Jagielka makes history against Lithuania

Hope Ross and Jags play a blinder and come back un injured.

To be the first player to lead an England team out whilst representing Everton is a real honour for him and a richly deserved one at that.

England Captain's

I'm a great believer in having a centre-half as Captain of any side personally, so I don't think it should be Rooney; it should be Jags full-time.

Always Mr dependable whether he's wearing blue or whether he's wearing white. Well done Phil, you deserve it. Nice to hear someone genuinely grateful for the opportunity too.

Dixie: 3 caps after the age of 22.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/Everton-how-goal-legend-dixie-10227617

Looks like we have never been held in high esteem even when we were winning things.

I don't want to take nothing away from Jagielka, because I'm sure he has the respect of everyone he plays with, but I've never really been impressed with him as a captain. If actions speak louder than words, then give him the job, full time, but I don't really see him as a leader.

Say what I want but it's still going to be a very proud moment for a thoroughly decent professional, so I do think congratulations are in order for Phil Jagielka. Let's hope his team wins tonight.

Pleased for him, but in reality it's a match I'd rather see him miss.

I think he was the first (only) player to play for AND against England.

I could be completely wrong though, I generally am!

Gobshites the lot of them.

Obviously Dave may well have played in the fixture you mention but it hasn't entered the record books as an official fixture.

It was an unofficial England game into the run up to Euro 96. It was on that trip that the infamous dentist's chair happened that Gazza recreated after scoring vs Scotland.

Dave Watson did play alongside Michael Duxbury. It will be on YouTube no doubt.

Someone on here said he was not impressed with him as a captain, well ask all the kids who have played alongside him. Jags and to a lesser extent Distin have been irreplaceable in the development of Stones, Coleman and Galloway. Baines was far happier with Distin behind him and Pienaar in front of him. they allowed Leighton the license to run at the opposition.

What people do not see as important is how few times Jags gets booked or gives away stupid fouls in dangerous areas. Cahill and now Terry do it too often and Shawcross is one of the worst in the league for grabbing at corners. If Jags was like Shawcross we would be conceding penalty's especially against the top four.

Jagielka is a fine player, captain and ambassador for our club.

In fact Labone is the player that Jags reminds me of most. In Labone's days the game was played differently with two full backs and two wing halves. Three of the five forwards did no defensive work and really it was just Collins who covered the ground in the early 60's team. I played semi pro in those days and full backs never crossed the half way line. The centre half marked the centre forward period !!

It is so difficult to compare players of different era's as the game has changed so much tactically. The biggest change to the England game tactically was after the two hidings we got from that fantastic Hungarian side.

Jags stands out for me as he is hardly ever booked and does not give away stupid free kicks in dangerous places. Just compare him with the now OTT Terry, Cahill, Shawcross and Jones of Man Utd. Jags is the best but he is not demonstrative so is mainly unseen. BUT, he marshals the kids he is playing with, positionally he is outstanding and blocks so many shots. I would not swap him just yet for anyone !!

Hodgson does nothing to suggest Baines is in his plans. If I were Baines I'd be tempted to think, "Fuck it, what's on a Tate Liverpool next summer?"

"Like the way @RBarkley20 is developing as a footballer. Adding maturity and nous to an obvious talent."

I'm thinking Barkley may well fill that role nicely. He's come on leaps and bounds this season. Impressed with his composure during the last two England games - a dead cert for next summer if ever there were one.

Chuffed for Jags too, well deserved I say.

I thought Lallana tried to do too much on his own when others were available but everyone else seemed happy to keep Ross involved from what I saw. (Harry Kane wasn't likely to pass to anyone if he had half a chance of an effort on goal.)

Anyway, despite that, Ross still had another fine game and I am glad he came off before the end without injury.

As for the talk of Baines, he has always played rather conservatively for the national side, and perhaps, without Pienaar, for us too.

Come on Bainesy, get fit, and show 'em what they are missing.

Since John Terry's recent decline, Jags has proven to be the best English centre-half around by a country mile.

A word on Ross now and I'm starting to worry he will be readily sought-after come January, or July next year depending on what happens. I watched the Rooney documentary the other day; I'd hate to see a repeat of his move now with Ross. I would love for Ross to do what Gerrard did at the RedShite: stay at the Blues and push us onto success.

Here's to hoping.

England have massive problems in midfield. Carrick is a class DM but Milner may not be as good as the U21 lad Eric Dier who has been outstanding for Spurs. Delph, Henderson and Shelvey are not exactly Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard and even they weren't good enough. Roy has a very difficult task ahead and the lack of high quality experienced players will hinder his chances of success.

Add that to Stones getting almost two weeks more off to recover from his injury; and hopefully Mirallas will be hungry to prove himself after his suspension / and being given the cold shoulder from Belgium.

It's the Catch-22 we're always going to be in. We want our players to hit the heights and propel us forwards, but as they do there will always be richer clubs ready to pounce. Even though our "True Blue" Chairman says we don't need to sell these days (thanks to the sterling efforts of, er, the Premier League in selling the broadcast rights), you just know it's the Everton model under them.

Maybe in a few years when we're sitting in the John Stones stand, or Ross Barkley stand, we'll understand. More than likely though we'll have taken out more expensively financed borrowings. Personally I'd name the toilets after the board....

Last season, when times were tough, he was the man who went on 40-yard sprints with the ball, trying his best to kick us up a gear. This season, he is guiding a young back 4 through the game.

I know we all long for the loud-mouth, all-action, dirty-tackling captain. But I'm delighted with our considered, pitch-smart, trustworthy, mature and extremely responsible captain.

