So, England played last night, earning a 1 - 0 win over Norway. England played a 4411 formation, with Andy Carroll leading the line, supported by Ashley Young. It looked good. The pair linked up well, Carroll winning high balls and getting knock downs to young, who used his pace to run past defenders. They were constantly putting little passes together. Carroll had a solid game, even defensively. I hope this can shine on further at the Euro's. Gerrard also played the first half, putting in a solid and well disciplined show, leading by example. Downing played most of the game and was pretty good to. Henderson came on for an injured Gareth Barry and had a quiet but safe game. Martin Kelly made his England debut with a cameo late on. Any threat that Norway posed came from John Arne Riise.
Personally I thought Gerrard had an awful game. Looked lost for the most part and couldn't string a pass together. In fact England in general couldn't string a pass together, it reminded me of us under Hodgson in all honesty. Carroll was indeed very good again, did everything he could have done. Although he isn't a guy who creates chances for himself, he needs other guys to give him the chances which England just couldn't do apart from one close header early on. Downing was pants again. Put in about two crosses I think then switched to the right flank and surprise surprise began to check inside and play the safe option. Oxlade-Chamberlain came on with 15 minutes left and beat more men than Downing than whole game. It's embarrassing how scared he looks on a football pitch.
Also, Riise showed last night that we were far too hasty to get rid of him in hindsight. At the time I agreed with the general consensus that his defending was poor. But he showed he definitely still has the legs for a left winger, completely outplayed Downing in all aspects.
how could anyone not miss Riise, class lad, still a decent player, cracking shot... one of my favourite players to wear the shirt
Plus he made Jones look awful for the whole game. Showed a bit of courage in taking his man on and whipping a cross in as opposed to Stewart 'Play it safe' Downing.
Gerrard started well but there was a massive lack of movement ahead of him so he regularly had to try create something from nothing with a hollywood pass. Hollywood passes come with a large element of risk - at least he tried. Parker is useless as a midfield pairing. Downing had a typically invisible game. Milner isn't an effective winger. Jones confirmed for me that he's **** other than a lucky deflected shot which hit the post and a 'surge' (more like an ambling forward with no one coming towards him) in the second half which the commentators creamed themselves about. Young and Carroll were semi decent up top and showed effort. Lescott and Jags I thought played well enough to oust Terry but we all know that'll never happen. Baines played alright, but of course Cole will take his spot. Green played well but again, will lose his spot. Walcott and Chamberlain should start on the wings next match for me. edit: almost forgot, Barry was ****ing awful when he came on.
I'd be intrigued to see both Young and Walcott supporting Carroll, with Gerrard a little further forward.
As a United fan I actually agree but if Jones is average then what about Mr assist Downing,Henderson?Carroll?
Carroll had a good game, so he speaks for himself. I think with Downing it is because we dont have so many left wingers, and A. Johnson doesnt play enough for City. Downing has been a virtually permanent England squad member for a while now. Henderson's a good player, but alternately he is on the list because Wilshere and Rodwell are injured.
In comparison, both Henderson and Carroll have improved significantly (even though Carroll's form was belated). Therefore the only true comparison should be between Jones and Downing both have been poor.
Why bother bringing up Downing/Henderson/Carroll? My thoughts on those make zero difference to how average Jones is... Regardless, I'll bite. Downing is ****. Carroll will come good, and was one of England's better players. Henderson is average now, just like Jones.
Dilly dally Downing more like. The man supposedly has pace, but you barely see it as he takes nobody on. As much as I don't like to say it, he needs to take a leaf out of Valencia's book and just get on with his job as an out and out winger. He has no skill to cut in and take people on, just help Carroll out all you can and cross the damn ball in all game, not just once and disappear. The guy really annoys me, dislike him more than Voronin.
Jones is what he is, raw talent, hell of a lot to learn, reckon he will be top class at 26 27 years old. Carroll is starting to show the form we bought him for. Huge lad, good touch good head strong can shoot inside or outside the box and has a nice touch n a trick or two, all of which he only started showing late on. Really impressed with the improvement in Andy. Hendo needs what Jones need, just more experience, they are both talented lads not at their peak. Downing is having a bad time of it, poor performances poor season, I think he deserves another crack before being labelled sh!t, he has pace and can cause problems, if he can just drive at players and sort out his delivery he could be far better, his confidence is fkn shot to pieces and if anyone cannot see that they are totally blind, he's just been getting stick by the media for a whole season
The Woy mantra is keep the ball, trying to beat players, looks great when you do, you get stick if you fail, he's been getting stick all season so it is kind of understandable for those 2 reasons he was all safey, if he's tried to beat players all night and lost the ball a lot in the process you would be saying opposite, he's sh!t always trying to beat players and losing the ball
I'd like to see him take risks and run at people - that's what he's there for. Safety is for defenders, - wingers and strikers need to risk losing the ball in order to make something happen. I for one wouldn't be critical of him for having a go.
Graham Taylor says Andy Carroll was England's best last night and that he had a great touch and brought others into the game.
Then get on to Woy, for us he ran at Chavsky at anfield all night and although end product was lacking he caused chavsky problems and made space for others. Under Woy he can expect tobe told to not get caught with the ball high up the ptich and lose posession Woy would rather he avanced as far as safely possible and not let the oppo behind him
How many shots did Carroll have on target? He done well holding the ball up and defensively but if a striker can't even get close to scoring then there is no point in him being in the team.
