Cronky

If that was all a midfield player needed to do, he'd have been great.

Barkley is the obvious miss. Needs to fulfil some potential though. He's clearly got some ability. Yeah. In general, we do have some talented players who, for one reason or another, weren't out there last night - Barkley, Wilshere, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck - players who can make things happen. A fit and in-form Wilshere would have made a big difference, but I fear the worst for his career, with so many injuries early on.

Southgate hasn't even managed at club level never mind international. Leaving him at the helm too long is the equivalent of putting Giggs in charge of Man U. The FA are basically just winging it at the moment, and Allardyce was part of that as well. Realistically, what alternatives are there going to be at this point in the season? And we can't wait a year for an alternative to become available. Southgate will get the job until the end of the World Cup.

Odd game. We were the better side, but they had the better chances, largely due to our defensive mistakes. I thought there was some promising signs, with the pace of our passing but we didn't make the best of our opportunities in the final third. Sturridge's decision making is really poor. Lingard is a good player and looked far more effective when he came inside later on. Townsend made things happen. Walcott has never looked an international player.

I think we're moving the ball around with a bit more pace, without him. In the final third, we're not showing enough skill or precision. Sturridge will produce some good moments, but doesn't read the game well. I'd bring on the Ox.

Unfortunately, Shearer's legs went a while before he retired.

There may be an element of patronage in Bradley's appointment, but the bloke clearly has some ability and drive and sometimes a left field choice can work well. The story in the papers seems to be all about Giggs being passed over, but the guy has little managerial experience and it's of little relevance that he was good player and is (sort of) Welsh. He'd have been just as risky an appointment.

This looks like the beginning of the end. He's played at a top level from a young age, and it's taken its toll. I've always felt that the turning point came a few seasons ago when Fergie insisted on trying to play him against Bayern, a week after he sprained his ankle in the first leg. He broke down after 20 minutes and hasn't recovered his full pace since.

The lad hasn't given himself a chance though, has he? After several false starts, he finally gets a move to a club of the size that his talent deserves. But right at the start he behaves in a way that he must know, deep down, is going to lead to him getting the push. That's what needs explaining here.

This lad's pattern is that he rises to a certain point, and then he fucks up. For some reason, he can't handle success.

Nearly all of Derby's better attacks came down his flank, and they were clearly targeting him. He's doing okay, but we need a better alternative.

Shelvey looked more like the player we thought we were getting. He looked a lot fitter. We don't have much pace in the midfield so can't hit teams on the break. Yedlin is seriously quick and he can be a real asset in that area. Overall though, a comfortable win.

He sounded bright, but unfortunately not bright enough to duck that question about the thickest team mate.

Pretty much the same as the Euros. All a bit too slow and deliberate, with the exception of Lallana, who in speed of thought was a class above his team-mates. If it wasn't for the sending off, we probably wouldn't have won.

Henderson and Dier together looks like safety first, which is often self-defeating. I'd have kept faith with Barkley.

Looks like another case of a good international tournament adding 50% to a player's transfer value.

I just think we're going all out to get a good Championship side, with the attitude that we'll worry about the Premiership if and when we get there. A flawed strategy, but I don't know the alternative. It's harder than ever now for a Championship side to secure Premiership standard players.

Yes, but we'll have to drop our asking price by some way if we're hoping for £35m.

It looks like they'll struggle to find the right role for him. Just like us.

It seems that he's dropped two CMs and brought in two wide players. Presumably he feels that the squad at the Euros was unbalanced, with some justification, I suppose. Sterling was the only specialist wide player then. If fit and on form, Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wilshere should definitely be in there. I've not seen enough of them this season to judge, but in the long-term I hope they find their way back into the squad.

It looked to me like Baldock knew what he was doing. A challenge like that when any defender is attempting to clear is potentially dangerous, and he was being a bit cute. You could tell from his reaction afterwards that it wasn't a completely innocent attempt to block the ball.

Still a bit of work to do. We were the better side, but I never felt completely relaxed. We were a bit lucky that they didn't score from any of their set pieces. Their delivery was good, and we looked very vulnerable. Sels doesn't look confident in those situations, but I think he'll improve. A great free kick from Shelvey but I don't think he helps out enough defensively. Hayden and Diame were the main plus points, I thought. Perez looks like he'd rather be somewhere else.

Shelvey is just strolling around, like it's all a bit beneath him.

Think Shelvey will get himself sent off if he plays the full 90. But looked good for sure. I agree with the first part. A couple of times, the ball has run away from him and he's made a stupid lunge out of frustration. Perez worries me as well. He's struggling and getting a bit frustrated. That shoulder charge was a bit silly.