[Politics] Southgate at The Amex tonight?

[Shooting Star]

Reading this thread fills me with dismay. We’ve turned into a bunch of bitter, national-team hating moaners just because Southgate hasn’t chosen Dunk since his one and only call-up a couple of years ago.

Who knows how Dunk fit into the England dressing room during that call-up? Perhaps he didn’t impress Southgate as much as we’d have hoped. Dunk has been excellent for us but in 4 years in the PL we’re still the same 16-17th place side we started at, irrespective of our playing style. All of those England players in contention for the Euros squad are in teams higher than us, bar Pope. They’re all in teams who win more than us. As brilliant as Dunk is, he’s part of a non-winning side more often than not.

We shouldn’t mourn this. If Lewis had jumped ship to Chelsea or any team higher than us, he could have been impossible not to pick due to playing at the highest level in a winning side. Sadly, Lewis also shot himself in the foot massively last week getting the red card. His decision making was incredibly poor and he missed the chance to give Southgate something to think about last night if there are any last minute injuries to Maguire etc.

I wish it had turned out differently for Lewis personally, but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

If I was PB I’d have refused entry to the ****

 

[Icy Gull]

If I was PB I’d have refused entry to the ****

With you barring Southgate and me sacking BZ for wanting WHU to win, it’s a good job that neither of us has anything to do with the running of this club

 

[wellquickwoody]

but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

Pride you say? Righty ho.

 

[Seasider78]

Reading this thread fills me with dismay. We’ve turned into a bunch of bitter, national-team hating moaners just because Southgate hasn’t chosen Dunk since his one and only call-up a couple of years ago.

Who knows how Dunk fit into the England dressing room during that call-up? Perhaps he didn’t impress Southgate as much as we’d have hoped. Dunk has been excellent for us but in 4 years in the PL we’re still the same 16-17th place side we started at, irrespective of our playing style. All of those England players in contention for the Euros squad are in teams higher than us, bar Pope. They’re all in teams who win more than us. As brilliant as Dunk is, he’s part of a non-winning side more often than not.

We shouldn’t mourn this. If Lewis had jumped ship to Chelsea or any team higher than us, he could have been impossible not to pick due to playing at the highest level in a winning side. Sadly, Lewis also shot himself in the foot massively last week getting the red card. His decision making was incredibly poor and he missed the chance to give Southgate something to think about last night if there are any last minute injuries to Maguire etc.

I wish it had turned out differently for Lewis personally, but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

Dier has been abysmal for years and climbed into the crowd to attack a fan but still gets called up every game and Coady and Mings are not in sides competing for Europe. Players broke Covid rules on international duty but were still in the mix. So one red card for Dunk is hardly worth being completely overlooked is it?

Aside from his blind spot for Dunk Southgate blew the easiest route to a final we have ever had with the most promising group of young players in Europe and will do the same this summer. He is a failed club manager selected for the national team as he is a cosy fit with the FA.

 

[SeagullinExile]

Reading this thread fills me with dismay. We’ve turned into a bunch of bitter, national-team hating moaners just because Southgate hasn’t chosen Dunk since his one and only call-up a couple of years ago.

Who knows how Dunk fit into the England dressing room during that call-up? Perhaps he didn’t impress Southgate as much as we’d have hoped. Dunk has been excellent for us but in 4 years in the PL we’re still the same 16-17th place side we started at, irrespective of our playing style. All of those England players in contention for the Euros squad are in teams higher than us, bar Pope. They’re all in teams who win more than us. As brilliant as Dunk is, he’s part of a non-winning side more often than not.

We shouldn’t mourn this. If Lewis had jumped ship to Chelsea or any team higher than us, he could have been impossible not to pick due to playing at the highest level in a winning side. Sadly, Lewis also shot himself in the foot massively last week getting the red card. His decision making was incredibly poor and he missed the chance to give Southgate something to think about last night if there are any last minute injuries to Maguire etc.

I wish it had turned out differently for Lewis personally, but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

Oh come on! England lucked out at the WC. Southgate gets found out time and time again against the better teams. A terrible coach. They'll look good in the group, then lose in the quarters to Germany, France or Portugal.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Reading this thread fills me with dismay. We’ve turned into a bunch of bitter, national-team hating moaners just because Southgate hasn’t chosen Dunk since his one and only call-up a couple of years ago.

