Rooney is the most overrated player I've ever seen. He had one great season 4 years ago, the only time he could have ever been described as world class.
What's the point of only three subs? At least give a few more guys an attempt to impress. No Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley, Rodriguez? These are the games we need to give them minutes to see if they can perform, not waste them on auto-picks like Gerrard and Rooney.
Lallana is the best player on the pitch. Could see he was a cracking player years ago when they played us at the Valley. Has to go, and should start. I'd also take Oxlade-Chamberlain, and that useless fat knacker Rooney should be on the bench.
Interesting to see confirmed what seemed plain to my eyes: Lallana looked so composed and a class above. He looked like he'd been playing international football for years. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
Otherwise I think that we are trying to bed in too many young players. We really must call back John Terry. With him steadying the back line we should get out the group - otherwise I fear the worst. I would also take Lampard although not necessarily to start.
Just got in from the match. Barely any fringe players involved. The whole night was an exercise for players comfortable with their place in the squad to simply avoid any risk of injury. Pointless. Roll on Brazil.
I don't think thats the worst team in the world, maybe it has a chance of finishing above one of Italy or Uruguay. Problem seems to be getting Sturridge and Rooney in the team. We want them both to be up top, but we don't want to see 4-4-2.
Rooney is the most overrated player I've ever seen. He had one great season 4 years ago, the only time he could have ever been described as world class.
I have been saying this exact same thing for the past few years. That one good season 4 years ago was all down to playing in the same team as Ronaldo.
Completely ineffective for England. Ends up wandering all over the pitch and gets in the way of other players as a result (drops back into midfield far too often and it ends up congested).
If Hodgson wants to adopt the Liverpool style of play and he wants to go one up top as the focal point then it has to be Sturridge with Rooney on the bench. Shifting players around to accomodate him is a waste of time. Let him be an impact sub.
Sturridge - Good header for the goal, looked sharp in places and is probably our best striker
Lallana - Great player, should start for me. Technique and confidence created our goal
Shaw - From what I saw I liked. Bit of a unit, good pace and ball control. Probably the only position we have to leave someone at home who is good enough to be there
Smalling - Absolutely shocking. At one point made a run forward, tackled himself and came out limping
Johnson - Such a bad RB, and not as good going forward as he was. Really hope hes not our first choice as he's full of mistakes
Gerrard - Does what he does well, a good captain
Rooney - At 50p per second the guy is woeful
Stirling - Some good runs, no end product
Henderson - Thought he played pretty well and his ball through to Wellbeck was sublime and would have resulted in a goal if Wellbeck was anywhere close to being a professional footballer
I thought England were not too bad last night - they were clearly the better team and Demark are no mugs. The issue will be the heat in the World cup - so the game didn't tell me much - I think they have drawn the shortest of short straws with their first game (as have Italy) and however they do - It may take a lot out of them. If I was Hodgson, I would be looking to put out as young and as fit a team for that game as possible! The high humidity will probably favour Italy slightly too!
looking forward to the World Cup there is no chance of the Media building England up to something they can not achieve we all know the maximum that we can achieve is getting out the group. Therefore will be great to see Argentina --Spain---Uruguay etc can a European team win it out there ? Spain must have a great chance
Comments
Sturridge, thanks to Lallana.
If you are going to play friendlies then at least have a bloody go!
Otherwise I think that we are trying to bed in too many young players. We really must call back John Terry. With him steadying the back line we should get out the group - otherwise I fear the worst. I would also take Lampard although not necessarily to start.
Ecuador were a different team in the second half!
Marks out of 10 for England?
Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Gerrard - Wilshere
Townsend - Rooney - Lallana
Sturridge
I don't think thats the worst team in the world, maybe it has a chance of finishing above one of Italy or Uruguay.
Problem seems to be getting Sturridge and Rooney in the team. We want them both to be up top, but we don't want to see 4-4-2.
Completely ineffective for England. Ends up wandering all over the pitch and gets in the way of other players as a result (drops back into midfield far too often and it ends up congested).
If Hodgson wants to adopt the Liverpool style of play and he wants to go one up top as the focal point then it has to be Sturridge with Rooney on the bench. Shifting players around to accomodate him is a waste of time. Let him be an impact sub.
Sturridge - Good header for the goal, looked sharp in places and is probably our best striker
Lallana - Great player, should start for me. Technique and confidence created our goal
Shaw - From what I saw I liked. Bit of a unit, good pace and ball control. Probably the only position we have to leave someone at home who is good enough to be there
Smalling - Absolutely shocking. At one point made a run forward, tackled himself and came out limping
Johnson - Such a bad RB, and not as good going forward as he was. Really hope hes not our first choice as he's full of mistakes
Gerrard - Does what he does well, a good captain
Rooney - At 50p per second the guy is woeful
Stirling - Some good runs, no end product
Henderson - Thought he played pretty well and his ball through to Wellbeck was sublime and would have resulted in a goal if Wellbeck was anywhere close to being a professional footballer
Therefore will be great to see Argentina --Spain---Uruguay etc can a European team win it out there ? Spain must have a great chance