I was away on holiday for the Brentford game so cant comment on it but fair enough. I did hear that he played as a 10 on here which obviously is a no go with Dack returning, is that true? He was poor wide v Bristol, albeit he wasnt on his own with a poor performance, he was ineffective until being moved centrally v Reading, and didnt do much v Ipswich and Millwall. I feel like, with his versatility there is a bit of a question mark as to where he is best. Not doubting that he will be an important player but I feel like if he performs as he did wide last season, he wouldnt merit a place out wide as he didnt contribute nearly enough going forward, goals and assists, for all the credit he got about his character, personality, work rate, committment etc. Arguably his best spell of form was at right back, followed by central midfield. The reason I was particularly dissappointed was that the half season under Mowbray prior, he contributed quite a few brilliant goals. Armstrong was superb playing wide last season. Sadly we failed to address our lack of natural width in the summer and have no one with Armstrongs pace. He was really poor v Bristol but played a 10 role that didnt suit him, in fact hes not played wide from memory this season bar briefly v Millwall. My tactical discipline comment was based on Smallwoods comments about what he wants from his central midfielders. Bennetts natural instinct is to chase the ball round like a dog and his work rate is fantastic but that sort of performance would probably expose the centre backs too much.

How could Southgate have addressed it in the summer? How arent France anything special? World Cup Winners and quality in literally every position. And so much depth in every position. You wouldnt swap Varane, Kante, Mbappe and Griezemann for basically anyone in world football.

What hyperbole that is. Henderson was as good as anyone in an England shirt at the world cup. A key player to give experience to what is otherwise a young side. Didnt have his best game tonight but neither did anyone really, especially Kane. Which brings me on to your other point. It was a side that did well in the summer and is very young. Didnt we have one of if not the youngest sides in the tournament? And he brought in only Joe Gomez and Luke Shaw. Bottled it? Regressed? Pack it in. Our problem is in the centre of midfield, Henderson is the only natural central midfielder and for me the balance is slightly off. Against big teams I think we need only 1 of Lingard and Alli and someone next to Henderson. Dier is shite so id have someone like Will Hughes who is tidy in possession. But thats a problem area, Foden has done nothing to suggest picking him bar doing well at youth football so lets not get carried away. Either way, we simply dont have the personnel to dominate against teams like Spain centrally who have such resources. Busquets, Saul, Thiago, Isco etc all top top class. Pickford should have done better for the first, I dont think he is the best keeper, yes he made the save in the shootout v Colombia and hes excellent on the ball but he makes so many mistakes for all the hype.

No i know he wont but its the team I would pick, not the team I expect he will pick. Bennett would probably play in the 2 away games but at home against a team with defensive issues I feel like we should be on the front foot. I dont think he will drop Smallwood either. Surely the home game is the one that Graham is best suited to. For me, the shirt belongs to Graham for now, id consider rotating him midweek if need be.

I think youve misunderstood my point clearly. I defended him because you wrote him off as a "show pony" without end product, when he has already scored 3 goals. I also felt you were focusing on him too much in what was a generally terrible team performance. All that said, Id like to see Rothwell and Armstrong, who was at least as bad as Palmer but he gives us pace that no one can match. Why have you dropped Graham, who was far more effective against Bristol City? I disagree, thats Corry Evans. Maybe harsh but more a tactical change, and not convinced he has the tactical discipline in central midfield. Hes obviously all action, running everywhere.

Think Waggott has made it abundantly clear where he ranks supporter happiness as a priority in the grand scheme of things.

Going to be a game asking questions of both teams character after suffering similar thrashings and having to stew over them over the international break. Villa made some very eye catching signings such as Bolasie and Abraham who could really hurt us. As mentioned in the very good preview above they are really short in defence so we need to get at them from the off. Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams Reed Evans Armstrong Dack Rothwell Graham Subs: Leutwiler, Downing, Bell, Davenport, Bennett, Palmer, Brereton Probably a tiny bit harsh to drop Smallwood from the squad but I feel like Reed and Davenport deserve a chance after his really poor spell of form. Left back choice is 50/50 but Williams is slightly more defensive, and with 2 shields in front of that defence, I dont think theres a need for a defensive winger as we are at home.

Looks like Southgate disagrees

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16694134.smallwood-on-rovers-boss-central-midfield-expectations/?ref=mac Find this to be a very strange interview, and not one that suggests that Smallwood will be dropped any time soon. “I think me and Corry are playing quite well together at the minute and long may it continue.” Maybe he has different standards to us. Corry Evans as an individual has been as good as anyone this season, whereas Smallwood has been far, far below the standards his midfield partner has set, both on and off the ball. “He likes you to be in certain positions when we’re attacking to recycle the attacks and break up the play in case they try and break out." He also said this is what Mowbray wants, which is possibly why I don't see Rothwell playing that role any time soon. (That said, having 2 players of this ilk surely give you the freedom to not always have to use a "defensive winger" That said, Reed and Davenport had very productive spells at this level in this role last season, and this is where Rodwell made his name, albeit many, many, years ago, therefore there is no reason why Smallwood should start v Aston Villa. He will get his chance again but with the added quality we have in this position, its time for Smallwood to be removed for the time being.