Who knows how Dunk fit into the England dressing room during that call-up? Perhaps he didn’t impress Southgate as much as we’d have hoped. Dunk has been excellent for us but in 4 years in the PL we’re still the same 16-17th place side we started at, irrespective of our playing style. All of those England players in contention for the Euros squad are in teams higher than us, bar Pope. They’re all in teams who win more than us. As brilliant as Dunk is, he’s part of a non-winning side more often than not.

We shouldn’t mourn this. If Lewis had jumped ship to Chelsea or any team higher than us, he could have been impossible not to pick due to playing at the highest level in a winning side. Sadly, Lewis also shot himself in the foot massively last week getting the red card. His decision making was incredibly poor and he missed the chance to give Southgate something to think about last night if there are any last minute injuries to Maguire etc.

I wish it had turned out differently for Lewis personally, but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

Southgate picked Mings at every opportunity last season whilst they were battling relegation. He picks Dier despite not being selected by Spurs for about 6 weeks.
He picks Lingard as he’s has a few good games.
He picked Phillips whilst Leeds were in the Championship.
He picked Coady whilst Wolves were in a slump.
He selects Pickford even though he’s not very good.
He selects Kyle Walker to play out of position.

He also got hugely lucky at the World Cup and is getting a free pass by a lot of fans.
We played 7 games at that tournament and lost 3. We beat Panama, Tunisia and Sweden and drew with Colombia. We lost twice to Belgium and one to Croatia. We had a lucky path but lost each time we faced an opponent with any quality.

 

[Is it PotG?]

I'll be waving my flag of St George as usual, but I feel Southgate's shortcomings are about to be exposed.

Terrible 'yes man' of a coach.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Dier has been abysmal for years and climbed into the crowd to attack a fan but still gets called up every game and Coady and Mings are not in sides competing for Europe. Players broke Covid rules on international duty but were still in the mix. So one red card for Dunk is hardly worth being completely overlooked is it?

Aside from his blind spot for Dunk Southgate blew the easiest route to a final we have ever had with the most promising group of young players in Europe and will do the same this summer. He is a failed club manager selected for the national team as he is a cosy fit with the FA.

Very much this.
He has at his disposal some of the best talent we have seen in decades and he plays Dier ... out of position!
He has turned England into Middlesbrough. Impressive against a weak opposition but clueless against anyone else.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lethargic]

Very much this.
He has at his disposal some of the best talent we have seen in decades and he plays Dier ... out of position!
He has turned England into Middlesbrough. Impressive against a weak opposition but clueless against anyone else.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I fully agree the man is a fraud, we got to the WC semi final despite Southgate not because.

Dunk at least deserves a second chance in the England squad one sole pick is illogical following his faith in other lesser players.

Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk

 

[Icy Gull]

Reading this thread fills me with dismay. We’ve turned into a bunch of bitter, national-team hating moaners just because Southgate hasn’t chosen Dunk since his one and only call-up a couple of years ago.

Who knows how Dunk fit into the England dressing room during that call-up? Perhaps he didn’t impress Southgate as much as we’d have hoped. Dunk has been excellent for us but in 4 years in the PL we’re still the same 16-17th place side we started at, irrespective of our playing style. All of those England players in contention for the Euros squad are in teams higher than us, bar Pope. They’re all in teams who win more than us. As brilliant as Dunk is, he’s part of a non-winning side more often than not.

We shouldn’t mourn this. If Lewis had jumped ship to Chelsea or any team higher than us, he could have been impossible not to pick due to playing at the highest level in a winning side. Sadly, Lewis also shot himself in the foot massively last week getting the red card. His decision making was incredibly poor and he missed the chance to give Southgate something to think about last night if there are any last minute injuries to Maguire etc.

I wish it had turned out differently for Lewis personally, but I don’t blame Southgate. He’s taken us further than any manager since Venables and restored pride in our national side for the first time in my 30 years on this earth. I’m behind him all the way, even if Lewis won’t be along for the ride.

30 you say? You haven’t had enough disappointments yet

Cynicism will get the better of you as you get older and every Tournament turns out like groundhog day (WC was an exception as we didn’t meet a decent team until the semis, which was unusual and got us all hyped up). Normal service was resumed once we came up against Croatia.

Southgate is up there with our worst managers imo. As someone else has posted, he is a failed club manager. What makes anyone think he’s actually any good? Winning friendlies count for feck all and qualification is always a piece of piss.

