Yeh. There's always that sneaking suspicion that Woy will bottle it isn't there. After watching that game last night the immediate emotion was bring on the Euro's. The next one was, oh, bollocks, Woy will still be in charge But if you look back at the last World Cup, where we were somehow officially the worst team there, I reckon that scarred Woy quite a bit. He went with the tried and tested squad, the old boys, and stuck to his conservative style of play and walked away humiliated. Since then he's brought the young'uns in and they haven't let him or themselves down. They have no fear of the England shirt yet and haven't had several years of the press on their backs. And to some extent it has culminated in qualifying without losing and giving the Germans a rude awakening!! I'm more hopeful about the England squad now than I have been in a long time. Unless the Dutch beat us on Tuesday anyway
I looked at the team at first and thought, what a load of tosh and no club game on Easter weekend. Why what's the point. I did watch it as the early boxing looked iffy to say the least. That was the best English performance I can remember for years, friendly yes. Full of passion, togetherness, energy and skill. I am not a Rooney basher but even I am now thinking lets go with these young uns. One of the commentators, no in fact will make new thread
Would you still have Rooney in Tel? I just can't see who he would displace. Third choice striker for me behind Kane and Vardy, and third choice AM behind Alli and Barkley.
No. I'd still have him before Barkley. Agree about Kane, Vardy and Alli though! They must start from now on. They're the future for England. Get them blooded in a big tourno for the next World Cup.
Yes. Instead of Lallana, but I'd pick Lingard on current form over both. There's a few who are not good enough for me still. I think the CM needs experience in the bigger games, but they played well last night in a friendly.
Cahill and Smalling worry me. Defence in general is still a problem although Rose had a great game last night
Remember watching them play together that season a few times, nothing special at the time either of them. great to see them come so far
Rooney and Walcott have had their chances and failed.Maybe decent impact subs now, nothing more. Should not be automatic choices imo.
I know of one gooner who would agree with you about Walcott. Personally, I like him. But yeh, like you, as an impact sub.
Personally I'd play: -----------------------Hart--------------------- Walker-----Smalling-----Cahill-----Rose ----------------Dier-----Hendo--------------- Sterling-------------Alli---------------Welbz --------------------Kane---------------------- I know a lot will disagree about Walker, but it's a heavily Spurs-based team and I think the understanding he'll have with his teammates will be a bigger benefit than Clyne's potentially slightly better individual skill. Cahill due to lack of options - Stones hasn't been great recently and lacks experience... Jagielka maybe? No great choices imo. Hendo again I'm not entirely sold on but not many options. Carrick and Barry are getting on a bit... Drinkwater maybe? Sterling again lack of options in terms of out-and-out wingers. Lallana is the only other potential candidate for this position I can think of? Milner maybe, hasn't had a bad season. I don't really rate Walcott or Chamberlain.
Henderson and Lallana combined well in midfield and Dier was the key to our counter attacks, and although Hodgson may have found a good team through injuries but he would not be the first manager to do so. A young team beating the world champs after going two behind would not have been though possible two years ago, but when we came home from Brazil, Portugal and Spain also did but that is suitably overlooked. Following on from the team's 100% qualifying games the future of the England team looks good. Who knows maybe Hodgson will carry onto the next WC.
GK: Joe Hart due to experience RB: Clyne CB: Smalling CB: Stones/Cahill LB: Rose but this spot will belong to Shaw long term. CM: Milner/Carrick (MC for experience when needed) CM: Eric Dier AML: Welbeck AMR: Lingard Nr10: Rooney ST: Kane That's the team I'd start with for Russia with Vardy replacing Rooney if he's not fit. Many people just don't like Rooney, I can live with that, he is still the most gifted player in our national team when he is in hot form, so my hopes will rest on that being the case.
Started flat here vs what is unmistakably the worst Dutch side in many years. Sturridge does my head in, constantly trying to do silly flicks instead of playing the simple ball. Walker though, he's just ****ing terrible.
