England have kept up their winning ways in this International break and against both the Czech Republic and yesterday against Montenegro, they have won their games easily.
England have won 5-0 and 5-1 respectively so we can score the goals these days with Raheem Sterling starting to look like a world-class player.
And that’s after the team did so well in the World Cup in Russia and reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Croatia – and we could so e.
That was the best we have done since Sir Bobby Robson’s England side were knocked out on penalties after extra time in the semi-final stage back in 1990.
I need to take back what I said about manager Gareth Southgate not having done anything in management to be suited for the England job.
While that may have been true he’s done fabulously well and I take my hat off to him – and he’s also such a gentleman too.
Sean Longstaff – one of the best young English players
England seems to have many young players coming through the ranks who look really impressive.
One such player BBC Match of the Day lead pundit Gary Lineker has named is 21-year-old Sean Longstaff.
Sean was outstanding for us before he picked up a knee ligament injury – which seems to be healing quicker than expected – which is good news.
Here’s Linekar’s tweet as he picks some young up-and-coming English players.
England are good. Will be better. Some have been around for a while…Sterling, Kane, Stones, Maguire, Walker, Trippier, Rashford….then there’s Alexander-Arnold, Foden, Hudson-Odoi, Gomez, Sancho, Rice, Nelson, Longstaff, Gibbs-White, Clarke, Chilwell, Greenwood. I could go on
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 25, 2019
Sean is starting to get the recognition he deserves – and the North Shields lad will be ready to go in preseason.
Next season could be a huge season for the 21-year-old who seems able to handle the fame that comes with being so good.
Comments welcome.
73 comments so far
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 26, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Comment #1It would be good if the Asian tournament was used to benefit Newcastle United rather than Sports Direct !
Would like to think the penny would finally drop a Newcastle with Rafa backed with good funds could seriously challenge the top 6 which in turn gets you more fans , merchandise purchased etc!
With signing Almiron a lot of Yanks are having us as their team but if we are constantly in a relegation battle I think they will be looking at other teams very quickly!!
Ron Knee
Mar 26, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Comment #2Great graphic on Alan Shearer:
https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/status/1110532187693158401
martoon
Mar 26, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Comment #3Ron Knee – That’s a great graphic – the thing about Shearer is a lot of the time he wasn’t playing in a great team but still managed to bang the goals in whereas most of the others were mostly playing for top teams which makes his tally even more impressive!
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 26, 2019 at 3:46 PM
Comment #4Can’t see any of our sponsors benefitting from the Chinese market. Betting is illegal so our shirt won’t have a sponsor. Sports Direct have given up on China. And Puma won’t sell any kits although a few fakes will be sold.
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 26, 2019 at 3:49 PM
Comment #5Woodman will be England number one. He should be above Darlow. If there’s not much between players the one with potential should get the nod. Also we might lose Dubravka – if not in the summer then next year for sure.
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Comment #6Montenegro had 2 shots on target and Pickford
failed to save one of them – he’s crap
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Comment #7DeAndre Yedlin should be playing for the USA
in Houston Texas vs Chile at midnight UK time.
He is pretty much in the same boat as Miggy
with regard to being up to speed with squad training
carltoon
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Comment #8What was all that with Pickford as he walked out for the match. Making stupid faces. He’s got a lot of growing up to do.
Posh_Geordie
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:46 PM
Comment #9Jib
Pick(them out the back of the net)Ford. anyone??
I’ll get my coat.
Posh_Geordie
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Comment #10Woodman at 22, young for a goalkeeper really, has plenty of time to develop. Letting him go now would be a mistake and thinking you will get more of a chance of game time at Arsenal is a joke. Link probably dreamed up only because his dad works there.
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Comment #11Looks like the plaudits that Pickford got over the summer went to his heed a bit. Some players have got the mental strength to go with their ability. Pickford is just mental. I can see Heaton or Pope (if he can sign for a club where he’ll be the first choice keeper) taking his place before long. Although Southgate seems to be a little too loyal to some of his players and picks them even when they’re out of form, Pickford being a prime example of this.
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 4:55 PM
Comment #12Young Freddie will follow in the steps of Frazer Forster
to the green side of Glasgow mark my words.
Apparently Rafa was asked about the Asia trophy
a month ago when it was first mooted and replied
that he was fully in the picture about it.
