I really can't remember the last time England put in such a positive, dominant performance in a major championship. The result was gutting but the performance was excellent. I wouldn't change much for the Wales game but I would swap Kane for Vardy. Kane looks shot from the off - like he's played 90 minutes already. If we're going to get the best out of Vardy's form then now is the time. I would also swap Sterling for either Wilshire (if he can manage a full game) or Milner (am I the only one that rates him as the most all round player we've got even if not standout in any single aspect plus he takes good set pieces). Either one can swap with Alli into a more central role. The Sterling role doesn't need to be filled by a wide player because Wales will sit back and Rose will give width so an inside left type man will do. Sterling ran quickly before slowing play too much without laying off a ball so hindered play. Again, excellent stuff and if we play like that we will progress and give other teams (even the big ones) something to worry about.
Agree with most of that except about Sterling. He did very well 1st half. Troubled the Russians a lot but his end product got worse through the game . Nevertheless he looked the player best able to run the ball into the box and win us a pen or better. With the mystifying lack of an an out an out winger in the Squad I hope he keeps playing.
Sterling carried the ball forward very well, he must have covered more yards with the ball at his toes than the rest at a guess. I can't deny the end product wasn't good enough but I do think his performance was encouraging. Rooney was strong and intelligent (yes intelligent). Kane reminded me of watching almost any QPR over the last 2 years, he looked short on game time which at least he does have in his defence. Hart should have cleared the ball instead of trying to shield it out, we've seen him have brain fade before and it doesn't bode well as I fear he will now try and overcompensate against wales. Subs were badly timed, but then Roy is old and probably functions a little slower than the rest of us, and Milner is getting worse every time I see him. other than that it was a good show let hope we bring our shooting for Wales.
Having sorted out the disappointment.... MOM for me was Walker. He had by far his best game in an England shirt, he defended well, his pave was great, and he was a constant threat going forward, setting up a number of great chances that our forwards failed to capitalize on. Defensively we were solid (for 92 of the 93 minutes) and had Kane performed at any level, we'd have been out of sight by half time. He was the major disappointment. He looked slow, his mind just didn't seem to be on the same wavelength as any of his colleagues, and it was disappointing that Hodgson didn't see that and swap him for Vardy - or even Rashford. All in all, we should have won, deserved to win, but didn't. How many times will we say that? All pales into insignificance, however, by the understanding that Russian fans were able to get flares, flare guns, and smoke canisters into the ground. That is staggering. I really have no words to say about the thugs who think that's acceptable, or the so-called 'security forces' who should have prevented all of that from even being a possibility.
I'm not going to say that he didn't play well, because he did. I still don't think that the formation we used was our best, and if we do play how I would like us to (diamond with two up front) I'm not sure he's the best to play at the point. Roy seems determined to play him, so I hope he continues as he played last night.
I think he's around, as usual with our young Romeo he had some complex domestic arrangements to work out following a trip to Florida. He may have got bored with this place but I don't think he's the type to walk off in a huff. I hope not anyway, always good value.
Rooney was a revelation in the deeper role. I've been one of his biggest critics, but he could have another five years playing for England in that role. England's Pirlo.
I would not have taken him, no. But then I'd play a different system, and would have played the best players for that formation. He played well last night, even though most of the creative moves came from the wingbacks or Alli. If he plays and does well, that's fine. Don't feel you have to hound me for having an opinion though, because you'll only end up causing unnecessary arguments.
I won't bother. Just about every expert/ex player etc have said that anyone saying Rooney shouldn't even be in the squad doesn't know much about the game. I'll leave it at that.
