Branthwaite gets his England debut in Newcastle

I find it strange that he selected Branthwaite for the last set of friendlies and didn't give him a minute and, with only one friendly left after tonight before the Euros start, it seems Branthwaite is just there to make up the numbers.

The good thing is he won't get injured playing for England and he will be fit and raring to go come the start of the season. But on a personal note, if he doesn't get any minutes tonight he will be very disappointed.

A manager who can't get the best out of Foden definitely needs stuffing. Southgate is yet to do it.

He is blessed with a nucleus of class players that England haven't had for many years. He just listens to the press and the idiots at Sky most of the time.

Like Rob Page, Southgate has access to a set of good, young, attacking-minded players that previous managers have rarely had access to. But both managers manage very pragmatically, favouring a strong defensive foundation, rather than going on the offensive. The football is rarely inspired.

But both have also achieved results which have rarely been matched by predecessors, so can rightly argue that they're fulfilling the remit set by their bosses.

From the outside looking in, I do think Southgate is harshly treated by the English fans. He's revitalised the national side, reunited the side with the fans, when historically it's been hard to like the England team, because of dickhead players and awful rah-rah fans you just want to slap.

But I also think it's time for him to go, because there's little more for him to achieve, and it would be interesting to see a more attack-minded coach take charge of the players you have.

If I was Jarrad, I'd tell him "Listen, I'm off home for a rest and a holiday you numpty."

Dunk picked before Jarrad? What the fuck? Anyone watch him against Belgium? He was crap!

I'd be surprised if Jarrad actually went to the Euros.

He would be a fool not too with Maguire and Shaw injured and off form.

Some good old-fashioned anti-England Home Championship evils from Rob Jones there.

What are "awful rah-rah fans"?

Oh yeah, it's the friendlies I hate, the relentless, meaningless fucking dirges that got my late granddad a cap at the age of 92 under Sven.

Why not bring back the home international competition, which Northern Ireland have held the title for generations?

Bring back competitive football where the Celts can kick the almighty fuck out of England and bring an edge to football.
It was a wonderful tournament where I saw George Best beat Scotland on his own when Evertonians David Clements scored the winner in. 1-0 win.

In fact, have Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland Ireland and Merseyside have a competition.

I can tell…

The paint is edging it so far.

It's players like Jarrad who actually need testing. Harrogate wanker.

Bramley Moore, on the other hand, is the jewel of the crown of what Joseph Conrad called the world's greatest waterfront.

Very harsh yellow for Jarrad.

Agree with many about the Home Internationals, just add The Republic of Ireland to the mix... job done!

And of course he was suspended for the Burnley game.

Too much of a risk… drop him, Gareth.

No mention by Southgate either.

Not one mention of Branthwaite drawing two defenders away from Kane for his goal – or not a single misplaced pass from him.

I'd like to see Branthwaite start the next game; if Dunk or Maguire get the nod before Branthwaite for the 26, I give up.

Branthwaite comes on, one header, criticism right away. He's inexperienced, he needs more experience, but he'll learn.

Learn so he's as good as cart-horse Dunk, oh okay.

I did like Eze early on but Gallagher is not up to snuff and is no better than Garner.

On reflection, it was a disjointed performance against an unrated team and obviously needs huge improvement to do well at the Euros.

Here's a conspiracy theory, the man in the moon ate all the green cheese. Now I don't believe in conspiracy theories, but if the man in the moon isn't in residence then who the fuck ate it?

Sure you'd take the partnership of Everton's even if you thought likely they'd be back-up to Stones and Maguire when comparing other non-existent and equally inexperienced options (at international level) of Dunk and Guehi.

The fact they have had so many clean sheets in a crap team is phenomenal and they also play with England's Number 1, it's unbelievable they're not, at minimum, 3rd and 4th picks for England centre-back.

If I had to pick one Everton centre-back to go to the Euros currently, it would be Tarkowski… but any normal manager would surely take both.

But clearly Southgate's selections are bewildering. For several years, fans and pundits have said Liverpool need to invest in a decent centre-back alongside Van Dijk. So how the guy failing to hold down that place behind the guy failing to perform is somehow in the England squad is beyond me.

As for Gallagher, yeah, he stood out at Crystal Palace with his long hair and some nice 30-yarders but, in that respect, he's a modern Jimmy Bullard and no more. Saka has proven himself over time but it's only now Southgate seems to be giving a chance to his Northern contemporary Foden.

Meanwhile, the likes of Dier and Winks have amassed more caps than Josh Wander on the basis they play for Tottenham.

He smiled and rubbed his forehead and the other guy went down like he had been hit by the jib of a crane. I never stop liking him.

Well done, lad!

Paul Ferry @47. No! A pile of Dunk.

Time for bed.

Watching him trying to tactically process Croatia and Italy taking over the game in recent tournaments was painful. Blimey, this isn't good, shit a goal, get stretching Jordan.

As for Trent, he sounds like a pop star and as a right back he plays like one.

Years ago, I read an article the FA had called in some kind of NFL psychologist to assess the mentality of players. The idea being that in the NFL they believe that being a winner is partly mental.