Prepare yourself for big disappointment as we meekly go out whenever we meet a decent team in the Finals of any competition

Please bookmark and feel free to bounce if we don’t do exactly the same in the Euros. I won’t be holding my breath

 

[Shooting Star]

If you believe Southgate has a vendetta against Dunk/Brighton (because he’s ex-Palace or otherwise), I’m most likely not going to change your mind. However, I prefer to look at the facts of who’s been selected ahead of Dunk. This is the most recent England squad:

John Stones: historically title winner with Man City and World Cup semi-finalist, currently Champion and Champions League winner/runner-up.
Kyle Walker: “”
Harry Maguire: historically World Cup semi-finalist, currently with 2nd place and Europe League finalists Manchester Utd
Kieran Trippier: historically a World Cup semi-finalist, currently starting with 1st place Atlético Madrid
Eric Dier: historically appeared in a World Cup and Euros, currently transitioned to CB from DM with top-half Spurs.
Ben Chilwell: historically England youth set-up, currently Champions League winner/runner-up with Chelsea
Reece James: “”
Luke Shaw: historically England youth set-up, currently a Europa League finalist with 2nd place Man Utd
Conor Coady: historically England youth set up and has played European football with Wolves, currently 12th in the league.
Tyrone Mings: historically with relegation threatened Villa, currently challenging top-half with them.
—
Our Lewis: historically with 15-17th Brighton, currently with 15-17th Brighton.

Looking at defenders in teams around us in the league in the past few seasons (England senior caps in brackets), there’s Tarkowski (2), Mee (0), Walker-Peters (0) and Lascelles (0). Lewis has one. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even have a senior call-up yet being with Utd.

The only player there who Lewis is comparable to in terms of accolades is Mings, and I agree that Dunk is a better defender than him. Yet Villa are now top half now, so it’s a moot point.

I agree too that Lewis is better than Dier, but Dier has been in the England set-up for a while now. Southgate’s comments about choosing in-form players is being taken too literally. There are other things he has to consider. When you look at Lewis objectively, he’s been in a 15-17th place Brighton side for 4 seasons. He hasn’t been poached by a bigger club (like Maguire and Keane were).

Now, whether that’s down to Lewis, TB or simply other clubs doubting his ability, I don’t know. If it’s Lewis’ choice, then he has forsaken European football, medals and international tournaments to stay with the Albion and I love him for that. If it’s other clubs doubting his ability, then Southgate can’t be blamed if he too is dubious. If it’s TB, then we need to look at the pathway of Albion players into the England set-up and whether we are restricting player growth by jealously holding onto them. I thought about this yesterday when a comment was made last night by a pundit about Bissouma, suggesting that if we hold onto him this summer it may discourage other talent coming to the club in fear of never being allowed to progress higher. We have been excellent at holding on to players for the last 6 seasons, but I wonder if it starts to come to the detriment of the players themselves and our perception to other talent?

Whether you like Southgate or not, there are some rational reasons why Lewis has only been called up once. Thus I don’t think he deserves being called a “****” and other unpleasantries for this decision.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Historical appearances should count for very little. Of course we could bring back Shelton, Robson and Beckham if that’s what is needed.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

If you believe Southgate has a vendetta against Dunk/Brighton (because he’s ex-Palace or otherwise), I’m most likely not going to change your mind. However, I prefer to look at the facts of who’s been selected ahead of Dunk. This is the most recent England squad:

John Stones: historically title winner with Man City and World Cup semi-finalist, currently Champion and Champions League winner/runner-up.
Kyle Walker: “”
Harry Maguire: historically World Cup semi-finalist, currently with 2nd place and Europe League finalists Manchester Utd
Kieran Trippier: historically a World Cup semi-finalist, currently starting with 1st place Atlético Madrid
Eric Dier: historically appeared in a World Cup and Euros, currently transitioned to CB from DM with top-half Spurs.
Ben Chilwell: historically England youth set-up, currently Champions League winner/runner-up with Chelsea
Reece James: “”
Luke Shaw: historically England youth set-up, currently a Europa League finalist with 2nd place Man Utd
Conor Coady: historically England youth set up and has played European football with Wolves, currently 12th in the league.
Tyrone Mings: historically with relegation threatened Villa, currently challenging top-half with them.
—
Our Lewis: historically with 15-17th Brighton, currently with 15-17th Brighton.

Looking at defenders in teams around us in the league in the past few seasons (England senior caps in brackets), there’s Tarkowski (2), Mee (0), Walker-Peters (0) and Lascelles (0). Lewis has one. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even have a senior call-up yet being with Utd.

