Reminds me of the England side under, I think, Sven, when Beckham seemed to decide he would have a free role. Southgate and his management have a huge job on their hands. The main thing is to sort out the centre of the midfield. If that, and Harry Kane's free role are sorted out, I think things should fall into place. It's an exceptionally young squad, it seems to me, so I don't expect them to go all the way, but they can do well if the balance is rectified. Edit: I'm undecided but I think I would give the midfield to Rice and Bellingham and ask them to hold their positions and give the forward three licence to push up.

Romania might be a team to watch for. They looked really good against an albeit disappointing Ukrainian side. They kind of played a Liverpool-Klopp style of breaking with pace and no shortage of skill. In that game, at least, their defenders played in a really aggressive and technical way. It's probably harsh to expect much of Ukraine. Their players have been, I think, constantly travelling for their international games, not playing home games in Ukraine - as far as a I know. Also, I believe the players' families are, in some cases, dotted around Europe, even though many have been playing domestic football in Ukraine. I did notice a lot of their players play for Ukrainian clubs, which made me wonder if this is a patriotic choice or, perhaps, a legal stipulation, as, the easier option in terms of practicality, perhaps, would be to move abroad, using their pro athlete exemptions from conscription, which I believe they have.

I do think a Rice-Wharton midfield duo would be very good. Whoever plays, they need a structure. It all felt rather ragged latterly versus Serbia, except for the defence that looked like a collective unit. The rest of the team looked like individuals doing their own thing. The potential is there, if they can hold their nerve, sort out the middle and players like Kane can show some leadership.

Controversial to say here, maybe, but I’m not sure why Southgate’s taken Wharton. I can’t see an important scenario when he comes on. Yesterday’s game made me think that having a DM, even someone on the wane, like Henderson (though, not sure if there’s a better option), would be helpful off the bench, when the team needs a bit of stability and organisation. Maybe, someone, too, with the authority to remind Kane of his core duties as a striker. A lot will rest on Rice, as the starter and basically irreplaceable heart, and; also, Gallagher, who will, no doubt, play a part in every game as the reinforcement sub.

I think Foden hardly touched the ball in the last third, in the second half - most of his work was around the half-way line. Work for Southgate to do to give his flair players a platform to perform.

Some interesting insights into Wharton’s mentality from his agent but overall, a pretty humdrum piece. I don’t think the media are appreciating the extent of Wharton’s achievement in getting into the squad or his potential. I can’t think of another England player who’s had such a meteoric rise without having gone to one of the big clubs. I also don’t know if we’ve seen an English playmaker with Wharton’s potential since Michael Carrick. It can be argued Mainoo and Wharton’s inclusions reflect a shortage of English CMs. And, he won’t, it seems, be involved a lot if Trent and Gallagher are ahead of him. However, I get the impression that the media just aren’t overly interested. For Wharton, it’s probably a good thing. But curious nonetheless.

Learnt recently that Keira Walsh, now of Barcelona and England women, was at Rovers as a youth player. I don’t know how long for but it’s some credit to Rovers men and women teams for developing two midfield passing maestros in Walsh and Wharton. Unfortunately, both left for bigger clubs very soon.

Chrisene and Moran, and, potentially other loanees, are contracted as loan players until end of June - according to the official site. Nothing against them but seems unnecessary extra month in wage contribution/loan fee. I may be missing something here but as the season finished in May, I would have thought that would be the end of their deals.

A difficulty faced by those players was the British football style was direct and physical and teams were like rabbits in headlights when on the international arena and faced by a team that retained possession. All sorts of insecurity crises were played out on the pitch. Some teams resorted to trying to play possession football and suppress the urge to hit cross-field balls (which there was no opening for, because the games were slower) and ended up looking constipated. The shift in the Premier League to possession football, which has gone all the way down the roots, so that youth teams play it, has brought England closer, I think. It could be argued, England have gone too far, and risk abandoning what strengths they had and under utilised. (E.g. We have a top target man forward, so we should play with width, even if others don't). Nevertheless, I would argue, Southgate is benefiting from a major advantage his predecessors didn't necessarily have. Edit: The more I think about it, the more I think that playing with width and some directness could be key to England. It would give them a sense of identity, for a start, rather than vaguely trying to imitate everyone else. There's no need to always go wide but now and again, having a winger or full back whip in crosses and have Kane and Bellingham in the box could open teams up.

