England v Germany (and then v Holland)

[GT49er]

Dutch defending is poor.

Really? Seemed to get an important block or interception in any time one was really needed, and promptly despatched the ball to the half way line or beyond which was fine, because England would then fanny around with it for five minutes, gradually working the ball back to the GK, before launching another (slow) attack.

Very turgid performance tonight, I thought, and vey disappointing after Saturday. Seemed to want to play the game slowly, at a 'continental' pace - and that was fine with the Dutch: just playing their game, really.

Mind you, the second goal was a shocker by the ref.

 

[Working class pride]

Everyone was trotting around. Some nice skill on show in parts but tells us nothing. No idea if England are a good side or still utterly inept. We shall see when it means something in the summer.

 

[Megazone]

Our lack of natural wingers shines through. When O when will we produce a Giggs or a Bale?

 

[El Presidente]

If we can't beat a team that didn't even qualify for the Euros why are we bothering to turn up in June?

 

[Triggaaar]

If we can't beat a team that didn't even qualify for the Euros why are we bothering to turn up in June?

What makes you think we will turn up?

 

[Easy 10]

Well, on the upside I managed to complete my Hoddle Bingo sheet tonight when he came up with the time-honoured "England have been a bit easy-osey this half" remark.

Now if Ray Wilkins says the words "quite exceptional" and "young man" on TalkSPORT tomorrow, I think I win an afternoon in Sidcup.

 

[Eeyore]

Well, on the upside I managed to complete my Hoddle Bingo sheet tonight when he came up with the time-honoured "England have been a bit easy-osey this half" remark.

Now if Ray Wilkins says the words "quite exceptional" and "young man" on TalkSPORT tomorrow, I think I win an afternoon in Sidcup.

I've heard it's nice this time of year.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Can I just say - Theo Walcott. He's been dining out on that hat- trick vs Croatia for 7 1/2 years and 38 caps later he's only managed to score against the mighty San Marino, Estonia, Scotland and Sweden, so none of the big boys.

He is not up to it and should be binned along with the hapless Milner.

 

[Megazone]

Can I just say - Theo Walcott. He's been dining out on that hat- trick vs Croatia for 7 1/2 years and 38 caps later he's only managed to score against the mighty San Marino, Estonia, Scotland and Sweden, so none of the big boys.

He is not up to it and should be binned along with the hapless Milner.

England's and Arsenal's version of Jake Robinson

 

[Pavilionaire]

England have to be careful. I heard the usual ITV guff about strength in depth, but the reality is we haven't got strength in depth.

There are only 12 or 13 players who are capable of combining as a team and delivering on a regular basis - Hart, Clyne, Rose, Cahill, Jagielka, Dier, Drinkwater, Alli, Henderson, Kane, Vardy, Welbeck, Rooney.

I reckon these are the core Roy should be looking at. Too many of the others flatter to deceive - Sterling, Sturridge, Walcott, Oxo, Barkley, Wilshere, Smalling, Stones, Gibbs, Lallana to name but a few.

 

[Pevenseagull]

I blame the kit, shocking.

 

[GT49er]

England have to be careful. I heard the usual ITV guff about strength in depth, but the reality is we haven't got strength in depth.

There are only 12 or 13 players who are capable of combining as a team and delivering on a regular basis - Hart, Clyne, Rose, Cahill, Jagielka, Dier, Drinkwater, Alli, Henderson, Kane, Vardy, Welbeck, Rooney.

I reckon these are the core Roy should be looking at. Too many of the others flatter to deceive - Sterling, Sturridge, Walcott, Oxo, Barkley, Wilshere, Smalling, Stones, Gibbs, Lallana to name but a few.

Think I'd put Barkley, Stones and Lallana into the 'in' camp, and possibly I'd swap Sturridge for Welbeck. Not sure I'd go with Henderson (although probably squad) and I didn't think Drinkwater really played himself into contention tonight either.
And goalkeeping-wise, I thought Forster was excellent tonight - quite happy to have him pushing Hart all the way.

 

[GT49er]

I blame the kit, shocking.

