Pickford starts

[dpinsussex]

Tomorrow against netherlands

Sauce : southgates press conference

[MT03ALG]

The man too frightened to leave his goalline !

[dpinsussex]

The only sauce is the brown stuff coming out of southgates backside with the fear of making bold changes.
Lets hope tarks gets a start

[FactualFrank]

Pope for the second half, then?

[dpinsussex]

Pope for the second half, then?

Or the italy game ?

[Claret&Green]

Or the italy game ?

Pope for the second half, then?

Or knowing England no game time at all

[jojomk1]

For me, the likes of Tarks, Pope and Mawson should all get some game time over these two matches
I appreciate they can be viewed during the training sessions but would hope all are given a chance to stake a claim during this international break
Quite like the idea of Tarks and Mawson together

[Foshiznik]

Can see it now. the half time show on ITV ends as I start to nod off from Lee Dixon's dull analysis as I awake to "We have a change in goal for England" I sit on the edge of my seat in anticipation...


...to see none other than Joe ******* Hart stretching waiting to come onto the pitch.

[DCWat]

Southgate seems to be trying players that might never have been given a look in, with previous managers.

I’m still not convinced by him but to be fair, he’s not solely sticking to the same old.

I think the bloke deserves to be cut a bit of slack.

[NL Claret]

The pundits tell us Southgate has to pick the man in form, surely Pickford is in the worst form? Or is it Butland? Or is it Hart who has recently got his place back and is still out of form.

None of the pundits I've listened to have mentioned Pope so perhaps they got it right maybe.

[moaninclaret]

Southgate starts with Pickford, England go 3 down, he brings on Butland to replace him, only for him to let in 2 more, on trots Hart who lets in another couple, WAIT FOR IIIIITTT, Nick comes on for the last 5 mins, saves 2 penalties and then will be Englands number one.

[Milltown1882]

Logical when he’s England’s best goalkeeper. Can still see all four getting a run out over the two games.

[gtclaret]

Logical when he’s England’s best goalkeeper. Can still see all four getting a run out over the two games.

I agree, each getting 45 minutes, that would be logical

[Silkyskills1]

Logical when he’s England’s best goalkeeper. Can still see all four getting a run out over the two games.

And if they do,which I personally doubt, what exactly will be gained? I'm not a fan of international football really but I believe that after these games there are just two more left before the competition begins. Will there still be four keepers chosen for those games or will one or more be left out based on perhaps 45 mins. maximum from these next two games. Certainly not based on form because if it was there is just one outstanding candidate.

[Milltown1882]

I think Pickford will be number 1 going to the tournament. Ideally he’d have a look at all four in a game situation during this break. We all know Butland’s record with injuries so I think that’s Pope’s most likely chance of getting on the plane.

[Grimsby Claret]

A fit on form Heaton is still my choice.
Tarkowski has to play in Centre of England’s defence. There’s no one better.

[Milltown1882]

A fit on form Heaton is still my choice.
Tarkowski has to play in Centre of England’s defence. There’s no one better.

Him and Stones is one I’m really looking forward to seeing if they work together.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Southgate seems to be trying players that might never have been given a look in, with previous managers.

I’m still not convinced by him but to be fair, he’s not solely sticking to the same old.

I think the bloke deserves to be cut a bit of slack.

Absolutely. He is at The Turf more than many a season ticket holder yet people still think he is a biased manager who wont play our players. I doubt a current England manager has never been at The Turf so much.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Do other countries chop and change players as much as England do? Bit worrying if he doesn’t know his best side by now however we’ll probably be out by round 2 anyway!

[tim_noone]

Can't see Holland scoring who ever is in goal..a very poor side.

[Woodleyclaret]

There is no keeper better on current form than Nick Pope but as we know Southgate is an incompetent fool.

[scouseclaret]

Pope will get 10 mins at the end of the Italy game as a “thanks for coming” - just like Heaton’s debut.

[CFS]

Pope and tarkowski won't get game time. He took them so he could look at them which is fair enough unless one of them has really impressed him.

[Lancasterclaret]

I bet Heaton is gutted. He'd have been a certainty to be our keeper if he hadn't got injured based on how experience and form.

[UpTheBeehole]

Do other countries chop and change players as much as England do? Bit worrying if he doesn’t know his best side by now however we’ll probably be out by round 2 anyway!

None of our recently capped players would have got a cap without this chop and changing.

[jlup1980]

I actually think Southgate isn't doing a bad job. He's looking at different options and has brought players into the squad to take a look at them. For that he deserves credit. However, I think he's making a big mistake not starting Pope.

Pope is the man in form and the man with confidence at the moment. Your goalkeeper is absolutely key in major tournaments as most games are tight and you need to know that your keeper can keep you in the game. Pickford's decision making is suspect to say the least and some of the goals he's conceded this season have been very poor.

Pickford probably looks like a more conventional keeper, but Pope is the more effective. He just gets something in the way, whatever part of his body that might be. The stats back that up and even Southgate himself has commented on Pickford's distribution being one of the reasons why he's been picked. I can't argue with that, his distribution is better, but that doesn't help you in a one-on-one situation, and I feel like Southgate is overlooking basic goalkeeping requirements above the ability to pass!

In a tournament situation the only stats that matter are save percentage (Pope 80.2% vs Pickford 67.3%) and expected goals prevented (Pope 10 vs Pickford 1.4). You need your goalkeeper to keep you in the game and Pope is vastly superior at doing that!

