Craig Middleton

@henrywinter O’reilly ahead of Hall is absolute big club bias. hall is by far a better all round LB

Long way to go, form and fitness can change things … but has Thomas Tuchel given an early indication of his first-choice XI at the World Cup? Pickford; James (if fit), Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane. All outfield been involved in Europe this season so sensible by Tuchel to give them a breather for the Wembley friendly against Uruguay on March 27 (James out anyway with hamstring issue). Tuchel’s “core” (with Dean Henderson) report for March 31 Japan friendly. A camp of two halves. So, that possible World Cup XI... GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford obviously No 1 (Dean Henderson No 2). RIGHT-BACK: James out with a hamstring but clearly first choice; played 6 of 8 qualifiers under Tuchel. Trent Alexander-Arnold clearly not part of Tuchel’s plans. Wrong playing “profile”, apparently. Tuchel: “It's a sportive decision that we stick with Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence who can play for us at right-back. The right-backs (mentioned) offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold). The evidence is we were good in September-November (when James played) than anything from Trent.” Crazy. CENTRE-BACK: Konsa-Guehi is Tuchel’s first-choice pairing. Dan Burn remains amongst Tuchel favourites, and one of those rested for Uruguay game. Burn clearly goes to World Cup, despite concerns over his vulnerability to pace. LEFT-BACK: Nico O’Reilly listed amongst defenders in Tuchel’s squad, even though his preferred position is midfield. Started last two games for Tuchel at left-back. Lewis Hall has to prove himself against Uruguay to get ahead of O’Reilly, who looks first choice. MIDFIELD: familiar faces. Elliot Anderson the 6 to Declan Rice’s 8. Great blend. England’s best midfield combination. 10: so many contenders. Morgan Rogers the man in possession. A Tuchel favourite. Involved in all his 10 games, ahead of Jude Bellingham in the race to start at 10. Bellingham, a world-class talent, has a minor muscle injury but reports. Tuchel: “I wanted Jude to be in camp, Jude wanted to be in camp and Real Madrid were happy for him to come to camp. The best case scenario is that he gets some minutes against Japan.” Appears a Palmer v Foden shootout against Uruguay for the third No 10 slot (Gibbs-White’s World Cup dream seems over, not in squad). Incredible to think that Foden might not go to the World Cup. (Tuchel spoke well of Eze and his versatility, wide and 10.) WINGERS: Anthony Gordon is ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left. Bukayo Saka clearly first choice on the right. 9: record-breaking talisman and captain fantastic Harry Kane a golden shoe-in. No Ollie Watkins – omitted for “sportive” reasons, basically Tuchel doesn’t seem to rate him. Bit harsh. Has dug England out of holes before. The duel to be Kane’s back-up (unless you include Rashford/Gordon as strikers as well as wingers) now between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke. Tuchel: “The competition is on. They will compete for minutes against Uruguay. Calvert-Lewin has had a good season with Leeds and is very decisive. Both are good penalty-takers, by the way. I want to see what they're capable of and if they can fill the gap.” Beyond Alexander-Arnold’s ridiculous omission, there is plenty good about Tuchel’s squad. Makes sense to have a training keeper. Jason Steele, the 35-year-old Brighton man, goes to the World Cup as effectively the 27th player, unregistered, the training keeper as then popular Tom Heaton did at Euro 2024. Tuchel refused to say Steele was on the plane. Did say: “We have identified him as a very good candidate for this (training keeper) role.” Very sensible by Tuchel to give his first choices (Euro players) a break. “All of these guys have played 3,500+ minutes, some of them have 4,000.” Great to see Everton’s in-form, versatile James Garner get a first call. Tuchel: “I’ve been impressed watching him live by his work-rate and physicality. He’s a bit of an under-rated player.” On the centre-backs, especially good to see Harry Maguire back in squad. Playing well for Manchester United, a leader, and takes a pen. (Maguire’s lawyers have emphasised there would be no issue for a US visa if he were selected for the World Cup despite his travails in Greece). On Fikayo Tomori, Tuchel: “He is fast, aggressive, strong in duels.” Quansah ahead, plus offers cover at right-back. Tuchel on good form at Wembley today, his usual upbeat self, and you can see why players warm to him. Tuchel's also fortunate that he has such depth of options to select from. If England’s World Cup starting XI looks increasingly clear, those playing against Uruguay still have so much to play for. Tuchel: “It is our last camp, the last opportunity to impress, to compete for their ticket.” #ENG

@MsiDouglas @England So he can only be a good coach without midweek matches then?