The only player there who Lewis is comparable to in terms of accolades is Mings, and I agree that Dunk is a better defender than him. Yet Villa are now top half now, so it’s a moot point.

I agree too that Lewis is better than Dier, but Dier has been in the England set-up for a while now. Southgate’s comments about choosing in-form players is being taken too literally. There are other things he has to consider. When you look at Lewis objectively, he’s been in a 15-17th place Brighton side for 4 seasons. He hasn’t been poached by a bigger club (like Maguire and Keane were).

Now, whether that’s down to Lewis, TB or simply other clubs doubting his ability, I don’t know. If it’s Lewis’ choice, then he has forsaken European football, medals and international tournaments to stay with the Albion and I love him for that. If it’s other clubs doubting his ability, then Southgate can’t be blamed if he too is dubious. If it’s TB, then we need to look at the pathway of Albion players into the England set-up and whether we are restricting player growth by jealously holding onto them. I thought about this yesterday when a comment was made last night by a pundit about Bissouma, suggesting that if we hold onto him this summer it may discourage other talent coming to the club in fear of never being allowed to progress higher. We have been excellent at holding on to players for the last 6 seasons, but I wonder if it starts to come to the detriment of the players themselves and our perception to other talent?

Whether you like Southgate or not, there are some rational reasons why Lewis has only been called up once. Thus I don’t think he deserves being called a “****” and other unpleasantries for this decision.

I agree with this comment (and your post in general). There are other reasons for the former, however.

 

[Stato]

If you believe Southgate has a vendetta against Dunk/Brighton (because he’s ex-Palace or otherwise), I’m most likely not going to change your mind. However, I prefer to look at the facts of who’s been selected ahead of Dunk. This is the most recent England squad:

John Stones: historically title winner with Man City and World Cup semi-finalist, currently Champion and Champions League winner/runner-up.
Kyle Walker: “”
Harry Maguire: historically World Cup semi-finalist, currently with 2nd place and Europe League finalists Manchester Utd
Kieran Trippier: historically a World Cup semi-finalist, currently starting with 1st place Atlético Madrid
Eric Dier: historically appeared in a World Cup and Euros, currently transitioned to CB from DM with top-half Spurs.
Ben Chilwell: historically England youth set-up, currently Champions League winner/runner-up with Chelsea
Reece James: “”
Luke Shaw: historically England youth set-up, currently a Europa League finalist with 2nd place Man Utd
Conor Coady: historically England youth set up and has played European football with Wolves, currently 12th in the league.
Tyrone Mings: historically with relegation threatened Villa, currently challenging top-half with them.
—
Our Lewis: historically with 15-17th Brighton, currently with 15-17th Brighton.

Looking at defenders in teams around us in the league in the past few seasons (England senior caps in brackets), there’s Tarkowski (2), Mee (0), Walker-Peters (0) and Lascelles (0). Lewis has one. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even have a senior call-up yet being with Utd.

The only player there who Lewis is comparable to in terms of accolades is Mings, and I agree that Dunk is a better defender than him. Yet Villa are now top half now, so it’s a moot point.

I agree too that Lewis is better than Dier, but Dier has been in the England set-up for a while now. Southgate’s comments about choosing in-form players is being taken too literally. There are other things he has to consider. When you look at Lewis objectively, he’s been in a 15-17th place Brighton side for 4 seasons. He hasn’t been poached by a bigger club (like Maguire and Keane were).

Now, whether that’s down to Lewis, TB or simply other clubs doubting his ability, I don’t know. If it’s Lewis’ choice, then he has forsaken European football, medals and international tournaments to stay with the Albion and I love him for that. If it’s other clubs doubting his ability, then Southgate can’t be blamed if he too is dubious. If it’s TB, then we need to look at the pathway of Albion players into the England set-up and whether we are restricting player growth by jealously holding onto them. I thought about this yesterday when a comment was made last night by a pundit about Bissouma, suggesting that if we hold onto him this summer it may discourage other talent coming to the club in fear of never being allowed to progress higher. We have been excellent at holding on to players for the last 6 seasons, but I wonder if it starts to come to the detriment of the players themselves and our perception to other talent?

Whether you like Southgate or not, there are some rational reasons why Lewis has only been called up once. Thus I don’t think he deserves being called a “****” and other unpleasantries for this decision.

