SUFC England hopefuls

[FMBlade1]

I know plenty on here don't care about the national side, but I feel that recognition and more experience is a good thing for our players and the club.

Henderson, Basham, JOC and Baldock should be in contention.

Lundstram not far behind, and if Sharp got a run in the team he could be IMHO (like Defoe, Lambert etc)

 

[FMBlade1]

So how did their competitors for a place in the squad/team fare this weekend?

Pickford: Made a shocking error against Brighton for a free kick his side, and let another two in (not really his fault)

Mings: City scored three and you can't exactly blame them for all of them, but was dreadfully beaten in the air by a player half his size (not literally) and didn't even jump leading to the opening goal. Good goaline clearance late on, but nevertheless again partly culpable for another poor Villa defensive performance. Playing well against a League One Bulgarian attack is one thing, top level will continued to be exposed I fear.

Stones: Clean-sheet, but gave a clear goalscoring opportunity to Villa which fortunately for him wasn't taken. Shaky?

Tomori: Chelsea let in two this weekend when the game was gone in their favour so no grounds for any real criticism. However very hard to argue that he has had a better season than JOC.

Joe Gomez: Liverpool play later but is in the newspapers for rumours of wanting a move away due to lack of playing time. Cheeky loan bid in January?

Keane: Part of a weak Everton defence yet again, giving away a cheap penalty.

Rice: Looked no better than Lundstram this weekend IMHO but has a lot more behind him for his place to be threatened.

--

Southgate was at the Ethihad yesterday, he should be quite worried by what he saw.

Goodness knows how Wilder would have reacted if any of our players made similar mistakes to those listed above.

(By the way, if Baldock was able to finish/make more assists he'd have a real chance of being in the squad if anything happened to TAA or Trippier)

I sincerely want all England players to play well for their clubs, but I think if these trends continue it would be very silly of the FA/Southgate not to cap some of our players to see what they can offer as a defensive unit. The fact that our players know each other really well could be of real benefit for England if we think about building the defense around them.

 

[bromtom]

Baldock won't get called up because of the "strength" down the right England have (although apart from TAA who doesn't play, I think he'd be as good as anyone else, Trippier has freekicks I suppose)

Lundstram was better than Rice today, and Rice was dropped last game, I'd give him a 20% chance of a call up if he has a couple more good games before the break. Chance increases if Henderson, J, picks up a knock in the next couple.

JOC should be in. Absolutely no doubt about it, maybe to make a cameo at the end of the "easier" game. If Mings stays in, JOC has to be.

Henderson should be just behind Pickford based on form, definite inclusion regardless of Heaton's injury status.

Bash outsider to say the least, deserves to be considered, but can't see him getting the call without some kind of defensive crisis for England (other than having a shite defence, which Southgate doesn't seem to think is a crisis)

I don't give a monkey's about England to be honest, but it's good for our players and our club to be recognised, even if they don't play.

 

[Rollerball]

Well at different times in the recent past England has relied upon ex Blades in defence, jags, Harry, kyles the list goes on, I can see a joc- Harry central and would be good for a few years, bash, though he has stepped up pretty well and baldock, I really can't see them dislodging respective players, hendo looks an absolute shoe in for foreseeable future AFTER 2020, billy, I don't think he will get a consideration age etc, lundstram a possibility if he keeps it up for a few more games.
Just my opinion.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

The players in late 20s and above are unlikely to get the call up imo. Its southgate's philosophy which I can sort of agree with. Look at Ashley Barnes for example who (even though he was bobbins yesterday) cant get a call up

 

[FMBlade1]

The players in late 20s and above are unlikely to get the call up imo. Its southgate's philosophy which I can sort of agree with. Look at Ashley Barnes for example who (even though he was bobbins yesterday) cant get a call up

You're probably sadly right. Spain relied on Aduriz for a while and he only made his debut at a similar age. Players should be picked on ability on what they offer the team not potential IMHO.

