Yeah, I thought it was Owen as well until Neville was mentioned by name Was not a good idea to watch this one with the wife (English), not that I had a choice. Her "in depth" analysis of England's performance however was not to be missed Classic Italian performance and did enough to win. I was surprised by England's attacking intent but they ran out of steam. Whether this was partly down to the heat I'm not sure but it certainly suited Italy to go ahead and keep possesion. England can still get out of the group but it all rests on the Uruguay game obviously. I do hope Suarez plays, should be a belter. If only the missus would let me record her commentary!
Agree on Gerard - very inneffective. He's no Pirlo that's for sure. Encouraging performance overall and England looked very dangerous going forward and will trouble most teams imo. Italy were better than I thought they'd be to be fair but Hart wasn't troubled a great deal. England by far better side second half and deserved something from the game.
Gerrard's job was to protect the middle with Henderson (not Wilshere, who was crap when he came on) and to get the ball onto the flanks. He did both of these things succesfully; 11 of his 13 long balls that so many say never find their target managed to find their target. Gerrard wasn't poor at all. The only concerning performances really were from Cahill, Baines and Rooney (though he was out of position). The subs were poor too. But otherwise a very encouraging performance, I fancy our chances against Uruguay and Costa Rica if we tighten up at the back.
My mate's a Liverpool fan and even he agrees Gerrard was poor. Gerrard's long passing was accurate I agree, but thought he looked rather ineffective other than that. Italian midfield overan many times, particularly first half.
The whole England squad were poor. They played Italy who are also poor to what they were in years gone past. It made it into an entertaining game but Italy were never going to lose they had that little bit extra..
I absolutely love Pirlo. He plays like I tried too (and failed ). I prefer watching him to Messi, Ronaldo, Bale and Neymar. Total style. He's in the centre of the pitch surrounded by opposition...a couple of which have usually been asked to do a job on him....and yet nobody can get near him. That pass he played last night when Italy were breaking on the counter (2nd half - someone to the left of him was hurtling up the wing to try and give him an option, the English were back in numbers and Pirlo had someone breathing down his neck)....he waited, waited, waited...holding off his opposite no, giving his winger the time to hit the space inbetween the full-back and the centre-half...and then curls the most perfectly weighted pass into his path you'll ever see. It was exquisite.
For me England's problems were:- - Glenn Johnson (not a proper defender...wonder if he should have tried Ashley Cole there in some friendlies pre-selection) - Lack of a genuine left winger. Baines was exposed because Rooney isn't totally comfortable there. Was neither's fault, plenty of effort being put in. To achieve better balance the best option is too go (IMO); Milner (supporting Johnson)------Rooney/Sterling/Barkley-----Wellbeck (for his defensive work also) ---------------------------------------Sturridge----------------------------------------------- but the problem with including Milner is that England lose some attacking threat so I understand totally why Hodgson went the way that he did. I think they played well but just don't have quite enough quality in all positions.
Rooney out of position was the problem. he should have played at No 9 or No 10. they were useless in the final third of the pitch. they was not good in defence either and what i say about England you can say the same about Italy....Two poor European sides that made the game look good because they were the same standard that have a lot of work to do to get out of the group stage...
Naaa...Italy were excellent. They moved the ball quickly and precisely. They maneuvered themselves into good attacking positions. They counter attacked directly at pace. They were clinical, solid at the back and when they needed to they slowed the tempo down and played keep ball forcing the English to do a lot of hard yards in the heat.
^^^^ The only person I've seen ANYWHERE that says Italy were poor. I really can't work out whether you believe the stuff you come out with or if you're doing it to get a rise out of the rest of us.
Isnt it a sad state of affairs when you have to play a winger who is better defensively, because the international defender/fullback selected cant defend. Call me old fashioned but I thought that his first job was to defend, so why the **** have he picked him if he cant. The other thing that gets my goat with Woy and England is they seem to play people out of position consantly. when there is a natural for the position on the bench.
Dragon is there something wrong with you ??? Why do you have to make a comment on everything i say who are you for **** sake. cut it out its about opinions and not if you dont agree with dragon society...
I comment because I disagree with you 90% of the time. Is that allowed? If you can't handle that don't post. I respectfully suggest you take some of your own advice and realise there are other views - most of which don't accord with yours from what I've seen here. So.....Italy: opening game in 35 degree heat 53% humidity. 93% pass completion, a new world record. Yes, a really poor team. Agree with you tlf, England's problems stem from playing people out of position. Roy was wrong on Cole. Period.
Dai no need to act like a prick by calling others a prick, you have not been insulted or goaded and that post was uncalled for. This is you one warning, and any further posts of such sort will result in an immediate ban.
I'm assuming you think Ashley Cole should have been taken? That still leaves a problem at right-back though....who's the best English right-back in terms of defending? Also, in the modern game (when you play a top team at least), don't you need your wingers/wide midfielders to pull their weight defensively? Seems to me that all the top teams these days have full backs who double up as wingers. What would your England XI look like Trundles?