Anyway, the NFL shrink said Southgate would never have been picked in the NFL because of his overly negative and defeatist outlook. This article made headlines after his penalty miss in 1996.

Watching his meek surrender to Italy, Croatia, and France, it's evident that he still has the mentality of the Monty Python character Arthur Pewtey who, among other things was cuckolded by Eric Idle before God dropped a 100-ton weight on him to punish him for his submissiveness.

Had no idea, seriously. I guess that's how important it was...

I'm sure it means a lot for Jarrad, so pleased for him.

Andy Crooks, yes. I would like to see the introduction of the Home Nations competition, with the inclusion of Eire.

It would be far more meaningful than these pointless friendlies.

I'd probably be rooting for Northern Ireland!!

I can understand players wanting to play for their country but, for me, keep them at home, get them rested (mind and body) and prepared for the next season ahead.

I'd say England have been in the highest tier for a few years now but there definitely still seems to be too much caution in their makeup and this looks like it stems from the manager.

Even if they or an individual has been poor for a game, they get picked next match if fit. It must be discouraging for fringe players who know they are better but have little chance of getting a sniff.

Brian W @ 2, you will be pleased to learn, the the Ragman's Trumpet Vaseline Order to Mr G Southgate was eventually cancelled, due to his late inclusion of Jarrad! :-)

I think the future England manager wished he had kept his mouth shut because the rest of the dressing room were in bulk laughing at Collymore's response!!

The Jocks, the Irish, the Northern Irish and the Taffs will fanatically support their teams to the ends of the earth. The Dutch, the Germans and virtually every other country in Europe get right behind their teams. The South Americans are passionate and I personally know two Yanks who would step on their mothers' graves to see the US of A lift the World Cup.

I originally thought it was a Scouse thing ("We're not English"), but this hostility comes from Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds too. Even here in die-hard middle England, there is growing apathy and resentment towards the national team.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the Euros. It'll be so nice to watch football without the panic attacks or fear of heart attack. I'm looking forward to casting a discerning eye over Europe's elite.

Here's the scary thing; I think "We'll" win it.

Like you,I have never understood why we don't back our national team the way other countries do. I know some fans think England play too many games in London but most national teams play in their capital cities.

As for the game itself, I can never understand why England players under various managers never seem to play with the pace and intensity that they play at every week in the Premier league. Last night, for the last 30 minutes, they did up the pace and the intensity.

I also think we have a great chance of winning the Euros but only if Southgate makes them play the way they do for their clubs. I think in Foden and Bellingham they have got two players who would get into any international team, and I am excited to see the impact they will have in the competition.

I thought Eze did enough to be included in the squad, while being a bit biased, I would definitely take Branthwaite but it seems with playing Dunk and Guehi ahead of Jarrad then he will take them as back-up to Maguire and Stones.

Paul F #47 yes, it's one nauseous tune.

But also scarred by my first encounter going to watch England in Luxembourg away, way back. I was only about 10.

England supporters fighting amongst each other on the terraces. I think it was a combination of Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle supporters

Then riots and overturned cars on the streets as we headed back to the main station. Even the poor Nuns got it as they came out to try and appease the baying masses. Total abuse.

And I have to sit and watch with the England fanbase in London. They are awful. It's a London / South-East thing in my opinion.

I'll watch them, but won't support them. I don't support any international team. I just watch.

It's too much like watching Everton at Molyneux.

Okay, last night they were up in Newcastle for a meaningless friendly. But the centre of gravity for important fixtures remains Wembley.

Germany has traditionally taken the nation team to the country, playing in different stadiums.

I see England's opening match is at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen (Schalke). That may be a date in the diary.

My beef is with the media. The moronic xenophobic shite peddled by the red tops... feckin Gazza with a tin hat, references to the bloody war, all that stuff. Just made me so pleased when San Marino, was it, took the lead inside the first minute.

And so it's started again... apparently Bellingham et al will deliver a trophy, no danger. We'll see.

Yes, there will always be the shoo-ins that everyone agrees with but many others will be the personal choice of the manager and, at the moment, Southgate is as poor as they come.

He is mostly swayed by the press and doesn't seem to have a plan. His comments after yesterday's game were confusing, to say the least.

They were expected to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina but not wait until the 85th minute to make sure.

Bowen and Watkins, like many others, are good at league level but struggle on the World stage.

Hopefully Southgate will have his preferred line-up starting the final warm-up game and we shall see what they are really made of… but somehow, even if they win that one, I doubt they will do well when the fighting starts for real.

The team looks good in the qualifiers and the friendlies but when they come up against a proper challenge such as Italy, Germany or Portugal, they capitulate and their lack of quality shines through.

I don't want to guess who Southgate will end up taking as he has his favourites regardless of form or suitability for the team.

Addressing the question about why are certain players being selected for friendlies – half the time it's to block them playing for another country and likely no future intent to pick them again.

Can't fathom how the Neanderthal Dunk and the unfit
Guehi are ahead of Jarrad in the pecking order. Fingers crossed he will still make the final 26.