Hart 4 (cost us both our goals) Glen Johnson 5 (some good attacking play, but went missing far too often) Terry 5 (solid performance) Ferdinand 6 (probably our best defender) Cole 5 (did ok, but unfair to judge too harshly given his limited time on the field) Walcott 3 (did absolutely nothing and was anonymous) Parker 5 (some good invention, but too many backward passes) Wishere 7 (England's best player, but still a little too erratic to be considered an England regular yet) Milner 5 (some neat touches, but not our best option on the left) Lampard 5 (took his penalty well, but otherwise anonymous) Bent 4 (what's the point in having a striker if he can't at least hit the target from close range?) Subs: Baines 6 (did well when he came on and looked a solid replacement for Cole, but a little nervy at times) Young 7 (close call for MOTM for me; took his goal well and made a huge impact on the game) Downing 5 (should have started instead of Walcott)
Hart - 4 Johnson - 5.5 Terry - 6 Druggy - 5 Cashly - 6 Walcott - 4 Parker -5.5 Wilshere - 6.5 Lampard - 4 Milner - 4 Bent - 4 Subs: Baines - 6 Young - 7 MOTM. Downing - 5.5
Stewart Downing should have started instead of Walcott? Surely Ashley Young deserved to start moreso??
I would certainly agree with you that Young should have started instead of Walcot However, my understanding is that Young came on to replace Milner. I would happily have seen him come on earlier in the game for Walcott. Either Young or Downing in place of Walcott would have done for me.
How do you rate England's players tonight? ========= Awful, as a team. Wilshere dragged them back into the game, and Ashley Young took over in the second half. They stood head and shoulders above the rest, who all deserve low, low ratings. I definitely wouldn't pick Walcott out as one who was any worse than the others, Parker and Milner I think conceded the free-kicks that led to the goals, Ferdinand and Terry did not defend the first goal well, Milner made a bad mistake for the second and Hart can hardly be happy with his contribution. Milner and Lampard did little going forward, Bent was at his worst. Ashley Cole didn't do a lot, Baines struggled to begin with when he came on. Go on Robbie Keane, up the Irish!!
I don't believe this! Pav gets a hat-trick and Keane slots in another for the Rep of Ireland! Where are these goals when we need them for Spurs?
============ Maybe the creative talents of Huddlestone, Lennon and Modric don't match those of Arshavin, Bilyaletdinov, Kilbane and McGeady!!
Nah. It's more likely that Pav and Keane can only score against sides that would struggle in our Division Two.
That was so bad it was funny. Most of the team were poor but special mentions go to Walcott, he's fast but that is it. Parker, shocking. Did he manage to get one pass to a teammate? Lampard, surely now everybody can see his football career is over. I didn't know he was playing until he took the pen. Rio, is he back on the pipe? Most of all, Capello. What does he have to do to get fired? God knows he's trying his best to get fired.
England's slow build up play means Walcott will never hit his Arsenal form for England. The season gone he was the perfect inside forward for us. Arsenal normally play at a far higher tempo then England. When we do that it gives Walcott space to work in. Without it he is a one trick poney, i.e kick and rush. England toady espcially in the first half where so damn slow. It gave the Swiss time to get back and deny anyone space. Walcott scored more goals then Young,Lennon,Milner,Downing and Johnson for a reason. He is a far better goal threat then all of those players. Young should have started behind Bent. That is where he plays for Villa now. Lampard was the worst player on the pitch. When he stepped up to take the pen that is the first time i noticed he was actually playing. He is way to slow on the ball these days. Oh and Wilshere is well and truly an England first team player now.
That's the exact same reason I have given as to why Lennon doesn't thrive for England. He's far too fast for the rest of the midfield.
I won't go into this ratings malarky because I thought the ONLY player who stood out was Jack Wilshere. Ran his socks off, some great tackles and easily, Englands best player. HOW did Bent miss that sitter! Woeful team performance but, 8/10 for Wilshere can't wait too see him playing alongside Gerrard.
Hart - 5 - Poor for the first goal, exposed by **** defending for the second. Johnson - 5 - Doesnt cut it at this level. Leaves the team exposed as the CB's have to move to fill the space, creating gaps where they were. Terry - 6 - Decent, closed out some play well. Rio - 6 - Same as Terry. Had a decent game. Cole - 6 Cannot pinpoint an error, but i'm starting to think Baines is worth a start. Lampard - 5 - Too old now. To be used as a sub. He looked leggy, and was knowhere as they passed around us. No leadership qualities, no surges into the box. Penalty is a penalty. Parker - 5 - Exposed a lot. Not convinved he was fully fit. Not helped by the others who didn't fancy closing the ball down. Wilshire - 7 - Did well to get us back in the game. But he also gave the ball away, cannot tackle, often went for the wonder pass, and didn't close down quick enough. Not quite ready. Milner - 5 - Did one good thing. The rest was pants. What merited his inclusion in the team? Walcott - 4 - I don't believe we should start with him. He's great to bring on and shatter tired players. Not good enough to start. Found wanting. Bent - 3 - Great club footballer. Not good enuough at this level. His performance reminded me of Heskey, but without any redeeming qualities. Downing - 3- Did nothing, but had little time. Baines - 6 - Gave us a bit more attacking flair. But also left our defence exposed. Young - 7 - Played well. Why didn't we start him? Capello - 4 - Contiues to pick by name rather than form. Why is he even there considering he's leaving by the next tourna. It's a farce.