Well written, well argued, but utterly fallacious. Southgate' s statement about picking form players has been taken literally because it was stated literally. Nobody asked him to make the statement. He chose to go to the media and say that would be his approach. He has completely failed to live by his word. It's not just about Dunk, he failed to pick. Grealish for ages when he was the best midfielder in the country. He picks favourites like Dier and Maguire regardless of their club form. He has treated disciplinary issues in completely different ways depending on the players involved, selecting some when they were banned. for attacking fans or arrested, whilst dropping others for breaking curfews or fighting in training. He is also completely out of his depth tactically. The cynicism that some of us have for the international game is not to do with Dunk, or even with Southgate. The French and Germans and our rugby and cricket teams have shown what can be done if a country first approach is taken. The English FA has a money first approach and will never do what is required to develop a system that will make international success likely. Watching us go into tournament after tournament with the same pick the best players from the top six and hope for the best approach that has failed for six decades does rather breed cynicism.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

If you believe Southgate has a vendetta against Dunk/Brighton (because he’s ex-Palace or otherwise), I’m most likely not going to change your mind. However, I prefer to look at the facts of who’s been selected ahead of Dunk. This is the most recent England squad:

John Stones: historically title winner with Man City and World Cup semi-finalist, currently Champion and Champions League winner/runner-up.
Kyle Walker: “”
Harry Maguire: historically World Cup semi-finalist, currently with 2nd place and Europe League finalists Manchester Utd
Kieran Trippier: historically a World Cup semi-finalist, currently starting with 1st place Atlético Madrid
Eric Dier: historically appeared in a World Cup and Euros, currently transitioned to CB from DM with top-half Spurs.
Ben Chilwell: historically England youth set-up, currently Champions League winner/runner-up with Chelsea
Reece James: “”
Luke Shaw: historically England youth set-up, currently a Europa League finalist with 2nd place Man Utd
Conor Coady: historically England youth set up and has played European football with Wolves, currently 12th in the league.
Tyrone Mings: historically with relegation threatened Villa, currently challenging top-half with them.
—
Our Lewis: historically with 15-17th Brighton, currently with 15-17th Brighton.

Looking at defenders in teams around us in the league in the past few seasons (England senior caps in brackets), there’s Tarkowski (2), Mee (0), Walker-Peters (0) and Lascelles (0). Lewis has one. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even have a senior call-up yet being with Utd.

The only player there who Lewis is comparable to in terms of accolades is Mings, and I agree that Dunk is a better defender than him. Yet Villa are now top half now, so it’s a moot point.

I agree too that Lewis is better than Dier, but Dier has been in the England set-up for a while now. Southgate’s comments about choosing in-form players is being taken too literally. There are other things he has to consider. When you look at Lewis objectively, he’s been in a 15-17th place Brighton side for 4 seasons. He hasn’t been poached by a bigger club (like Maguire and Keane were).

Now, whether that’s down to Lewis, TB or simply other clubs doubting his ability, I don’t know. If it’s Lewis’ choice, then he has forsaken European football, medals and international tournaments to stay with the Albion and I love him for that. If it’s other clubs doubting his ability, then Southgate can’t be blamed if he too is dubious. If it’s TB, then we need to look at the pathway of Albion players into the England set-up and whether we are restricting player growth by jealously holding onto them. I thought about this yesterday when a comment was made last night by a pundit about Bissouma, suggesting that if we hold onto him this summer it may discourage other talent coming to the club in fear of never being allowed to progress higher. We have been excellent at holding on to players for the last 6 seasons, but I wonder if it starts to come to the detriment of the players themselves and our perception to other talent?

Whether you like Southgate or not, there are some rational reasons why Lewis has only been called up once. Thus I don’t think he deserves being called a “****” and other unpleasantries for this decision.

I’m not sure why you’re comparing full backs to Dunk, most fans frustration is because Southgate picks other centre backs ahead of Dunk despite playing for ‘superior’ teams that have equal or worse defensive records than ourselves. Eric Dier is not a good centre back, he was omitted from the Spurs team for several weeks before the last squad was announced but he was still selected. Villa have had had one half season of decent football in 2 years and Mings has been calamitous but he still gets selected, it should be a toss up between Coady and Dunk IMO but Dunk will never get the nod. I understand why Stones and Maguire get the nod, but the rest is a bun fight. I think Southgate has his favourites and that’s why he turns a blind eye to Mee, Tarkowski and Dunk.
Also, Wan-Bissaka has received a senior call up.

