I like you Boss, and you're more than welcome here, but for future reference, here's what a world class finish looks like..... [video=youtube;aLmS-c7hk_8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLmS-c7hk_8[/video]
I can't agree that there was a lack of desire, if anything, it meant too much and the team were afraid of losing. That has been the case for the last 40 years and the only Manager that has come close to engendering a winning mentality was Bobby Robson. Formations and tactics are important, but I feel that biggest thing holding the England team back is a lack of freedom to express themselves and be brave on the ball as they are at club level. If every individual brought their club form to the National team then we would be looking forward to the knockout stages now.
Luke Shaw gives his boots to some fans: https://twitter.com/Lukedunit1981/status/481803168716947456/photo/1
Yes, Costa Rica do have 'better players' in terms of technical ability and movement and they have been a better unit, I think you/we are belittling them. I have never stated that England players do not have talent, however there are some shortcomings to the style which they play, mainly the legacy of playing in the Premier League and possibly the mindset as you said. Few British players go abroad because earnings are very high here, especially for younger players who are trying to break through.
Doesn't necessarily mean anything other than he wasn't right for the team. Tevez and particularly Mascherano struggled to get into an almost-relegated West Ham side, and you can't question their ability.
Ruiz has been known for being technically brilliant but going missing too often and not working hard enough. He's a liability. His technical ability is as good as anyone on the England team though. Navas, Borges and Campbell would get a go at the England squad if they were English, for sure.
They were young when they arrived at west ham straight from boca. Tevez still scored that all important goal I'm not doubting ruiz's technical ability. I just feel we have players equal, if not better to his ability. Costa Rica played as a team and we did not. Greece play as a team and get to the knock out stages.
**** me England were so poor in all their games that they must be the worst team that was out there....Thats what you get when you flood the premiership with foreign players..
OK. Tell you what, for debate's sake, I'll accept everything you've written. Now answer me this. why do English players have superb touch, skill, and vision for their clubs, where the level is arguably higher at times, and yet can't trap a ball nine times out of ten when playing for England. They can't pass or receive without a bobble, yet at club level they are consummate in what they do..? I've been around this subject too long, It bores the living daylights out of me. England players have suffered this dilemma since before most of you here were born. When they play for their clubs they are brilliant, yet lose all sense of god-like behaviour every time they put on an England shirt. Funnily enough, the one player I can think of, who gave something like his club form was Alan Shearer, the most critical of England pundits. He wasn't the most technically capable player, yet he was eminently effective. Gary Lineker was arguably better in an England shirt than at club level. To me, it is about mentality. Oh, and by the way, Schneiderlin is playing quite well for France [I'm wstching delayed broadcast], and was apparently disappointed with his performance. He's not even the most capable player in Saints squad, yet he's doing fine.
They could not handle the massive expectation of winning one game in their group? It's not like they were World Cup favorites.
I laughed. A lot. [video=youtube;M329j2KkOiw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M329j2KkOiw&feature=youtu.be&ac[/video]
I thought you kept telling us you only watch Saints and pay no attention to other club football? If so, how do you know how good their touch is for their clubs? Players like Rooney have a poor first touch for club and country and you'd see that if you watched him closely at united. British players of today do not have the same quality of technical ability as a huge number of their foreign counter parts.
You really can be the most annoyingly pedantic of posters at times FLT. There is a difference between being interested and being able to observe nevertheless. Just take it as read that I have noticed players playing for their clubs if I say I have, ok..? I'm not in the habit of inventing observations to suit my point.
Wow. I take it I'm annoying when I disagree TSS. You can be the most patronising at times, but hey I can roll with that. I still say though that if you watch closely these players may "play well" for their clubs, but their technical ability is nonetheless not as good as it should be.
If you watch Man U for example, you'll see that Rooney is so inconsistent. He can be good in four, maybe five matches in a row. Then be anonymous for the next five matches.
It's not inconsistency, it's whether the opposition deal with him or not. Some approach the United game with the intent of just marking Rooney out of the game. Sometimes they manage.
