Reply to: England vs Ukraine

[oscarose]

According to Talksport this morning, Rooney’s goal cost BetFred £250,000 so he’s seemingly still the punter’s choice.

[BlasterBates]

Let's not forget that the game against France was also bad.

[Doggy Styles]

Rooney was very rusty after only 45 minutes in more than a month. He needed match time, that's why he stayed on to nearly the end.

Roy is paid to make strategic decisions like that, rather than react like a typical bloke in a pub to a few misplaced passes.

[d000hg]

Rooney hadn't the benefit of two games to get into it. So I would at least give him another chance since he will also be very un-tired.

[Scoobos]

The volatile Balotelli may be seen as too risky for a QF against England.
Let's hope he plays.

I hope that's the case, we'll need all the help we can get.

I thought the non-Rooney side showed great promise, fight and determination, the one last night was very similar to Capellos World cup embarassment; everyone looks scared to be in possession.

When will england managers learn that Rooney is a gamble. Sure he got his lucky header but he missed 3 that carroll would have put in, and with our nervous nature on the ball in midfield and defence we can't afford to miss clear cut chances.

Don't change a winning side etc.

[oscarose]

PaddyPower could run a book called "Path to the Bath" between Rooney and Balotelli.

Or call it "Race for Red". Or something else.

The volatile Balotelli may be seen as too risky for a QF against England.
Let's hope he plays.

[Doggy Styles]

Mainly looking forward to seeing Balotelli getting in a punch-up with at least 2 England players.

PaddyPower could run a book called "Path to the Bath" between Rooney and Balotelli.

Or call it "Race for Red". Or something else.

[d000hg]

Mainly looking forward to seeing Balotelli getting in a punch-up with at least 2 England players.

[FiveTimes]

Incorrect. Italy struggled a bit against the worst team here - Ireland.
They will be favoruites but it will be a one goal difference if they win.

bookies have england/italy at 13/8 and cant split them

[quackhandle]

It's nailed on that we'll lose to Zee Germans on pens in the semis.

The media will welcome the team back as heros. Arise Sir Woy.

qh

[sasguru]

I called the England 3 games correct. A draw in the first match and just wins in the last 2 games.

Italy will bleach you, you will have no quarter from them and I would expect them to take a 2-0 or 3-0 win.

Incorrect. Italy struggled a bit against the worst team here - Ireland.
They will be favoruites but it will be a one goal difference if they win.

[sasguru]

Oh might guru, please do tell - can they adapt to yet another loss?

I don't know, you're used to failure - tell me how it feels to be England

[minestrone]

Another? When was the first one?

Call me a silly old bugger, but I would have preferred Spain in the quarters. We know them (and Barcelona), and teams are learning how to counteract them. But what do we know about Italy?

No matter, we won the group, a success that was unexpected in most quarters!

I called the England 3 games correct. A draw in the first match and just wins in the last 2 games.

Italy will bleach you, you will have no quarter from them and I would expect them to take a 2-0 or 3-0 win.

[Doggy Styles]

Oh might guru, please do tell - can they adapt to yet another loss?

Another? When was the first one?

Call me a silly old bugger, but I would have preferred Spain in the quarters. We know them (and Barcelona), and teams are learning how to counteract them. But what do we know about Italy?

No matter, we won the group, a success that was unexpected in most quarters!

[AtW]

For once you are right. Who'd have thought it: a resilient, adaptive English side.
I think we've got the beating of Italy, I wouldn't have thought that of Spain.
England are the dark horses of this tournament now.

Oh might guru, please do tell - can they adapt to yet another loss?