07 Oct 2020 18:13:27
We haven't got a game now for a while and most of us can't wait for the Leicester game, but the banter must go on.
So I think Southgate has a massive personal dilemma. We pretty much know he has an issue with Jack, unfounded, unfair blinkered stubborn, all of the above. His dilemma, he starts Jack against Wales and he shows everyone what 95% of educated pundits already know that he should start every game. This is a real problem for Southgate because he already has his narrow visioned team for the game against Belgium, his ego will try anything to get anything out of the game rather than go after it. So my view, and I hope I am wrong. I reckon he will give Jack the last twenty minutes against Wales. Enough to keep the press of his back and not enough for Jack to impress enough to guarantee a start against Belgium. If Jack doesn't get involved against Wales I can't see him starting against Belgium and what a waste of probably the best talent in the premier league at the moment, what do you guys think.
07 Oct 2020 19:21:13
Most goals and plus assists of any English Premiership midfielder this season, in my opinion he has to play, if he doesn’t it merely confirms the view of many of us that Southgate has a problem with Jack.
It would also prove that form doesn’t come into it, you can be in the form of your life, the best player in your position but that doesn’t guarantee you a start for your country which given the current lack of creativity in the England team would be astounding.
07 Oct 2020 19:32:42
Not entirely sure i buy into the Southgate/ Jack conspiracy to that extent (although certainly feel that his call up is long overdue), but my worry would be that Jack now plays in a weakened England team who get stuffed by Belgium and then people use that as an argument as to why he shouldn't be in the team. Selfishly, my main hope now is that he comes back to Villa injury free after a good showing to keep our/ his momentum.
07 Oct 2020 19:54:34
I have got to ask you people why should Jack play.
Yes we think he should play, he is a Villa player, why wouldn`t we.
If this was Madison or someone else we would accept it, its Southgates choice, he is the manager.
Ask yourselves, is he entitled to his opinion? of course he is, and he has decided jack is not for him.
Whats the problem. ?
{Ed001's Note - more to the point, with a shortened season meaning games coming thicker and faster, surely it would be better if he isn't playing pointless international games? And you then also have the benefit of him having something to prove each game when back in a Villa shirt.}
07 Oct 2020 20:02:42
Absolutely Ed, that`s another good point.
But can you see my point Ed, whether he is right wrong, its Southgates choice.
{Ed001's Note - I fully agree with you, though I am not a fan of Southgate he is the man in place and he should go with his choices.}
07 Oct 2020 20:10:16
Thanks for your input Ed.
07 Oct 2020 20:16:19
Of course it's Southgates choice, doesn't mean it's right. Every England manager have had their favourites, but when the team had the injuries we had and Jack only gets in as sixth choice because of injuries, withdrawals and Icelandic hookers, its pretty obvious that Southgate has issues, which can't be put down to purely football abilities. If Jack gets a fair crack of the whip, he will become a regular.
07 Oct 2020 20:20:22
He should play because at the moment he is the best English player in his position in the country, and arguably has for the last 6 months If that doesn’t qualify you to start in what currently looks like a very ordinary looking England side I don’t know what does.
.
07 Oct 2020 20:26:57
John, sounds like common sense and reasoning to me mate.
07 Oct 2020 20:42:52
It doesn't mean he is wrong either Scotty, it also doesn't matter if he never picks him again.
Southgate will sink or swim through his actions.
For the record, I also think Jack should be in the side, I am just stating a fact, that its Southgates opinion, we keep saying on here that we are entitled to our opinions.
07 Oct 2020 21:03:52
Dave of course it matters if he doesn't play him again, meritocracy is fundamental to life and sport, if Southgate doesn't recognise that he is not fit for the role.
07 Oct 2020 21:20:55
I am supporting a man who thinks he is right with his choice of players, its got nothing whatsoever to do with meritocracy mate, blimey.
We will leave it there Scotty, its not worth the effort.
We will have to agree to disagree.
07 Oct 2020 21:31:06
Scotty whilst I am definitely in your camp both in terms of Jack should play, but also on the point that if you are the best in your position you should play for your country, but Dave is also right in that it’s Southgate’s choice. The one thing is that he will live and die by his results and it seems to me that the England team are in a bit of a trough similar to what happened when Southgate was in charge of Boro and if memory serves me right that team went into a tailspin which he couldn’t turn around, that being the case it won’t be too long before he is gone. I could understand his position more if it were only us Villa fans who were calling for Jack’s inclusion but it isn’t a lot of respected commentators and football men are calling it yet Southgate won’t budge for some reason.
08 Oct 2020 00:01:06
I think based on form alone Jack should be starting regularly for England. I feel the issue with Southgate is he wants to play him on the left. Sure Jack can play there but we all know he thrives in the centre. If Southgate's mindset is stuck with him having to play on the left then he needs to reset that mindset and realise that Jack is actually better than most, if not all, of England's central midfielders too, and play him there!
08 Oct 2020 09:15:53
Think its important to remain balanced on this one and not blow things out of proportion - personally I agree that his call up is overdue, but the fact is Southgate gave him his England debut last time round and he's in the squad this time. So he did budge and is recognising Grealish's talent and form, allbeit a bit later in the day than some would've liked.
08 Oct 2020 12:53:38
We will see how much he has budged during this cycle of matches ie does he start him or does he come on for a cameo role in the last 10 to 15 minutes.