Can't disagree with you more, Col. Baines was completely exposed because Rooney didn't provide any cover. Baines had two Italians constantly at him, and was offered no help whatsoever. Cole would have fared no better. In fact, Cole would probably have pushed up the field more and left us even more exposed. Point the finger all you like, but the fault was Rooney's, not Baines.
I have this game recorded at a meeting so never got to see it live heard a few times today that England played well should I bother to watch the game will I be missing anything if I dont
Good to see you posting Nuts. I think your perspective is a little off, given that for once our expectations are low and we recognise that while this team has some potential, we are a long way from seeing anything serious delivered. What we saw was as close to 'high tempo and no fear' against quality opponents that I think it is fair to expect. And, as usual, most comment is about England, ignoring the fact that Italy are more than decent quality and experienced, canny tournament players. I think they have a chance of going all the way, they restricted us to mainly long range efforts, controlled the ball, hit the woodwork twice and still seemed to have a gear or two in reserve. Pirlo v Gerrard as playmaker is really no contest. I was, however, delighted that we did not let down what has been a very entertaining tournament so far - played with a fair degree of intent and encouraged Sterling to run at them. Lots of pace against Uruguay and Lambert up front against Costa Rica and we have a chance of going through, which I think will be an achievement. A massive step forward since the Euro Championships, but still a work in progress.
It was certainly a mistake to play Rooney on the left and I agree that it didn't help Baines. However, their winner came in the 2nd half from a cross that Baines made no effort to stop. Wellbeck was switched to the left at half time so you can't blame Rooney for this. Baines is very poor positionally and is a very, very average footballer. He is very good at set pieces............that's it imo. Cole is on a different planet as a player compared to Baines. Cole is a twat, but still far and away our best left back still. Hodgson made a mistake by not selecting Cole and another by playing Rooney on the left. He can't afford to make any more.
I have to say that Cole, for all his personal shortcomings, was probably the best left back in World football between the two previous World Cups, he's obviously not as good as he was at his peak two or three years ago but is still the best 'defensive' left back in the country and should have been in Brazil. Similarly John Terry should also have been in the team as his leadership of the defensive line is one of his main strengths besides him being a complete arsehole...
That only makes sense if you think we had a chance of winning this thing. If not it makes much more sense to play people who will be around for a few years, accept that it is a learning experience, then slag them off mercilessly when they cock up next time.
Did you not read what mild quiet Gerrard said about John Terry in the dressing room at the last World Cup. How divisive he was. How he created have/have not cliques. How he treated himself as captain even though he wasn't I would not be interested in supporting any England team that contained John Terry in any form I doo not think he has any support outside his own dressing room No thank you to Terry and no thank you to his little yappy dog Cole
I was just saying they are better than the players out there in their positions, I agree we have to look forward and they are history but it doesn't alter the fact we would be more solid if they were in the team...
Fine. Play Shaw then......he can't be any worse than Baines and he's one for the future. IMO England wouldn't have lost to Italy with Cole in the team.
Not sure that I agree with your verdict on the Goal Col, watch it again from where it started in their half.. Wellbeck didn't come across to cover, leaving Baines two, he had to hold covering the first until he was passed on to the middle then he was always playing catch up to get back for the cross hence he dived to cover the cross and was sold a dummy, easy to do when your charging in rather than controlling the situation. You could also argue because he had to pass on a player Jag it in turn made Jonhson have to follow his man across the box leaving Cahill in a bad situation, half turned with no cover. Don't get me wrong Baines was not entirely blameless here but he also was not big villain of the piece either. The left needed to be sorted and he didn't make himself understood what needed to be done, perhaps because he isn't established he couldn't shout at the people in front of him enough or other reason I don't know. I agree Cole was a better left back but not so sure he is today or could have done a better in that situation, however he may not have let the situation get out of control in the first place.
You're right mate. I'm certainly letting the fact that I've never rated Baines in open play cloud my judgement a little. However, I stand by my assertion that Cole is still our best left back by some distance, even allowing for the fact that he's not as good as he was and has lost a yard of pace. At his best, he was so quick and used to mark players like Ronaldo out of the game. You're right.............Cole would have nipped the situation on the left in the bud and I still believe that Baines is very poor positionally. The blame also lies with Roy for putting Rooney on the left. What is it with these England managers and their habit of playing very good players out of position? Gerrard and Scoles were both treated the same way. IMO we either play Rooney in the centre or not at all.
