England v Italy match thread

[Muddled]

i also dont think we'd have played italy if capello had been in charge because we wouldnt have made it out of the group stages. hes more adventurous than hodgson and thats why i think england would never have played italy.

Errm ... what?

Capello's rigid 4-4-2 has been replaced by a defensive 4-4-2.

Adventurous is not a word I'd use for Capello, but just because he faltered at one tournament does not mean he could not have got us out of the group stages this time round neither. I think Capello would have got us playing Italy too and I think he would have been more aware - tactically - as to how to match Italy.

[Muddled]

I don't buy this bollocks that England players are technically and tactically inferior. I counted 4 champions league winners in the starting line up, and most of the rest have won the league.

I do buy into the theory that the manager is technically and tactically inferior though.

Yup. We had the players to beat a very mediocre Italy.

We fluffed it.

[Muddled]

the walcott sub didnt make sense. england didnt have the ball and they couldnt get into the game. hows technically one of the worst players in the squad going to help you get possession back in middle of the pitch.

im sure hodgson put him on with the intention of using his pace on the counter but england didnt have enough time on the transitions to get the ball to him.

should have brought downing on instead because at least he can help keep the ball when england did get it and is defensively disciplined enough to track back.

I apologise if it looks like I'm quoting a lot of your posts, but I thought the Carroll, Walcott substitutions *did* make sense, as well as a very obvious one; We were so deep that the long ball was the only outlet. Carroll was to receive and hold it, Walcott was to run off him and use his pace against tired legs. And this is ignoring the fact that they replaced two ineffective players in Welbeck and Milner - Young only stayed on the pitch because he was a penalty taker for Villa (in my opinion).

We set up to contain and fluke a goal, and if we couldn't, we'd take our chances with penalties. A tactical masterclass from a tactical dinosaur.

[Tee]

Hart pulling faces before the penalty shoot out made me LOL. He is such an average keeper yet another typically overhyped English player being laughably lauded as one of the worlds best. Not even the best in the Prem.

[Shaggy]

So relieved this morning. So happy!

[Alex]

Did anyone catch Alan Shearer at half time saying if we bring Andy Carroll on, the Italians might be stumped as they have never dealt with a player like him before.

He gets paid for that ****.

[dom9]

Hart pulling faces before the penalty shoot out made me LOL. He is such an average keeper yet another typically overhyped English player being laughably lauded as one of the worlds best. Not even the best in the Prem.

You think?

He doesnt make mistakes, is commanding on crosses and makes some stunning saves.

He had a stormer at Anfield this year.

I can't think of any better in the league last season.

[Shaggy]

Did anyone catch Alan Shearer at half time saying if we bring Andy Carroll on, the Italians might be stumped as they have never dealt with a player like him before.

He gets paid for that ****.

Yep he made several howlers last night. He's mindblowingly poor.

[Alex]

Think Vorm could have been one of the best if he had a better defense in front of him.

[Tee]

Roy has lowered expectations so much that simply geting out of a group that contained Sweden and Ukraine is seen as a major achievement. England are now a small time footballing nation.

[Chazza]

You think?

He doesnt make mistakes, is commanding on crosses and makes some stunning saves.

He had a stormer at Anfield this year.

I can't think of any better in the league last season.

Good keeper Hart and one of the best in the league

[dom9]

Good keeper Hart and one of the best in the league

His biggest weakness is his distribution. Other than that, I think he is sadly excellent.

[Lee]

You think?

He doesnt make mistakes, is commanding on crosses and makes some stunning saves.

He had a stormer at Anfield this year.

I can't think of any better in the league last season.

Good keeper Hart and one of the best in the league

His biggest weakness is his distribution. Other than that, I think he is sadly excellent.

Distribution is poor but he's top notch in every other part of his game. The ****er will probably only get better too.

[Gingawaria]

Facebook is full of "Well Done England", "Proud of you" bollocks this morning...if Capello had been in charge of that mess last night he would've been lynched!

[Bender]

Nation of losers...........