So that's Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento & Anthony Gordon in the last @England squad before the World Cup. None anywhere close to that level when he signed. BuT eDdIe HoWe IsN't A gOoD cOaCh 😬 Maybe it might take some time and a chance on the training ground grass to get Woltemade etc where they needs to be for this #nufc. Took Hall a year and look where he is now. Ofc change / evolution is required to keep pace - but plenty right too

@MsiDouglas @England We get it he’s your mate.

@FabrizioRomano Christ how much do you get paid by the big 6 to post continual drivel

🚨🇧🇷 No release clause is included into Bruno Guimarães deal at Newcastle for this summer. £100m clause expired in June 2024, no longer valid. Any deal would take a negotiation with #NUFC amid links of recent days. 🎥➕ youtu.be/Phpg3Xo3328

I know he’s been decent at times but genuinely can’t wait to see the back of Dan Burn. Shouldn’t be anywhere near the starting 11 on Sunday but you know he’ll be first name on the team sheet #nufc

@jamesallcott Lewis Hall?

It's that time again. England Squad Selector Friday 4pm Which players NEED to be discussed?

@MsiDouglas @ChampionsLeague Here we go. PSR. Despite being told we wouldn’t spend in January to make sure we can spend big in summer.

🚨 It's over but will #nufc learn the lessons of @ChampionsLeague campaign? 1️⃣ Wissa alarm bells 🔔 2️⃣ One in, one out for transfers and what that *really* means 🔁 3️⃣ Is Howe right man for 2030 dream? 💭 What happens next for Newcastle 👇 inews.co.uk/sport/football…

@MsiDouglas Has he ever shown he can be ruthless? Don’t think so. Doesn’t want mid week games, smirks after defeats. Get him gone man

For three of the four halves of the Barcelona tie, #nufc were great. In the first half it actually looked on - classic Eddie Howe counter attacking display. The fourth was abject and painful though, the defending as bad as I can remember. End of the season is important - and Sunday huge for the club - but this squad needs surgery. Some difficult decisions probably need to be made, some ruthlessness required.

Would be nice if a journalist would ask Eddie what he found funny in the post match press conference? @CraigHope_DM @lee_ryder @MsiDouglas @ChrisDHWaugh #nufc

Our problem is we have a manager who has complained multiple times this season about mid week fixtures. That is tinpot mentality and shows he would rather be out of Europe just to get training time. We need an elite manager now, simple as that #nufc

Watch spurs go and get through tonight now #NUFC

Embarrassed ourselves then. Sunday could be really bad now #NUFC

What the hell was said at half time? Really unacceptable and very damaging for Sunday #nufc

Could get messy this and this is exactly what we didn’t want ahead of Sunday #nufc

Pure stupidity from our most experienced player. Game over #nufc

@LeeAndersonMP_ You’ll be gone so it’ll be a slight improvement for starters

Our Future. Last night I had a drink on my own overlooking the Thames and thought to myself what would our country look like in 100 years - what do you think?

Free hit for me tonight. No one expects us to progress. But give it a bloody good go. As long as we don’t get battered, I’d still expect us to beat that lot on Sunday #nufc

Trevor Chalobah is absolutely shite. It’s tragic if he gets anywhere near the World Cup squad

@Ankaman616 @TheAthleticFC Myles Lewis Skelly 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Put Danny Welbeck in the England 2026 squad. Ask questions later. Joining a selection of writers from @TheAthleticFC for a World Cup Round Table. Who makes your 26 for England? nytimes.com/athletic/71205…

7th is absolutely there for us which will probably be Europa League. Think that’s the only way we keep Tonali this summer #nufc