I'd rather have JOC and Basham and centre back than Keane/Mings and Stones (forgetting Maguire)

If our players were playing for Manchester United at the moment things would be different, c'est la vie

 

[Sharp as a blade]

Baldock has zero chance.

RB / RWB is probably England's strongest position. He's not good enough in the final third to be an England player and I'm a massive fan of his.

Basham equally. Zero chance. As much as I love him he's not good enough on the ball and has a mistake in him

(disclaimer - I also think Michael Keane is dreadful right now and have no idea how he was recently called up)

Oconell - if our defensive record keeps up this is the one I could maybe see. Left footed centre halves aren't that common, he's very consistent, good at defending and good on the ball. Also wins a lot of headers during attacking set pieces.

Henderson - the most likely call up. He was brought in after Heatons injury so cpuld probably already he considered 4th choice. If he carries on the way he is he'll be a regaular call up. Whether he actually plays anytime soon though is a different matter.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Players should be picked on ability on what they offer the team not potential IMHO.
If our players were playing for Manchester United at the moment things would be different, c'est la vie

Depends if you are only concerned with the immediate future or trying to build something for the longer term.

 

[Pinchy]

Baldock has zero chance.

RB / RWB is probably England's strongest position. He's not good enough in the final third to be an England player and I'm a massive fan of his.

Basham equally. Zero chance. As much as I love him he's not good enough on the ball and has a mistake in him

(disclaimer - I also think Michael Keane is dreadful right now and have no idea how he was recently called up)

Oconell - if our defensive record keeps up this is the one I could maybe see. Left footed centre halves aren't that common, he's very consistent, good at defending and good on the ball. Also wins a lot of headers during attacking set pieces.

Henderson - the most likely call up. He was brought in after Heatons injury so cpuld probably already he considered 4th choice. If he carries on the way he is he'll be a regaular call up. Whether he actually plays anytime soon though is a different matter.

The notion that you have to be ‘good enough’ to play for third-rate wank “England” is an amusing one.

 

[KoppedOff]

Henderson will become a squad regular now IMO. Really dont see the point of Heaton when he’s fit; Pickfords clearly his No 1, so why not look to te future and have Hendo with the squad? And as much as it shouldnt matter, being from Man United will only help his cause.

O Connell should be in as well. He’s played that left sided CH position with distinction for nearly 3 and a half years. He’s performing in the PL now; surely he’s got to be in contention for the November squad?

Cant see Basham having any chance. If he was a few years younger, maybe he’d have an outside shot. But its the same argument as Henderson/Heaton; why go with a player in his early 30s when you can pick someone for the long term?

Agree with others on Baldock; simply too much competition. Only way I could see him getting a place is if there were a few injuries and if he keeps his levels up I guess he’d come under consideration but could only see it being as a “making up the numbers” job.

I’d say Lundstram is a long shot, although he does have age on his side which gives him a better chance than Bash/Baldock. Again, if he keeps performing then maybe Southgate fancies a closer look at him and he finds himself being mentioned for a place in one of the “experimental” friendly squads or the training get togethers.

Love the idea of Billy getting the Lambert style late call up and I think we all agree he’s a far better player than he gets credit for, but; he cant even get a game for us at the minute, so why would he be considered for England?

Annoyingly, the one who I genuinely think would be under consideration if he was English would be Enda Stevens. Plays the system, has done for several years and has taken to the PL like a duck to water.

 

[Pinchy]

and if Sharp got a run in the team he could be IMHO (like Defoe, Lambert etc)

The most deluded Bladey Bill noise and nonsense yet, and that’s quite an achievement.

 

[Harry's Game]

If England went back to a back three then JOC is without doubt the best English player playing that role in the Country.

however Southgate seems to have been talked out of playing a back three by the FA coaching gurus as it’s not part of “their system” of having all England teams form youth to senior level play the same way with an orthodox back four.

