Just seen that Shearer is saying that there is no way that we can win the world cup in 2014. The same Shearer that was saying in the days that were leading up to the Italy game that we could win the Euro's because of Rooney coming back. What has changed so much that he thought we could win the euro's a week ago and a week later he is slating the team and saying that we are miles behind everyone else? Bizzare if you ask me. What is it then Mr Shearer? Are we world beaters or hopeless? Do make your mind up.
I said after the Italy v Spain game that I thought Italy looked the best side and would probably win it, so it puts the England game in a different light. We have probably got the best defence and GK in the world and Danny Welbeck looked like he could be world class. We held the Italians and we were well short of our capability with a manager only a month into the job - that's really all that needs saying!
Because he thought Rooney was brilliant and found out he is ****e, along with Milner but he's right, England will not win the World Cup in 2014, or 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, 2034, 2038 - I wont go on, I am sure you get the idea by now
Let's put this into perspective. We have one of the best keepers in the world and a reasonable defence, two of whom will probably quit international football prior to the next world cup. We have Rooney who is, on his day, up there with the best BUT has not had many of those days playing for England in important matches. Our best two/three centre midfielders are on the downward slope and there is not exactly a long list of young guns queueing up to be given their chance - last night Germany brought on Tomas Muller, we brought on Henderson. Wellbeck looks OK and may prove to be a world beater but one decent goal does not make him world, or even international class. Wallcott is sometime brilliant, often not and the jury is still out on the Ox. I don't think that last night's result made Italy special - they did OK and Ballotelli scored two outstanding goals that shearer would have been pleased with. Germany played well in the first half but got caught twice with excellent counter-attacks. England did hold Italy but only by strangling the life out of the game and being fortunate that none of the Italians brought their shooting boots. Had they had Ballotelli in the form he was in last night then England could have lost by three or four and I don't think there would be too many people on the boards complaining about the result.
Talk about stating the bloody obvious Of course England don't stand a cat in hells chance of winning the 2014 World Cup. Let's be honest, England are absolute ****e and have NO world class players at all. TBH Brazil in their own back yard is a virtual home banker as I've said before, although Argentina should give them a run for their money. I think I'm right in saying that no European side has ever triumphed in World Cup tournaments that have taken place in South America and I can't see that changing anytime soon either
he's right though... we have no chance of winning the world cup in 2014. and he was right we could have won the euros, but we'd have required some serious luck, which we nearly got.
As an addendum to Norfolkbhoy's post about perspective, the average age of the German squad, the youngest in Euro 2012, is 24.5 years. Despite people's impressions of Hodgson's "aged" England, our squad in fact is also one of the youngest, in particular the average age for all positions apart from defenders is below the average for the tournament as a whole. But then, as SAF famously commented and last night's semi-final served to confirm, "You don't win anything with kids". Three observations: (1) Germany's "kids" are currently streets ahead of ours and gaining experience all the time; last night's defeat is simply part of the improvement process. (2) Hodgson's approach to this tournament has been very sensible. Experience in defence to avoid embarrassment, and a commendable number of younger players, with an eye on the future. If the squad hadn't been depleted by late-season injury, our midfield could have drawn on a bit more experience and Henderson would probably not have featured as much as he did. (3) I disagree absolutely with those who have already written off England under Hodgson. We certainly won't win the 2014 World Cup; but by the time that competition starts, I think we will see a far better England than we have seen for a considerable time.
The present England team is a dead dog and should be scrapped for the future. Hodgson and his dull, easy to practice tactics should be kicked back to the Italian 80's England do not have a great defence, a great defence wouldn't need 10 players to help it out.
Is it worth seeing what the team is like with the likes of Wilshire, Rodwell, Smalling, Walker, Howson, Bennett, Steer etc. before passing judgement on whether this team is a write off or not?
I said this England team is a dead dog, the players you mentioned are not part of that team. The only one who I seriously rate is Wilshere, the rest are never going to be great because they are too old and the damage has already been done. The only thing which can be improved presently is the philosophy. I'd kick out any player over the age of 25 and just get the new manager to emphasise that they play proper football. It has got to be stressed to the public. The English fans would just not accept it though, they are guilty almost as much as the FA for this debacle
