He was superb today. Perfect result really because Arsenal deserve to be top at present and City are not good enough at the back. Ake and Akandji aren’t at that level yet - and Cancelo had a bit of a mare too
keeps the title exciting too
Exciting? I would be amazed if City don't win the title by at least 10 points. They are streets ahead of Arsenal against most teams.
He was superb today. Perfect result really because Arsenal deserve to be top at present and City are not good enough at the back. Ake and Akandji aren’t at that level yet - and Cancelo had a bit of a mare too
keeps the title exciting too
Exciting? I would be amazed if City don't win the title by at least 10 points. They are streets ahead of Arsenal against most teams.
With Harland, City certainly have the edge as an attacking force, but their defence has been suspect a couple of times already this season, whereas Arsenal’s hasn’t really.
Without Haaland they may be less formidable.
Whether or not Arsenal have the depth of squad to hold them off later in the season is another matter.
The City win and a clean sheet will not only give Joe Confidence but Liverpool and England fans can see that Joe is a top CB and the bad injuries are hopefully behind him and he can show his true class. Gives Southgate a problem as well as Klopp when the other CB's are fit; a good problem.
he's 25 now and the penny seems at last to have dropped .. to succeed at the top of the Premier a defender needs to have developed a bit of a nasty alongside a very competitive streak .. I believe he now realises this and due to circumstances at last faces a long run at central defender for Liverpool. I saw him on his CAFC debut and knew he was a massive talent. If Southgate has any sense he'll be in the World Cup squad, Maguire is out of favour (at Man U) Walker is injured, there are places to fill .. he and Ben White would be terrific additions to the squad .. BUT Southgate will need to keep Gomez motivated as I suspect that Joe at heart is a very gentle soul
It's not a question of the penny at last having dropped. It's down to the fact that he is now fully fit. He has had a series of very bad injuries. However Klopp may prefer he didn't go to the World Cup as he always goes back injured.
It's not a question of the penny at last having dropped. It's down to the fact that he is now fully fit. He has had a series of very bad injuries. However Klopp may prefer he didn't go to the World Cup as he always goes back injured.
If Walker isn’t fit, he’s easily the best option to play as the right of the three. England’s options at centre half are extremely poor too .
We all know Joe when at his best can be very good. However, it is very unlikely to make World Cup squad this year. Outside of this week, he has been pretty poor for a couple of years whether it be due to injuries or lack of confidence. Liverpool fans were even on his case with how poor he played against rangers in a blow out win a couple of weeks ago. The good news is that the injuries do not seem to have affected his pace which is really his best attribute on the pitch. He also is young enough that the next World Cup is still possible if he can stay healthy.
We all know Joe when at his best can be very good. However, it is very unlikely to make World Cup squad this year. Outside of this week, he has been pretty poor for a couple of years whether it be due to injuries or lack of confidence. Liverpool fans were even on his case with how poor he played against rangers in a blow out win a couple of weeks ago. The good news is that the injuries do not seem to have affected his pace which is really his best attribute on the pitch. He also is young enough that the next World Cup is still possible if he can stay healthy.
I very much doubt that Liverpool fans would take Maguire in front of Gomez on current form. In fact, I doubt that United fans would take Maguire in front of Gomez - Maguire hasn't played a minute of football since the Germany game due to loss of form and injury.
Maguire's full games this season:
2-1 defeat to Brighton 4-0 defeat to Brentford 1-0 defeat to Sociedad 3-3 draw with Germany
United, without Maguire starting, have a record of Played 10, Won 8, Drew 1, Lost 1 (and that defeat was to City)
He's not first choice at United but that probably won't stop Southgate from picking him despite him being exposed against Germany
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
TAA has been a relative disaster for the many of us that have had him as fixtures in out FF Team - 25 points in total of which 17 came against Bournemouth!!!
Agree about White though Walker is a perfectly valid option at RB (especially with Foden in front of him) in which case the pace of Gomez is a "like for like" swap at CB - plus Gomez is stronger in the air
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
And therein lies the problem with the way Southgate sets us up - Maguire, Dier and Coady are vulnerable in a back four. It's very difficult to change the system when most of those CBs aren't in the team or play, week in week out, in a three. That and two holding midfielders is what stifles our attacking players. Why have City and Liverpool, when they've been at their most successful, not adopted a back five?
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
If that's the case then we have no chance because Maguire, Dier, Tomori and Coady aren't that good.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
Guehi as well based on recent squads. I also think Ben White deserves a spot based on his form this season. He can play CB, RB and he's also played as a holding midfielder too.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Didn't see the game but by all accounts Gomez didn't play well last night despite the clean sheet. Poor, nervy, liability just some of the words used.
One guy even said "how can he go from playing like Maldini to Titus Bramble in the space of 4 days".
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
All bang average
So what is Gomez then if behind them.
Is average better than bang average ?
