England v Ireland

[Tangled up in Blue]

If that's the best England can do, it seems to me they'll struggle to qualify for Euro 2016 in France.I can see them watching the tournament on TV and getting thrashed by Brazil on Sunday.

 

[Ricey]

If that's the best England can do, it seems to me they'll struggle to qualify for Euro 2116 in France.I can see them watching the tournament on TV and getting thrashed by Brazil on Sunday.

I think those players will struggle to be alive to play in that tournament. Didn't realise they picked the host this far in advance.

 

[Pubey]

If that's the best England can do, it seems to me they'll struggle to qualify for Euro 2116 in France.I can see them watching the tournament on TV and getting thrashed by Brazil on Sunday.

Llloooolll.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I was there last night; it wasn't great. On the plus side, I didn't hear any particularly nasty political/religious chanting (apart from a lone 'no more Muslims' on Wembley High Road after the game) and, erm, the seats were good.

Also had the pleasure of having the four most stupid people I think I have ever encountered at a football match (and I've been watching Southend since 1985) sit behind me. Here are some of their 'highlights'

• Shouting 'come on Ashley' as Frank Lampard took a corner
• Confusing Alex Oxlade Chamberlain with Gary Cahill
• When Sturridge came off after half an hour, wondering where Gerrard (not even in the squad) might be playing
• Slagging off the substituted Joe Hart for a minor mistake that Ben Foster had made
• Missing the first 15 minutes of the second half. I genuinely think it's because they were too ****ing dense to find their way back to the seats

Roll on Euro 2116!

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Barry Corr will score 20 goals in the 2116 season I'm betting.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

England is suffering from the continued "support" of prem big teams of overseas players and limited numbers of home players being either allowed or good enough to break into those teams. When a youth player costs not a great deal through the system and a big name costs multi million then the big name/buy will always get the starting squad place; probably sell shirts and TV time. Limited English players at top level = limited England team. And all the foriegn and non English owners/managers don't give a toss; they probably chuckle about it.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I think those players will struggle to be alive to play in that tournament. Didn't realise they picked the host this far in advance.

Doh!Bit hung over earlier.:blush:
(Was also making some provisional plans for France 2016 yesterday).

 

[ozzie]

If that's the best England can do, it seems to me they'll struggle to qualify for Euro 2016 in France.I can see them watching the tournament on TV and getting thrashed by Brazil on Sunday.

so you think england will go to brazil,2014!!!we must see who we may get in a playoff game,coz the manager&team wont win this average group

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

so you think england will go to brazil,2014!!!we must see who we may get in a playoff game,coz the manager&team wont win this average group

No I don't actually.I think they'll finish second (as you say) and will have to take pot luck in the playoffs.Depending who they draw they could easily be sitting out the Brazil World Cup.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Doh!Bit hung over earlier.:blush:
(Was also making some provisional plans for France 2016 yesterday).

Not saying England are much cop, but don't forget 24 teams will qualify for Euro 2016. Hell, even Scotland are hopeful of getting through to that one.

Incidentally, and I know we're going off topic here, but what plans are there to make? The hosts cities have been announced (Lille very much on my radar) but surely no dates have been confirmed?

 

[MK Shrimper]

Not saying England are much cop, but don't forget 24 teams will qualify for Euro 2016. Hell, even Scotland are hopeful of getting through to that one.

Incidentally, and I know we're going off topic here, but what plans are there to make? The hosts cities have been announced (Lille very much on my radar) but surely no dates have been confirmed?

Plenty on Wiki mate.

 

[Napster]

I'm not reading much into a game which meant absolutely nothing. Although Foster looks shaky and Defoe and Rooney don't quite gel together.

 

[EastStandBlue]

What did people actually expect from this fixture? The season's over, it's a hugely pointless game played out by those who are fairly assured of their places in the next meaningful squad and are already one foot on the beach. Hodgson missed a huge trick here in failing to give run-outs to fringe players who may have a good chance of making the 2014 squad if they have a good season, and trying out a few different systems. Roy was brought in with no real expectations under the guise of a transitional phase for this England squad. There's no real transition going on whatsoever.

