*** Official Match Thread England v Italy ***

[longmanofwilmington]

Welbeck has been an absolute monster tonight, he appears to have run at least twice as much as everyone else. I still wouldn't back him to score 1 on 1 but perhaps playing where he is today could be a new role for him.

 

[Ernest]

With Uruguay losing a point is a good result

 

[Blackadder]

When the game started, I was going to mention how dreadful PN was in the commentary team but if you listen to what he says he knows his game. He is just a bit monotone and doesn't get excited.

Rooney isn't happy in his position but he did a great assist. Roy needs to change his tactics.

 

[Hyperion]

With Uruguay losing a point is a good result

My Sauce tells me that an aid for Suarez has been up the Cliftonville buying up all the sausages

 

[Mr Smggles]

Henry did not enjoy that comment from Leineker

 

[Meade's Ball]

I thought we've looked decent in terms of wanting to make chances, and that's a relief. No team thus far seems excellent defensively, so it could be an open tournament in ways. I just hope in this game we don't get so cut open down our left with Rooney leaving Baines without any assistance.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Not really true. But we are getting value from our limited possession.

Anyone here admitting to wishing Welbeck wasn't playing? My England player of the half.

Welbeck has been fine.

Looks dangerous and works hard

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Damn quote system

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

You are a moron.

So. Go on....

 

[Simster]

Pretty much this. PN is the antithesis of Andy Townsend, who talks drivel excitedly for 90 minutes. I know which I prefer

Very much this. I can live with his monotone because he offers real insight. For example, our defence caught them offside and Neville pointed out that Rooney was in our back four at the time, which was worrying.

Can't imagine Townsend has EVER said anything not banal or obvious.

 

[Beach Hut]

Crap defending

 

[The Wizard]

****

Poor defensively.

 

[Bry Nylon]

great goal.

 

[Bladders]

Way too easy

 

[Mr Smggles]

Standing off the man, awful defending from the front, all the way to the back.

 

[Marxo]

I don't think Baines is a defender.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Allowing them the freedom of the park. Maybe hot but England have got to stop them in their half.

 

[Ex-Staffs Gull]

How much can we drop off and how much space can we give Pirlo. We will get beaten if we dont start pressing..

 

[The Wizard]

I don't think Baines is a defender.

Indeed he looks clueless when anyone runs at him, although he's not had much help in fairness

 

[The Wizard]

We've reacted well to going down again.