 

[bartman]

I know plenty on here don't care about the national side, but I feel that recognition and more experience is a good thing for our players and the club.

Henderson, Basham, JOC and Baldock should be in contention.

Lundstram not far behind, and if Sharp got a run in the team he could be IMHO (like Defoe, Lambert etc)

Looking at the time you posted this I assume you were very drunk. If Basham was anywhere near contention the England team would be in a very poor state. Baldock has too many players in front of him and Southgate prefers a back 4 and the same applies to JOC

 

[JackSUFC]

JOC has a chance if he keeps it up. But like it’s been said, England don’t play with a back three.

The rest are nowhere near. Basham and Sharp? Come on. Starting to sound like the S6 lot saying things like that.

 

[Brussblade]

I think Lundstram is now our most likely England player alongside O'Connell.

 

[mancunianblade]

JOC and Henderson should be included, and I'm not saying this because I'm a blade, no chance Basham would ever be considered and same with Baldock too. With regards, Baldock people mentioning TAA and Trippier are ommiting Wan-Bissaka and Walker from their considerations.

 

[Houston_Blade]

JOC might get a shout in the new year, Hendo should be in the squad now each time.

Everyone else, no chance.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

JOC might get a shout in the new year, Hendo should be in the squad now each time.

Everyone else, no chance.

JOC No chance.
I know this because the font of all knowledge Porktalk have a thread about Iorfa getting picked for England.

 

[FMBlade1]

Well everyone has to agree that all their cases were strengthened this week!

 

[diplomat]

England should play with a back three. The Leicester lad at left wing back. Trent AA or Trippier on the right can supply some ammo for Kane. There’s pace and promise in Sterling, Sancho, Hudson, have Mount maybe, an engine midfielder who sits a bit and we could do some damage. IF we play a three then JOC has to be considered.

 

[SwissBlade]

I know plenty on here don't care about the national side, but I feel that recognition and more experience is a good thing for our players and the club.

Henderson, Basham, JOC and Baldock should be in contention.

Lundstram not far behind, and if Sharp got a run in the team he could be IMHO (like Defoe, Lambert etc)

Lundstram has to be closer than Basham and Baldock in my opinion as he's probably a little more what England need

 

[FMBlade1]

That went well.

 

[Sam64]

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Dread England call ups, that's where our players get unsettled and want to move on.........

 

[Wards]

Dread England call ups, that's where our players get unsettled and want to move on.........

Or, while they’re not getting in the squads they want to move to a club where they’ll be looked upon more favourably...it really doesn’t matter either way - if they continue to perform the way they have been then they’ll have their suitors. Plus, we’re sixth in the league

 

[Mojo]

I am glad they havnt been called up. England are wank and its a toxic environment. Southgate is absolutely clueless. And it would only accelerate top clubs taking an intetest in JOC.

 

[Collins Morris]

I am glad they havnt been called up. England are wank and its a toxic environment. Southgate is absolutely clueless. And it would only accelerate top clubs taking an intetest in JOC.

If you think they aren't watching him already your very much mistaken

 

[Badger Blade]

I am glad they havnt been called up. England are wank and its a toxic environment. Southgate is absolutely clueless. And it would only accelerate top clubs taking an intetest in JOC.

It's amazing how things change with England with the euphoria of the World Cup and Southgate seemingly being a breath of fresh air picking players on merit and playing decent football to reverting to type as if Hodgson is back in charge.

Who is really calling the shots because on current form, there's no reason why JOC and Hendo shouldn't be in the squad...but they're not and at least get some rest time rather than getting kicked by some donkeys on dodgy pitches somewhere west of Narnia

 

[Groucho Blade]

JOC, who plays a modern version of Total Football, will not get chosen to play in an old-fashioned back four.

 

[BushBlade]

If JOC gets picked for England and does well, he’ll be off. Be careful what you wish for.