.....we played as bad as people are saying. I thought we looked sharp and our pace did cause problems. Italy were the better team, who oozed class when needed. We have, I think, much more to offer than Uruguay. Our concern really is Costa Rice, based on their performance. AND....my main concern is, why did some of our young bucks suffer from cramps when Pirlo did not ???
I didn't personally think that Italy were the better team, I thought we were maginally. My concern is the defence floating backwards and allowing Italy to run on, we gave them space time and time again around the edge of the box, they clocked this early and that's where the first goal was crafted, quality, quality footballers reading the game and thinking on there feet, step over, knows there's space. Goal. The second goal was piss poor, both in the positioning and challenge on the crosser, and on the usually excellent Cahill who was competely on the wrong foot, but I don't see any gaps that can't be bridged. Uruguay have more pace then Italy which is a concern, but they are running a huge risk if Suarez plays, as if he was even close they'd have risked him at 1-2, Forlan for me looked nowhere close and Cavani, well he's bang average for me, I've watched him from Palermo, through Napoli, to PSG, and I just don't see it. A draw with Uruguay likely sees us home, Costa Rica had a wonderful World Cup moment against a better side that completely underestimated and disrespected them, but they will be no threat to Italy, our ourselves, as we have that warning shot that actually, they can play a bit. We are better off going through in second anyway, and avoiding a pretty ****ing impressive Colombia side with pace and ideas and determination to burn.
The difference for me was pirlo, quite simple really, he read and controlled the game throughout, we deserved something from the game but didnt get it, still think we'll go through though
What concerned me was our shocking final ball in the second half, Johnson in particular (why is he with the squad???) wasted several good opportunities. I came to the conclusion he was just kicking the ball in the box, not aiming for a particular area or player, just kicking it. Look at Aurier for Ivory Coast, two brilliant crosses from him led to two goals. The cross for Italy's second was a peach as well
thought we got very narrow defensively, full backs especially Baines tucked in a lot and left loads of out wide space, quality balls did us, we apart from the goal didn't get that many quality ones in
My concern is the same as it was comping into the tournament, accommodating Rooney and Welbeck to the detriment of the team. Id do 4-3-3 -------------------Hart------------------ Johnson-----Cahill---Jagielka-----Baines -----Henderson--Gerrard--Barkley------- Sterling---------Sturridge---------Lallana If Gerrard is flagging bring Rooney on and go 4-2-3-1
I'd be happy with that, Uruguay lost Perreira to a red as well so will be massively weakened at RB. Uruguay looked shocking at the back, bizarre with Godin, Caceres & Perreira, who are all excellent. They do lack pace bar Perreira so Stering could be massive for us in that one. I think we need to play Barkley for sure, he's an ideas player and we need that.
You wouldn't start Rooney? After the performance Roy saw him have last night? (although no-one else did!) I'd certainly pay that side. Rooney is detriment to the England side imo. The side you've shown is much more likely to get somewhere.
So do I Reg but can't see Rooney being dropped as long as I have a Japs eye in my helmet. Not that I give a **** like. Let's face facts, the FA pick the squad & the team & we all know what a pack of arseholes they are. I'm glad I missed it, I had better things to do.
Yep, with you on this. And as per he never seems to know where he should be when defending, he's a poor defender, he's ok going forward. Jones is better at the back and as good on the ball.
I know people twist at the idea of "round pegs in square holes" but it was brought up in conversation would Ashley Cole do a job at right back.
Same old Same old. Italy were in control and deserve to win. Why play rooney out wide when he does better at No9 or even No10.
That to me is our best team but push Barkley further forward. I'd also bring in The Ox if fit for Lallana who i think is overrated.