Everyone sees the game different and I doubt anyone on here knows Jags personally. So it's just my interpretation that he comes across looking like he is all those things I mentioned above.

I saw Dier first hand at Spurs v Man City a couple of weeks ago and he impressed. He just did simple things well. I did see him put in another of those scissor tackles though!

You only have to look at the Stones debacle to see the same thing in action. If/when we do sell Barkley (or Stones for that matter), it will be at a time to suit player and club, not just because we need the cash.

You're right that you're wrong. Bobby Moore played for TeamUSA against England in 1976 in a USA Bicentennial Cup Tournament that included Brazil and Italy.

During last year's World Cup, he had one aberration, and that was being 2 inches too short to cut out what was a fantastic ball from Cavani to Suarez. The rest of the time, he was fire-fighting problems caused by Cahill's poor form. And doing it well. But unfortunately being tarred with the same brush.

I remember at the time, one of the commentators said that John Terry would not have got caught out with the cross. Well, all I can say is that he must have not watched the Helder Postiga goal, and at least one other that I remember that Croatia scored, when John Terry completely missed the flight of a simple cross in to the box.

I don't believe Jags has ever let anyone down in an England shirt. And he continues to be an excellent captain for Everton.

Good points above re the commentators and the usual reluctance by certain Liverpool and ex-Liverpool players to pass to Ross. It makes me laugh how the favourites like 'the Ox' or Lallana or Gibbs can lose the ball or give it away and nothing is mentioned. But, as soon as Jags or Ross make one bad pass (probably the only one in the whole game) they're on it and cutting to the bench to see Woy shouting at them.

Jagielka has been an excellent player and captain of Everton, albeit that he lacks the charisma of the greats like Labby and Ratcliffe. Osman and Hibbert were held by many to be shite regardless of some splendid performances 'in the Royal Blue' whilst Naismith has replaced them both in some fans' 'affections'.

All but the very best performers have good days and bad and should be judged accordingly. What we should recognise is that all the names mentioned have always given everything in the Everton cause.

Shelvey looked decent against 'San Marino' ffs? He absolutely ignored the Barkley option on a number of occasions last night, a bit like Gerrard used to with Everton players. Shelvey is not real international class, nor is Oxlade-Chamberlain... nor Milner come to that.

As for Ross, very composed and excellent distribution. The problem I always have is where is his best position... as, to get him involved, I like him with a through-ball at pace rather than from a standing start.

I really hope he gets picked for the tough friendlies coming up as I want to see how he copes with tighter marking and less space and to be under pressure when he has possession, but all the attributes are there and with growing experience we all hope he reaches that true potential.

Jags has been one of Everton's best buys ever and has been a loyal employee to the club (servant is an awful word?) despite what I'd see as constant interest in him from other clubs. There are some nonsensical criticisms on here but for me none as crazy as those aimed at Jags. Like the very, very best, he's made his mistakes but, overall, he has been consistently very good.

Jags has been a great centre-back for us, and is very underrated by many fans. I will bet that his team mates love him.

The question is then: Am I a biased, blinkered dimwit like nearly all Evertonians on ToffeeWeb, or again; is there some almost sinister reason why Everton are so resented by the press?

I've just read the BBC's story on the sportswriters views of who should make the cut for France next summer. Goodness me... some funny views on there!

Baines (who was he!):

Galloway (are they confusing him with Ryan Bertrand perhaps);

Stones (would make a good fill-in at right back perhaps); Jagielka (well forget his speed and character etc, apparently he's too old and too small);

Barkley? Oops I nearly forgot him (as do most of the writers).

I'm seeing a trend here. The reason is, you are not considered England material unless you are already pre-qualified in the big 5 (exception being the Redshites who are considered as top 5 in abstentia). The BBC's Klopp crap is driving me nuts...

So now I realize why I don't like watching England: The FA old-boy network has transmuted itself into the top 5 (plus Redshites) closed shop!. COYB!

I understand the concerns re. passion for a premiership captain, but I think that argument falls away a bit in international tournament football.

More's the point, I don't think Hart is much different to Jags, and I don't like goalie as captain; Cahill is not fit to lace Jags' boots; Rooney shouldn't be in the side.

I actually think Jags should be first choice CB and captain for Euro 2016, with Stones alongside him as Vice Captain and future captain designate.

But it won't happen.

He also got into defensive positions when he had to and, for the first time ever, told players when he moved men on to them; all round, a very mature performance on a tricky pitch.

Jags was just Jags: totally dependable, totally committed and looked assured as I've seen for long time.

But it was only Lithuania; the test is next with Spain, France and Holland... fire-flies coming up.

It is not only 'the Beeb' who subscribe to this view – just watch Sky's Sunday Supplement to have that line reinforced.

They tell me it used to be like this in Scotland until one of the proper clubs fell on hard times. Now they just slag every team off!

You forgot to mention that Oviedo played a full 90 minutes for Costa Rica a few days ago and is expected to be in the line-up tonight versus the USA. Good to see him back and getting into game shape.

Great to see Oviedo being given some minutes. It would be good to see him maybe make a start in the League Cup game v Norwich. I can't see Galloway losing his first-team place in the interim, given his form, at least until Baines is match-fit anyways.

I bet you if Jags had gone to Arsenal and Sones had gone Chelsea, they would be 100% nailed on CB combo for the tournament too. It's all so biased towards the favourite teams still as you say. Look at how Gibbs is getting in at LB with the Baines / Shaw injuries – despite being a bit rubbish.