International Squads for Nov International Break | Martial, Young get called up while Smalling axed
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran are here to talk about a frustrating 2 points dropped at Crystal Palace. They then discuss the regeneration of Old Trafford. Finally, Nik is joined by special guest Michael Statham from the Football Oranje podcast - who gives us a more in depth look at our EL opposition FC Twente, and then runs through the (many) Dutch connections currently at United.
Well feckin' done Ashley Young.
Deserved.
Deserved.
Indeed, same for Martial after the snub before.
Definitely. Also, Southgate basically confirming we're going to continue emulating Spurs' formation
Well if thats the case, I guess we can assume Joe Hart will be dropped?
If he's actually said that then I can't see how Smalling will come back into the fold whilst Southgate is still in charge.
That Smalling comment is really harsh even if I can see where he is coming from. He shouldn't have been that rigid though - Smalling can also be an excellent defender.
Smalling decision is weird, for me, he's been our Player of the Month and really proved himself in a Back 3.
Not sure why Southgate won't drop Joe Hart if playing from the back is what he wants, the weirdo.
Not sure why Southgate won't drop Joe Hart if playing from the back is what he wants, the weirdo.
Poor decision to axe one of your more reliable defenders. Southgate is going to get badly found out next summer.
Bloody hell thats rough Gareth. I mean he’s right but what a kick in the dick.
Well done Young and Martial.
Smalling can be a great defender, but doesn't consistently show it. He's never replicated his form from a couple years back where he was the best defender in the prem until Christmas.
I also don't see a problem for being honest about a player's weaknesses. He's clearly given Smalling a target to work towards if he wants to make the squad. It's better than the manager playing games and the player not knowing what needs to be done. I guess you can argue that those conversations can better happen in private vice with the media though.
I also don't see a problem for being honest about a player's weaknesses. He's clearly given Smalling a target to work towards if he wants to make the squad. It's better than the manager playing games and the player not knowing what needs to be done. I guess you can argue that those conversations can better happen in private vice with the media though.
Groan.
Great news for us about Smalling. Hopefully he finds some a reason to drop Jones soon too.
Man like Smashley. Well deserved, him playing with Alli should be fun.
Also, this is the first deserved call up Fabian Delph has had in years.
Who the hell does Southgate think he is to comment on a Manchester United player like that. By all means, drop him, and explain to him in private why you did so, but to publicly ridicule a player like that is not on. What a W@nker.
Hope Mourinho tears a huge rip into his backside and the club lodges an official complaint about unprofessional conduct.
Hope Mourinho tears a huge rip into his backside and the club lodges an official complaint about unprofessional conduct.
England should play with an all spurs midfield... dier - winks - alli.... but unfortunately for them Hendo will start...
I wish Mourinho didn't have his press conference early this week, would have loved to have heard a response to this.
England have a nice squad emerging this year. Such a shame it's being managed by Southgate ... a manager like Pochetinho or Klopp could take them quite far.
Think Southgate should build the team around a core group of Spurs players. Looks like Young will be a 1st XI player for starting game in Russia too.
Think Southgate should build the team around a core group of Spurs players. Looks like Young will be a 1st XI player for starting game in Russia too.
Young and Martial fully deserved. I wish they weren't called up though because of pointless injuries that may happen.
Smalling's been brilliant. Very strange.
Smalling's been brilliant. Very strange.
True. Quite interested in seeing how he does at LWB.. looks excellent there for City.
Butland
Walker Jones Stones Gomez Rose
Winks Lallana
Alli
Kane Rashford
I'd like to see something like that with likes of Dier/Sterling/Delph/Tuanzebe knocking on the first XI door.Walker Jones Stones Gomez Rose
Winks Lallana
Alli
Kane Rashford
If he's going three at the back one of Rashford/Sterling/Alli has to drop out, which is madness imo. Unless he plays Alli in CM, which he just isn't.
Seems like it's a mandatory thing that England's midfield options have to be absolute cack in squads. Surely there are one or two players worth a punt from the Championship, especially for friendlies like these?
How many games has Smalling featured in during our recent good defensive displays?
I think being comfortable on the ball and a decent passer is a more of a luxury than a necessity really. Defensive soundness should be top priority and Smalling has that (occasional brainfart aside).
I think being comfortable on the ball and a decent passer is a more of a luxury than a necessity really. Defensive soundness should be top priority and Smalling has that (occasional brainfart aside).
I'm not sure why he'd play 3 at the back at all to be honest. England's current 4 best players take up attacking positions (Kane, Alli, Sterling, Rashford) and we really don't have great centre backs, so why play 3 of them?
It's all well and good saying "Spurs do that and they're mainly English, so we'll do it too"... but all of their starting CB's (with Sanchez bieng the better option their then Dier in my eyes) aren't even bloody English.
Bizarre decision to drop Smalling. The stick he is receiving this season genuinely baffles me.
Does make the most sense. Something like:
Butland
Jones Stones Maguire
Walker Dier Winks Young
Rashford/Sterling Alli
Kane
But more likely to be:
Hart
Jones Cahill Stones
Walker Dier Henderson Young
Rashford Alli
Kane
Jones Stones Maguire
Walker Dier Winks Young
Rashford/Sterling Alli
Kane
But more likely to be:
Hart
Jones Cahill Stones
Walker Dier Henderson Young
Rashford Alli
Kane
Shame is that one of the three of Rashford, Sterling and Alli would have to drop out of the first XI which is madness. I'd go more like:
Butland
Walker Jones Stones Young
Dier Winks
Sterling Alli Rashford
Kane
Walker Jones Stones Young
Dier Winks
Sterling Alli Rashford
Kane
Southgate should include Smalling in his team in case he needs strong CB to defend in late minutes. strange decision to drop him.
I can't remember the last time England had a goalkeeper that wasn't absolutely average.
Isn't Stones the ball playing defender already? How are Maguire/Cahill/Jones' ball playing skills? Not that I care really, good job and good luck to Ashley, happy for Martial too.
Has versatility which will be very useful in tournament football for a team who aspires to get to the knock out stages.
If teams perform to his full potential, it's a very exciting team especially the 2nd one. Though sadly I think Southgate will get LiverpoolItus and force himself to play Henderson and Lallana,
Exactly, it's a really stupid thing to say.
If you're beating Brazil and there's 5 minutes left, who do you want to bring on? Your defender who can defend well, or your defender who has a nice pass on him?!
Happy for Young and Martial, but to echo others - those comments re: Smalling are way below the belt. Not only that, whilst he's not hit his 'Mike Smalling' heights recently, I think he deserves more from the English national team than this kick in the balls.
Yeah, with the second one Dier could easily drop into a back three if needed. With how well Spurs, us and City are doing, we're looking as strong as we have done for ages - as long as the right players are used. We'll end up seeing Cahill and Henderson play though.
It's not even like he has prime Rio Ferdinand's or Bonucci's waiting in reserve. Harry fecking Maguire and Gary Cahill are his other CBs. Real liberos in the modern game
That's not a good comment to make from an international manager.
A defenders main job is to defend,If he has been good at it in recent months,pick him
anyway, Englands world cup will end in misery like always, expect to see a lot of " free TV if England win the world cup" deals next summer
What did Smalling do wrong?
This is the line up I think they should play. Still not sure if Young is good enough to be a left back. He is better as a wing back. Rose when fit will take his place. The rest of the team is perfect.
For sure. Gone for Young for now due to Rose's lack of games.