 

[Jam_Man]

Pointless friendly and not worth making any negative judgements on it, same as if we had won 3-0 there would be no point in the mass frenzy that follows every win saying we will win the world cup.

We are a pretty ordinary team with some decent players but lacking any real superstars these days, Im sure we will get hyped up as always before the world cup and then end up disappointed as always. At least in previous years we always had a star to give us hope, Im not really sure where the magic will come from this squad.

 

[Pubey]

Drop Johnson and Gerrard, bring in a core of United players (Welbeck, Carrick and Phil Jones at right back). That will add much more cohesion between defence and attack.

Sadly we still need to base this team around Rooney. Hopefully Wilshere will be available in the autumn as we'll need him. Drop the Ox, he isn't ready.

Hart

Jones, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole

Walcott, Carrick, Lampard, Milner
Rooney
Welbeck

(Welbeck dropped and Rooney pushed forward when Wilshere returns.

 

[Uncle Leo]

What did people actually expect from this fixture? The season's over, it's a hugely pointless game played out by those who are fairly assured of their places in the next meaningful squad and are already one foot on the beach. Hodgson missed a huge trick here in failing to give run-outs to fringe players who may have a good chance of making the 2014 squad if they have a good season, and trying out a few different systems. Roy was brought in with no real expectations under the guise of a transitional phase for this England squad. There's no real transition going on whatsoever.

I guess you've answered your own question to an extent. Feels like not picking Phil Jones from the start was a missed opportunity.

Personally, I was also hoping to see us put a few goals past that lot and shut up the Irish with their 'best fans in the world' schtick. Some hope. And, in fairness, the Irish did make some great noise, but I have to deduct some points for that ****ing Poznan dance.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I guess you've answered your own question to an extent. Feels like not picking Phil Jones from the start was a missed opportunity.

Personally, I was also hoping to see us put a few goals past that lot and shut up the Irish with their 'best fans in the world' schtick. Some hope. And, in fairness, the Irish did make some great noise, but I have to deduct some points for that ****ing Poznan dance.

Aye, Cahill's had a fairly disastrous finish to the season and was torn to bits by Benteke in particular, whereas from what I saw of Jones in the last month in particular he seemed impressive wherever he was played. I know Hodgson's hands were probably tied by a number of promising U21 players being involved in the U21 tournament squad, but still.

Also, I've no idea what Hodgson was talking about when he was commenting on how England's 4-4-2 system is very similar to Dortmund's. It's really, really not.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Also, I've no idea what Hodgson was talking about when he was commenting on how England's 4-4-2 system is very similar to Dortmund's. It's really, really not.

Beyond both formations featuring ten outfield players, I'm struggling to see the similarities.

 

[South Bank Hank]

What did people actually expect from this fixture? The season's over, it's a hugely pointless game played out by those who are fairly assured of their places in the next meaningful squad and are already one foot on the beach. Hodgson missed a huge trick here in failing to give run-outs to fringe players who may have a good chance of making the 2014 squad if they have a good season, and trying out a few different systems. Roy was brought in with no real expectations under the guise of a transitional phase for this England squad. There's no real transition going on whatsoever.

Agreed for the most part but lack of expectation will never go hand in hand with the England national team. Transition or otherwise, Roy's England will be expected to play attractive attacking football, qualify for major competitions and either succeed or fail gloriously.

 

[C C Csiders]

Aye, Cahill's had a fairly disastrous finish to the season and was torn to bits by Benteke in particular, whereas from what I saw of Jones in the last month in particular he seemed impressive wherever he was played. I know Hodgson's hands were probably tied by a number of promising U21 players being involved in the U21 tournament squad, but still.

Also, I've no idea what Hodgson was talking about when he was commenting on how England's 4-4-2 system is very similar to Dortmund's. It's really, really not.

I see the similarities in that both teams started with a Bender.