The squad should only be in China for a week
plenty of time to fit in Ireland before and a couple
of friendlies after.
martoon
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #13Chancel – Actually I think that’s harsh on Southgate – I don’t think he is afraid to drop players – he showed that with the old guard such as Rooney. To be fair although we don’t like him Pickford has always been quite decent for England.
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Comment #14Martoon
It’s nowt to do with him being a mackem
He’s very average
a good instinctive shot stopper
However an international goalie has to control
his box much better than he does
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:25 PM
Comment #15Mike Ashley moved a step closer to taking over Debenhams when the
struggling department store chain said it would consider his takeover bid.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Comment #16Anthony Taylor ref for Monday nights game
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:40 PM
Comment #17Anthony Taylor from Wythenshawe (6 miles from Old Trafford)
is no lover of Arsenal – Wenger told him to f**k off
JohnJ
Mar 26, 2019 at 5:58 PM
Comment #18Jib @ 17
I hope that ref can see better than he did at Old Trafford!
🙂
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 6:08 PM
Comment #19JohnJ
He was unsighted
Jib
Mar 26, 2019 at 6:08 PM
Comment #20😛
swemag
Mar 26, 2019 at 6:52 PM
Comment #21On the Woodman to Arsenal story, didn’t they talk about Arsenal being interested in Dubravka just a few weeks ago?
That would open for Woodman.
9
Mar 26, 2019 at 6:53 PM
Comment #22Selling young Freddy would be the most short-sighted move possible. Going to Arsenal? You’re having a laugh. Loan him out for experience is the only sensible option – we must keep young talent, and that is most certainly what the lad is.
Ron Knee
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:04 PM
Comment #23U23s
https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:11 PM
Comment #24Woodman only has a year left and I’ve said a few years running now that he won’t be signing a new one with us.
Shame he’ll be leaving either this summer or next as he will make it at club level.
Arsenal links are no surprise, anyone who has followed him know they’ve been long term admirers of him, well before his dad turned up there.
Don’t know who he’ll go to as he will have a lot of suitors but he’ll be going to where he can get game time.
If he is sold though, allows the option of sell on clauses and first option to buy back etc. Although I imagine Charnley has never heard of these before.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:13 PM
Comment #25Anthony Taylor. Good thing is with Man Utd trying to get 4th, he might be looking to do arsenal over rather than us for once.
9
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:40 PM
Comment #26ronaldo, sorry I’m not following you. You say on the one hand Arsenal are after him even before his Dad, and you’re also saying he needs game time. I know you don’t believe he’ll get game time at Arsenal, so could you kindly help me out with your thinking please?
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Comment #279
No problem
All I’m saying is arsenal have been tracking him for a long time. Then I said that he will need game time and I’m not sure what club he’ll go to next. Either way, this summer or next summer he won’t be with us.
That doesn’t mean to imply that if he leaves us he is going to arsenal if that caused confusion. He’ll probably go somewhere he can get regular game time.
RobLeenio
Mar 26, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Comment #28Woody is our second choice keeper, ahead of Darlow, and has been since Christmas. He’s seen how Longstaff has taken advantage of injuries to stake his claim in the team and make it stick and he’ll be thinking he can do the same.
There’s a good reason why Rafa didn’t allow the likes of Longstaff and Woodman out on loan this season, and it’s not because he doesn’t rate them. He thinks they are the players most likely to break into the first 11 and become important players for NUFC long term.
I’d be surprised if Woodman was going anywhere, this is just lazy journalism inspired by nothing more than his Dad being an Arsenal coach.
9
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:04 PM
Comment #29Sorry, ronaldo: thanks for your reply, but I’m sorry, I must be missing something, to me it doesn’t chime with your earlier posts. I’m not aiming to create mischief, I’m just wondering about the thinking. Let’s assume we both think Freddy is a talent, and needs game time. Why would selling him to Arsenal help anybody except Arsenal?
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Comment #309
Doesn’t have to be to arsenal but I get what you’re saying. My view is the same for past few seasons, he will not be signing a new deal with us. So it’s either keep him for his last year where he won’t get game time or sell him to whoever wants him and will play him and be able to put in sell on clause or buy back option etc.
