Percentages don’t reflect Fab progress

IT is Monday morning’s first job down at the FA’S coaching HQ.

Count the number of English outfield players who started a Premier League game over the weekend and convert it into a handy percentage, ideal for soundbites.

Last weekend, it was 24.5 per cent, which, apparently, is the lowest figure in three years.

It might well be the lowest figure ever, but the FA only started counting three years ago.

Gareth Southgate (above) duly highlighted the number, saying the issue is “the missing piece everyone is keen to resolve”.

It is a worthy crusade, but there is a two-word riposte. Fabian Delph.

He did not start for Manchester City against Bournemouth last Saturday, but has he improved as a player through training and competing for a place with so many brilliant imports?

Of course, he has. Delph (left) has improved to the extent where he was, arguably, one of England’s best players before being tactically replaced late in the game against Croatia last month.

No, 24.5 per cent is not ideal, certainly not if you are the England manager.

But among the 24.5 per cent, most will have needed to take themselves to another level to be in that number.

And, as we are happily finding out in life with Southgate’s squad, that can only benefit England.

RALPH HASENHUETTL was in the Wembley stands on Wednesday night but did not take official charge of Southampton until yesterday. Of course Ralph (below) didn’t. Had Southampton pulled off a surprise win against Spurs, how long would it have been before it appeared on his record? Remember Sam Allardyce sitting in the stands for David Unsworth’s last game as Everton manager?The thumping 4-0 defeat of West Ham was soon appropriated by Allardyce.That’s the way managers work and that’s fine.If you are in the stadium and it is your team, it is your result.