Think people need to give the poor kid a break - emphasis on the word "kid". The guy is 21-years-old. During the last World Cup, he was England's brightest spark. If you have forgotten and it seems long ago, just read a few match reports from the Italy game in that tournament to get a picture of the hype trailing him at the time as everyone saw him as England's brightest prospect and one of the best emerging talents in Europe. I've read quite a lot of nonsense about him over the last year: from some Liverpool fans claiming Jordon Ibe is better, to the sensationalist criticism he's getting now.
I find it odd that Harry Kane, a player that entered this competition as England's closest player to world class level, who had a far worse tournament isn't even getting close to the same dismissive criticism. Or players like Dele Alli who weren't much better.
People need to get a bit of perspective sometimes. A player musn't only be world class OR useless. Sterling is having a poor run of form, which isn't an uncommon phenomenon in young players striving for consistency. He is a 21-year-old kid with a lot of responsibility and pressure, who has scored double figures in goals in each the last 3 seasons. Some of the criticism he's getting now is pretty much destructive if he isn't resilient and mentally strong enough. Time will tell how he reacts to it.
Sterling
posted on 29/6/16
Zoolander starring Stand Stiller
posted on 29/6/16
It's interesting how golden boy Alli is completely immune to criticism. Although, I feel he was misused by Hodgson. The thing is, Alli's not a very good footballer, but he can score goals. Pochettino recognised this, so moved him higher up the pitch.
Sterling wasn't great, but there were many others who were worse than him. Rooney and Kane for starters.
posted on 29/6/16
comment by Hafi's ethical brother (U20351)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Hafi's ethical brother (U20351)
posted 5 minutes ago
The very best manager for England would be Jose Mourinho. Wonder if he'd do both jobs.
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Would you want him to?
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If it didn't affect his United role I would simply because I live in England and have a kind of affinity to England having been here for 20+ years. I'd love your team to be good be chase it makes the buzz of the nation better.
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I can't see how you can do both to be honest. The United job is too big and time consuming. He would be a good choice though.
posted on 29/6/16
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 55 minutes ago
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 6 minutes ago
Busby
Apart from the Iceland game where everyone was sh-t I thought Dier did well, any threat we did receive came more from out wide, centrally we were very much in control, the problem was creating and finishing through the middle. Dier does the boring stuff but does it without fuss and well.
The thing with Dier though is that he is quite limited in his role so he will never create from deep like Carrick and that means more must be done from the other CMs.
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I don't think we needed a Dier in the first 3 games, that's the thing.
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don't agree that back 5 needs protection...it's unfortunate but instead of maybe 2/3 players having stinkers virtually the whole squad had a stinker at the same time.
kane just looked out on his feet....mentally and physically.
same posivblly with alli in mentioned on DJ's thread I think it was in the Russia game alli looked stiff and like he was struggling for movement.
posted on 29/6/16
It does when you operate 2 full backs who love to bomb forward. If you want to operate a midfield pair then you need 2 mobile players with plenty of energy, the only English player who did that to a good level all season was Drinkwater while the only other 2 alternatives are Wilshere and Henderson who both had poor/injured seasons.
posted on 29/6/16
comment by ||The Great AFL©||™ (U11952)
posted 21 minutes ago
It's interesting how golden boy Alli is completely immune to criticism. Although, I feel he was misused by Hodgson. The thing is, Alli's not a very good footballer, but he can score goals. Pochettino recognised this, so moved him higher up the pitch.
Sterling wasn't great, but there were many others who were worse than him. Rooney and Kane for starters.
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Alli isn't completely immune to criticism. It was just that he was so totally ineffectual to the extent he was absolutely anonymous that I don't recollect what he actually did wrong (if he actually did ANYTHING at all)..
posted on 29/6/16
comment by Hafi's ethical brother (U20351)
posted 5 hours, 19 minutes ago
Rooney had one trick. I said it after Russia and he did it every sinnnnnnngle time.
Get the ball from Dier. Pass it thirty yards to walker.
Rinse, repeat etc.
It was so obvious it was laughable. He needs to retire or be retired from the England. I can almost guarantee you guys would be better off once he goes.
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Been saying this for years. That's all it takes for commentators to think he's still got it. A crossfield ball out to the wing that spends about 25 mins in the air. It's sad that the commentators, pundits, media etc don't call out players more for their performances. Either that or they're just really easily fooled.
posted on 29/6/16
Sorry to say but that also reminds me of Scholes when he returned from retirement
posted on 29/6/16
comment by Kolo's Long Schłông On Tour! KLS ⚽️ (U1695)
posted 7 hours, 22 minutes ago
Yes he was the brightest spark at the World Cup when he was playing regular football at Liverpool. Then he forced a move to city in a deal worth £49m because he thought he was the muts nuts and worth £180,000 a week.
Now I don't blame him for making the move because anyone would but he had to knuckle down and let his football do the talking and he hasn't. He's not played regular football and has regressed as a player.
He should have stayed where he was and carried on playing and progressing like he was.
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These are my thoughts on Sterling too
He should in no way be singled out regarding England though. The only players that should be free from stick are Lallana, Walker, Rashford and the players who didn't play.
posted on 30/6/16
Sheriff John Brown
Still feel sorry for Sterling after seeing his house last night?