For the first time in quite a while, an England game I half enjoyed watching. Still don't see why you need Milner and Delph in the midfield but there did seem to be a reasonable balance to the side and a tempo to their play at times tonight. Sterling could have done better but he does bring that ability to occasionally make things happen even when he's not on form (great footwork for the pen for example). The Swiss aren't a bad side either. People will make light of Rooney's record, rightly or wrongly we've debated that on here already. But you'd think Rooney has a number of years left around the England team, potentially moving to a midfield role once he loses the legs for a forward role if he becomes accomplished enough in that position, so honestly I think he could break 60. Pleased for Kane, got 2 goals in probably an hour or so of football and seemed to barely break a sweat. Hopefully he's ready to get cracking in the PL against Sunderland.
Another good goal for Kane tonight and I think bringing the extra striker changed the game. Gerrard and Lampard may have retired but we're still fielding an unbalanced midfield. Barkley, Milner and Shelvey aren't going to break up play and the Swiss sussed that out after our bright start and found it easy to bring the ball forward. I don't care what anyone else says about Milner, there's no way he's a defensive midfielder, you play him for his hard work and ability on the ball, not his tackling or defensive positioning. If we'd put Noble in there we might have had a bit more control on things. We had a soft midfield so much so that going from a 3 man midfield to a 2 man midfield didn't actually make a difference when you'd expect us to have more problems defensively. All that changed was that we had a better threat going forward.
I turn on the television. Kane gets a pass on the right, sends it into Rooney, who passes it to Barkley, who sends it across goal---aimlessly, I thought at first--ah, but there’s Kane. Perfect shot with his weaker foot, inches inside the post. I really should have gotten up and turned off the television at that point, but it was just as well to see Rooney’s goal. I’ll give him a break today. It is a pretty big record, and he ought to be very proud... ...even if it was an outrageous dive by Stirling to get the pen.
I didn't think it was that bad, we passed it quickly enough to start with anyway. The trouble was we left it open for the Swiss to play their game and once they realised that they went for it, making things difficult for us.
Get him the ball out wide and he'll put in a good cross. It wasn't his best performance tonight but he's in a similar situation to Gerrard, being forced to play a more defensive role without the tools.
Diving ****. And a great record broken by a fat track bully. **** night all in all. Well done Kane....here's hoping England doesn't ruin you. It's usually the case when you belong to a group of over hyped under achievers.
Strongly disagree. I would love it if Bjork sang their anthem. But I’ll root for them even if she doesn’t. I also think Stirling is a good player. He creates a lot of problems with his pace and ability to change direction quickly. I wish he’d quit diving so much, though.
Thanks for the 100th like LockStock The BBC should run a special featurette about me and my online forum achievements, instead of the person bizarrely being equated to the likes of Charlton and Lineker.
ONly just had a look at this thread and this is what I have to add: 1) There is only one reason in this world to question Peter Crouch's footballing ability - he looks funny. For the majority of his career he was someone who would improve literally any BPL team outside the top four and, frankly even one or two of them from time to time. He certainly wasn't a bad signing for us and has been a superb performer for England - absolutely no question. 2) Harry Kane's finishes in both games show that this guy really never lacks for confidence. The finish against San Marino was sublime - doesn't matter who you're playing against. And tonight a less confident player would have taken a touch. Instead he hits it clean as a whistle with his weak foot into the near post when the far post would have been the easier option. The boy is class. I don't need any stats or anything to prove that - you can just see it. Best striker we've had since Berbatov and I would not be at all surprised if he turns out better. 3) Sterling was absolutely ripping us apart either last year or the year before. One of the times they (Liverpool) ripped us a new one. Maybe both. Decent player and I'm sure we'd love having him at WHL. 4) James Milner's biggest feature is that he is that thing managers love - A Consumate Professional. How many positions has he played for England? full back, winger, CM, DM? Has he player striker? He's a bit crap, to be fair, but he does put so much effort in and as a winger he'll swing in some decent crosses and score some goals. In any position he'll just do a 7/10 job doing the obvious things called for for that position.
People saying that Rooney's record may never be beaten. That may be the case but not for the reason they are implying (which I believe is that he's the best goalscorer). It won't be beaten as long as certain players are picked on reputation (and marketing?) alone. I would argue that if you pick Kane for the same number of matches as Rooney, regardless of what form he is in, play him against the same quality of opposition, he will score as many or more that Rooney.
I think that as it did for Bobby Charlton the record will stand for many years to come, Rooney may well get to 60 goals and for anyone to get even close they will need to a certain longevity that is very difficult to achieve. Rooney has always turned up for England to be fair to him and he has generally avoided long absences through injury. The actual achievement of scoring the most goals for his country can only be applauded and in my opinion Rooney has been very humble about the achievement which also does him great credit.
yeah, to be fair to the lad at least he cares about England and gives his all. He also set another record of scoring in 7 straight competitive internationals, a post-war record
Despite what I've said about Rooney, I certainly agree with what Changing Man says above. NB poll results on BBC just now for England's greatest striker: Wayne Rooney 8% Bobby Charlton 17% Gary Lineker 33% Jimmy Greaves 24% Michael Owen 4% Nat Lofthouse 2% Alan Shearer 11% Tom Finney 2%
Linekar was a quality finisher, but he didn't do a great deal outside the box. If he played for Spurs he'd be lumped in with Darren Bent, oh hang on, he did!
Lineker wasn't lazy, though. His movement and work made him very hard to pick up and meant that defenders had to stay alert at all times. Bent just stands around aimlessly a lot. I can distinctly remember one game where Keane and Bent were paired together and the Irishman never stopped shouting at his partner. It resulted the a sheepish Bent half-heartedly closing down and trying to make it look like he was putting in a shift. If Bent put 100% into every game then he'd be playing at a much higher level. As it is, he's a liability in the Championship.
@lennypops 1)" There is only one reason in this world to question Peter Crouch's footballing ability - he looks funny. For the majority of his career he was someone who would improve literally any BPL team outside the top four and, frankly even one or two of them from time to time. He certainly wasn't a bad signing for us and has been a superb performer for England - absolutely no question." Can't let that pass It's not about him looking funny lenny it's about his often poor ball control and the effect he causes in a team that simply start playing long balls to him. You and I won't agree on this because our views are polar opposite. I expect Peter is a very nice guy and full marks to him for effort he never shirks or hides away (difficult) but I wouldn't have him anywhere near any team I picked because of the long ball syndrome I'm sure Graham Taylor loves him.
