by South Coast Royal »
18 Oct 2023 10:46
Sanguine South Coast Royal Sanguine As before, I'm a big fan of Southgate, but he's being very combative on stuff at the moment, unnecessarily in my view.
In this case, Henderson's 79 caps are irrelevant. I want to know why Southgate thinks that, right now, he is a better pick than someone like JWP.
Agree that for footballing reasons Henderson should not now be a starter.
I do however think it is a bit OTT from the fans to boo the player because in going to Saudi he supposedly is making a statement that previous support for LGBT was insincere.
I can't say that I have heard from the rest of the squad who wore rainbow laces etc shouting from the rooftops that they believe heart and soul in supporting LGBT.
What about Trippier and Wilson having their salaries paid by PIF money, shouldn't they be held to account in the same way?
Tbh Vic, I think those two equivalences are pretty poor.
Whilst I don't expect players necessarily to make a personal stand on these issues there is absolutely an opportunity for those who have previously tabled very strong support for LGBT causes to consider that stance when, not just accepting money from, but moving one's life and career to a country where being gay is punishable by prison or worse.
Trippier and Wilson can hardly be held to account for their club's ownership and further haven't previously so publicly and strongly backed LGBT causes like Henderson did. Whilst I don't really see the point of booing him I can absolutely understand those groups disappointment in him.
I think it is a very difficult area when discussing sport and politics.
Should our cricket team have played in Pakistan where LGBT rights don't exist?
Should our sportsmen go on holiday to Saudi?
In doing these things are they saying that they agree with those regimes.?
The rainbow laces and on shirts was something that the whole England squad adhered to and yet I do wonder if all those players, especially any Muslims, truly bought into the message.
I wonder because I haven't heard any of that squad come out and publicly say that they strongly agree with gay relationships or trans.
Anyway enough of that as our views differ but good to hear the majority cheering Henderson rather than booing him.
As for the match, for a change an entertaining game for a qualifier.
Kane and Bellingham were outstanding-Kane made the most of playing against a 19 year old centre-back (Italy missed their old guard centre-backs) and was very creative when dropping deep.
Bellingham drove the team on brilliantly and is just on top of his game at the moment.
As for winning the Euros or the World Cup in the near future I do feel that we may fall short because of our defence.
If we can find a better back 4 than those playing last night I feel we have every chance even possibly of winning a World Cup (if Kane defies ageing) but each of those has defensive deficiences as do Shaw and Chilwell as current options on the left and TAA and James on the right.
Hopefully amongst Guehi, Tomori, White and co we will see some progression thereby forcing themselves into the line-up.