The only thing that gives me encouragement regarding England this season is the form of Sturridge, from what I've seen. Hart is not up to it, the defence isn't good enough, I rate Wilshere/Walcott and maybe Oxlaide Chamberlain but Rooney is not somebody you would back to perform. Lampard might still have some legs left, Gerrard has the ability but is immobile. We have not improved since Germany smashed us 4-1 a few years back so anybody thinking we have is wrong.
Your post is incredibly contradictory, as clearly we have improved, because since then we have had Wilshere come into the midfield and players such as Carrick, Walcott and Baines have started hitting their potential, as well as players like Ox, Sturridge, Barkley, Gibbs and Jenkinson breaking through. And Hart is a superior keeper to Green.
Sturridge's move to Liverpool last season has done wonders for his form. Same might be said for Huddlestone's move to us in a few months time. If we're to be a decent international side we need the best English players playing regularly for their clubs. There's probably a few more tucked away (Scott Sinclair - what's happened to him ?) up and down the country.
People are slagging off Walcott, why? He scored 21 goals and got 14 assists last season. A certain £85m player only scored 5 more and 1 less assist.
And Podolski, playing a similar position for the same club got a lot less yet he's German so he's world class.
Maybe because Podolski has 46 goals in 111 appearances for Germany. He does it on the world stage. Walcott clearly doesnt/hasnt yet?? Like getting dropped from the 2010 WC squad.
I'm never quite sure what world class actually means as a footballing term? That they're good enough to play in the world? Or anywhere in the world? I mean obviously they'd be good enough to play for *****lia or Uzbekistan, maybe even Eritrea. Does it mean that Chester is country class? Maybe even continent class? I know that Alex Bruce is hamlet class...
I think Hart was pretty poor last season to be honest and has been for England. Milner is an excellent player to have in your side, personally just don't rate Walcott. There are many players I'd have in front of him, Cleverley for me doesn't do enough to justify a place in the England team.
That's comparing them in different scenarios though and over a long time period. If Podolski, or any other top player, played for England they'd be subject to the same crap that the likes of Walcott is with everyone desperate for him to fail it'd be difficult for him too. They actually support their national teams in other countries and as a result they perform. Ours are terrified of the inevitable backlash. Last season Walcott and Podolski played either side of a front 3 for the same team and Walcott achieved a lot more. What better comparison is there? I know you're taking the piss but I agree in the sense that the term is discussed a lot but it's not clear what the criteria is.
Yeah great record...Until you look closer and realize he's scored two goal against major nations. Majority of teams in international teams would struggle in the lower divisions.
I know you have some frankly bizarre thoughts regarding goal scorers but which bit arent you getting of 46 goals in 111 games at international level!!!!! Fat Frank and Gerrard only have 3 more between them.
Klose is equal with Gerd Muller on 68 goals, though Gerd did it in 62 games (insane record) whereas Miroslav has done it in 130.
No, just off what I saw midweek, Forster looked well on form, Hart looked the opposite. I still the Hart is by and large a far better keeper. A drop to the bench might help encourage him to push on, he doesn't really have any genuine competition at club or country.
