It’s time for Gareth Southgate to drop Joe Hart, Aaron Hughes embodies Northern Ireland’s ambition and Ben Woodburn has once again proved himself for WalesBefore the games against Malta and Slovakia Gareth Southgate suggested no other goalkeeper had “staked a strong enough claim” to take over from Joe Hart. It seems a strange statement given the fine form and obvious talent of Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford. It is an oddity of the goalkeeping position that, while mistakes are always highlighted, it generally takes a run of howlers to lose your spot. Sustained middling form, or the mild uncertainty that Hart has emanated for more than a year doesn’t seem to be enough. Southgate missed a chance in the current...
Patience pays off again for Gareth Southgate and co as Marcus Rashford, initially pinned to the right flank, eventually inspires victory amid banks of empty seatsPatience, they had all chorused. From Gareth Southgate to Jordan Henderson to Harry Kane. They were talking about the realisation of a long-term plan, of course, but the same virtue had been required in both qualifiers over this window. It has taken England time to find their feet in each fixture, exploiting Maltese fatigue last Friday and, eventually, striking up a proper rhythm against Slovakia once the initial approach had been tweaked. Marcus Rashford was instrumental in inspiring this win, looking every bit a player at home at this level, though there was some positivity...
The goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa faces the biggest match of his Nigeria career in Friday’s qualifier against Cameroon, who have nine players unavailable in protest at their own FADiego Costa would have fainted on the spot. This summer Marcelo Bielsa took charge of Lille and quickly compiled a list of 11 players whom he did not plan to use – and then he relayed the news by text message. Between them the XI had 274 caps, with Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama holding 101 of those. He seemed unlikely to add to that tally but now, as the Super Eagles face a critical pair of World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, the African champions, many of his compatriots wish they could call on a...
Jorge Sampaoli has restored order amid the chaos but Argentina still face some searching questions on their rocky road to Russia 2018The good news for Argentina is that this isn’t as bad as 2010. At least this time round they only lost 2-0 rather than 6-1 in Bolivia and at least this time they were able to get rid of their coach afterwards, rather than being caught up in the multiple contradictions that occur when you’ve appointed a shambolic legend who is widely worshipped but is a genuinely terrible football manager. But the situation is not good. Argentina lie fifth in Conmebol World Cup qualifying, a play-off spot, having scored fewer goals than every side bar Bolivia and Paraguay. Related:...
The podders return for a post-season meet-up to discuss England’s youngsters showing up their senior counterparts. Plus, all the latest transfer news, managerial moves and a look ahead to the Confederations Cup in RussiaIn the first of six post-season podcasts, AC Jimbo is joined by James Horncastle, Sasha Goryunov and Paul MacInnes to catch up on what’s been going on in the wide world of football.We begin with England winning the U20 World Cup – and then the senior team being significantly less impressive against Scotland and France. Continue reading...