An issue might be with leadership on the pitch to organise the team, especially, at pressure moments. Kane is the captain and there's experienced club captains in the side in Walker and Trippier, if he plays, but I don't think there are many outstanding leaders there. It might not be necessary if the players click and the opposition are simply blown away by the ability of the star players. On the other hand, if things do get difficult, Southgate and his management will have to step up. This might especially be the case considering some of the players, especially, from City and Arsenal are so used to looking to the touchline for instruction.

Fair point and looking at the stats, it seems Foden started 33 league games. That said, he does get moved around the pitch by Pep, which I don't believe helps him. Though, arguably, in the long-term, it may develop his game. I feel a little disappointed that Maddison has been cut from the squad, with, it seems players like Palmer and Eze preferred. Without having watched him that much, he strikes me as a big personality who could potentially have what it takes to carry the responsibility of England's attack. That said, he has struggled with injuries this season. I do feel that personality and readiness to seize the moment is something that we've lacked in the past and I wonder if Maddison has that in his character, as well as the creative talent. However, it's not to be.

I agree that Foden is underrated and one of the reasons is that he doesn't play consistently due to squad rotation at City. For me, he should probably be central and must start. He'd probably do a job on the left but with his ability to shoot from range and to turn on the ball, I think he can carry the attack - if he rises to the mental challenge with all the pressure. It does raise issues with fitting everyone else in but I think I would start there. I also don't think it's ideal to have Rice as the DM; he's probably better going forward. However, there isn't an obvious other candidate in the squad.

I'm not sure there is the talent in the Championship for that. An interesting one, though, is Leif Davis, who's Ipswich's left back and was the top assist maker in the league last season with 18 assists, apparently, a historical record. We are short of left backs but I'm not sure if he was ever in the running. I can't comment because I haven't watched him. I think Dewsbury-Hall will play for England one day but understandable that, at the moment, the Prem midfielders are preferred.

Yes, Leipzig and Salzburg, who are owned by Red Bull, who also have added minority share ownership in Leeds to their portfolio. The question seems to be about whether an owner has "decisive influence" over more than one club, as to whether UEFA will allow them to compete in a competition. In the case of Red Bull, some people were removed from key positions and some financial and commercial ties were amended or dropped at Salzburg and that seems to have satisfied UEFA. The legal standard is "comfortable satisfaction" , I read, rather than "beyond reasonable doubt." Without knowing too much about it, it seems, as long as the clubs look independent, then that is enough. Whether they are actually operating independently maybe a different matter.

If I am not mistaken, just over 12 months ago, he was behind Tyler Morton in the pecking order. I think what Palace have picked up on is that currently, at least, he is not a defensive midfielder. He plays as a metronome but needs energetic midfielders around him who’ll do a big share of the dirty work.

Remember, Phillips was playing regularly for Plymouth, on loan, who were fellow relegation contenders. And he won their young player of the season award. This is yet another advantage Prem clubs have. They can get loan moves for their young players at decent levels.

It's probably difficult due to employment laws, but I really think some tax should be placed on player/manager transfers from newly promoted clubs and those already in the league. It's hard enough with the difference in revenues between leagues but if you lose your manager or key players, it can be a hammer blow. And, with the trend of the financial gap, it seems like it will almost become more frequent. It makes me wonder what Rovers fate would've been had Souness, Duff, Dunn or Jansen been poached after promotion. You never know what might've happened and there are sometimes surprise improvements after managers and players leave, but the morale would've taken a huge blow. Edit: Although, in all likelihood, such a move would be an ineffectual sticking plaster on a structural problem.

He's had a really good season for Liverpool, though, not sure how he did during their end of season collapse. I think he's left back cover, as he has played there very effectively for Liverpool this campaign. He went through a really bad spell of form a year or so back, so the only question is his mental toughness. Otherwise, he's deserved in the squad. Looking at the forward talent, Southgate's job is to give them a foundation to express themselves and surely, England will do well. I think the key will be getting Foden on the ball centrally, as he has done for Man City. Guardiola has, I feel, restricted Foden by moving him around and dropping him. But, it was notable, for the run-in, when the pressure meant he couldn't tinker (self-indulgently, sometimes, in my humble opinion), Foden, Silva and De Bruyne played pretty much every match. I would also keep Bowen in the final squad, if he can replicate his direct and brave style of play that he has for West Ham. He could be the 'secret' weapon off the bench.

If I recall rightly, Fielding was promoted from the England U21s, after a senior goalkeeper dropped out. The England manager at the time opted to promote internally, rather than get someone new in from outside the two squads. Just from memory, mind you.

