I don't even think that is a cynical thing to say You only need to look at Jack Grealish to see what playing for a big club does for your international chances

What Southgate is doing is trying to instil a squad mentality, instead of it being about individuals In that respect Maguire has always performed well in the squad so I suppose his inclusion is justified. Phillips and Henderson really are just the back ups to Rice and Bellingham anyway. It does beg the question what role, if any, Ward-Prowse is going to have. He's a better player than Henderson these days imo My initial reaction was to be annoyed at them 3 being included, but I really do think it is insignificant. In retrospect the only change I would have made is Ward-Prowse in over Henderson I don't think Henderson will have as good a reception as usual, if he plays at all. I think his recent press interviews are almost a Prince Andrew type moment for him. They were terrible PR; he's shown himself up big style and really has only emboldened the opposition to things like the rainbow laces movement by showing the footballers that lead it really are only in it for themselves when it matters

Most definitely The Venkys are multinational business people, with hands in an industry that is typically 'dirty' anyway, without even factoring in the locations they operate in. They are clearly not afraid to rub shoulders with the wrong kinds of people I just can't see this particular event being anything major to them. £7m is nothing money really; assuming they still own Alexander House it is probably worth more than that now, meaning any loss of Indian assets is really inconsequential to their personal wealth I hope it is a bigger sign of a rift with the Indian government but personally think it will be another one to add to your long list without any real significant benefit to Rovers

I am filing this one under 'storm in a teacup'

Who are these other teams who are finding prolific goal scorers with no money to spend? Enlighten us I mean, you told us he had identified Adams and had a multi-million pound offer on the table before Venkys' intervention. So what do you want from him? It was you who told us this was a fact...now he's out of his depth and bang average? I thought Adams was the answer to our problems?

England squad for the next qualifiers has been announced. He has kept a spot for Henderson, despite playing a shocking standard of football Meanwhile, Maguire and Phillips get a call up...again Southgate does have his weird ways. We will definitely qualify but those 3 spots are frankly wasted

I wouldn't say prime He's gone off the boil lately. Even for Spain his performances have been a bit.....meh

Watched a few highlights of the Saudi "pro" league.............................. There was a slight inkling that this may take off. There's a couple of big-ish names. Laporte surprised me because, like Neves, he was playing international football too However, after seeing some of the frankly comedy levels of goalkeeping and typical standard of footy, I am happy to say it is some way off challenging even the lower leagues of European / South American football

The positioning from Pears for their second goal was nothing short of criminal

Yeah, fair enough. We did to be honest but it's easy to forget given how we went in at half time The missed penalty could have changed it all I guess

I think Hull could be a dark horse this year. They have made some pretty good signings. My head tells me we could lose this one, which will probably be indicative of how our season will go this year. Played 3 with a win, loss and draw. Sounds about right My heart tells me we haven't done too badly against Hull in recent years and it could be one of those games we turn up. We have to start better than we did against Rotherham but that shouldn't be difficult I'd go with the following team Pears Brittain Carter Hyam Pickering JRC Wharton Travis Hedges Ennis Szmodics

Harriet Robson and Mason Greenwood have not long had a child together. She announced this by posting a photo on instagram of all 3 holding hands Harriet was the victim in all of this. She has decided that Mason doesn't deserve charges brought against him. Now, we can all question why, but in the eyes of the law, and we must trust the justice system, he is a free man and is entitled to earn his money It also happens that he is a supremely talented athlete. In this case I don't get the outrage. If Harriet Robson sees fit to continue her life with him then who are we to pass judgement? Lee Hughes played football after being released from jail for killing somebody Throughout the history of the PL there's been a string of sexual assault allegations. Bradley Dack had one of his own.

