The whole crowd will be on his case, the Ukrainians will be trying to wind him up constantly and he'll probably react, if it was France or Sweeden I'd play him, but it's not, it's the Hosts and the last time he played in a championship against the hosts he saw red.
I say bring him in. Carroll isn't **** but he was brought into the team to do a certain job against Swede, which he did. The Ukrainians have different defensive weaknesses and I'd play Rooney behind Welbeck in a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1.
Best striker we've got and most experience go to play him for Welbeck, though Welbeck did well yesterday.
Oh? Last checked we are 4th favorates to actually win the tournement with France being a place above us! So in terms of "looking the best" it is about getting results. So far we have been ok (though i was sweating last night).
Yes, can't believe we're relying on that "old guard" of Welbeck, Carroll, Hart, Walcott, Young, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones etc., disgraceful. Only Germany, Spain and Holland are clearly better than England IMO, and Holland could be going out. Portugal are almost as average as Sweden, France just edge it quality wise but we showed they don't know how to break us down, Russia have decent players going forward but will be found out in the quarters, Croatia are worse than they were when we thrashed them in Croatia and Italy are just behind us as they are rebuilding just like we are.
Nope this was a rating given to us by looking at a variety of book makers: http://european-championship.betting-directory.com/odds.php http://www.oddschecker.com/football/internationals/euro-2012/winner I actually think our country is heavily underrating our team this year! Internationally we are ranked 6th in the world (via Fifa)! yet we consider France and Russia better teams when they are ranked 13th and 14th respectively. I am not saying we are as good as the rating suggest by any means. But who would you consider better than us in this tournament except Germany and Spain? I think there is nothing to choose between us and say: France, Portugal, Italy and Russia. I would also mention the Netherlands but they do not seem to performing for whatever reason.
It was just an everage Sweden but England struggled that badly. Everybody sees it, they cannot keep the ball for more than 10 passes. Ukraine is a much better side at ball retention and England will chase shadow for 3/4 of the time. Rooney is a must, he can keep the ball, he can distribute to other players. Caroll will be the sub for last 10-15 mins if the team is trailing in scoreline. Young-Welbeck-Rooney would form good attack threat as they understand e/o. Walcott for Milners. A win vs Sweden does not make England a contender for all the sudden, still a just-above-average team - 5.5/10 team compared to 9/10s of Spain and Germany.
.... Agree with your sentiments, though. I think we will struggle against Spain or Italy (they've looked good so far) but could beat Croatia, although I'd take nothing for granted.
I must say Italy have surprised me slightly but they have been a bit like England, not convinced in either performance but done enough. The fact we had more possession doesn't suggest Sweden were better at retaining the ball. If anyone deserves to be dropped it's Young, done **** all defensively or going forward in either game.
Rooney is our best player - it's a no brainer, he has to play. Drop Carroll to the bench - he can be an impact sub if we need one. Move Young to the right because he can't play on the left. Milner to the left because we need his energy I still fear for us on Tuesday...a draw will do but if we get it, it will be the best draw we've achieved since Rome 1997.
If he doesn't start, it makes a mockery of the fact that we took him! His club partnership with Welbeck has produced 30 goals between them in 18 games! Carroll took three quarters of a season to produce one goal! No Brainer!
I can see Woy playing Welbeck and Rooney upfront with the option of changing and bringing on Carroll if need be. Then he can have Young, Rooney and Welbeck who all will 'connect' because they play together for Man Utd.
