I couldnt agree more. Wilshire should be behind Berkley for me and Milner proves again he is not International class. Andy Bellend was irritating me at the start of the match saying how he is going to Arsenal as a Right Back - he has barely played there and looked woeful tonight. Owen Hargreaves he isnt.
Yes, in the article it mentions that no ordinary penalty can be compared to a penalty shoot-out. Yeah, well I bet those that are better at penalties are better at penalty shoot-outs too, and that's without the various specialist people who try to accentuate the positive, to those who don't have the mentality. In my opinion, the Le Tiss mentality is worth 10 Gerrards, when it comes to a penalty shoot-out, whether or not Matty has experienced a shoot-out, simply because his technique was the best as it is possible to get. Players like Lambert and Beattie do extremely well because they have great belief in their power and accuracy. SFC has indeed been blessed with a fortune of penalty takers.
I agree about the right back, but what other aspiring top nation would have milner as the right midfield (or anywhere across the middle) - Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, France... Of course they wouldnt. Not international class for me, if we want to be considered as amongst the better nations (top 10) that is.
Thats a nightmare - I could see him coming off the bench and having a real impact... Nevermind, Wilshere or Lampard it is then.
2 sendings off were justified. Dangerous tackle that could have been a leg breaker, Valencia can have no complaints. Enjoyed it, great entertainment for the neutral. Oxo and Barkley looked very good, thought Lambert also did well. Rooney and Lampard certainly shouldnt be in the team and I find Wilshire overrated. Think England will get out of their group and maybe even quarters after a favourable 2nd round draw but no further
But we're not a top nation. We're the tier below that. Milner is one of the few English players to regularly get games for the English champions, he ripped Bayern Munich apart this season.
I actually thought England did well tonight. The (second choice) defence is awful, but everybody knew that, and the midfield and forwards were quite a threat I thought. Barkley, despite tending to want to do a trick or a spin once too often, was very lively, as was young Chamberlain before his injury. I hope he is OK as his pace would be a useful thing to have, and he is a strong runner. Would be a cruel blow for him to miss the World Cup. Rickie was good tonight - scored a belter and dropped deep well to find the passes. We will certainly miss him. The red cards weren't really necessary. The ref sent them both off, and despite the overreaction by Valencia and slightly 'over-the-top' challenge by Sterling, surely a word with the pair of them in friendly would have sufficed. He just wanted his moment I suppose. Such an over acted giving of the cards, deary me.
So why did they play them..? As far as the defence was concerned, I paid especial attention to Luke Shaw, and by thunder [appropriate adjective considering the weather] he was up to the task. Bloody hell, nothing is coming past him, and I loved that. I can only hope it's the same feeling come August.
I thought Shaw was ok to good, not much more. Did well going forward, but at fault for the first goal and still let Valncia whiz a couple of balls across.
Yes I agree with you FLT, Shaw did OK, but was caught out a couple of times. The two CBs are just a joke really. Everybody knows they are terrible, and have both had shocking seasons for United, but still get to go to a World Cup in Brazil. Let's just hope that Cahill and Jagielka stay fit.
Our defense worries me, not just those tonight either. The ease at which Ecuador found space on the break was frightening as they are not a strong side. A good team could destroy us.
Just seen on the saintsfc hashtag that shaw spotted the saints flag at the game, went over and gave a young saints fan his shirt. Class from him. That's how it's done Adz!
