Still Time To Hope for Pope and Tarkowski

Last updated : 25 March 2018 By DSG

ly internationals?

Such fixtures are sold to fans on the basis that they represent crucial preparatory work ahead of the World Cup, and this is no doubt true, but the matches themselves bear the look and feel of soulless academic exercises

At least Burnley fans could draw comfort from the fact that Gareth Southgate selected two Clarets in his England squad; but were then dismayed when neither Nick Pope nor James Tarkowski featured in the first of the two matches, the Friday night victory over the Netherlands

It felt more than a little galling to find that Kyle Walker, a full-back, was selected to play in the centre of the defence and that Eric Dier, a midfielder, was shoved on to play there for the last couple of minutes

Would it have killed Southgate to give Tarkowski those few minutes?

Jordan Pickford was selected to play in goal for the Dutch game, and handled himself reasonably well

It would seem that Jack Butland is pencilled in to play against Italy at Wembley on Tuesday

All of which would indicate that PopeÂ’s selection was nothing more than an opportunity to have a look at him and give him the experience of being involved in the squad

That is understandable and probably reasonable, were it not for the fact that Pope has consistently and measurably out-performed both Pickford and Butland throughout the season

It would seem that PickfordÂ’s apparent comfort with the ball at his feet is a factor weighing heavily, and it seems decisively, in his favour and it is undoubtedly true that some of the messing around in their own penalty area that England indulged in would have been an anathema to Pope and all of the lessons that Sean Dyche had drilled into him

But I am old-fashioned in my belief that EnglandÂ’s goalkeeper should seek to emulate Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton rather than Bobby Moore

For all his good work, Pickford was hesitant under a couple of crosses on Friday night, a recurring frailty which had been exposed by Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes when he played for Everton at Turf Moor a few weeks ago

Pope, on the other hand, commands his penalty area and is an excellent shot-stopper

Surely these are greater attributes for a goalkeeper to possess than the ability to pick out a twenty yard pass?

Nevertheless, there will be three goalkeepers in the England squad heading for Russia (so long as political events donÂ’t conspire to prevent that from happening) and the conventional goalkeeping wisdom, supported by cold, hard statistics, insists that Pope should be one of them

TarkowskiÂ’s selection is more dubious; he is up against the likes of McGuire of Leicester, Mawson of Swansea, Smalling of Manchester United and former Claret Michael Keane for the one single seat on the plane

Ben Mee should also be in the mix for his sheer consistency, but his selection for the national team is looking increasingly unlikely

Burnley are often seen as too unfashionable for their players to be regarded as England selections

A few caps here and there have been pushed in the direction of some of the clubÂ’s better players down the years, but to become an England regular it seems that you will have to move to a club with a higher profile

Fortunately, not all countries are so elitist and several Clarets are now involved in international representation around the world

Indeed Sam Vokes trekked all the way to China with Wales and was returned home with two goals

Next week, business as usual returns for Burnley, as they round the bend into the final furlong of the season, looking to round off what has been an outstanding season with a strong and purposeful finish.

A trip to the Hawthorns is next on the agenda, a graveyard in the recent past for Burnley teams, but West Brom now look to be heading for relegation without, it seems, the stomach for the fight to extract themselves

We shall see

This reflection on the international break pertaining to Burnley Football Club was written by uber Burnley fan and regular contributor to Clarets Mad, Dave Thornley (TEC).

Source : DSG

Source: DSG