 

[rebel51]

Sorry guys and gals but I'm useless with uploading videos and stuff. If you do not rate Southgate, and I despise the big nose palace twonk. Check out this video on you tube or whatever platform you choose. The business is the punk band and a son
g called southgate 96 euro song. Hope you enjoy

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

If you believe Southgate has a vendetta against Dunk/Brighton (because he’s ex-Palace or otherwise), I’m most likely not going to change your mind. However, I prefer to look at the facts of who’s been selected ahead of Dunk. This is the most recent England squad:

John Stones: historically title winner with Man City and World Cup semi-finalist, currently Champion and Champions League winner/runner-up.
Kyle Walker: “”
Harry Maguire: historically World Cup semi-finalist, currently with 2nd place and Europe League finalists Manchester Utd
Kieran Trippier: historically a World Cup semi-finalist, currently starting with 1st place Atlético Madrid
Eric Dier: historically appeared in a World Cup and Euros, currently transitioned to CB from DM with top-half Spurs.
Ben Chilwell: historically England youth set-up, currently Champions League winner/runner-up with Chelsea
Reece James: “”
Luke Shaw: historically England youth set-up, currently a Europa League finalist with 2nd place Man Utd
Conor Coady: historically England youth set up and has played European football with Wolves, currently 12th in the league.
Tyrone Mings: historically with relegation threatened Villa, currently challenging top-half with them.
—
Our Lewis: historically with 15-17th Brighton, currently with 15-17th Brighton.

Looking at defenders in teams around us in the league in the past few seasons (England senior caps in brackets), there’s Tarkowski (2), Mee (0), Walker-Peters (0) and Lascelles (0). Lewis has one. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even have a senior call-up yet being with Utd.

The only player there who Lewis is comparable to in terms of accolades is Mings, and I agree that Dunk is a better defender than him. Yet Villa are now top half now, so it’s a moot point.

I agree too that Lewis is better than Dier, but Dier has been in the England set-up for a while now. Southgate’s comments about choosing in-form players is being taken too literally. There are other things he has to consider. When you look at Lewis objectively, he’s been in a 15-17th place Brighton side for 4 seasons. He hasn’t been poached by a bigger club (like Maguire and Keane were).

Now, whether that’s down to Lewis, TB or simply other clubs doubting his ability, I don’t know. If it’s Lewis’ choice, then he has forsaken European football, medals and international tournaments to stay with the Albion and I love him for that. If it’s other clubs doubting his ability, then Southgate can’t be blamed if he too is dubious. If it’s TB, then we need to look at the pathway of Albion players into the England set-up and whether we are restricting player growth by jealously holding onto them. I thought about this yesterday when a comment was made last night by a pundit about Bissouma, suggesting that if we hold onto him this summer it may discourage other talent coming to the club in fear of never being allowed to progress higher. We have been excellent at holding on to players for the last 6 seasons, but I wonder if it starts to come to the detriment of the players themselves and our perception to other talent?

Whether you like Southgate or not, there are some rational reasons why Lewis has only been called up once. Thus I don’t think he deserves being called a “****” and other unpleasantries for this decision.

It is not a relevant reason to pick someone over Dunk because of what they have done “historically”. It is what hey are doing now that matters.
It is not a good reason to pick someone over Dunk just because he is playing for a “big club”, or because they are playing for a team which is higher in the table than us.
A good manager must be able to see beyond such things. If the best Centre Back in the country by far were playing for Portsmouth in League One, he should still come in to consideration.

There was something from Dean Hammond a few days ago - now firmly embedded in the Saints set up by the look of it - in which he said that Dunk is a better player than Maguire, and also than Dunk, yet you would have both firmly embedded there, even though Dier is, historically, a Donkey.

On a slightly different tack, I remember Steve Bruce saying after we thrashed Newcastle the first time this season that it would have been unfair to drop Andy Carroll, who had been totally nullified by our defence, because he had done so well in the previous game. A good manager (like our own GP), would have looked at the likely team line up and played THE BEST TEAM TO COUNTER the strengths of the opponents.

 

[Swansman]

Tony Adams did well historically. Call him up.

As for yesterday, I guess Southgate was around mainly to watch some West Ham players that could be on the fringe of the squad - Antonio, Lingard, maybe even Cresswell. Dont think any Brighton players will be in the squad unfortunately . March, had he stayed fit, probably would have had a decent chance with the squads going from 23 to 26 players.

 

[Is it PotG?]

I bet he's at the Tumble Bros show at high noon, watching Mings et al.