Nah, Agree re: mentally stronger and more battle hardened through experience, just thought they bullied us after the first half - albeit in a much more sophisticated way than Panama.
Now Rooney really was the ne of the best of the best for quite a fair while, but it all went pear shaped for him for whatever reason far too soon. The true greats carry on being great right til the end, Rooney only managed half a career. Should really still have a couple of years left at the very top of the game. Sad really.
I think we needed to change things up for Croatia. Given tiredness was going to hit both teams, I would have had Sterling on the bench and brought him on with 30 to go. He would have destroyed their full backs and would have been fresh for extra time Southgate was probably too afraid to change his team given it had got them to the semi final - but if we’re going to be successful we’ve got to take more ‘risks’ It was a shame Kane dropped his form at the end of the tournament and I have no idea how Wilshire couldn’t get in that squad - he’s a game changer and that’s what subs are for - to change the game. We had a great tournament - I am concerned if we stick to one game plan and a tried and tested best 11, there are coaches and teams that can work out our style and break it down fairly easily
Hindsight is a great thing, I bet at Half Time none of us thought Southgate picked the wrong XI. If we took our chances in the first half we would be in the final right now and lauding Southgate for his consistency. It's a game of very fine margins. My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone around me at the event was we needed to change it on 60 minutes and bring on another midfielder and win the battle in midfield.
I’ve not sworn an allegiance to Wales. I’ve not been to Wales for about 3 years. I’ve never lived in Wales.
in not saying he wasn't very good , he had a great career - but look at the penalty he wins here , I don't think after this tournament I saw him make a run like this for England again -
Euro 2004 was the only time Rooney played great for England competitively, and I think it's because he was still a teenager and had absolutely zero fear. Same with Owen in 98.
Think this is a pretty fair summing up. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...g-bewilderment-capacity-celebrate-defeat.html
A player can be a world class and never do anything internationally, it doesn't make them less world class. Anything can happen in a game of football. Scholes was world class, there isn't a debate for me. There have been many players who I would regard as world class in what they do that won **** all with their country e.g. Any dutch world class player from history, Dalgleish, Zico, Raul, Puskas, Best, Maldini, Messi - all these players have never won anything with their nations.
in not saying he wasn't very good , he had a great career - but look at the penalty he wins here , I don't think after this tournament I saw him make a run like this for England again -[/QUOTE] With Rooney, I tend to pinpoint it to a game when it all started to go downhill. It was after he was rushed back from an injury in the Champions League in 2010. Until that point he had an incredible turn or pace and a low centre of gravity. He'd aim his runs squarely at the heart of the opposition defence and they didn't know what to do with him. For six or so years he was terrific. Then after that injury and the rushing back, his pace and drive seemed to just go. He was still a very good finisher. I think he probably still scored 20 goals a season for Manchester United after that. But he became a different type of player, and one who didn't hurt teams in the way the younger Wayne Rooney had done. Apparently he was still smoking and not really worrying about his diet throughout most of his career, so that will all contribute too. As I said earlier, the teenage Wayne Rooney was as good - probably better - than the teenage Cristiano Ronaldo. One worked and worked at his game and committed everything to it. He's just been sold for £88m at the age of 33. The other has been allowed to leave Everton on a free to go into semi-retirement.
Passport? Are you an Australian citizen? If yes you gave up all rights to call England “we” no matter how many passports you may have. Your 2nd team? Liverpool or Man Utd?
If you're Australian, you’re Australian. Many are, but you shouldn’t be ashamed. Becoming Australian means you are no longer English. You gave up your birthright when you swore allegiance to another Country. The Sun? You need to work on your sledging.