......and the f******* band. All they do is slow down the tempo; Great Escape - meh, turgid; National Anthem - before the match, yes, during it, no!. Unless they can learn to play Babylon's Burning or Tomorrow Girls or something similarly frenetic to drive the team on, they should eff off.

 

[Mowgli37]

Not a totally dispiriting loss. At the very least we should have drawn if it weren't for a diabolical bottle-job of a ref. Few things I took away from the game:

- Milner should never be let near the side again, let alone made the sodding captain.
- Rose was excellent once again, should be our first choice for the summer.
- Stones really should earn his spurs defensively before getting ideas above his station and jollying forward like Beckenbaeur.
- Drinkwater was good. Dier has a dependable backup in that position.
- As was Forster, Hart will be looking over his shoulder if he has a downturn in form.
- Vardy, Kane and Alli need to be starting together lest we piss away a promising chance of making the semis.
- Roy bumbling off down the tunnel early was an amusing sight bless him

 

[Pavilionaire]

Think I'd put Barkley, Stones and Lallana into the 'in' camp, and possibly I'd swap Sturridge for Welbeck. Not sure I'd go with Henderson (although probably squad) and I didn't think Drinkwater really played himself into contention tonight either.
And goalkeeping-wise, I thought Forster was excellent tonight - quite happy to have him pushing Hart all the way.

This is the problem. The likes of Barkley, Stones and Lallana should have cemented their places a year ago. Yet they're still in the fringes - flattering to deceive. Top quality players make an instant impact and stay there - Rooney did it, Alli, Kane and Dier have all made a mark too, they look like top internationals.

Let's look at Lallana. He'll be 28 in less than two months time, he has 21 caps for England, 0 goals. It's simply not good enough.


For whatever reason Stones has gone backwards while Barkley has stood still - I'd love Barkley to be a success, he has a terrific turn of pace but too many flaws still in his game. Hopefully they'll be playing under a different manage soon because Martinez seems to have lost the plot.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Sack the manager. I'd get Warnock in for a year...





Hang on... where have I read that recently?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is the problem. The likes of Barkley, Stones and Lallana should have cemented their places a year ago. Yet they're still in the fringes - flattering to deceive. Top quality players make an instant impact and stay there - Rooney did it, Alli, Kane and Dier have all made a mark too, they look like top internationals.

Let's look at Lallana. He'll be 28 in less than two months time, he has 21 caps for England, 0 goals. It's simply not good enough.


For whatever reason Stones has gone backwards while Barkley has stood still - I'd love Barkley to be a success, he has a terrific turn of pace but too many flaws still in his game. Hopefully they'll be playing under a different manage soon because Martinez seems to have lost the plot.

I disagree about Rooney. He can deliver against lesser opponents but put him on the biggest stages and he flounders and fails to dictate or shape games. To be a top international you have to be compared against the regulars in the bigger and more successful nations. He comes up well short. There's a queue of younger and hungrier players behind him...I'd give them a go.

 

[LlcoolJ]

Agree with Hoddle

Don't think I ever have.

 

[Simster]

England have to be careful. I heard the usual ITV guff about strength in depth, but the reality is we haven't got strength in depth.

There are only 12 or 13 players who are capable of combining as a team and delivering on a regular basis - Hart, Clyne, Rose, Cahill, Jagielka, Dier, Drinkwater, Alli, Henderson, Kane, Vardy, Welbeck, Rooney.

I reckon these are the core Roy should be looking at. Too many of the others flatter to deceive - Sterling, Sturridge, Walcott, Oxo, Barkley, Wilshere, Smalling, Stones, Gibbs, Lallana to name but a few.

Whilst I agree with the thrust of your point, are you really putting Vardy in the "delivering on a regular basis" category? He's only played SIX internationals! Drinkwater even fewer.

Actually I think there are only two categories:
The half who deliver on a regular basis who ought to be on the plane - I'm broadly in agreement with your selection
The half who are in form at the time of the tournament. And why is Hodgson bothering with Sturridge? He's made of Weetabix FFS.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Good goal from England. Poor first half but can't complain. I like Barclay but looks half the player that Deli Ali is at the moment. Let's hope that goal gives them the confidence to push on in the second half

Play them together and you will see the best of them both as they are on the same wavelength.

Imagine trying to create something with Milner?