He played Gomez a couple of times before he got injured and clearly rates him. As much as Walker and Trippier individually are 2 of our key players, you'd be disappointed to be on the bench behind a right back playing your position. Nations League games may be built up as more important than friendlies, even though the system is immensely confusing, but this has to be the time for slight experimentation, and Rose has been really poor in the last year.

More about his injury "frutration" so I presume the most relevant bit is to come about his court appearance.

Not sure that Southgate will break up the trio of Henderson as a pivot with Alli and Lingard slightly ahead. My main worry with that trio is a lack of ability to control and dictate, it is very progressive, but Dier certainly doesnt improve that.

The lack of depth is galling. As much as we would like to say, Rashfords not playing well enough, we cant turn our nose up on someone with his attributes when beyond him and Kane, we have absolutely no one of any quality. So I definitely agree that he needs to be involved, but I think id start with Alli and Lingard getting in support of Kane. The thing with international football is your dealt with the players you have. We have 2 top class right wing backs, so theres that temptation to stick one in an unfamiliar position. Whereas we have such a dearth of talent in other positions, notably up front. Fair enough on picking your team, rather than what you think will be played. Not sure I agree on Lewis Cook. Has talent and is neat and tidy but has not been in the first 11 for Bournemouth this season. Will Hughes is only 23, has played a key part in an excellent start to the season for Watford, and I find it baffling that, with such a lack of depth, that I've not seen his name mentioned.

Presume an explanation of his conduct leading to another court appearance is to come, rather than blissful ignorance.

Not sure what Marcus Rashford has done to deserve a place over Jesse Lingard, bar headbutt Phil Bardsley. If Rashford is to play as a direct Sterling replacement, then surely out of Dier, Alli and Lingard, the latter is the least deserving of removal from the starting 11. Views on Will Hughes potentially being in the squad?

Sickening? Talk about hyperbole. He chose a regular place at a club he professes to be his boyhood team, rather than a move to potentially be a squad player at a club wracked with history but very much a shadow of the club they used to be, albeit they have signed Higuain. How on earth can you enforce such a rule? As much as I appreciate @speeeeeeedie and his point about experiencing different cultures, mainly tactical for me, the situation has to be right, the club, the player. They need to be playing, the club needs to really want them and the player needs to believe in what he is doing too. From our 4 Champions League teams, but just like the big clubs across Europe, only the very best young talent will get a chance. City have Stones and Sterling playing regularly, Liverpool have Joe Gomez and Alexander-Arnold, and Chamberlain pre-injury, Tottenham have Kane, Trippier, Alli, and they had Winks semi-regular before his injuries, United have Shaw and Lingard, Rashford does need a move but I'm still unconvinced by him. Regarding tomorrow, I think Gomez and Shaw should come in, Walker to play v Spain and Trippier against Switzerland. Sterling's absence is a blow, and with an absence of other quality attackers, I would play Alli and/Lingard just off Kane, further forward than at the World Cup, and bring in another central midfielder. That would have been Will Hughes if he had been picked.

I imagine him, Maguire and Stones will be the central 3 which begs the question; Walker or Trippier?

Whilst i get that it can makes a refreshing change, im unconvinced that the players who have moved abroad have been the success stories as portrayed in the media. For all the hype surrounding Sancho and Lookman for example, in particular Sancho, they have failed to start very many games. Similar with Reece Oxford, his career has stagnated, and wasnt Nathaniel Chalaboh at Napoli in an unsuccessful spell without barely featuring, before signing for Watford and playing regularly pre injury.

Think he signed a 3 year deal.

Bennett and Rothwell seem to be the 2 most likely that people think should be chosen to replace Smallwood centrally alongside Evans but I think Harrison Reed should start v Aston Villa. Played plenty of games there which is his natural position last season for Norwich, and both tidy in possession and full of energy and tenacity from what ive seen and heard.

As boring as the squad is, most of the squad deserved to be called up again following the World Cup. Theres no need for 4 keepers, and the likes of Lallana before his injury, Rose, Delph and Welbeck could justify a call up. Even Rashford but for a total absence of strikers, making Vardys situation even more puzzling. Im not sure who could have been included. There are plenty of calls for the likes of Foden, Lookman and Sancho but none of them are playing much senior football. For all the praise Sancho gets for joining Dortmund, he doesnt play very often, nor will Lookman this season, and Foden needed a loan spell, he will barely kick a ball in anger this at City. Sessegnon could maybe deserve a shout for that left wing back role behind Shaw but hes not a guaranteed starter at Fulham anymore and has had form issues. Maddison and Demarai Gray have impressed in the first few games but im unsure if theyve either done enough to get an England call, or if theyd fit into the formation and way Southgate plays. Mason Mount as a wildcard shout following his form at Vitesse? Lewis Cook would certainly be more deserving than Fabian Delph but again, like Sessegnon, this season hes seemingly fallen out of favour. Ben Chilwell? Maybe. The one who for me hasnt been mentioned but deserved a place is Will Hughes. I think the pool is so small. But i wouldnt have called up Bettenelli, Delph, Rose, Lallana, Welbeck. And I would have called up Dunk, Chilwell/Sessegnon, Hughes, Mount and Ive literally no clue on another striker. A choice of Welbeck, Deeney and Wilson shows exactly how weak we are in that area. Danny Ings maybe?!