[UpTheBeehole]

Isolating statistics like that doesn't give the big picture though.

Jamie Carragher's tackling stats will have been miles higher than Rio Ferdinand, but Ferdinand didn't have to make those tackles because he'd already sorted the situation before it got to the stage where a last ditch tackle was needed.

[Colburn_Claret]

I would rather they got no game time than a token 10 mins.
That isn't long enough to try and show what you're about.
Lots of change at half time, for whoever is the only way to assess their abilities.
I ain't holding my breath.

I'd prefer Butland to Pickford. Pickford is a great shot stopper, but that's it. You have to offer more than that as a goalie.
Butland protects the area in a similar, but not as good way, as Nick Pope. His experience will probably give him the edge, but he does have the ability to chuck one in, the same as Joe Hart.

[Espia]

I don't think we should be too keen to see Pope selected ..... on the cusp is fine !

Turkeys wishing for Xmas and all that. We all know anyone selected for England will not be hanging around as a Burnley player much longer.

[Lancasterclaret]

I thought Hodgson was doing at alright job, until the Wales game and the Iceland game when the players just didn't turn up.

When that first crucial game v Tunisia starts, if the players can play with freedom and the skills that they have, then he's doing a good job.

But when was the last time an England team turned up at a major tournament and played with no fear?

[jlup1980]

Isolating statistics like that doesn't give the big picture though.

Jamie Carragher's tackling stats will have been miles higher than Rio Ferdinand, but Ferdinand didn't have to make those tackles because he'd already sorted the situation before it got to the stage where a last ditch tackle was needed.

I agree with you in part, but I'd argue goalkeeping stats are very different to outfield stats. You can't argue that one goalkeeper didn't need to make a save because their positioning was better. They might make the save easier, but they'll still need to stop the ball hitting the net and that levels out the stats on the whole.

GK stats don't leave anywhere to hide; they are what they are, and at present Nick Pope sits behind David De Gea as the 2nd best GK in the PL this season. He's outperformed Ederson, Lloris, Cech, Courtois, Karius, Schmiechel, Pickford, Begovic and all the rest. He should be England no.1 currently without any doubt.

[UpTheBeehole]

GK stats don't leave anywhere to hide; they are what they are, and at present Nick Pope sits behind David De Gea as the 2nd best GK in the PL this season. He's outperformed Ederson, Lloris, Cech, Courtois, Karius, Schmiechel, Pickford, Begovic and all the rest. He should be England no.1 currently without any doubt.

This is why the stats don't give the proper picture: Nick Pope is patently not a better all-round goalkeeper than Ederson, Courtois or Lloris.

[Dyched]

But when was the last time an England team turned up at a major tournament and played with no fear?

Can you honestly blame them?

The stay at home, armchair england “fans” love failure more than success, the media love failure and will do anything to disrupt progress if they could. Its pathetic.

Im by no means an england fan or of international football. But Ill stick up for Southgate all day. Hes getting stick already for no reason whatsoever.

[elwaclaret]

I get the impression that should Pope be better at distribution he would be first choice, but as yet that is the one part of his game that needs work.

I'd go with Pope simply because he's the safest pair of hands, but I see Southgate's reasoning. Hopefully he'll get to prove himself at some point.... if he gets injury time against Italy he gets his cap.... I'll be happy with that for starters. Tarks for me deserves to play a bigger roll in the buildup because he could well be the answer to England's CH problems.

[Dyched]

Agree with Popes distribution. At WC we can not gift the ball back to the opposition and **** tge ball to Kane.

With Tarks. He and Stones would be fantastic given time. But the WC has come 12 months too soon I reckon. Give them 2 10 games together and they’d be brilliant. Either that or they’ll be drinking pina coladas after 5 mins they’re that laid back

[jlup1980]

This is why the stats don't give the proper picture: Nick Pope is patently not a better all-round goalkeeper than Ederson, Courtois or Lloris.

The only way we'd know that for sure is by swapping goalkeepers! Would any of those three do better than Pope for Burnley? We'll never know obviously but surely it's a more difficult job than being GK for a top 4 side. You come under more pressure as a Burnley keeper than a City keeper for example.

It's a bit off topic anyway. My original comment was about tournament football and IMO you should play your best shot stopper and currently that's Pope, not Pickford. Being an all-round better goalkeeper comes into play over a full season (distribution etc) but in a knock out competition it's about staying in the game. The stats show that Pope is vastly more likely to save a one-on-one or a big chance because he's been doing it all season so that's who I'd want in goal.

[RingoMcCartney]

For me, the likes of Tarks, Pope and Mawson should all get some game time over these two matches
I appreciate they can be viewed during the training sessions but would hope all are given a chance to stake a claim during this international break
Quite like the idea of Tarks and Mawson together

Tarks and Mee would be better

[joey13]

I thought Hodgson was doing at alright job, until the Wales game and the Iceland game when the players just didn't turn up.

When that first crucial game v Tunisia starts, if the players can play with freedom and the skills that they have, then he's doing a good job.

But when was the last time an England team turned up at a major tournament and played with no fear?

So you thought it was ok that Harry Kane took all the corners ?

[Spike]

I've only seen Pickford twice this season and that was against a Top 7 team.
He looked shaky and has made a few bloomers this season.

not consistent enough for England yet. Butland pretty much the same. Joe Hart nowhere near in form

Lets pick for the most inform keeper in the Prem that is Pope