World Cup Games (Sat, 14 June 2014)

[Venton]

I just don't agree with that theory. In the euros he couldn't control the ball, it bounced off him pretty much every time he touched it, he was dismal. In 2010 he was also very poor. Even when played out of position you'd expect the most talented player for a generation to at least get the basics right. You have to go back the best part of decade to find a game where he was the best player in the side, never mind on the pitch. There is just no relevant evidence that says he is a world talent being hampered by structure/position. He is a classic case of unfulfilled potential and a classic case of England selecting a team based on reputation rather than form. That is what had held England back the most over the years.

You might be right there about the world talent thing. But if that's his disease then it's a contagion and they need to fumigate the whole England camp. Going way back when. Even Gascoigne only shone intermittently for England. And Rooney's stats are a lot better than his. I think. Without haven't looked at them and just guessing...

[shanks69]

ITS NOT ****ING IMAGINARY YOU DAFT CRETIN. Its actually there!

thats exactly what i said to my mates,there again i am guessing with the amount of talking neville did i think he must have been getting paid by the word.

[RichC]

I thought going forwards we looked like we could cause teams trouble but defensively we're a mess and none of the back 4 give me any confidence they're good enough to be on the pitch.

I thought as per usual Rooney (for England) was pretty average and hardly ever involved in the game, I'm not sure whether he struggles with the pressure but all bar the fact he's Wayne Rooney I struggle to see how he commands his place in the side.

Barkley looks like he'll be more than good enough to play at international level and has to be pushing for a starting position.

Oh and Sterling He's a special talent

[Leyton388]

Everyone seems to be glossing over this game saying its the best England performance since ever. But Italy hadn't won an international match since September 2013! That includes draws against Armenia, Denmark and the mighty Luxembourg. Vey disappointing to lose to them IMO.

Bodge was trying to play like Liverpool going forward but not knowing really how to do it so he reverted to the usual Bodge 442 defending deep. Hence Italy had a lot of room in midfield. Was a 50-50 game for me though and both teams did ok. why he didn't bring on Lambert is a worry as that was a tailor made situation as to why you would include him in the squad in the first place.

[Darkon]

Italy is just a very good tournament team, a bit like with the Germans. Just always up the game a bit when it counts for something.

Not the best Italian team ever fielded, but still a decent one, and I think they deserved the win. It could have been a draw, but in the end England weren't quite good enough up front.

It will be interesting to see the next game against Uruguay, that is now a must win for both teams after the Costa Rica result. Could line up for a very interesting last round in the group.

[McDermotX]

Twitter reaction to last night

neil francis ardiff @frailfiend
Phil Neville is this World Cup's vuvuzela. #bbcworldcup
11:31 PM - 14 Jun 2014


Pete Paphides @petepaphides
It's as if Phil Neville has a normal office job & he's doing this by phone on the sly & he has to use that voice so his boss doesn't twig.


Kieran Cunningham @KCsixtyseven
Will Phil Neville be around for the second half? Russian co-commentator left at half-time of Brazil/Croatia cos of slagging on Twitter.


Tim Brannigan @tim_brannigan
The England physio slipped into a coma when a live feed of Phil Neville's commentary was played into his earpiece. #EnglandItaly


Harry Wallop ✔ @hwallop
I note BBC red button says 'choose audio' as if it knows the whole nation is desperate to turn off Phil Neville's Mogadon drone


Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer
If you press the red button Phil Neville dies and you get a proper commentary #radio


Steven Dick @dickmagician
Phil Neville. The voice artist of choice should you ever have an animated movie featuring a pool cue.


David Schneider ✔ @davidschneider
What truly frightens me if England go behind is that we then hear what Phil Neville sounds like when he's depressed #WorldCup

Richard Bailey @Bailsthebadger
Phil Neville could send a glass eye to sleep. #WorldCup2014 #EnglandvsItaly



Stuart Dunsmore @EvidentlyStuart
Even the tele has succumbed to Phil Neville's dulcet tones.

[BobTheCharmer]

Thought Rooney was his usual plodder self these days. But when the likes of henry still rave about him, and teams double up then he must still have something. No point in this heat playing him wide and expecting him to chase back all night, it won't happen. Sterling can play anywhere. Would have made sense to put Rooney behind sturridge if you are going to play him. Using an ian wright expression, The Ox will start next game. Be interesting to see who makes way. Sturridge got caught with a deliberate knee in the thigh by that cunt. Dead legs aren't always easy to shake off.

Phil Neville will still be talking to anyone listening that there is still time. No matter if we score, concede, go close, a foul, an incoming meteorite, he talks at the same level, no excitement nothing. That utd dressing room must of been hell last year.

[Exiled_red]

As many people have said the biggest problem for England is Rooney and Hodgson's unwillingness to drop him. There is no way he is as versatile as Hodgson likes to think, he basically has to either play up front or as a number 10, it seems last night Sturridge was preferred as the main striker and Sterling as No 10, both of whom justified their selection in those roles (Sturridge with a goal and Sterling as MOTM). Rooney on the left didn't work in either an attacking or a defensive sense. It will be interesting to see what lineup Hodgson goes with for the next game, Sturridge and Sterling shouldn't be dropped, but I don't think Hodgson has the balls to drop Rooney, so I expect it will be the same again.

[Phil]

Why have FIFA told ****eTV to refer to Ivory Coast by their international (ie French) name?

I wondered that myself. Obviously FIFA now controls language

[fah-q]

I thought we managed the game pretty well. Traded blows in the first part of the game when England were playing well, got our noses in front and slowed the game down perfectly to match the conditions.

Pirlo can probably play on till his fifties at this rate. Utterly sublime player.

As for being bang average or poor, well, that's just like your opinion man. From our point of view it was the near perfect opening tournament game (bar Sturridges goal).

[McDermotX]

World class composure

That's fantastic. Somewhere (hopefully packing his bags), Aspas is breathing a sigh of relief.

[Exiled_red]

That's fantastic. Somewhere (hopefully packing his bags), Aspas is breathing a sigh of relief.

I thought the same at the time

[dom9]

I wonder what Brendan would do with this England team?

Come to think about it probably not a lot. It took nearly half a season for Liverpool players to really understand how he wanted them to play.

[SK]

I thought we managed the game pretty well. Traded blows in the first part of the game when England were playing well, got our noses in front and slowed the game down perfectly to match the conditions.

Pirlo can probably play on till his fifties at this rate. Utterly sublime player.

As for being bang average or poor, well, that's just like your opinion man. From our point of view it was the near perfect opening tournament game (bar Sturridges goal).

never, ever write off the italians...it's a ****ing cliche but it so true.

doesn't seem to matter if you have players relatively inexperienced at international level playing in the first XI, they are all so tactically skilled it's amazing to watch.

[TheElephantMan]

The Italians were brilliant and England played well. It could have gone either way - England were unlucky, but I think Italy deserved their win. What can you say about Pirlo that hasn't already been said? Genius. I thought most of the England players put in a decent shift and Sterling was superb. It was interesting that most of the Italian attack was down the right hand side in the first half, then that area of the pitch looked absolutely ****ed when England did the same in the second. I think that could explain some of the dodgy crosses that came in from that area.