Town must finish what they started
ENGLISH players’ involvement in the Premier League has improved slightly as this season has progressed, but remains below a third of total playing time.
National team boss Gareth Southgate has repeatedly voiced his concern over England’s shrinking player pool and only 32 per cent of Premier League minutes this season have gone to players eligible to represent the Three Lions.
Having previously suggested he may have to dip into the Championship, Southgate has called on Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho in his squad to face Croatia and Spain as top-level domestic opportunities remain limited.
Slightly worryingly, two of the league’s form teams are still well adrift of the pack in terms of playing time for English players.
Chelsea are unbeaten and level on points at the top, while Arsenal have won their past six league games and nine in all competitions – but both languish below the five per cent mark having used only three English players apiece.
Blues midfielder Ross Barkley has provided a bright spot for England, featuring in seven of his side’s eight games and starting three, to force his way back into Southgate’s squad.
His move from Everton came during an injury-hit season and he missed the World Cup, but the 24-year-old playmaker is relishing his increased involvement under Maurizio Sarri.
“I had a difficult season through injuries and I had a few niggles but kept a positive mind,” he said. “I had a strong pre-season and things are going well for me now.”
At the other end of the scale, Burnley comfortably lead the way with almost 70 per cent of their playing time going to English players. draw at Turf Moor remains a frustration. Hogg believes Town need to work on their finishing before Liverpool come to the John Smith’s Stadium a week on Saturday, October 20.
“We must have got in Burnley’s box 15 or 20 times and it’s so frustrating to dominate like that and come away with only one point,” said Hogg, who leads out the team when club captain Tommy Smith is not in the starting line-up.
“That was the hardest thing to take because, over the last few weeks, our performances have been great.
“But we need to work over the international break on scoring goals. That’s something we need to improve on, but I’m sure if we keep playing like that it will come. We are enjoying playing that kind of football.”
Hogg, who has been back for two matches after serving a three-game ban for his sending-off against Cardiff City in August, fired over from a decent 18-yard shooting chance in the first half at Turf Moor.
His last goal, in fact, came in the Championship more than two years ago – the last-minute winner against Barnsley at the John Smith’s Stadium on August 20, 2016.
“My shot over the bar should have been hitting the target,” he said.
“We need to work on something because we need to start hitting the back of the net to pick up some results. Everyone knows it, because we can see it from the statistics, but we need to stay positive and keep working hard.” Meanwhile, Adam Lallana will be available for selection when Liverpool face the Terriers after the international break. Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp, an old friend of Wagner’s, will be able to call upon the England midfielder for the clash as the 30-year-old returns to fitness following a string of injury problems. It is reported the former Southampton captain has been training at Melwood for the past three weeks, but ruled himself out of the Reds’ last two matches in order to regain his match sharpness through extra sessions. Lallana has most recently been sidelined with a groin issue picked up while on England duty last month, but has also struggled with hamstring injuries over the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2017/18 campaign, Liverpool’s No.20 has made just 17 appearances for club and country in all competitions.
We need to work over the international break on scoring goals