Raya definitely should be at least dissapointing/poor play for the first as it was at his side. And the third was horrendous keeping (as well as defending) Mulgrew on 22 minutes was pushed in the back hence the whistle being blown so unfair to put down as terrible play. @Bigdoggsteel whilst I get what you are saying to an extent I feel that Mulgrews defensive capabilities, including aerielly are overlooked due to him being so capable on the ball as well. The Boro defence you quote (although Randolph is keeper) is very much an extreme case in that Pulis always plays centre backs or tall players at full back. There are plenty of natural full backs under 6 foot in this league. At centre back, Mulgrew is 6ft3 and Lenihan 6ft1 and a half. And the latter is very much an old fashioned type of centre back. On Sunday we failed to protect them, 1 on 1 repeatedly they may struggle but they shouldnt be left in that situation. 3 clean sheets in 6 games is a healthy record. Theres more than one way to skin a cat even if you dont share my view that both are pretty good in the air. Leeds are joint top and theyve played a full back in Berardi at centre back (Bielsa often picks other positions at centre back to add composure) ahead of man mountain Pontus Jansson.

Saying that Lenihan is a converted midfielder is doing him a slight disservice as much as it is true. Hes never a central midfielder and looked out of his depth when played there. His main weakness is on the ball, hes pretty good in the air, hes brave, hes definitely a centre back and should never be used in midfield again. He struggled to hold a place over the likes of Lowe and Akpan, it was when he was moved back (something that isnt alien to him coming through the ranks) that he stepped up a notch or 2. Mulgrews ball playing style takes away from the fact that hes a very capable defender, and physically on numerous occasions came to the forefront last season. He obviously was far more versatile when younger at Celtic but I'm sure Celtic fans said when he can here that hes a good signing but only as a centre back. Apparently had some shockers in Europe and for Scotland in midfield. Pulis likes having essentially 4 centre backs as a back 4. Always has done. Mowbray showed a lot of loyalty in the summer handing out contracts and never straying from saying that new signings were to help the players who got us promoted. That said, I do hope over the season that loyalty alone doesnt hold much weight. Smallwood has for me already ran out of credit in terms of starting, Reed and Davenport potentially both deserve a chance before Smallwood is obviously given another start. Bennett still has some credit in the bank and has had a couple of impressive performances, especially v Brentford but I do expect him to improve in an attacking sense.

My point was, I would imagine many viewers of foreign football in England are casual, hence the lack of take up now that we have to pay extra to access it. Hardcore fans or fans of specific Italian and Spanish teams will end up subscribing to Eleven Sports, and if necessary, finance permitting at the expense of Sky Sports and BT. Your problem is an inability to show empathy to anyone with different needs or from a different perspective, as shown by your views on the Darwen End Closure, IMO. If English football was moved to Eleven Sports and Spanish had remained on Sky, we would both have probably had to bite the bullet and get Eleven Sports, and if it was too costly, remove Sky Sports or BT to make way. I share your skepticism towards streaming games and am not a fan of it. I hope @J*B is wrong in his prediction that within 5 to 10 years we will all be streaming matches as most if you gave them the choice would watch on tv as they do now. But sadly if thats the only place where its available then that id what will happen.

Agreed. I think in terms of summer recruitment, all 3 of the 7 players to have started a game since signing (Palmer, Rothwell and Armstrong) have shown signs that they can contribute, and on paper, I think in terms of individual quality, most should be able to have an impact on our season. But it isnt quality I have potential doubts over, it is the balance of the recruitment. Going into the summer, we needed a centre back to push the main 2 we have, we needed width, we needed a couple of attackers, we needed someone to come into central midfield, and we needed someone to take the creative burden off Dack. In signing 7 players, 3 of whom are defensive midfielders, 2 of whom are natural centrally attacking players and 2 of whom are forwards, we have addressed quite a few of the above needs, but not all of them, suggesting a slight imbalance in our dealings. Ideally we could have signed a winger and a centre back aswell as the above, giving us a very healthy squad, something which I presume wasnt beyond the realms of possibility if we was chasing Chapman on deadline day. If not, then surely at least one of the 3 defensive midfielders could have been sacrificed. I personally think that Mulgrew and Lenihan are better in the air than you have given them credit for, and I wouldn't be in any rush to replace them in the starting 11, fitness permitting, anytime soon. That said, we certainly need more options in that area than we currently have.