Featured Image Credit: talkSPORT & Alamy
Topics: England, Gareth Southgate
Daniel Marland
Laura Woods thinks England manager Gareth Southgate is showing 'blind loyalty' to players like Harry Maguire.
The defender gave away a penalty during Monday's 3-3 draw with Germany and his name was booed by those inside Wembley prior to kick-off.
Maguire hasn't started Manchester United's last four Premier League games, with manager Erik ten Hag preferring a partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
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He still started both of England's games in this international break however and talkSPORT presenter Woods believes it's setting a bad precedent.
"I just find that situation really odd to get my head around, because I find the blind loyalty in players like Harry Maguire..." Woods explained. "We have to judge them on their performances - and last night he made some costly errors and in the Premier League he's not being played.
"For England he comes in and pulls a shirt on. It's not the place to regain your confidence - international football - when you're about to go into a World Cup. You've got to be there already, we don't have another chance now."
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The 29-year-old is expected to keep his place at this winter's World Cup in Qatar, despite a lack of playing time at club level.
He gave away a penalty against Germany and also made a mistake in the build-up to the visitors' second goal.
Southgate was criticised for not playing AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori in Friday's 1-0 defeat to Italy, given the fact he plays against Italy attackers in Serie A.
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Tomori was then left out of the squad altogether for the Germany game. Ivan Toney received his first international call-up for the Nations League ties and didn't play a single minute.
Woods was equally puzzled by that, adding it was the perfect opportunity to see what the Brentford striker can offer.
She continued: "Looking at it as a whole, you bring Ivan Toney into the situation and put him in front of the media, he tells everyone how excited he is to play.
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"He's on the back of all the papers and that's great - then he doesn't even get a look in. What's the point of having him near that squad?"
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