Is it time for the old “ Private Eye “ joke again ? The England plane is on the tarmac, the players are coming down the steps, the pilot says ‘ Shall I leave the engines running lads ? “ Poor game, walking football again. It was crying out for Wharton to unlock their defence. Stones was poor on the goal, as was the keeper. Foden can’t run the show at international level. He’s waiting for things to happen, you’ve got to be a ball magnet in that position. All the wingers we had out there just kept coming inside and running into heavy traffic. Southgate out.

Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love

Henry the Eighth.

Southgate likes Saka so I think he could start. Personally I’m not his biggest fan. He can murder second rate teams/players but when it’s the big boys he can be found wanting too often.

And then you get Everton talking about £60 to £80 million for Branthwaite who didn’t even make the cut ! Who will win you more games - Wharton or Branthwaite ?

Barring accidents I think that could well be our starting line up.

He’s been stifled at City, he’s completely lost his natural game.

Southgate can see what we can see. The lad can change defence into attack with one pass and he can do it consistently. What was it the other night, 36 successful passes out of 36 ! This is at international level after coming on as a sub on his debut. Players who can do that in the modern game are golden. If he was Spanish he’d be playing every game.

Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him

The Newbeats - Bread And Butter

Gallagher ? Just a spear carrier like Phillips was.

I think he’ll come back up here. City or United.

So did we, but not everybody was listening.

He won’t be at Palace this time next year. If he impresses at the Euros he might not even be there next season. Given the current fad for playing out from the back players like Wharton are worth their weight in gold.

Definitely, he’s a one off. We haven’t got anybody else who can do what he does.

Maldini playing in a blindfold.

You mean at Ewood Park ? Good idea.

Barney Ronay has a good article on the City fiasco in my paper today.

That’s my hope has well. If they can no longer finance the club it’s game over.

Evie Sands - Take Me For A Little While

That Maguire- Shaw/Trippier flank is where teams will have some joy against us.

Foden reminds me of Carney when he was here. Excellent out wide but nowhere near as effective when he was given the responsibility of being the playmaker in the midfield. Doing it for City is one thing, doing it at international level is another issue altogether.

Gallagher is just a better Robbie Savage.

Hill was a good loan signing.

Let’s hope so.