Just pointing out that he was not the topping you hoped for and was on the border of poor. He could have blown a good chance of being in the top team to gain a couple of seasons more experience. I know you rate this lad highly but his performances this season have not been so good. Maybe he does not have it or is suffering from Jose-itis tactics.
He's been played on the left, in Martial's position. He will lead the line on Saturday in Zlatan's absence. I've seen enough from him this season to say he's not another Macheda. He's an incredible talent. The game was falling away from England when he was brought on anyway. I'd have started him ahead of Vardy but I'll eat humble pie this time, Southgate got his selection spot on.
No doubting the talent, but I fear that it is not being put to best use to aid his development or have the impact he is capable of.
I've no issues with how he's being handled at the minute, he is second choice striker and I think that's probably best for him whilst Jose is putting his own squad together. Zlatan will take the brunt of the pressure, his shoulders are more than big enough.
It was a very good game to watch, and Sterling was the pick of a very average forward line, but Henderson was top notch for 90 minutes, the boy has everything in his locker and is growing in stature now that he has established himself at Liverpool, maybe Pickford will follow him or even go to Man City who knows, but we need to see him capped as a Sunderland player first, then move on when it suits him and the club he loves.
I won't argue that he played well, but he certainly wasn't the best player. His assist was great, lovely chip, second best England assist of the night.
Seems Rooney getting drunk has become massive news. The FA and media appear to think they own these humans for some reason.
If the reports are true that Southgate told him to get to bed and he just didn't listen... I'd imagine United will have a fresher, more focused Rooney. Southgate already comes across as weak as it is. I'd be shocked if he doesn't lay down the law/make an example of him. Think it would do Rooney some good to get away from the national team personally. Can't help his confidence the expectation and subsequent bashing/calls for him to be dropped.
The media will just move on to their next target, it's pathetic how the media hound the lives of our football players and then write things like "Make us proud lions", before every major tournament. I'll be more than happy for him to bring the curtain down on his international career, he's been used as a scapegoat since he was 18 by that team, covering up the failings of our FA, who have appointed idiot after idiot ever since Bobby Robson left.
The national side is just ****ed. The FA, the managers, the players, the media, the fans... Utter shower of ****e.
