The defense was pretty solid but not flawless and the lack of ball retention and ambition ultimately cost us. Italy's finishing cost them an easy win. At least in the first half we created chances. The Italians created chances whether we sat back or went for it so caution definitely wasn't the right strategy. I'd have given MOTM to Andy Carroll. He looked most likely to tee up someone for a chance and the ball stuck more often than not. There were a team of Italians who deserve the award much more than any single Englishman. The Germans would have humiliated us and should overcome a tired Azuri. Quite embarrassed by tonight's game to be honest.
Well if my brother was a grown man and got into a row with a player on a football field, I certainly wouldn't be running to attack the other bloke in my grown up brothers name. If he was my little brother of 7 years of age then yes I'd stand up for him but fighting the battles of a professional footballer who's had words with some bloke? Can't you see how absurd that sounds?
There are rows and there's racial abuse, that's the difference. It's a bigger thing in England than Ireland, so I'll excuse your ignorance...
You have me off to a T you wily old divil . I try to get a good old argument going for the laugh. I don't actually believe in anything to be honest! You're sharp Soop.
Back to the thread rather than the late-night slag off I so hate to say it, so will only whisper it. John Terry played very very well....so did Lescott and Hart. Next step down Johnson and Cole (both pulled apart a bit last night) Gerrard and Scotty were good and we should have seen more of Carroll and Walcott. On the bad to terrible range, starting with bad working through to dire. Milner, Welbeck, rooney BUT really dire Young he had a dive last night too, and even though the ref was inept last night, missing all the Italian shirt pulling in the penalty area, he saw through the cheats attempts So biting my lip...I agree England man of the tournament....JT (He is still low life though)
It would help England's cause a lot if the ball wasn't just hoofed back to the opposition with shouts of "Here you are lads, have another go". Great goal saving tackle. Keeper gets ball. Everyone starts moving up. Keeper either gives it straight back to them or passes to a defender who does the same thing. Backs against the wall defending again. Not good. Rules of passing. Pass to your own side, but don't pass to one of your own side who is surrounded by the opposition. Rules of dribbling/moving forward. Don't run down blind alleys. Try to pass the ball on before being tackled or surrounded by the opposition. (SWP please note.) If you want the ball try to run into a little bit of space.
I thought Lescott, Terry and Cole were all good, even Johnson was as well. As with most major tournaments very little blame can be attributed to the England midfield. Once again a technically weak midfield and limited striking options has cost England. need to produce better players and start from grass roots, that's the real problem.
Hang on?? What was so good about Terrys performances. Yes he made a few last ditch tackles but that was only because he was caught out in the first place. He did ok but if it wasnt for Joe Hart and us being a bit lucky it could have been a lot worse this tournament.
Yep, wanted to add my tuppence worth. Agree that JT was fantastic in defence as ever but I thought Johnson was very good too. I would have actually been embarrassed to win that game on penalties. I never mind losing to a better team and, in the spirit that sport should be played in, I'm happy to acknowledge they were the better side on the night. We look forward to the start of the qualifiers in September. BTW, does anyone know if there are rules that govern how much time a national side gets to train together?
Another point of view is that he was the weak link getting targeted by that ball over the top( how did Balotelli not score one of them?) That tactic forced us deeper, and led to the midfield being lost. Agree he gave everything and put good blocks in, but hopefully that was his last game.
Back 4 played well though for me MOM was Glen, I don't normally rate him that highly but deserves credit for last night. Though I agree with North that Terry's lack of pace shown. Trouble with the game wasn't the back 4 but the midfield was over run, just basically out numbered, I was screaming all game for Woy to put another man in there. I would have taken a striker off pulled Milner to the middle and played Stevie G in behind chosen striker, Walcott\another on right and OX on left (easy from the armchair), giving us a 5 man midfield. Specifically task Milner into picking up the ball from the back 4, they had no out ball as any time. Parker and Gerrard where run into the ground.
In fairness Balotelli wasn't Terry's man he was Lescotts. Terry did well against the largely ineffective Cassano
The point stands, it was his turning circle and pace getting targeted, we were too deep every game with him in the side.
