I wasn't impressed with our performance against the "pan-pipers and alpaca herders."
It's the same old problem.
Dither about until the opposition have got eleven men behind the ball. It's this, "Nelson tradition of thinking we have to triumph over overwhelming odds," so two or three are trying to get through a packed defence every time.
So slow lateral passes until the poor ball control means someone gives it away and there's never enough movement off the ball.
They would have been, playing at full strength in Lima. I thought they had some decent young players who looked comfortable on the ball. No real threat up front though.
I quite enjoyed the game, fabulous strike by Sturridge and some attractive football here and there. I don't think it's much of an indication of our chances in Brazil though.
As a general rule people who think Rooney is useless and shouldn't play for England know nothing about football.
If they say he's useless, they certainly don't know much about football. But strictly on his England form, they might have had a point occasionally. If England were a club side, he would have been pulled off a few times..but the top club sides would have better alternatives on the bench than England.
If they say he's useless, they certainly don't know much about football. But strictly on his England form, they might have had a point occasionally. If England were a club side, he would have been pulled off a few times..but the top club sides would have better alternatives on the bench than England.
He was very good in qualifying though yet gets more stick then anyone else. I'm not sure what Barkley and Oxlade Chamberlin have done either this season or in an England shirt to play ahead of Rooney. I also don't think his performances in a world cup four or eight years ago is particullay relevant.
He was very good in qualifying though yet gets more stick then anyone else. I'm not sure what Barkley and Oxlade Chamberlin have done either this season or in an England shirt to play ahead of Rooney. I also don't think his performances in a world cup four or eight years ago is particullay relevant.
Oh I agree, he would still be one of the first names on my team sheet. But in the past, he could have justifiably been substituted or dropped on performance. That doesn't make him a poor player, even the best can't expect to be selected every time on reputation.
If they say he's useless, they certainly don't know much about football. But strictly on his England form, they might have had a point occasionally. If England were a club side, he would have been pulled off a few times..but the top club sides would have better alternatives on the bench than England.
Never thought of that. If it was a tournament based on leagues we'd probably be favourites ? But realistically there would only be three teams in it. Eat your heart out Brazil.
As a general rule people who think Rooney is useless and shouldn't play for England know nothing about football.
I don't believe many say he's uaeless generally. It is undeniable, however, that as his youthful impudence and fearlessness dissapated with age, he's been often a frustrating presence in the England team, especially on those occasions when he's been seen as our go to player in terms of goals or creating something.
His lack of positional discipline also doesn't help as it's harder to force yourself on game in that way at international level. He needs to get the ball in dangerous areas, not in his own half.
Whether his desire to do well adds the tension that sees his touch desert him (he was caught in possession or gave the ball away a lot last night) I don't know but it seems the England spotlight has blinded him as the expectation has grown. It happens to so many players as they lose that carefree arrogance of youth.
United fans are rightly defensive of Rooney but it's no escaping Wayne Rooney's contribution at major tournaments since he exploded on to the international scene have been disappointibg even when you factor in the injuries. That's not to say others haven't replicated their club form, as it's almost inevitable, but in Rooney's case the difference has been marked when the tournaments come around.
I suspect if England play well as a team and therefore take some of the pressure off him, Rooney will play well. An early goal in the World Cup will help, of course, so let's hope it happens.
No wins in 23 away games - only a deluded England fan can say thats 'decent'
Where did you pull that stat from? In their last 23 away games they've beaten Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. Not to mention the draws against Uruguay, Honduras and others.
I do hope the football forum won't be plagued by this for the entirety of the WC.
Rooney clearly wasn't fully fit last night, which is understandable. You can always tell when he's not right because his first touch is absolutely horrific, as it was last night. By all means use these friendlies to try and get him up to speed, but if by the time we play Italy he still doesn't look fully fit and on form, then Hodgson should have no qualms about leaving him on the bench.
Same goes for any other "star names" who haven't shown enough to merit starting.
Where did you pull that stat from? In their last 23 away games they've beaten Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. Not to mention the draws against Uruguay, Honduras and others.
I do hope the football forum won't be plagued by this for the entirety of the WC.
No. It will be even worse than this during the actual world cup.
Rooney clearly wasn't fully fit last night, which is understandable. You can always tell when he's not right because his first touch is absolutely horrific, as it was last night. By all means use these friendlies to try and get him up to speed, but if by the time we play Italy he still doesn't look fully fit and on form, then Hodgson should have no qualms about leaving him on the bench.
