harry kane england captain

[acko]

Bit of an insult to Hart and Cahill i would have thought for an important match like this one.And i am certainly not doubting Kanes ability.its a long time since he was fit to play previously.Just my opinion

[Rovers91]

Agree completely, can't question Kane's ability but with the season Cahill has had he would be the obvious choice. He's shown he's a capable captain at Chelsea.

[NickDRFC]

Bit of an insult to Hart and Cahill i would have thought for an important match like this one.And i am certainly not doubting Kanes ability.its a long time since he was fit to play previously.Just my opinion

What do you mean it's a long time since he's fit to play previously? He scored 7 goals in the last 2 games of the season!

Personally I think it's a good call - Cahill's been a good servant for England and Chelsea's but he isn't getting any younger and was never going to be captain for the long term.

Edit - and Joe Hart shouldn't be anywhere near the team for me. Hopefully Butland stays injury free and is no. 1 by the WC next year.

[acko]

I meant fit to play for England Nick certainly not suggesting he just wasnt fit to play

[roversdude]

I think it's a cracking choice and should drive on the rest of the team

[acko]

Any other game i might agree with you Dude,but this is an important game for our world cup qualifing

[RoversAlias]

Seems an alright choice to me, I get that Hart and Cahill have the experience edge but it fits Southgate's 'bold new England' and can we guarantee that Hart or Cahill will even play? Butland is back now and Hart didn't reportedly have a good year at Torino, whilst Southgate's preferred CB pairing appears to be Smalling and Stones.

[roversdude]

Butland should be number 1 - rate him very highly
I'm still unsure about Stones he seems to faff a bit too much - maybe just getting used to the Man City new way of playing

[acko]

 would be more than surprised if Hart and Cahill dont play Alias,Stones is just not the player he was at Everton,Butland hasnt played enough games this season and the same can be said for Smalling. there If we all thought the same there would be no topic of conversation.I myself dont agree with Southgate being manager but again thats my opinion

[Rovers91]

Cahill is our best centre half of course he will play.

[Herbert Anchovy]

In my view the greatest England captain of the last 30-40 years was Bryan Robson but we don't seem to produce players of that ilk anymore. I don't know enough about Kane to say whether he'd be a good captain or not but it's fair to give him a chance I'd guess. Of the current bunch I think Jordan Henderson would make a good skipper.

[NickDRFC]

I think Hart and Cahill will start today but I'd be willing to bet that neither will start in the first game at the World Cup. This is clearly a decision with the long-term in mind.

[RoversAlias]

would be more than surprised if Hart and Cahill dont play Alias,Stones is just not the player he was at Everton,Butland hasnt played enough games this season and the same can be said for Smalling. there If we all thought the same there would be no topic of conversation.I myself dont agree with Southgate being manager but again thats my opinion

Can't disagree with any of that apart from the last bit (I think Southgate is a breath of fresh air and in a good way, unlike Crooked Sam), but maybe Nick is onto something and this is a choice with the longer term in my mind since Hart and Cahill's days could be numbered. Although I think the next permanent England captain will be Henderson.

[acko]

I cant think why Cahill would not be in the starting 11 for a world cup starter(if we qualify).i have no doubt that Butland is destined for the future position but so is Pickford if he leaves Sunderland and goes to a club what will  play him.i agree that Henderson will probably be the next permanant captain,i just find it strange that  Southgate as chosen this match to experiment when we will have 2 captains with experiance in the team.Good luck to Kane but i think its a baptism of fire and in all honesty we rely too much on him without the added burden.

[Al4475]

I've missed national squad announcements - did mccullogh and or lawlor make the ni squad for the Azerbaijan game?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

You can't really judge from the outside whether he's captain material or not. How he conducts himself in training and his interaction with other players must have contributed to Southgate's decision.

I just hope when it comes to penalties, free kicks, corners, throw-ins, goal kicks etc it's not a case of "I'm captain, I'm taking it!"

[RedJ]

I've missed national squad announcements - did mccullogh and or lawlor make the ni squad for the Azerbaijan game?

I'd be surprised if Lawlor made the Northern Ireland squad considering he's from the Republic.

[RoversAlias]

I've missed national squad announcements - did mccullogh and or lawlor make the ni squad for the Azerbaijan game?

Neither are in their respective squads as far as I know.

[Al4475]

D'oh! Furry snuff! Lol

[balbyrover]

Think Harry Kane will potentially break records for Tottenham if he stays and even the premier league! He really is that good.

But 25 minutes in to the England vs Scotland game and hes already missed two good chances,makes me wonder... will he be another that just underperforms on the big stage for England?

[Wiltshire Exile]

And the role of a captain (in football) is?...........oh yes, to toss a coin and  decide which way to kick! 

[balbyrover]

And the role of a captain (in football) is?...........oh yes, to toss a coin and  decide which way to kick! 

It's not though is it? That is the problem.  A captain needs to be a natural leader,somebody who takes control,calms the players down etc..

[Al4475]

D'oh! Furry snuff! Lol

[acko]

After agree with you Balby Rover,nobody can deny john terry was a good captain as much as i dont like him.Gerrard was a great captain,there are plenty of others i would also give Rooney a mention led by example

[RedJ]

England haven't been great for a long time but the current crop is painfully average. Only Kane and Alli stand out.

[balbyrover]

England haven't been great for a long time but the current crop is painfully average. Only Kane and Alli stand out.

Agreed. Yes we will qualify for the world cup but thats about it.
Scotland won't even qualify and we can't even beat them. We are and have been for a very long time distinctly average.

[acko]

Afraid the game raised more questions than answers,Rashford is certainly no midfield player.Livermore is a trier but nothing more.certainly need a better midfield maybe Henderson could be the solution,but oh for a Carrick i certainly wouldnt rule him out yet.Ali i thought was rather quiet today.no complajnts regarding Lalarna or the defence apart from giving silly free kicks away.Still it was a point nearer and no matter how poor Scotland are England v Scotland is not a game for the conisers of the game,

[DonnyNoel]

Excellent player, absolute nobody as a captain. Showed it when Spurs vs Chelsea kicked of at the end of 15/16. Just play him, Dele and  few others at their premier league strengths and we'll be fine*.

*as in regular quarter finalists.

[Herman Hessian]

Afraid the game raised more questions than answers,Rashford is certainly no midfield player

i had guarded hopes for southgate, but if that was a question that he felt needed asking - jesus !

[roversdude]

Rashford looked lost
Walker vastly overrated
Hart should have got to both of free kicks
Lallana tries to be a little too fancy
Don't know if the atmosphere got to our team but that was woeful