Manager’s only getting paid five million a year… I watched some of the first half of the England U21 game v Portugal U21, which England won 4-2. England looked much better than in the previous game, albeit, probably a lot to do with the opposition being not as good. In yesteryear, any Portugal youth side would make England's boys look like amateurs. Yet, it is a sign of the times, that England's players looked technically as proficient (as well as physically stronger). Jobe Bellingham and Hackney looked decent in the centre in the absence of Wharton and Anderson. Also, Cresswell (a Toulouse player I discovered) looked fairly good alongside Branthwaite, though the defence and goalie looked shaky at times. Not sure about the formation with midfielders at full back and wingers as forwards but Carsley likes to throw players into new positions. Could also hint that England may be scratching around for full backs and strikers at that level, as well as goalkeepers.

Garrett was a left back five years ago. He has reasonable pace, can get forward and tackle; I just wonder if he should go back to that position on the pitch.

Saw a small part of it and agree, he didn’t seem to be influencing the game much. Maybe because he was playing deeper than he usually does for his club. It seemed a bit like a playground football, end-to-end game. It needed Wharton (and others) to try and control the flow but perhaps he isn’t quite experienced enough yet. I think I saw him do his trademark diving in to try and stop a counter-attack. The opponent got away and Wharton was out of the game on the ground. I’m no coach, but it might be something he needs to work on. Rayan Cherki on the wing for France looked a player.

It depends what you do with possession. The classy Spain sides of yesteryear kept possession but they did it with intent.

England’s much heralded U21s (with Wharton) lost 5-3 in France. Naturally, the media that complacently hype the team don’t much reflect on what became a near thrashing. Watching parts of the game, what was apparent, apart from horrendous defending, was that this talented young side struggled to know how to manage the game. Concerning for the future, despite the individual talent.

May be the case but aside from a few exceptions, not much coming through, especially in attack. Our lead fit striker, Harrison Wood, couldn’t get a game for Annan Athletic, whilst on loan in Scotland this season. He might’ve been injured but then, most of the U21 forwards are, for some reason.

It’s a relatively small point in the mess of the U21s, but If you give Saadi a one year extension, then keep him at the club to play U21 games to support the youngsters and paper-thin squad. Instead, he has sent out on what seems like effectively a secondment (holiday?) in Cyprus. Edit: I suppose an explanation is that they realised they had too many overseas players..

It says a lot about our owners and also our coaches that we’ve had players like Harvey Elliot, Wharton, Ayari, Van Hecke, Rothwell, Tosin but we couldn’t assemble a team to get into the play offs. In some cases, we couldn’t get the best out of them, albeit, they were young players. Palace have tended to appreciate young creative players. I recall a certain forward called Matt Jansen. The tables have turned a lot now.

Jake Kean…?

Awful for him. Just injury after injury. Hope it’s not a serious one.

That’s if they don’t get injured or disappear in revolving door non-league loans! Then team will limp on in disjointed fashion. Certainly, there is hope for some of these names but from an outside perspective I can’t but help viewing the U21s management as somewhat chaotic if not, at times, shambolic. The injuries are also a huge concern and the recruitment at that level has looked dubious recently, though the recruits are young players that may improve. I would say, the lack of relegation from PL2 can’t have helped the whole set-up, designed to develop players.

Another Holtby? Eustace appeared to have a soft spot for Sigurdsson purely based on his quotes. Was often talking him up.

Harrison Wood and Alex Baker I suppose will be released this year and futures of Mafoumbi and Gilsenan doubtful, Rovers have to be looking to bring in a few forwards at U21s level. I believe too much was asked of Tyjon too early in his physical development (though whether it is linked to his injuries is a medical matter) and the same will happen to Boggan, who may be the next ‘hope’, albeit he is older.

Not having so many players going through revolving doors on loan and back again must make a difference. Makes sense to loan out players to gain experience but not everyone at the same time and preferably longer-term to actually gain meaningful experience.

I’m guessing “gentleman’s agreement” is in place.