Same goes for any other "star names" who haven't shown enough to merit starting.
If Hodgson leaves Rooney on the bench in the World Cup, I'll eat elephant shit.
Hodgson hasn't got the balls to drop him, even though we play better as a team without him.
It is tedious watching him lumbering around between the halfway line and the penalty box occasionally getting involved in the build up by causing it to break down with yet another mis-kick.
Rooney clearly wasn't fully fit last night, which is understandable. You can always tell when he's not right because his first touch is absolutely horrific, as it was last night. By all means use these friendlies to try and get him up to speed, but if by the time we play Italy he still doesn't look fully fit and on form, then Hodgson should have no qualms about leaving him on the bench.
Same goes for any other "star names" who haven't shown enough to merit starting.
Rooney, Gerrard and some others are only included because certain product manufacturers have paid a hell of a lot of money in sponsoring fees and they consequently want a return.
Comments
Decent opposition?????????????????????????????????
I've read this several times now and still can't understand it.
Nice goal from Sturridge.
Yes. They took points off Argentina and Chile in arguably the most competitive qualifying system. It's hardly Andorra.
It's the same old problem.
Dither about until the opposition have got eleven men behind the ball. It's this, "Nelson tradition of thinking we have to triumph over overwhelming odds," so two or three are trying to get through a packed defence every time.
So slow lateral passes until the poor ball control means someone gives it away and there's never enough movement off the ball.
They would have been, playing at full strength in Lima. I thought they had some decent young players who looked comfortable on the ball. No real threat up front though.
I quite enjoyed the game, fabulous strike by Sturridge and some attractive football here and there. I don't think it's much of an indication of our chances in Brazil though.
If they say he's useless, they certainly don't know much about football. But strictly on his England form, they might have had a point occasionally. If England were a club side, he would have been pulled off a few times..but the top club sides would have better alternatives on the bench than England.
He was very good in qualifying though yet gets more stick then anyone else. I'm not sure what Barkley and Oxlade Chamberlin have done either this season or in an England shirt to play ahead of Rooney. I also don't think his performances in a world cup four or eight years ago is particullay relevant.
Oh I agree, he would still be one of the first names on my team sheet. But in the past, he could have justifiably been substituted or dropped on performance. That doesn't make him a poor player, even the best can't expect to be selected every time on reputation.
That is the UN Premier league.:D
Never thought of that. If it was a tournament based on leagues we'd probably be favourites ? But realistically there would only be three teams in it. Eat your heart out Brazil.
I don't believe many say he's uaeless generally. It is undeniable, however, that as his youthful impudence and fearlessness dissapated with age, he's been often a frustrating presence in the England team, especially on those occasions when he's been seen as our go to player in terms of goals or creating something.
His lack of positional discipline also doesn't help as it's harder to force yourself on game in that way at international level. He needs to get the ball in dangerous areas, not in his own half.
Whether his desire to do well adds the tension that sees his touch desert him (he was caught in possession or gave the ball away a lot last night) I don't know but it seems the England spotlight has blinded him as the expectation has grown. It happens to so many players as they lose that carefree arrogance of youth.
United fans are rightly defensive of Rooney but it's no escaping Wayne Rooney's contribution at major tournaments since he exploded on to the international scene have been disappointibg even when you factor in the injuries. That's not to say others haven't replicated their club form, as it's almost inevitable, but in Rooney's case the difference has been marked when the tournaments come around.
I suspect if England play well as a team and therefore take some of the pressure off him, Rooney will play well. An early goal in the World Cup will help, of course, so let's hope it happens.
No wins in 23 away games - only a deluded England fan can say thats 'decent'
What a shot in both ways.
Where did you pull that stat from? In their last 23 away games they've beaten Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. Not to mention the draws against Uruguay, Honduras and others.
I do hope the football forum won't be plagued by this for the entirety of the WC.
Same goes for any other "star names" who haven't shown enough to merit starting.
No. It will be even worse than this during the actual world cup.
If Hodgson leaves Rooney on the bench in the World Cup, I'll eat elephant shit.
Hodgson hasn't got the balls to drop him, even though we play better as a team without him.
Rooney, Gerrard and some others are only included because certain product manufacturers have paid a hell of a lot of money in sponsoring fees and they consequently want a return.