25 May 2021 13:47:04
Unsurprisingly Southgate has picked Watkins ahead of BamBam in his provisional squad. An sensible manager looking at the choice subjectively would have gone the other way given Paddy has the better goals and assists record over the season, and has just scored 3 in the last 4 games. Can't help thinking that Southgate's thought process is, at least subconsciously, influenced by his having spent 6 years a Villan as a player. He then compounds the error when, given the opportunity to look at BamBam in a provisional squad scenario, he choose Greenwood, who's not a regular starter for man utd, instead.

That said, at least Paddy gets a rest now, and should be even more fired up for next season.


1.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 14:18:29
Clueless Think you meant objectively when you wrote subjectively. He was always going to include Watkins. Like you said, Paddy gets a rest now.


2.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 14:42:42
Glad in a way so Paddy gets a nice summer off, but imo he is the most like for like for kane in his effort, tracking back etc etc.
How many times have we seen BamBam clear a defense corner then be up the pitch lookin to score.
Southgate boring negative yes man,


3.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 15:52:56
It’s not surprise, but disappointing for Paddy. I do think that Southgate had the opportunity for a different type of forward player, and one we may need against certain opposition, but he has gone with Watkins and Calvert-Lewin, who in IMO are exactly the same type of player. Can’t see Watkins making the final cut, but if he does, he won’t get any game time.
Hope Paddy has a great summer of rest and gets ready for the push for Europe!


4.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 15:57:49
I can’t believe how far bamford has come to have even people being disappointed he didn’t make the England squad.


5.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 16:56:46
George - your absolutely right, I did mean objectively - when I was a civil servant, I used to work in Ministerial briefing for my Department and our drafting skills needed to be rubbish hot - just got a lot of things on my plate at the moment, so not paying as much attention as I should to what I’m typing.


6.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 17:20:07
Pleased for White, not that he’s likely to make the cut, but if Southgate is open to picking Brighton players why has he not gone for Dunk rather than Mings. Oh yes, it could be because Mings plays for Villa, who in Southgate’s claret and blue tinted view are a big club. Guess it could also be due to Mings being left footed, but in that case why not pick Dunk’s left playing partner, Adam Webster, who though right-footed is equally adept with his left and is also a better player than Mings.


7.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 19:22:51
So are you calling Southgate Prejudice, or Partisan, or are you just plain envious with a touch of jealousy.

Be proud for a change, KP is in there, we all want England to do well or do we.

I sang from the rafters back in 66, not a Villa player in the team.
Cheer them on.


8.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 19:52:12
Viledave, How is your stiff neck looking up the table at Leeds?


9.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 20:16:57
Everything is stiff on me now mate. 😁.


10.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 21:39:39
Viledave, I’m saying Southgate’s judgement is questionable, and may be slightly impaired by his association with your Vile club.

Certainly not jealous - would not want that thug Mings or cheating, diving Watkins anywhere near the Leeds squad - we have better in both positions. Given they are not good enough for Leeds they also ain’t good enough to play for England.

There’s only one Vile player worthy of consideration for England - Grealish obviously - but would we want that obnoxious t#@t at Leeds - NO. There is absolutely nothing at your Vile club that would engender feelings of jealousy at Leeds. Our owners, manager, squad and fans are all better than yours, and collectively we will leave your lot eating dirt as we accelerate away from you. You may consider us your rivals but you certainly ain’t ours.


11.) 25 May 2021
25 May 2021 21:42:06
Keep taking the tablets Dave.


12.) 26 May 2021
25 May 2021 22:49:15
I can only imagine its due to big chances missed. Paddy did brilliant to score 17, however, he missed a further 21. That's not great against the world's best opposition when you may only get one chance. Kane 'only'missed 13 as did Watkins. Rushford 11. DCL 17 (! ) . I think Southgate also has one eye on the future with greenwood only 19 and Watkins young so maybe he sees them more for the future.


13.) 26 May 2021
25 May 2021 23:32:42
Clueless I don't think we have a better English central defender than Mings, so he may not be hood enough for Leeds but he could be for England.
That being said he's no better (or worse in fairness) than many of the centre backs who missed out.


14.) 26 May 2021
25 May 2021 23:39:22
Posts of the week Clu especially the latter one; I applaud you 👏👏😃😃.


15.) 26 May 2021
26 May 2021 05:33:16
What Clueless, 🇨🇦 and Drameh love grandparent said.


16.) 26 May 2021
26 May 2021 12:15:02
Still taking the tablets CW, and a good point you have made.
Alf, I think you have picked up on what me and my family were talking about last night, so yes I think the age thing is probably a factor.
Most people I have spoken to also think Konsa was in with a shout,
especially as most think he is better than Mings.
Clueless, such a fantastic name you have, is there a reason for that, or is it best left 😁.