19th June Games

[Shaggy]

The difference was the difference between Suarez and Rooney. One world-class and one waster. I can't believe people see Rooney's performance as being some kind of vindication. He missed two easy chances (and one against Italy) but scores a tap in and suddenly he's England's savior again.

I thought he was rubbish, again. Yet he's being praised over here. Good old England.

[fah-q]

He was ****ing awful.

Even the goal he scored was so simple but it looked like he nearly ****ed it up.

He missed a header from a yard out and then shot straight at the keeper from about 10 yards out.

Part of the problem with England is you value this ridiculous idea of passion above everything else. Play with your brains first then passion afterwards.

A boxer who fights with passion generally loses. You need to be calm and calculated first of all. Lose your **** after you score by all means (see Luis last night).

[DannyMan2006]

He was ****ing awful.

Even the goal he scored was so simple but it looked like he nearly ****ed it up.

He missed a header from a yard out and then shot straight at the keeper from about 10 yards out.

Part of the problem with England is you value this ridiculous idea of passion above everything else. Play with your brains first then passion afterwards.

A boxer who fights with passion generally loses. You need to be calm and calculated first of all. Lose your **** after you score by all means (see Luis last night).

The header was difficult, jumped as high as he could. The miss from 10 yards or so was criminal. His free kick was close. He didn't play his best but came close to scoring four. At least he was in the game. There were players who had worse games.

[Muddled]

The difference was the difference between Suarez and Rooney. One world-class and one waster. I can't believe people see Rooney's performance as being some kind of vindication. He missed two easy chances (and one against Italy) but scores a tap in and suddenly he's England's savior again.

Yup.

Uruguay (or Suarez) - two efforts on target, two goals.

It can be the difference at this level.

[DannyMan2006]

Yup.

Uruguay (or Suarez) - two efforts on target, two goals.

It can be the difference at this level.

Suarez also wildly missed a couple. It's about the chances you get, not the ones you get on target. Luckily for Uruguay we let them have a few chances. Cavani missed the sitter of the night.

[fah-q]

The header was difficult, jumped as high as he could. The miss from 10 yards or so was criminal. His free kick was close. He didn't play his best but came close to scoring four. At least he was in the game. There were players who had worse games.

Of course but he still stunk the place out in both games. Roy needed the bollocks to hook him as he isn't good enough to build a team around at that level.

He wouldn't be dropped though as England fans* seem to value running around chasing tails and getting fouled more than anything else.




* according to a random sample of FB statuses.

[fah-q]

Do you really believe the difference was just Suarez upfront?

If so I'm not sure there's anything to be learnt from last night. Uruguay totally shut down your front line and compressed the play in the middle and largely dominated the centre of the park.

The Pundits (and Roy too I think) afterwards seemed to say the same thing as you, that it was just Suarez on his own that beat you. This is why you'll continue to come undone in tournaments in my opinion. It'll be dismissed over time and an aberration, a fluke, a one off exceptional player, etc.

There's always a lot of bravado and bluster afterwards (blaming individuals or referees or dirty cheating foreigners) but no real lessons learned.

[DannyMan2006]

Of course but he still stunk the place out in both games. Roy needed the bollocks to hook him as he isn't good enough to build a team around at that level.

He wouldn't be dropped though as England fans* seem to value running around chasing tails and getting fouled more than anything else.




* according to a random sample of FB statuses.

I think the way he was moved for the Italian game shows the team wasn't built around him. I'd have liked England to play the diamond and Rooney would still be in that team. People talk about how you have few chances at that level & how you need a cold blooded assassin in front of goal. Sorry, but not many teams at that tournament have strikers better than Rooney & Sturridge. England bombing out isn't down to either of those two as both would individually walk into 90% of the teams at the tournament.

[DannyMan2006]

Do you really believe the difference was just Suarez upfront?

If so I'm not sure there's anything to be learnt from last night. Uruguay totally shut down your front line and compressed the play in the middle and largely dominated the centre of the park.

The Pundits (and Roy too I think) afterwards seemed to say the same thing as you, that it was just Suarez on his own that beat you. This is why you'll continue to come undone in tournaments in my opinion. It'll be dismissed over time and an aberration, a fluke, a one off exceptional player, etc.

There's always a lot of bravado and bluster afterwards (blaming individuals or referees or dirty cheating foreigners) but no real lessons learned.

I haven't said that, if you're talking to me. And Uruguay didn't totally shut down our front line. We had chances. Nor did they dominate the centre of the park. All stats indicate England came out on top, likely because Uruguay had something to defend. My honest opinion is that it was an even game and could have gone either way. They say Suarez was the difference because he scored two of his chances whilst we scored one.

My problem with it all is that it should never have been an even game. We have the talent to beat them.

[fah-q]

So why wasn't he dropped instead of being shoehorned into an unsuited role.

Most other nations would have put him on the bench if it was tactical with a proper wide player. Maybe bring him on late in the game.

Then to move your most effective player in the first game from a position that makes best use of him to accommodate Rooney shows that he's un-droppable in the eyes of the management, media and fans.

[Muddled]

Suarez also wildly missed a couple. It's about the chances you get, not the ones you get on target. Luckily for Uruguay we let them have a few chances. Cavani missed the sitter of the night.

Well, yeah. My point was more around Suarez having two efforts on target that he put past Hart. Rooney had a similar number of chances and didn't even really test Uruguay's 'keeper. Suarez's accuracy is awesome.

[RedReet]

Well, yeah. My point was more around Suarez having two efforts on target that he put past Hart. Rooney had a similar number of chances and didn't even really test Uruguay's 'keeper. Suarez's accuracy is awesome.

For someone who cannot finish.

[Trippendicular]

Do you really believe the difference was just Suarez upfront?

If so I'm not sure there's anything to be learnt from last night. Uruguay totally shut down your front line and compressed the play in the middle and largely dominated the centre of the park.

The Pundits (and Roy too I think) afterwards seemed to say the same thing as you, that it was just Suarez on his own that beat you. This is why you'll continue to come undone in tournaments in my opinion. It'll be dismissed over time and an aberration, a fluke, a one off exceptional player, etc.

There's always a lot of bravado and bluster afterwards (blaming individuals or referees or dirty cheating foreigners) but no real lessons learned.

I actually totally agree with you. The Rooney issue is just representative of the fundamental ongoing problem with England. For all the talk of Hodgson playing a progressive style and looking to the future, in the end England were relying on their out of form #10 (who hasn't performed for the national team in a decade) to deliver the goods.

They lacked any real spark and looked devoid of ideas and passion. For all their bluster, they were still quintessentially England.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[Kenneth]

Doesn't make England's woeful performance any better, but Godin should definitely have been off.

[Muddled]

For someone who cannot finish.

Your memory is awesome, Reet.