Barkley unused by England in defeat to Germany

I'm glad that Barkley didn't play and hope he doesn't start in the next game. I would sooner he be totally fit and fresh for the Liverpool game.

And all the while, Ross sat on the bench. Nice one, Southgate. England won't do fuck all with that idiot in charge.

Maybe he'll start the next one...?

Although, he may well have been pre-warned that he wasn't going to be involved, and that he would start the match against Lithuania. I doubt it though.

Only Dele Alli looked like the real deal to me and when Germany bothered to turn up, they won.

If Redmond, Ward-Prowse and Lingard are ahead of Barkley in Southgate's head, then he's already lost me.

Talking about Barkley though, for someone who up until the turn of the year had never really played two good games on the spin, it is good to see him now putting in at least a 7.5 in most games he's playing in now.

Hope he signs because Koeman is obviously doing something right with Ross (although it wouldn't surprise me if Duncan Ferguson has been a big help to him) and he should look at his mate John Stones, who I personally think made a stupid decision in not wanting to learn off our manager, considering the position on the park that he plays.

From what I saw last night the England midfield looked lightweight and in need of some muscle. Whether Barkley could have provided that, I'm not sure.

Alli did look good and I'm always confused how Phil Jones gets in the team.

I can only hope that Southgate has plans to play him in the qualifier? If not... then I despair.

Lingard says it all. And as for Alli, I'm not impressed, nor have I been when I've seen him. Last night he had one good turn inside the German fullback... but that was it. Overrated in my opinion.

Let's face it, it says everything if a national team can choose someone like Allardyce as a manager. I can't really see Southgate being much better than him.

I was shocked to see Lingard, Ward-Prowse, Redmond put ahead of Ross.

He must be keeping him fresh for the qualifier... but bear in mind Southgate is basically a yes-man, with no meaningful managerial success or history.

Maybe he just hasn't got a clue.

Neil – Fucking Lingard.... Why does he even get picked? Who does he actually play for... Oh, them . Now I see.

I think Tony that Neil answered your statement. Players now seem to hold most of the power these days and are ill-advised by agents. The driver for moves, let's be honest, is (for the majority) money and their get-out to appease the fans is "compete at the top level". Well, Leicester are the only team 'competing at the top level' now – aren't they!!

As far as I'm concerned, the players in our team should be proving they're winners at Everton and win something. For example, it's alright banging in two goals against a 10-man dead-and-buried Hull but where was Lukaku in the FA Cup Semi-Final last year?

I think Southgate has been part of the England set up for quite a while and I think a number of personnel have always had pre-conceived ideas about certain players. I suppose, just like club mangers, he has his favourites – particularly those players who played for him for the Under-21s (and most of them looked out of their depth last night).

As Ross was fast-tracked into the senior team, he doesn't have that relationship with Southgate. Anyway, more concerned with our game against you-know-who than a friendly against Germany (who were only going through the motions).

I would imagine the same people moaning about Barkley not playing last night would be up in arms had he been selected last night and plays the full 90 minutes against Lithuania. How is Southgate supposed to find out about players if he doesn't use his whole squad in the two games?

Still, you don't get injured on the bench. Just do not listen to their utter bullshit, Ross. Come home and listen to Ronnie & Ernie – it's doing you good, lad.

People saying last night will knock his confidence? Why? Surely it's better to be sitting on the bench than it is to be watching it from his sofa on the telly?

I don't get how people come to such conclusions on team selections.

There is room for the opinion that Alli is the better player but not for the blank assertion as though it were beyond argument.

That's not to say Ross's form hasn't been good of late; I do think Southgate is being careful with Ross by reintroducing him gently. I actually rate Southgate as an International manager.

Ross is the more talented player for sure... but whether the mix of the team would be improved by adding Ross instead of Lallana, I am not so sure (can't say I watched the game or am likely to go out of my way to watch an England game anytime soon).

It's not just a question of picking the most talented 11 players and trying to squeeze them into a team – all those years of picking Lampard and Gerrard is surely proof of that.

The one factor that Alli has on Ross at present is he scores more goals, mainly due to the different role he plays to Ross for his team.

Can they be strong players within the same team? Yes they can!

Alli normally affects the game around the opposite box – (but does feck all else); Ross affects the game in positive game-changing moments throughout the opponent's defending half and still does his fair share of defending.

I don't think you can argue with the choice of Lallana and Alli but to put Redmond and the arrogant little prick Lingard on at a time when the game was crying out for a "Ross Barkley" is very worrying.

On a different theme from the failure not to give Ross Barkley game time last night, when the England manager preferred Livermore, who was anonymous when Everton last played WBA and were on the wrong end of a real spanking of a score line of 3-0, how is it that Tom Davies who has galavanised the Everton team with his sparkling performances, has been relegated to the England under 19's?

A bizarre decision if I have ever seen one. No wonder England don't get passed the qualifying stages for any tournament they enter with decisions like that.

Since then, the team selections have always seemed to mirror the mediocrity of the manager, and there's no sign of the situation improving and England's brand of football moving into the 21st century.

After the Bobby Robson period, our players that play either get a knock or acquire bad form. I am sure Ross will take stock and will be aiming for a big performance in the next game versus them.

When Ross becomes a senior pro only then will we see if he has a winners mentality. I don't know him either but I get the impression that he is a follower not a leader at the moment.

As for the England set up... I don't bother as they are the international version of Everton always have the potential but always fail when it matters.

Beat the shite and manure and just maybe I will see some light..

Interesting that Deulofeu has been picked for the Spanish senior squad following his impressive spell for AC Milan. I read somewhere that he wants to stay with AC Milan and not return to Barca who seem to be showing some interest in him again. He didn't even mention us. I presume his baby will be born in Italy now soon. He certainly looks like he's settled in quite well in Italy and wants to stay.

Still no news on the Irish team but feeling here in Dublin is that McCarthy will play some part today as he trained the last two days.

Hopefully Lukaku doesn't get injured playing for Belgium tomorrow night. Martinez has said he could be the world's best No 9. I wonder does Bobby still live in England?

So why does Southgate pick Livermore, Gibson and an aging Defoe from Hull, Boro and Sunderland – all good for the second tier soon?

Whether or not he gets injured, it is still a massive risk he is taking after his injury(ies).

He is a good player but only when he is fit. If not, he is just another Darren Gibson in disguise.