I said before the tournament that the defence would be our downfall. I still can't believe that Cole wasn't selected, even more so now as Baines looked totally out of his depth last night. I think Cahill and Jagielka is a reasonable partnership although they weren't brilliant against Italy but we could do with better Full Backs IMO.
To be fair it was JTs defensive partner who was at fault for the goal. Baines I agree should have done better with the cross, but Cahill has no one to mark in the box other than Balotelli, and he allows him space at the back post. He even looked at Balotelli which makes matters worse. He knew he was free in the box and he chose to totally ignore the run he was making to the back post. So not really sure JT would have made a difference, as Cahill would have still been playing. Jagielka had a decent game I thought
Shame you got rid of Moyes really or you would have ended up with Bains & Jagielka to go with that other blinding buy you got from Everton.
Jagielka is a good centre half, without being a world class. I agree Baines can be suspect defensively, but he is a very talented player going forward
Not picking Cole was total madness, as was our letting him go, still the best by some distance. JT has retired,bad for england, good for us. Cahill is just not top notch at world level, good honest player but no more than that. He was not the only one to blame for Ballotelli goal, and had a pretty fair match. England looked good in attack, pacy and direct. Not much came from the midfield , especially SG who was poor. Plenty of goals in this team but Manager set it up badly. Rooney either plays middle or doesnt play at all. No reason to throw in the towel, just win the next one and you're away. And spare a thought for me, we have to play the bloody Dutch !!
Cahill is a decent defender, but he really frustrates me at times. He can be so inconsistent. I will admit he has gotten better lately, but he still gets caught out far too often than is for my liking. Johnson is frikin terrible. That gimp shouldnt be anywhere near the Squad, letting alone of the starting XI. Slowed down every play with his laboured, heavy touches, looks like he is on dope. Is he seriously the best right back England has to offer?
Love him or hate him, JT is a very good footballer and England are the poorer without him. Same with Ashley Cole! As for the midfield England have lacked a proper general in midfield for decades - ever since the Venables era ended with Gascoigne and David Platt.
England are definitely missing him, but I'm glad he stuck to his principles, and I'm glad he's not out there playing.
Agree with this. Retiring is a decision that needs proper deliberation and is quite an emotional wrench. Once the decision is taken, it is just too difficult mentally to undo. JT would also have considered his ability to do justice to the Club with all the extra games and pressure of a World Cup campaign. Right decision to retire, right decision to stay retired. Full marks to JT.
Balotelli wasn't Cahill's responsibility for the goal. England do not man mark. If anyone, Balotelli included, is beyond the centre back at the post the full back has to cover. That is zonal marking. The centres deny the box space from crosses unless keeper calls for it. Ever since we signed him from West Ham I've said Glen Johnson is not a full back. Countless times and forums I've said it. Where did I play? Guess.
Alaska ?? Even from there you could see Johnsons weaknesses. Another player who has difficulty stepping up to world class. Could he play anywhere else, cause hes not hopeless by any means.
