I don’t understand the Welbeck call up, but let’s face it he won’t be played maybe just their for experience given how young the squad is. Would have preferred to give even Sturridge a go, he had a good pre season or Wilson like you say...Deeney or Gray. I think Shaw has had a good start to the season, as Southgate said he has shown desire and fight in a poor Man Utd team, I think he’s done well. Lallana? I liked him as a player but he can’t justify a call up over Madders, Phoden or Sancho. Again only reason can be experience. Southgate did say something about having a young squad and not wanting to it to be too young but as the old adage goes “if your good enough your old enough”. Loftus Cheek is there because there is a lack of box to box midfielders like him and for me he is good enough to be there, even though like you say he can’t get in the Chelsea team somehow. I’d have liked Wilshere to be brought in but Wet Sham have hardly set the world alight. Glad to see Gomez back in and I think he will play in a back three in Walker’s position. Would be a shame to see stripper get dropped for Walker on the RWB but I can see that happening.
I can understand Welbeck's inclusion - he's versatile and does turn up for England. He's an option up front, slightly deeper or in a wider role and will still be vaguely effective. His record in an England shirt is very good. Loftus-Cheek has been completely screwed by Chelsea, I don't think it's his fault and it'd be unfair to hold it against him when he fills a niche in the England squad. Lallana hasn't had a chance to establish himself at Liverpool again since his injury. Madders, Gunn,Sancho, Foden, Sessegnon, Chilwell - I think Southgate is very aware of the benefits that his current crop had from playing together for a while at U21 level. There's no point disrupting that when there isn't a massive hole in the senior team. It makes more sense to give the likes of Shaw a second look - players who are still young enough to play a big role for England in the next decade. These aren't important fixtures after all.
Champions League Groups A, B and C look a bit tasty! As usual Bayern get an easy draw. Man City got very lucky. Ronaldo Vs Man United is a nice little draw. Group stage draw in full: Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge. Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan. Group C: Paris St-Germain, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade. Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray. Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens. Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim. Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen. Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys.
WHY couldn't the first team have displayed some of the same passion and desire last Saturday???? From Iwan's article in today's EDP - 'Tuesday night Norwich gave a very experienced Cardiff side a lesson on how to play with energy and with a high tempo, how to move the ball quickly and full of purpose and how to counter attack quickly when the opportunity shows itself.'
I know Rusty's best days are behind him but he has served my club well over the years. I feel a bit sad that his contract has been terminated. Thanks for the memories and good luck Russ. OTBC
"Meanwhile, Norwich City have released defender Russell Martin, 32, after 278 league appearances in eight years with the club." Gutting. I'm sure he would have been great around the place for the young and foreign lads. Really low on players who know what the club is about, love the club, and knows exactly what the Derby coming up means.
Yea, came on here to paste the line I just saw, and noticed you'd posted the news. Sad news, hey? Thought he'd retire here and start working as a youth coach.
He has been praised by managers past and present for his work with the youngsters. The "by mutual consent" makes me wonder who's idea it was.
If he still feels good enough and fit enough to play, I'm guessing he has gone to Webber. Said he's happy to terminate to save the club the wages, and so he can find another club and play football while he still can. I hope he comes back after he retires.
F Yeah!!!!! We played Lewis a few times and he gets called up for one of the Irelands Give Max his chance = getting involved in England youth squads! This is what we need to keep doing! Todd and Ben will be next! Start using Idah. He'll get a call up by Christmas!
