It's always fashionable to be negative about International friendlies, but for ALL teams going to the World Cup this summer these games are very useful.
I'm not expecting fireworks from England over the summer, but I do feel that it's a unique opportunity for Hodgson to actually get some players out on the pitch playing without fear or an overwhelming (& unrealistic) weight of expectation that usually goes hand-in-hand with England & any major international tournament.
Just a couple of points that do worry me a little about this current England set-up that could potentially be hindrances in Brazil.
I'm not completely sold on England having Gerrard as the 'main man', I think he struggles to control a game at International level. I've been a fan of the guy throughout his career. He's a total pro, committed and leads by example, but I've never been 100% sold on his performances at International level. And now, as he enters his winter years, I'm not entirely comfortable with the responsibility bestowed on him and more so, his ability to 'run' a game at International level, certainly against top sides.
Secondly (& this IS areal worry for me), I'm very dubious that Sturridge & Rooney compliment each other in such an important area. There's going to be plenty of scope to prove we wrong on that of course and I hope I'm left eating my words.
Any thoughts?
Moist
Gerrard, Sturridge & Rooney
posted on 31/5/14
Lallana, Chamberlain and Sterling behind Sturridge would be ideal. Think they would tear Italy apart.
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Pace is key and those players (especially Sterling & Chamberlain) have it in spades!
posted on 31/5/14
Possession and defending are 2 other keys
posted on 31/5/14
Rooney has been very disappointing for England. He doesn't seem as bothered anymore, had no influence on the game. Lallana looked way ahead of him. Which is a shame because he has potential to be very influential especially with his passing and chance creating ability behind the striker. He must up his game for World Cup, maybe he will, but if not he has to be dropped. We have players who can do a better job than him.
posted on 31/5/14
Possession and defending are 2 other keys
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Absolutely. The point I'm trying to make is that England have a real opportunity to shake things up offensively and create real problems for the opposition. If Hodgson doesn't take that gamble and show some balls, it's a reall opportunity missed in my opinion. Otherwise, I fear we're in for a case of the 'same old/same old'.
posted on 31/5/14
The trouble with the way England play is that they don't believe in midfield or attacking midfield. They play in defence, on the wings and up front only. A player like Rooney won't have any joy in that set up. Wilshere had the same issue yesterday where it was nigh-on impossible for him to get involved unless he ran up the flanks.
posted on 31/5/14
It won`t make any difference who Roy puts on the pitch, the team/squad aint good enough. Years of failure should have least taught us that. The Golden Generation have failed tournament after tournament, and yet some are still playing, and Roy is saying they will come good. Pull the other one Roy.
posted on 31/5/14
We actually have big talents jimbo. When you look at Barkley, Wilshere and Henderson as midfielders, it's very easy to see how they could scale the heights. Up front we have the likes of Sterling, Sturridge, Chamberlain, Walcott and so on too.
Not to mention our defensive talents like Stones and Shaw.
It's a outright myth that England don't have the quality to do well at an international tournament. The issue is mentality, coaching, playing style and tactics.
posted on 31/5/14
comment by TheChameleonProject (U1847)
posted 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
Nike says Rooney must play ✔
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posted on 31/5/14
We are in for another dire world cup
same ol shiitte
posted on 31/5/14
Rooney and gerrad have been failures for past 8 major tournaments,
It has been a while since we had pacey good players, for feck sake I wish giggs was English was the cry every time a major tournament was up ;
The fa will always demand success but fail any courage in taking risks, only reason the golden generation has been failing for 8yrs I can assume.
Unfortunately woy will be thinking of this world cup alone, and will shut up shop with welbeck and Milner on the flanks, with Rooney behind Strurridge
This is England and this is what we do, look at what Germany did to us in the last world cup, that was planned after the 2000/2002 wc and euros, after their golden generation had a melt down ala England at the 2010 wc,
Shake it up, TRY something different,
A diamond of gerrad hendo, witlshire, Barkley, sterling, sturridge
Rodgers for England