Jagielka starts again for England

He got a knock when he tackled the Slovenia lad and seemed to struggle after that until he was subbed a few minutes later.

Let's hope is not too serious.

The Milner cameo summed it all up really.

Never mind Baines's excellent form this season – 9 assists so far I believe? – and that Gibbs was playing against the mighty Slovenia.

To be honest, the national side are such a bunch of overrated non-achievers though that I'd be quite happily for Baines to be overlooked long-term. I can't say how relieved I was that Barkley didn't have to have a go on that cabbage patch of a pitch.

Ever since Hoddle was sacked, the national team has gone backwards and I've lost all interest in them. The last time they excited me was '98 against the Argies.

For me, the passion has gone for playing for Your Country and I would say, for the majority of anyone living North of Watford, it has too...

Welbeck looked quick and sharp; how Man Utd let him go beats me. Rooney played OK but does not frighten opposing sides as he used to.

Interesting to see Ross on the bench... is it a move towards getting young players experienced before they peak as footballers or is it simply selecting him on reputation?

How Henderson is preferred over Barkley just blows my mind.

I can't believe the drooling over the win against a poor team but looking at the game I do not think England can be classed as a good team.

It's a Gravy Train of Epic proportions, and those guys have a seat in 1st Class, and riches beyond what they could ever imagine.

Michael #8, I see your point, but it still lives in my memory there was a time we were losing our "top" players due to the fact they weren't getting the chances at international level they thought they should. At least that was their excuse. I'm sure the extra money from moving wouldn't have come into it.

The missus heading downtown Chicago tonight with a nice bottle of red I took to the sofa to watch a second time. I don’t care about England but I care about Everton and Jags on a second showing was even worse!

The last month has been good for Jags with us. He knocked one on for England a month ago. Don’t care if he plays for England or not, so let’s go with the mutant Shawcross surge and Jags for Everton not England as nothing seems to have damaged him more these last 12 months than playing for England (not to mention the Shawcross hilarity factor!).

COYB

True change at Fifa would only come about if McDonalds, Sony, Anheuser Busch and MasterCard started rattling the cage. If they agreed to follow the lead of Germany et al, then Fifa would indeed be history.

The remaining countries could play in their own "Corruption World Cup". The bidding process alone would be entertaining and the TV rights would sell for millions...

If all the big European football countries threatened to leave Fifa, the companies you mention would definitely start rattling the cage. Argentina and Brazil would be left to carry the flag. That would hurt the commercial values.

Won't happen though. Too many pockets being filled.

Like yourself I worry about injuries to our players, but they like to play for their countries and clubs have to let them. Success in a player's career is measured in trophies won and caps earned. That is what they want and so be it!!

I hope they win trophies with Everton but, if they win them with England or any other country, then that would be meritorious.

If Germany, England and say Spain drop out, Fifa and more importantly the sponsors will shit it.

The list of top caps for Everton players, courtesy of the Echo:

Alan Ball 39
Phil Jagielka 33
Ray Wilson 33
Leighton Baines 29
Brian Labone 26
Gary Stevens 26
Trevor Steven 25.

As for Stevens and Steven, it's always been harder for Everton players to be called up for England. How many caps did Bob Latchford get? About 5!! Fucking Mick Channon and Paul Mariner were preferred to him and neither could hit a barn door from five yards away. I think even Malcolm McDonald got more caps than Latch and he was fucking useless as well.

As for Fifa, I say fuck 'em. If Uefa can convince the South Americans to start an Intercontinental Cup, then let's go down that road. I bet the yanks would be up for it and the Africans and Asians would soon follow.

Remember when Alf was boss. He ran the England team like a club: hard to get in to and hard to get kicked out.

Does anyone recall the "Osgood for England" chants? Some decent players – Marsh, Hudson, Currie, Bowles – rarely got a look in. It worked, however, to a large extent. An England cap meant something.

The England team in 1970 were top class. As were the team that failed to qualify in 1974. They outclassed a fine Poland side that went on to finish third. Henderson and others as poor as him should be on the receiving end of howls of derision rather than caps.

Sadly, in my view, the current England set-up from New Wembley to the spineless FA, from the cardboard-cutout pundits to the fawning to the Premier League, represents and epitomizes much of what stinks about modern football.

But, the loss of European support, plus England and the US would have a major effect on sponsorship deals, which is where the big money is. Certainly could have a "World Cup" still. Not much of one, though.

On Saturday against Slovenia, although the defence weren't tested, I thought Jags had quite a steady game. He didn't give possession away, he was solid when needed at the back and even had a couple of half-chances from set pieces. He even took a yellow card for the team because of a suicide pass to him from Cahill. Yet, the Manure loving twat in The Independent that is Sam Wallace, gives him a 5 out of 10, England's lowest score (the only one), and even 6 Slovenian players were given higher scores.

I thought Lallana was England's weakest performer by a distance. Was I watching another game? I'm guessing that Wallace's particular motivation is all about bigging up Smalling and Jones, but I'm weary of our players being singled out in my view because they don't play for one of the favoured few. When they do shine, all the talk is about getting them transferred to one of the favoured few!