Very impressive from Adam Wharton. I felt the initial praise after his move was too much, especially, given he was making some notable defensive errors in the midst of fine passing displays. However, there's no doubt that his partnership with Will Hughes has helped Palace transform. It makes me wonder why Rovers didn't get more out of Wharton. It's true that football becomes easier with better players supporting you but given Wharton's now evident level, I feel we didn't get the most out of him, especially, against lesser players. I wonder if part of the issue was failing to find a Will Hughes type player to partner him. The brief highlights I've seen of Palace recently suggest that Wharton plays as a double pivot with Hughes, with the latter slightly more defensive. Hughes's energy and bite complements Wharton's more languid style and attacking minded instinct. Perhaps, Rovers played him too deep. Not sure. He'll have a job to make the final 26-man squad, when its cut down in June but clearly a huge achievement for him. Credit to Rovers academy and the player himself - and such a shame that Rovers didn't hold onto him for another year. That said, given the dire straits the team and club are in, I could easily imagine us continuing to struggle, even with him in the team.

Interesting article about recruitment staff at Rovers from two years ago which gives a run down of the various individuals responsible and their career history. I have no idea how such departments work, though, I understand, increasingly, there is emphasis on data for recruitment and as one of the staff are quoted to say in the article: “I basically use data to try and identify players that we haven’t been able to look at due to resources.." What surprises me a bit is that our then Head of European Scouting came to the club via a relatively short spell at Hibernian, as well as Cheltenham and AFC Fylde. I suppose that must emphasise how much these roles are data based (and, perhaps, outsourced to scouting agencies) because clearly he must lack experience and contacts, however talented he is in the role. Article: https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2022/december/19/the-team-behind-the-team-/ Edit: Also surprised to read the comment from the Head of UK Scouting, Tom Sutton, at the time that at a point in summer 2022, the Rovers UK scouting team consisted of him and Gregg Broughton, until they recruited scouts and others.

Matty Pearson has climbed back up the league since leaving Rovers. Also Andy Fisher (Swansea GK) and Flavien Boyomo of Real Valladolid, though, I read that Rovers earned a sell-on fee for Fisher and, I think, Boyomo might've rejected Rovers offers to go to Albacete. A concern for me would be that Rovers reserve goalkeepers Eastham and Hilton can't seem to get league club loan moves with games. A higher standard is probably needed for them to progress. We definitely need them to progress to provide more competition for the senior goalkeepers.

I'm thinking less about nationality but scouting and recruitment directly from Ireland and Scotland youth football. The likes of Bloxham, Finneran and Gilsenan haven't played youth football in Ireland, as far as I know. Not sure about Atcheson, or the others from elsewhere. There was more of an emphasis on bringing in players from Ireland and Scotland into the academy and reserve system before and we reaped quite a lot of benefit in the likes of Duff and Hanley and to a lesser extent players like Treacy, Judge and Douglas. There is less emphasis now in that area, which makes me wonder if old scouting ties have been ended. However, it could be that, also, other clubs have muscled into what is probably a small pool, relatively speaking. It could also be that there is more concern about moving young players as teenagers so far from home - not sure. In our Prem days, Rovers went on a major recruitment drive for youth players from the Continent and I think, basically, none of them broke through. (And then there was the separate Cercle Brugge tie-up that also didn't get anywhere in terms of recruitment though, I'm sure that wasn't the only objective of the deal). Edit: Just reading on Wikipedia, one of those players in the failed European youth player recruitment drive was Hugo Fernandez, a defender. And, it was that connection between his old club Cornella, that, later, led to David Raya coming to Rovers - a rare success in that type of recruitment, I think.

The club used to recruit youth players widely from Scotland and Ireland, especially. It was how we got Duff, Hanley, Treacy, Alan Judge, Jon Douglas, etc. That seems to have mostly halted, though there are some occasionally brought in. I wonder if investment in that sort of scouting would be beneficial, though, I'm sure the competition is fierce and likely the pool not huge.

I was surprised that he spoke highly of Grella as a tough and technical player without referencing his injury problems. I'm surprised, also, to hear how eager Warnock was to leave Liverpool. It sounds like he was shafted by management by being left out of the Champions' League final squad, as his name was put on the list but then he was told there had been an error and Josemi replaced him. Maybe, Djimi Traore starting at left back frustrated him too, though they got the win, in the end. However, In the interview, I don't think he even hints of any regret at leaving his boyhood club, Champions' League winners and the manager, Benitez, who gave him his opportunity at Liverpool. Rovers were a promising team but not Liverpool, with Gerrard near his best. Strange - though, I'm sure there's more to the story for things to have soured so badly. Moreover, I guess that Liverpool also were ready to let him go because they had Riise and then they brought in Fabio Aurelio.