[Football] Gareth Southgate at the Amex?

[Nobby]

I don't see why not. He picked 35 year old Fraser Forster for his last squad. Steele's three years younger, has kept more clean sheets than Forster having played less EPL games this season and conceded less goals per game. He even has the age group experience that Southgate's so in love with, having played for the U17, U19 & U21s a decade ago.

Yes but Steele plays De Zerbi ball. Waistcoat Man needs his keepers to hoof it upfield as far away as possible. That’s why Dunk or Webster will never get a sniff

 

[Shooting Star]

I've long defended Southgate on many things, including his decision not to pick Lewis.

As good as Lewis is, up until the last 12 months he'd been playing in a team that lose more games than they won and were at the wrong end of the table. Do you choose a CB playing well every week, but in a team that is fighting relegation and expects not to win each game, or a second choice CB in Maguire or Dier who, albeit not at their best, are playing in a team of international calibre players playing in Europe? Many would still say Lewis, but Southgate had good reasons not to pick him and to pick the other two, especially as they're known entities.

However, the last 12 months have changed everything and if he fails to pick Lewis in June, it would be pretty indefensible. Albion will finish 8th minimum and if, IF we are in Europe, Lewis will be head and shoulders above Maguire and Dier. Even pundits like Carragher and Steven Warnock have begun saying that Lewis is one of the best English CBs. He plays in a team including a World Cup winner and other future superstars. He's a ball playing centre-back in a team that plays better football than England (not a criticism, just a fact). He's still at a good age. He has a mistake or two in him, but which English CB apart from Stones doesn't at the moment?

I'm a big Southgate fan but there'll be nowhere to hide if Lewis doesn't get picked in June.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

“Quite how the game remained goalless after 17 first-half shots was a mystery to leave the watching Gareth Southgate scratching his head. And the England boss would not have been impressed by Rashford’s theatrical attempts to win a penalty when he went down with barely a touch from Lewis Dunk."

From The Sun's write-up for the game, as seen in the club site's Media Review...

 

[raymondo]

I don't see why not. He picked 35 year old Fraser Forster for his last squad. Steele's three years younger, has kept more clean sheets than Forster having played less EPL games this season and conceded less goals per game. He even has the age group experience that Southgate's so in love with, having played for the U17, U19 & U21s a decade ago.

I didn't know Steeley played U17-U21. Cheers

 

[B-right-on]

“Quite how the game remained goalless after 17 first-half shots was a mystery to leave the watching Gareth Southgate scratching his head. And the England boss would not have been impressed by Rashford’s theatrical attempts to win a penalty when he went down with barely a touch from Lewis Dunk."

From The Sun's write-up for the game, as seen in the club site's Media Review...

Southgate is scrathing his head because there is a massive blind spot right around the big fella wearing bule and white stripes with No 5 opn the back. The ball just appears to bounce back from mid air and players lose the ball for no reason at all he can see.

 

[Baldseagull]

“Quite how the game remained goalless after 17 first-half shots was a mystery to leave the watching Gareth Southgate scratching his head. And the England boss would not have been impressed by Rashford’s theatrical attempts to win a penalty when he went down with barely a touch from Lewis Dunk."

From The Sun's write-up for the game, as seen in the club site's Media Review...

Only game on last night, came to check on Harry Maguires warm up routine.

 

[LANGDON SEAGULL]

I didn't know Steeley played U17-U21. Cheers

Steele was also the the Great Britain Olympic team in 2012

 

[Littlemo]

Steele was also the the Great Britain Olympic team in 2012

Steele has Scottish grandparents apparently, there are rumours we are hoping to steal him.

 

[willalbion]

I've long defended Southgate on many things, including his decision not to pick Lewis.

As good as Lewis is, up until the last 12 months he'd been playing in a team that lose more games than they won and were at the wrong end of the table. Do you choose a CB playing well every week, but in a team that is fighting relegation and expects not to win each game, or a second choice CB in Maguire or Dier who, albeit not at their best, are playing in a team of international calibre players playing in Europe? Many would still say Lewis, but Southgate had good reasons not to pick him and to pick the other two, especially as they're known entities.

However, the last 12 months have changed everything and if he fails to pick Lewis in June, it would be pretty indefensible. Albion will finish 8th minimum and if, IF we are in Europe, Lewis will be head and shoulders above Maguire and Dier. Even pundits like Carragher and Steven Warnock have begun saying that Lewis is one of the best English CBs. He plays in a team including a World Cup winner and other future superstars. He's a ball playing centre-back in a team that plays better football than England (not a criticism, just a fact). He's still at a good age. He has a mistake or two in him, but which English CB apart from Stones doesn't at the moment?

I'm a big Southgate fan but there'll be nowhere to hide if Lewis doesn't get picked in June.

With you there mate, excellent post.