The football market doesn't end on the borders of the UK though Plenty of supporters in Africa and the Middle East tend to follow the player instead of the team There will be fans of Benzema and Ronaldo who will watch the Saudi league purely to see them two play. When players of that calibre start to join people will watch I still don't think it will compete long term. The FAs of European countries will not allow any player who plays in Saudi to represent their national team. I honestly think it may hurt Neves' chance for Portugal. With the Euros coming up it was a bizarre move to make Nobody can blame the players for taking the money. At the end of the day, a lot of the money splashed about in the Prem comes from equally dirty hands

Can’t believe Milinkovic Savic went! What a disappointing decision. He’s in his peak Though, playing for Serbia means he’s guaranteed his spot. I think that’s how the European leagues will keep their power; limit international appearances for players who go and join a weak league and that should stop the players with ambition going I think that’s why Mbappe chose not to go

Neymar is off to Saudi, in the latest global "superstar" to take a big payout Rumour is £2.5m a week over 2 years, of which he can have 50% up front if he goes The game is ruined

You can see why Bobby Madeley is no longer a premier league ref That man is bloody awful. He lost total control of the game for a little while. Not seen that in professional football for a long while Overall we just weren’t good enough. First half it was slow and just no end quality. Turned it around in the second and honestly thought we’d go on to win Nevertheless, it’s a point gained from a losing position. Something that took us so long to do last year. These things will happen in the Championship and in a notoriously difficult place for us to go we walk away with a point Win at home, minimum draw away and you are in good stead

From the goals conceded you can see why we went straight for another keeper Never seen Hilton play before. But his positioning was awful for the first and his effort to get down for the second was bad Think that could be the last we will see of him

Unfortunately not

I live 100+ miles away but cheers

Is there anyway to watch this game? Message me if you know…..

It was a good performance all round. I did fear the worse coming into it but in JDT you have a coach that can get the most out of any squad Pickering is the weak spot in that back line and he will be targeted. He tried to move in to midfield a lot today, and a couple of times the break came from that left side and we were nearly caught out. It’s not a priority spot but we need better. Overall he had a decent game but he could have cost us a goal Leonard getting into the right positions is a positive. The first miss was a sitter. The second was unfortunate - weaker foot and snatching at it. Confident he can carry on the good form for the season to be honest. He didn’t look out of place and worried some experienced defenders Tronstad had a shaky game and we looked a lot better when Wharton came on. Fuck me we need to keep hold of him. A serious player. How Phillips has gone and we have held on to him is anyone’s guess!! At times he looked careless but that calm nature of his is also his biggest strength. With experience he will cut those bad passes out Great start to the season. A lot of nerves have been settled today

A big, big season for young Harry Leonard begins against a foe as old as the football league itself Founding fathers of league association football and both suffering the same ills of distant, careless owners On Saturday 22nd September 1888 the Baggies played the Rovers and it finished 6-2 to us. More of the same please with Harry bagging a sneaky brace to really kick the debate of "desperate for a striker or not?" off

I have to admit I doubted Crawley going into the series as well He looked a walking wicket. Seems that spot was taken by Labuschagne this series! Crawley impressed. He looked assured and more patient. He looks spectacular when driving on the up, but unfortunately that will be his downfall more often than not. Like when Root got out with the drag-on when trying to play a really late cut - you have to accept them wickets because playing the shots they do scores them a lot of runs Whilst Crawley continues to average nearly 50 he earns the right to play how he wants

Joe Root must be wondering what he has to do in here!!

I was speaking to an old school friend and Baggies fan on Saturday Has a similar tale of woe to us. Talk of losing their exciting goalkeeper to Luton for cheap. I laughed at him at the time, saying it had probably saved us from losing Kaminski. I spoke too soon. But they have lost O'Shea to Burnley for cheap too. No real money to get in players that they desperately need. He doesn't fancy their chances this year The Baggies fans were pretty gobsmacked to hear of the players we have lost without replacing. I think I left them in a better place mentally. They were expecting a seriously tough game. Overall though, I think we edge this game. Home advantage will kick in Rovers 2-1