England Vs Italy

[Francko]

Well what do you expect from playing this rigid 442 system.

We needed more in midfield to be able to get more of a grip on the game and string some decent sequences of passes together.

That said, Lord knows where we're going to find a player with even a fraction of the quality of Pirlo among the emerging group of players. Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverly perhaps?

But you have. You have excellent players like Gerrard, Terry or Rooney (well Gerrard isn't that young any longer but so isn't Pirlo). They just don't seem to work well together. I think the best player at the moment in the world is Ribery but he just couldn't perform well in a team where he's left alone all the time. Winning a tournament is not just about having the best players. You do need a big star or two but you will never have 11 stars and it's the other 9-10 players that let you win a competition and not the opposite.

[Francko]

Franko: Last post November 2011.

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out, will you?

Don't stare at it too much, you can't have it.

[oscarose]

But you have. You have excellent players like Gerrard, Terry or Rooney (well Gerrard isn't that young any longer but so isn't Pirlo). They just don't seem to work well together. I think the best player at the moment in the world is Ribery but he just couldn't perform well in a team where he's left alone all the time. Winning a tournament is not just about having the best players. You do need a big star or two but you will never have 11 stars and it's the other 9-10 players that let you win a competition and not the opposite.

[FiveTimes]

Well the dust has settled on another tournament.
Am I disappointed ? No
Am I surprised ? No

Did the FA adjust everyone's expectations by appointing Roy ? Possibly, but I think he drilled the team well and made some brave decisions. Although he wasn't brave enough to sub Rooney or Young.

The england players are just that - players. They are not a team and are a long way off it.

I've been impressed with a few players - Lescott & Johnson had good tournaments. And Carroll had a good few cameos appearances

There will have to be some more pain before a new team is born. The likes of Cahill, Smalling, Jones are all in with a shout at the back.
In the middle Wiltshire has a chance and more starts from the ox.
Up top we have the likes of Sturridge to come in.

We gave the Italians too much time and never closed them down, and that was probably due to being tired. Parker/Gerrard should have been rested against Sweden but we didn't have the players to rotate.

all in all what we got was the best we could have expected.

[BoredBloke]

Once again we squander our already slim chances by insisting on playing a "hero" that if anything, has only proved that hes a club player only.

Rooney == John Barnes on the international stage ; we are a better team without him.

Don't really agree with that. It's hard for a forward in a team that isn't performing. Rooney and Barnes both played in teams that were at their peak and dominated most games. At that level you forget the chances they waste because another is along soon enough. In a pi55 poor team like england they have to take their chances because they might not get another. I don't recall our front line covering itself in glory against France.

England must be easy to play against. The same old tired tactics that don't bring about any joy. The problem is that it is what the fans like in the domestic game and until that changes it's hard to see England changing!

[petergriffin]

Let's look at the positives: England fared a bit better than Ireland and way better than Scotland.

[Cliphead]

Let's look at the positives: England fared a bit better than Ireland and way better than Scotland.

Oh dear, another hurting w4nker.

[oscarose]

Nothing new here.

Spain and Germany are head and shoulders above the rest. I don't see their leagues overun with cheap foriegn imports.

Yes, the EPL good for sky sports (£) and the world wide audience but for the national team...

Nothing's changing soon...

Simples.