Just my opinion, regardless of which club he will be going. Just a matter of when.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:26 PM
Comment #31Rob
Even before Rafa woodman wasn’t looked after and sent on long loans and had his development somewhat stuttering. Before dubravka, he wanted to go on loan and has been kept here because of us not having enough keepers in case of injury. With dubravka, it’s quite clear that rob Elliot is done with us in Rafas eyes so he’s not even third choice. Woodman and darlow have been competing for no2 position so hasn’t been let out on loan.
The amount of articles and interviews he’s spoken of dispointment of not being able to play or go on loan but has remained professional saying he’ll do as he’s told whether u23s, competing in first team etc just tells me that he will not sign a new deal with us.
He’s barely played a seasons worth of senior football since he’s been with us.
RobLeenio
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #32Ronaldo, I know mate but it’s not like that’s unusual for a keeper. /they do tend to break out later than other players.
Woody’s time will come but it may not happen this season or even next.
I reckon Darlow will be sold this season, keep Elliott and use Nathan Harker as back up. We also have Otto Huuhtanen.
Fair to say we’re well placed with keepers throughout the club. Probably testament to Woody’s Dad, ironically.
Online Guy
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #33Mister Tuff
Thanks for that link ..I had watched something similar when a scruff played at an Airport ..I ain’t watched your link as yet , read your description though ..Iv just got in .. had to nip over the Border.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:51 PM
Comment #34Rob
I’m sure woodmans dad was only here for a few years. From what I heard, arsenal taking terpcou from us was a bigger hit for our goal keeping development.
I reckon darlow is here for another season at least. Rafa said the last window that Elliot is available, think he’s done with us.
Both the young keepers are talents from what I’ve heard but need senior games to develop if anything.
9
Mar 26, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #35Interesting comments re Freddy. I can’t fathom how his career won’t be served by a Top Man (ie Rafa in case you hadn’t guessed) managing his loans for experience. And, naive as I am,I’m all for topman Rob Elliott. As you can tell, I have no inside knowledge, just an interested fan. We direly need to bring on more youngsters. Getting shot of Freddy would be stupid.(Rafa must have a hot line to top keepers, though, mustn’t he?)
ronaldo aarons
Mar 26, 2019 at 9:11 PM
Comment #369
Who says Rafa is staying? 😉
I’m not advocating for getting shot of woodman exactly. I’ve always been of the belief that younger players should be given games and opportunities. Said this so many times on here. But be realistic, he’s not getting game time ahead of dubravka, certainly not for another season at least unless an injury occurs. Don’t think that’s even up for debate.
Now look at it from his point of view, little opportunity and very little loans over 5 years. You think he’s asking where do I sign an extension. He’s off. Just a matter of when. Not nice at all as a fan as he is a hot prospect but he’s 22 now. Although young for a keeper he needs to be playing. We can’t give him that.
That’s one thing I always praised wenger about. No matter how good a young player was, if they were asking for regular game time but it was not available then he’d move them on for the benefit of the player.
9
Mar 26, 2019 at 9:44 PM
Comment #37ronaldo, sorry, the more you explain your thinking the less I am able to follow it. Of course Freddy will get loaned out from NUFC next season, unless you think his manager is an idiot who can’t spot young talent. I do follow your point that Rafa may not be with us by then, in which case all bets are off, obviously, based upon current personnel. Who knows? We may have a new owner. We may have a new manager. Nobody on the planet can currently know these things. But based upon things as they are, you would need to have more hard information than me to know Freddy’s future – by the way- I know nothing at all, so you could very easily know more than me. Over to you.
DaveD1000
Mar 26, 2019 at 10:01 PM
Comment #389
really?
Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 26, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Comment #39If the Arsenal interest is real, then he’ll most likely be off. Too big a club to turn down, and they’d loan him straight out. From what I’ve seen he’s not physical or commanding enough yet to seriously challenge for their or our starting spot. Has been needed by us with Elliott having been ruled out with a long term injury this season and also Darlow for a spell, but does need first team games somewhere, and needs to add some bulk to his frame, which I suppose will come.
RobLeenio
Mar 26, 2019 at 10:41 PM
Comment #40RIP Ranking Roger. I met him at the Cluny a couple of years ago after a gig, proper musician and a proper gent.