The boys are representing Well and everyone is fighting for each other. Keep the scum out of the team!
We could use Rooney when we're going forward instead of Bent (who's useless), but we're not missing Terry at all.
The two CB's have been class acts. Snuffed out any little chances, Spain had. But sadly Terry will walk back into the team.
Meaningless in an England shirt!? Tonights result and the passion these players showed is what I want to see, Not the over hyped press monkey or the back stabbing team mate. They even eased the pain of Capello missing his sons wedding.
I don't know what that was about ... you said Bent's better than Rooney in an England shirt, I pointed out how meaningless a comparison is on those terms. Rooney's had some bad performances in an England shirt. He's also a more talented footballer than Bent is, nobody will disagree. Like I said, if you're going to select players for the England team on the basis of "how well I've seen them perform in an England shirt" rather than what you know those players are capable of, then we should have Crouch as an automatic start in every game.
I'm not sure how you could have watched Bent lead an utterly toothless England attack tonight and then claim he's the better choice. Bent's best is not even in the same class as Rooney's best. I don't like the guy either, but I'm not going to let personal dislike for the guy influence the logic of it; Rooney has far more ability, as you agree, and it makes zero sense not to play him when he can offer so much more when he's on form. Messi doesn't perform well for Argentina, doesn't mean you pick someone inferior, the class will come through at some point.
It's time England do a germany and clear out all the old liabilities, and bring through some in form players, and dynamic youngsters. Look at the team today, not as many big names as normal, but spirited performances from in form players such as Parker (who should get the captain's armband, the guy is a leader) and younger players such as Rodwell. Plus, they were without wilshere, who immediately improves the team with his dynanicism. P.S. Great result for Wales, i was more interested in the wales score, as i'm welsh.
I'd take Bent in a heartbeat. Rooney never performs at his club level when wearing an england shirt, whereas Bent usually features when selected, as he did today, with his (and the posts) assist.
It was an excellent TEAM performance. The two CB's defended superbly as a UNIT, clearly their communication was a factor to this. I would have to say Jagielka was less assured in possession, and ruined England keeping the ball numerous times, by passing to Hart rather than to Lescott next to him when he had plenty of time on the ball. Glen Johnson was somewhat of a liability, if it wasn't for a couple of dodgy calls by the Linesman his inability to keep the line would of cost England dearly. Parker, Jones and Lampard worked their socks off. Parker was impeccable the whole time he was on the pitch. Jones was fantastic off the ball but in possession was incredibly poor and whilst he got himself into very good positions (middle of the park, 10 yards clear of any opposition), couldn't find a pass to save his life. Those three plus the two CB's and Cashley, understood how to counter the Spanish threat as well. Counter pressing. The times we created opportunities, were when we invited Spain to press us, keeping possession camly and then when they commited that extra man to the press, play it around all of them. Bent worked hard, but really had no opportunities to shine. I think Welbeck dealt with being on his own better, his movement was better as well, and more often than not latched onto the balls forward even if it was to play them backwards again. I'm not surprised by this, Wellbeck is younger, quicker and more agile. I thought Walcott looked better than Downing who replaced him, and Milner who was on the opposite side. If it wasn't for two very cynical fouls by Ramos probably would of created a couple of opportunities to score. It was a great performance, and I can't wait to see a fit Wilshere back in that side, along with Ashley Young. With Wellbeck and Bent we could even give 4-4-2 in some form a go.
Then why do we have Bent and not Crouch, on that basis? Bent "ran his socks off" and accomplished absolutely nothing. Apart from a header from a set piece (which wasn't particularly down to him being skillful ... any of the England strikers would've got on the end of that one) he didn't do a thing the entire game, didn't try to make any through-runs, didn't stretch the defensive line (which you need to be doing if you're the only one up front, you're just a useless statue otherwise). You can say what you like about Rooney's temperament (I'm the first to say he's an absolute arse and a liability under pressure), but he would've created a good move or two and skipped past a defender once or twice to open things up which Bent isn't capable of. To suggest that he doesn't have the skill to do that, and hasn't done it in games previous, is just showing yourself to be blinded by dislike for the guy. Lol? Where'd you get that from? Maybe you should read things more before reacting.
lampard for me was abit ****, parker rodwell, wellbeck, the defence maybe minus johnson (although he comes alive with his bursting runs through the oppositions box) hart, walcott, get wilshere in there and we've got a pretty good team Joe Hart Glen Johnson Richards Joleon Lescott Phil Jagielka Ashley Cole Theo Walcott Phil Jones Scott Parker James Milner Darren Bent Adam Johnson Gareth Barry Danny Welbeck Rodwell Wilshere Rooney Young That should be our England Squad Maybe with lampard, terry etc as 2nd/3rd choice/squad support gerrard lampard etc could do it when they were younger and on top, so theres NO WAY they can do it now their old and past it (even more so come the euros/WC)