If he hadn’t played a few games for us before joining Liverpool no one would be pressing for him to go to Qatar based on his form.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Didn't see the game but by all accounts Gomez didn't play well last night despite the clean sheet. Poor, nervy, liability just some of the words used.
One guy even said "how can he go from playing like Maldini to Titus Bramble in the space of 4 days".
Can only be confidence and limitations of his body. His best trait has always been his consistency.
If he can stay injury free he will be starting for England 5/1 doesn't appeal as we know how often he gets injured. Tomori at 9/1 seems good value but not sure why Southgate hasn't really fancied him.
Fingers crossed he stays fit and keeps up the recent form.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
And therein lies the problem with the way Southgate sets us up - Maguire, Dier and Coady are vulnerable in a back four. It's very difficult to change the system when most of those CBs aren't in the team or play, week in week out, in a three. That and two holding midfielders is what stifles our attacking players. Why have City and Liverpool, when they've been at their most successful, not adopted a back five?
England don't have a CB with the quality of a Dias or Van Dijk so I can understand Southgate playing 5 at the back in fairness.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
Guehi as well based on recent squads. I also think Ben White deserves a spot based on his form this season. He can play CB, RB and he's also played as a holding midfielder too.
Forgot about Guehi. I'd take White too but then I wouldn't have Coady in the squad.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Didn't see the game but by all accounts Gomez didn't play well last night despite the clean sheet. Poor, nervy, liability just some of the words used.
One guy even said "how can he go from playing like Maldini to Titus Bramble in the space of 4 days".
Gave away the penalty as well. Southgate was in the stand for that game and a good performance might have got him in that provisional squad.
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
But he deserves the chance to be in a 26 man squad especially with James potentially out. See above re Maguire's form. It's all about confidence and Gomez has enough games between now and the World Cup to prove that it has returned.
Not sure he does yet, he's had one or two decent games all season. He needs to carry on this form before he even enters Southgate's thinking. Even with James out you'd expect Tripper and TAA to be the two right backs. It could well be White and Gomez fighting for one spot.
Who are these centre backs that are ahead of him though ?
Probably Stones, Maguire, Dier and then maybe Tomori and Coady
If that's the case then we have no chance because Maguire, Dier, Tomori and Coady aren't that good.
Maguire has been very good for England and Tomori is doing well in Milan. Can't say I disagree about Dier or Coady. Our CB's in general aren't that good to be honest, we're behind at least 6/7 teams in that area.
It looks like Walker may make the World Cup now, and with TAA back playing, along with Trippier, the potential right back crisis appears to have been averted.
However, looking at the CB situation, assuming that Southgate plays 5 at the back, with TAA and Chilwell or Shaw as wing backs, and Walker will play right of the back 3, this leaves 2 positions to be filled.
Maguire - arguably plays well for England, but not playing for United Stones - injured Coady - not been involved with England lately Mings - not been involved with England lately Tarkowski - not been involved with England lately
That leaves Dier, Tomori, Gomez and White as the only 4 who are playing regularly for their clubs. Dier is probably a shoe in at this point. Tomori didn't play in the last couple of England games, Gomez has only just returned from injury, and White plays in Walker's position.
It's going to be interesting who Southgate chooses.
Comments
I saw him on his CAFC debut and knew he was a massive talent. If Southgate has any sense he'll be in the World Cup squad, Maguire is out of favour (at Man U) Walker is injured, there are places to fill .. he and Ben White would be terrific additions to the squad .. BUT Southgate will need to keep Gomez motivated as I suspect that Joe at heart is a very gentle soul
Maguire's full games this season:
2-1 defeat to Brighton
4-0 defeat to Brentford
1-0 defeat to Sociedad
3-3 draw with Germany
United, without Maguire starting, have a record of Played 10, Won 8, Drew 1, Lost 1 (and that defeat was to City)
He's not first choice at United but that probably won't stop Southgate from picking him despite him being exposed against Germany
Just go back a page or two and see comments after the Man Utd / Napoli games
The lad is returning from an injury as nasty as they get..complete rupture of patellar tendon.
Agree about White though Walker is a perfectly valid option at RB (especially with Foden in front of him) in which case the pace of Gomez is a "like for like" swap at CB - plus Gomez is stronger in the air
One guy even said "how can he go from playing like Maldini to Titus Bramble in the space of 4 days".
Fingers crossed he stays fit and keeps up the recent form.
However, looking at the CB situation, assuming that Southgate plays 5 at the back, with TAA and Chilwell or Shaw as wing backs, and Walker will play right of the back 3, this leaves 2 positions to be filled.
Maguire - arguably plays well for England, but not playing for United
Stones - injured
Coady - not been involved with England lately
Mings - not been involved with England lately
Tarkowski - not been involved with England lately
That leaves Dier, Tomori, Gomez and White as the only 4 who are playing regularly for their clubs. Dier is probably a shoe in at this point. Tomori didn't play in the last couple of England games, Gomez has only just returned from injury, and White plays in Walker's position.
It's going to be interesting who Southgate chooses.