Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

[91Jmay]

Wilshere was dire when he came on. Is totally there on name, as obviously he barely played for the Gunners this year.

 

[Furball]

Wilshere did FA. Lallana won a free kick. Barkley had a couple of decent touches / passes. The sum was a less effective team effort with fresh legs. So I wouldn't.

Rooney is wasted in midfield but created the goal. The problem seems to be the better players are all attacking ones. Playing 2 holding midfielders didn't work as the defense still got exposed. Replace 1 of them with Barkley and see what happens. Henderson had the better game imo.

The defence got exposed because they're ****ing woeful.

 

[Tangles]

The defence got exposed because they're ****ing woeful.

As a United fan I figured that both Smalling and Jones getting a call up implied a pretty bare cupboard. I groan when either play for us. Both spells disaster.

Jagielka did ok but yeah some woeful group defending.

 

[wpdavid]

On the other hand, Hodgson could play Liverpool's 4-4-2 diamond and play Sturridge and Rooney up front with Sterling just behind them. That would probably be better but he'd then have to have 3 proper midfielders (Gerrard holding and Henderson-Lallana on either side compact). Outside of my own country and Australia, I really hope England do well. A draw will be enough against Uruguay IMO.

That may well be our best bet. Although we were more watchable than we've been for ages last night, the gaps in front of the full backs will be exploited by any side worth their salt. Not that I have much sympathy for Rooney having to play out of his favoured position. Have the guys on the phone-ins arguing that he's our stand out talent actually watched him since about 2004? But we may as well play in where he's comfortable. At least he's taken the trouble to get fit this time, afaics.

Uruguay should be interesting. Traditionally, this is where they revert to kicking anything that moves until it doesn't. Which we saw signs of against CR - how they only had the one red card is a mystery. For me, the main thing is that Sterling and co have the freedom to run at the heart of their defence rather than be limited to wide roles.

And, as others have said, I certainly wouldn't bring in Barkley to start a match. Or not even as a sub, if Oxlade Chamberlain is available. He barely featured after that one early run.

 

[Ikki]

Yeh AOC would be great to come on (or start) if he is fit. The heart of Uruguay's defence is pretty slow (Lugano) and they can be exposed there. I just hope it isn't one of those tragic games where England play well, and Uruguay being Uruguay win by the skin of their teeth.

I also think England played really well last night - far, far better than last time. It was the first time in a long time, against top opponents especially, that the passing completion stat was around 90% which shows England getting away from the speculative passing of the past. It was mostly on deck, triangles and a lot of 1v1s. After the match the Italian media and team were actually fairly impressed. One thing I don't get though is that Roy once again didn't put a man on Pirlo. You would have thought they'd have learned from 2 years ago.

 

[sledger]

Wilshere was dire when he came on. Is totally there on name, as obviously he barely played for the Gunners this year.

He played 35 times in all comeptitions tbf, which is only 3 fewer games than Ross Barkley managed.

 

[91Jmay]

He played 35 times in all comeptitions tbf, which is only 3 fewer games than Ross Barkley managed.

Didn't realise it was that many. He didn't play much towards the end of the year though so is coming in cold.

 

[Nate]

Loved the England/Italy game so much. Cahill's defending for the Balotelli goal though. Urgh. You had one job.

 

[Burgey]

Good one. I've forgot more about football than you'll ever know about the game. I'm also superficial in the looks department so it wouldn't work out.

This explains the somewhat demented nature of your posting style, tbh.

 

[social]

Loved the England/Italy game so much. Cahill's defending for the Balotelli goal though. Urgh. You had one job.

Was Cahill the guy on the far post next to Balotelli?

If so, he was shocking and I cant believe that people are sticking the boot into Baine for that one

 

[wpdavid]

Was Cahill the guy on the far post next to Balotelli?

If so, he was shocking and I cant believe that people are sticking the boot into Baine for that one

You can take your pick really. Cahill lost Balotelli, Baines didn't come close to preventing he cross, Hart didn't come for the cross, Johnson didn't come across to cover Cahill and the midfield gave Baines no support whatsoever. Jagielka comes out of it OK though.

 

[Furball]

You can take your pick really. Cahill lost Balotelli, Baines didn't come close to preventing he cross, Hart didn't come for the cross, Johnson didn't come across to cover Cahill and the midfield gave Baines no support whatsoever. Jagielka comes out of it OK though.

Johnson tracked his man inside.

 

[wpdavid]

Johnson tracked his man inside.

Ah, fair enough.

 

[Uppercut]

You can take your pick really. Cahill lost Balotelli, Baines didn't come close to preventing he cross, Hart didn't come for the cross, Johnson didn't come across to cover Cahill and the midfield gave Baines no support whatsoever. Jagielka comes out of it OK though.

I thought it was just a great goal. It's an absolutely ridiculous cross for a winger to put in with his weaker foot. Welbeck didn't track, but after that there wasn't a lot anyone could have done.

 

[Ikki]

This explains the somewhat demented nature of your posting style, tbh.

You should stick to ranting and raving, you're not smart enough to be a troll.

 

[King Pietersen]

Welbeck and Wilshere should not be in the first XI. I said it before the tournament, and it's even more obvious now, but the front 4 should definitely be Lallana, Sterling, Rooney and Sturridge, with Gerrard and Henderson behind them. Ridiculous that the pre-match talk was Lallana vs Sterling, both should definitely be playing.

 

[Uppercut]

Welbeck and Wilshere should not be in the first XI. I said it before the tournament, and it's even more obvious now, but the front 4 should definitely be Lallana, Sterling, Rooney and Sturridge, with Gerrard and Henderson behind them. Ridiculous that the pre-match talk was Lallana vs Sterling, both should definitely be playing.

I think the reason Rooney started on the left is that he did such a poor job of looking after Pirlo from 10 in the Euros that Hodgson didn't trust him there. You'd have to think he's probably not a better left-winger than Lallana.

He could have played Welbeck at 10 against Italy to control Pirlo, then bring back Rooney for his goal threat against Uruguay and Costa Rica. I think that's what Alex Ferguson would have done. Hodgson might actually be fudging his way to the opposite.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Welbeck and Wilshere should not be in the first XI. I said it before the tournament, and it's even more obvious now, but the front 4 should definitely be Lallana, Sterling, Rooney and Sturridge, with Gerrard and Henderson behind them. Ridiculous that the pre-match talk was Lallana vs Sterling, both should definitely be playing.

Yep totally agree with this. Welbeck, well as he played the other night, just isn't as good as Lallana or Sterling and shouldn't be starting ahead of them, any tactical considerations aside. Wilshere on the other hand hasn't actually performed on any sort of consistent basis pretty much ever, talented as he may be.

 

[grecian]

Umm, I thought Wellbeck played well, reckon we were worse when he went off.

 

[Tangles]

Umm, I thought Wellbeck played well, reckon we were worse when he went off.

Agreed. I haven't seen much of Lallana but ppl want him starting? In place of Rooney or Welbeck? I just don't see it.