just to make stuff up to win the argument. I have explained why I don’t want him as manager.
I’ll try again…. One last time.
I have criticised Southgates squad selection. I don’t want him to be Englands manager BECAUSE of his squad selections and the way he stifles good players. That’s clear as day. Can’t be clearer. I just said it. It’s in print. I said it and I meant it. How is that an ulterior motive?. Google’s your friend here mate. Go and have a look at the definition of ulterior motive and then you will finally understand.

I suppose it is clear to you about the attacking talent. He won’t let them, so it’s difficult for you to see the potential of having them all together.

But I’m tired now…. Really tired. So that’s me done.

I understand perfectly well what an ulterior motive is thanks. My view is that you and others are criticising Southgate’s squad selection because you don’t rate him as a manager. I haven’t seen any particularly contentious selections or omissions so that is the conclusion I’ve arrived at.

[Pickles]

Two pages and 90 odd posts about possibly one of the most boring, uncontroversial, England squad selections of all time.

[SalisburyClaret]

Two pages and 90 odd posts about possibly one of the most boring, uncontroversial, England squad selections of all time.

I think selecting someone after 4 minutes of football this season is anything but uncontroversial

[SimonSays]

Two pages and 90 odd posts about possibly one of the most boring, uncontroversial, England squad selections of all time.

90 odd +1, in fact 90 odd +2 now

[ClaretPete001]

I'm very much against this WC but as I think we are heading for a Walter Winterbottom moment anyway....

[Greenmile]

Feels like some folk have never forgiven Southgate for defending his players’ decision to take the knee. I can’t think of any other reasons to be so critical of our best manager since Alf Ramsey, before a ball has even been kicked in this tournament.

[Nori1958]

In extra time I certainly would.

Many managers do it.

Didn't work well the last time we tried it

[KRBFC]

Not sure how anyone can complain at that squad.

It’s the best squad he could have picked.

People will always find a way to moan and complain. I'm happy for Calum Wilson and James Maddison, both deserve their shot on current form but people are now moaning out of form Abraham and Tomori aren't going. The same people moaning want players picked who are in form....... they just don't watch much football so have little idea what they're talking about.

[KRBFC]

Phillips has been taken because he's judged to be fit enough to play a part, he's the only holding player England really have and was arguably our best player at the last major tournament. He hasn't played much with City due to injury but he's back now..... why wouldn't he go?

[Newcastleclaret93]

People will always find a way to moan and complain. I'm happy for Calum Wilson and James Maddison, both deserve their shot on current form but people are now moaning out of form Abraham and Tomori aren't going. The same people moaning want players picked who are in form....... they just don't watch much football so have little idea what they're talking about.

The squad pretty much picked itself.

There’s no one in form that has missed out. No idea what people are complaining about

[RVclaret]

The squad pretty much picked itself.

There’s no one in form that has missed out. No idea what people are complaining about

Agree with this

[IanMcL]

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.

As long as they never play for Burnley, we have a chance!