International Thread Part Trois

Whilst I would never over-hype Rooney, I have to be fair and remind you that Charlton took 105 caps to score all his goals. The truly world class striker with the great record England had presents MOTD on Saturday nights. Alan Shearer was great as well, but not in Lineker's class.

However, as mentioned before, I'd leave Rooney at home. Time to burn the bridges.

 

Really could not understand why welbeck started ahead of vardy. Kane is not one to lead a line as he tends to wander, vardy and Kane should be played together. Do not stick vardy on the left but give both free reign to pull the defence apart with their movement

 

I imagine Cahill will be first choice CB. Hopefully Stones can have a good run of games, smalling has good attributes but is brainless

 

Shearer and Lineker were two different types of striker.id have liked to have seen them together.

 

Yeah Shearer was traditionally British, and Lineker was European in style.

 

Kane and Vardy playing means 2 up front, which is brave although it worked yesterday. With Welbeck we can play 1 up front and pack the middle of the pitch

 

I think I'd leave Walcott behind as well. Never really been impressed by him.

 

From what I could see they played 4-3-3 at times. Or if you want to be picky 4-3-2-1.

 

Agreed. And Oxo, though I don't think he's even in the running anymore. If Hodgson took [a fit] Wilshere I'd laugh really hard.

 

You'd be laughing on the other side of your face (like us all) when he limps of injured 20 minutes into a game as we arch another tournament crumble!

 

Butland out for around three months with a fractured ankle.

 

Poor lad, that's heartbreaking for him. Conceivably he'll be fit in time for the Euro's but he'd be a risk.

 

I thought Smalling was clearly the better of the two on Saturday. Cahill is a decent PL player, but Smalling has had a far better season and is building on his attributes, he could become a quality international CB. Stones needs a lot game time from now on during this spate of friendlies.

 

I believe my inclination was to suggest he stays at home.
Trouble is, I think Roy is possibly loyal enough to take the young ciggie smoker. He's got to be fit though, and there's small chance of that.

 

Hooray. Good lad.

 

The list is too long in all probability! But as you have moved the goalposts slightly and refer to Europe only (or else you have serious national team glasses on; I refer to world football, as per my reference), I would add France, Italy and Netherlands to your list, though the latter clearly struggling with cohesion at the moment, as do all teams at stages. Italy we all know are tactically light years ahead of us at even their lowest ebb. So that is five teams at least in a tournament of 24, plus Wales I am sure have it in them to gain a point at minimum against this England team, given their collective superior overall international experience, lower expectation on their shoulders, and tons more of the stuff (cliches like heart, fight etc.)t hat made England traditionally so good

Let me tell you where I stand - and I'm not drawn at all into hype post the friendly. I am very happy with the England team picks - I have always been pro picking raw, young talent, plus clearing out the old. I am excited on that front, and applaud Hodgson there - even though some of his picks are forced by injury. I am disheartened by tendencies of the national team to injure players for clubs, seemingly every time; and also of the national setup's tendency to strip rawness and character out of players very quickly. Even Clive Tyldesley said he wanted to preach caution to (game's best player) Alli about some aspects of his game - thanks **** he doesn't get to do that, but it sums up the approach washed/dyed into the England national setup's approach to raw talent.

I can see we don't have the defensive solidity required to compete in a tournament, when teams like Germany can ramp up effortlessly to a level above what we can. It stands that there may be some exciting individual performances and moments, but I don't expect us to get anywhere. That is what I was saying in my post. It really does show how important a player like Wayne Rooney is for us, despite having any edge ironed out of his England game too. I also prefer to see a team go out there without him, or at least not being so reliant on him, so allowing new blood through. As for your error you say I pointed out, I'm not sure what you're getting at...

 

Get ready to be disappointed!

 

Might just be that Roy wants to start Vardy againt N'lands. Don't think Leicester would be too chuffed if he had to play the full 180 minutes of both games.

 

I realise what you meant and I agree... But as an England fan, the laughing at his inclusion will go wrong!!