The sad part is, we had a goal machine that would have ripped the roof off the net with any of rooneys chances sat on the bench. I'm not one to blame Rooney, he has been unfairly criticised and made a scapegoat, but it is true that managers are afraid to sub him or rest him. There is no need to play him 100% of the time, and shoehorn him into any formation. Rooney for Lambert at 2-1 down against Italy would have been a good change for me. Rooney was struggling to make an impact, was looking tired and Lambert may have made the difference.
Not really true, that. The "goal machine" wasn't exactly banging em in last season, and probably wouldn't have got into the positions Rooney did. Take off your Saints tinted specs mate, Rickie was never going to be more than a bit part player in this World Cup.
Rickie Lambert, England Appearances: 6 Goals: 3 Assists: 2 Yeah, those are the stats deserving of 3 minutes at the end aren't they. I'm not saying that Lambert is better than Rooney by any means, but he should have been given longer to make an impact, especially with us trailing.
Rose tinted glasses of course, but Cork and Clyne. I also might have had a punt on Adam Johnson; not as a starter but as an impact, game-changer. On occasions last year, he was unstoppable. Also, maybe Huddlestone as someone who is reliable and can score a goal or two. I have to agree with what you are hinting at though, there isn't much else to choose from. As for Henderson, I think he is lucky that he has some decent players around him that can make him look good. I think he would struggle in a lesser team. To be honest, I don't think the squad is particularly bad. Far worse is the way they have been employed.
Then why take him? A complete waste. If that was always the intention then I hate to say it but Carroll would have been a better choice.
He should have taken Carroll or Crouch if he was only going to use Lambert as a hoof ball target in the dying minutes. Lambert should have got on for half an hour in both games. When push came to shove Hodgson didn't have the balls to upset the apple cart. Simple as that.
May go to the pub for this. Not because I want to see England reserves lose to Costa Rica, but because with this game being essentially meaningless, they're going to lose a lot of customers so I feel I should do my part. Do nice food too.
Still feels odd seeing Adam in a World Cup for England, considering where we and he were a few years ago.
Why no Rickie from the start though? Because the first team are so poor, and have already been knocked out, this is the last chance he will get to start a World Cup game. Thanks Roy. Disappointed with that really.
Not sure there's much room for sentiment here. Roy's building the future, and Rickie will definitely play no part in that.
