Gareth Southgate has been feeling the pressure as manager of England as they have gone their last six games without a win, England's worst run of results in over 30 years. There has been talk that he should be sacked after the World Cup and even talk that it could happen before. This seems like madness and perhaps his critics need to be reminded that not only are the players clearly on his side and happy to play for him but he has also reached a World Cup semi-final and Euro's final in England's last two major tournaments. Is Southgate the right person to lead England into another major tournament? That's up for debate but there should be some common sense in questioning Southgate's position at this current time. The bar might not be very high but Southgate is already one of England's most successful managers and does anyone really come to mind to replace him? Will anyone really do any better? It might be tempting for the FA to look abroad again but the job seems like a poisoned chalice at the best of times even for an Englishman. Just bring up an image of Fabio Capello, one of the greatest club managers of the past 30 years, but those successes are widely forgotten about by any fans in England who will only remember his horrid tenure with the national team.
And so it was for Southgate and England that in their latest game they would advance their winless streak. This time it was against Germany at Wembley Stadium. The game finished 3-3, it felt as if we were heading for a lacklustre 0-0 and then Germany took control by going 2 goals up only for England to roar back and go 3-2 in the lead but Germany would pounce at the end. Under fire Harry Maguire got the ball rolling as he gave away a penalty. However with Germany then taking the lead at least it woke England and the game up. Maguire has been under a lot of pressure of late, some of it seems unfair, you don't get to play for Manchester United and England if you're that poor. At the same time his confidence looks shot and Southgate has decisions to make. Another one is if he starts to make Arsenal's Bukayo Saka a regular starter. Once Saka came off the bench his electrifying pace and Lionel Messi like dinking skills set the game on fire for England and Harry Kane looked rejuvenated once Saka was on. He injected pace into the game and unsettled Germany. Let's not forget Mason Mount's stunning goal too, so there were a lot of positives to take away from this game and the fact they were trailing by two goals with twenty minutes to go and came back has to be applauded. Another person applauding at home surely was Jordan Pickford. The Everton goalkeeper has been under pressure to keep his status as England's number 1 but Nick Pope had a nightmare between the sticks and one suspects as long as he's fit Pickford will be the staring keeper in Qatar.
Staying with the UEFA Nations League you either love it or hate it, but some of the pressure being thrown at Southgate is when it is revealed that England have been relegated from their group. Does it really matter? Yes UEFA wanted to change up the fixtures and instead of having friendlies have more competitive games and make it a tournament but isn't it, when it's all said and done, just glorified friendlies? It seems that many good teams are not bringing their A game to these matches and with so many important league games, Champions League games and a World Cup around the corner can those players be blamed? Italy topped their group, should England care? After all wouldn't Italy swap a World Cup qualification instead of finishing in 1st place of a Nations League group? France have finished in 3rd place and can't qualify for the knock out stages of the Nations League, yet they are the current world champions and have bigger fish to fry in two months time on the international stage. There is an increasing amount of games for the top players to play every season, should they really be playing international games during it too? Not only is it another game, there are the extra media requirements and travelling. Look at Lionel Messi for example. This could well be one of his most important seasons of his career as he tries for the last time to win the World Cup for Argentina. But also on a club level the pressure on PSG to win the Champions League is immense and he knows that his time at the club will not be fully validated if he fails in the competition. And yet in midweek he was playing for Argentina in Miami in a pointless friendly game against Honduras. Perhaps international games would be served better only when the domestic seasons have been wrapped up, but with so much money to be gained by UEFA and FIFA, players well being are always going to take a back seat.
To win the Nations League: Netherlands 3.00, Italy 4.00, Portugal 5.00, Croatia 5.00, Spain 9.00
The Premier League is back this weekend and there are two matters we will focus on. The first is Eddie Howe at Newcastle and one has to wonder how long the manager has left in the job? Newcastle have a project and securing the signature of Howe almost a year ago was part of that restructuring plan, but how well has it gone for Howe? His win rate is just 41% so far with the Magpies and only 1% better than his time at Bournemouth for which he is best known. Now most owners would look at the project and think that they have only had the budget and ambition for 9 months now, that isn't too long. However for billionaire owners it is. Newcastle have improved no doubt and at the back end of last season they were able to jump six places. But at the beginning of this season we were supposed to see the club reach a new level. No one is expecting a top four finish or even a trophy this season but currently the Magpies are in 10th place and only on goal difference and have the same points as Howe's former side. The most damning statistic despite some good play is 1 win so far from seven games. Say what you like but that won't cut it and if this form continues Howe could be losing his job sooner than he thinks. The boat may only be slightly rocking at this present time but we have seen time and time again that the rich owners have no patience and rarely think long term. With deep pockets they know that they will be able to bring in virtually any top manager in world football so Newcastle's results will have to change and change quickly. The bookies don't believe he is in trouble though so there could be outstanding value to be had he is 51.00 to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked.
This weekend we have two potential brilliant matches when league leaders Arsenal take on Tottenham in the north London derby. Tottenham could go two points clear of the Gunners with victory. And we also have the Manchester derby and it will be fascinating to see how Erling Haaland performs in his very first Manchester derby. United have won 4 games in a row, will it all come crashing down against the champions who in turn need to win to keep up the pressure on Arsenal? It should be quite a weekend and we are literally counting down the minutes until it kicks off.
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