Well last night's game was dull to say the least, and Roy's defense of that flat display was concerning. Rooney in that system basically blunts our attack. You can't have Vardy and Kane splitting wide as it completely reduces their effectiveness. Roy doesn't have the balls to drop Rooney so it'll be Vardy who makes way. I still don't think he knows what his best team is to be honest, nor our most effective system. We scored our goal when we brought on a genuine wide player in Sterling who made use of the flank and delivered a cross. Go with a 4-4-2 and play Dier and Alli in the middle with Kane and Vardy up top
As I said before, Rooney shouldn't start, not because he's not a good player, but because with him in the side, too many of the other players become ineffective. Yes, we all know Roy won't leave him on the bench, but if we want to do anything this time, he has to. Dele Alli at the point of the diamond will look to support the play front two. Rooney won't - because he's not that kind of player. We showed we have pace on the flanks, but that also highlighted the need for some serious protection at the base of the diamond for our centre backs, who can be shaky as we know. Probably Dier, or a no-nonsense player (so no Wilshire). with someone like that, we can play a quick, creative player one side of midfield, such as Sterling (he looked better last night than he has done for a while) and a stronger, more defensive minded player (such as Henderson, Barkley or Milner) on the other - aiming to keep swapping them around so that the opposition don't get too settled. That way you can play two strikers (Kane plus Vardy seems to be the preference) and they have the freedom to make runs and provide a real threat. My starting eleven would be: Hart Walker Smalling Cahill Rose Dier Milner/Henderson Sterling Alli Kane Vardy
I'd play 4-2-3-1. --------------------------Hart------------------------- Walker--------Cahill---Smalling-------Bertrand -----------------Dier -------Wilshire ---------- ------Vardy-------- Ali --------Lalanna\Sterling (maybe)------ --------------------Kane------------------- I'd like to see the front 4 swap round a fair amount. I'll probably change my mind tomorrow though.
I also watched the Alan Shearer programme, it was dreadful, let the licence payer pay for Shearer to have a trip to Spain and chat to his old mates. But as the programme unfolded I could remember where I was and who I was with for each game, I am now officially old and sad! The Gazza goal against Scotland to this day is my favourite ever goal. I was actually at Wembley for the semi final against Germany that night, I was only invited at about 4pm that afternoon and a mad scramble to get from Chiswick to Wembley, I think I cried all the way home. They were a great team and we should have done better in '96 let's keep our fingers crossed that this tournament will be even better and we could even make a final.... Oh silly me ... There I am dreaming again