Pope back in England squad

[SalisburyClaret]

Probably hoping Maguire isn’t in front of him

[RVclaret]

6 centre halves in the squad. Did Dyche help him pick?

[bobinho]

Harry maguire.

Never seen a footballer that lad…

Popes third choice out of those. Prob should be second behind Ramsdale but for some reason T. rex always gets the nod. Ramsdale is very decent, despite the near post hiccup v the scousers.

[RVclaret]

Harry maguire.

Never seen a footballer that lad…

Popes third choice out of those. Prob should be second behind Ramsdale but for some reason T. rex always gets the nod. Ramsdale is very decent, despite the near post hiccup v the scousers.

Ramsdale is an interesting one. Very good distribution, makes simple saves looks like worldies but does seem to keep a lot out (clean sheet record top 3), and also has more than a few mistakes in him.

[tiger76]

A deserved recall for Pope, though whether he'll see any action is doubtful. but on his recent displays he's earnt his place in the squad at least.

Still a chance he might be going to Qatar yet, and hopefully if he does he'll still be a Burnley player at that time.

[jrgbfc]

Surprised Sancho isn't in. He's been playing well the last few weeks.

[IanMcL]

Surprised Sancho isn't in. He's been playing well the last few weeks.

Not when I have watched.
Just the odd flash.

[IanMcL]

Well done Popey. Deserved.

[FCBurnley]

Pope close to his best and better than Ramsdale other than distribution

[jojomk1]

Adds to his value if we have to sell this summer

[bobinho]

Surprised Sancho isn't in. He's been playing well the last few weeks.

He has. No doubt GS will wait for his form to drop off a bit before selecting him.

[Woodleyclaret]

Nick is the best keeper by mile
Ramsdale often makes blunders and can't command his area
Enough said about busted flush Pickford and how 3 game a season Henderson even gets a shout is beyond me
Tarks has been superb this season yet Hapless Harry gets selected despite an error strewn season

[superdimitri]

Of course Ramsdale gets the nod, he is younger and plays for arsenal. Even Pickford is younger than Pope. As great as Pope is, he's not young.

[boatshed bill]

Nick is the best keeper by mile
Ramsdale often makes blunders and can't command his area
Enough said about busted flush Pickford and how 3 game a season Henderson even gets a shout is beyond me
Tarks has been superb this season yet Hapless Harry gets selected despite an error strewn season

Henderson and Johnstone should have left their clubs if they wanted a shot at the England squad.

[Belial]

So Maguire still gets in despite being dogsh1t for months, as does Mings and Shaw who have been equally gash, but Tarks - who has been for the most part consitently very good all season, once again doesn't get a look in... yeah nice one Gareth

[MT03ALG]

Southgate really has no idea, does he consult the FA before he selects his squad ?

[Tw@]

I’m down there watching the Switzerland game so may see Pope in action.

[OrientMascot]

Pope is the best goalkeeper in the league. He’s not going to get a game for England though. For me, play the “good with their feet” keepers against the shite, but against the quality teams put Pope in. If shots need saving there’s no one better

[bfcjg]

His kicking is the problem, doesn't matter that he has faced and saved more shots then most other keepers,ditto crosses etc .

[Rileybobs]

Pope is the best goalkeeper in the league. He’s not going to get a game for England though. For me, play the “good with their feet” keepers against the shite, but against the quality teams put Pope in. If shots need saving there’s no one better

Best goalkeeper in the league. Stop it.

[PremierLeagueClass]

Pope really had been outstanding lately.

[Rowls]

Deserved recall for Nick. He's been superb lately.

It's a shame Southgate didn't show any loyalty to him when he had a very minor blip in his form.

[CaptJohn]

If he could control and kick a ball properly, he wouldn't be playing for us. Strangely enough I've often thought that we play the way we do because of him and the fact that we cannot play out from the back if he has the ball at his feet.

[tiger76]

Ramsdale out injured, so every chance Pope plays in at least one of the friendlies, hopefully the IC game, then we can savour the prospect of Cornet vs Pope.

[superdimitri]

If he could control and kick a ball properly, he wouldn't be playing for us. Strangely enough I've often thought that we play the way we do because of him and the fact that we cannot play out from the back if he has the ball at his feet.

Defensively we certainly do.
Goal kicks are very much hit and hope for a second ball, but you can say that about our distribution from the defence a lot of the time too.

If we had a keeper who could pick out a centre forward it would work a lot better. But goalkeepers with good kicking like Hart don't inspire confidence in the rest of the team like keepers like Pope and Heaton.

Of course there's a big difference between getting long kicks on target and playing one touch football on the goal line like Ederson. People often jump to the argument that playing with your feet doesn't matter when you're a keeper but in a team like ours how accurate you can take long kicks does matter.

[Wile E Coyote]

selection is a joke in the england set up and always has been. Pope is miles better than pickford or anyone else.
I am not convinced pickford was even that good when he played.

[Fretters]

I love Pope but Pickford was fantastic last summer and hasn't done much wrong since, he's deservedly number 1 under Southgate.

[IanMcL]

Panicky Pitchfork is not a solid keeper presence, no matter who else is under consideration.

[TopCat]

Panicky Pitchfork is not a solid keeper presence, no matter who else is under consideration.

Until April 6th when he will turn into a world beater.

[IanMcL]

Until April 6th when he will turn into a world beater.

I think you mean April 1st

[superdimitri]

It doesn't matter how he performs without an England shirt. He was our keeper in our best tournament for years and you have to credit him for that.