ITALY vs England
- Thread starter twistedAM
- Start date
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
would you really describe Alonso as a purely defensive midfielder? I've always thought there's more to his game than that
twistedAM
Left Of The Dial
Not when at Liverpool but that seems to be more of his role in the Spanish side.
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
prolly due to the fact that they've such an embarrassment of midfield playmaker riches - Xavi, iniesta, fab, plus silva on the wing...
I was wondering that a while ago. His partnership with Xavi was what Spain's win four years ago was founded on, similar to the Gattuso-Pirlo axis for Italy in 2006.
DexterTCN
Troy and Abed in the morning
Too close to tell really. The things it should come down to for me are these two.
Balotelli, which one turns up?
Are England on a mental freeroll because they dodged Spain? Spain haven't been on top form but they'd put England out, just now. Italy are difficult but it's a different thing.
(meritorious third...can Parker take any more punishment?)
Balotelli, which one turns up?
Are England on a mental freeroll because they dodged Spain? Spain haven't been on top form but they'd put England out, just now. Italy are difficult but it's a different thing.
(meritorious third...can Parker take any more punishment?)
Balotelli's always a bit shit really. I had the misfortune of seeing him for City last season a few times. He scored now and then but missed far far more than he should've. Surely Italy should be able to breed a proper no.9.
Anyway, if I was Woy, I'd leave Rooney on the bench as an impact player. Gerrard looked far more comfortable with Carroll/Wellbeck upfront.
Anyway, if I was Woy, I'd leave Rooney on the bench as an impact player. Gerrard looked far more comfortable with Carroll/Wellbeck upfront.
twistedAM
Left Of The Dial
He is a tad awkward. It's as if he hasn't quite grown into his body.
He can, and does put a shift in though. Best player on the pitch at last year's cup final.
And he tracks back. Bobby Mancini likes that, hence no place in the team for Adam Johnson.
As a footballer he's still at the "got huge potential" stage. As a dude, he has no peers.
As for Rooney. I overheard some discussions in the bar tonight and it was unthinkable a few weeks, even days, back. that people would be saying they should drop Rooney for Carroll. They had had a few beers mind, but still it's a case to be argued.
Will Nike allow it?
What influence do Nike have with the England team?
DRINK?
bummed by karmachameleon
Poor ol Adam Johnson...what must he be thinking with Henderson and Downing in the squad,
What he should be doing is asking for a transfer, if he's not going to get game time at City for whatever reason he should find another club. At the moment he's in danger of taking the Wayne Bridge route of just sitting back and enjoying the wages and having his weekend's free.
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
could easily be a 0-0 bore draw followed by someone nicking a winner in extra time, or possibly going down to penalties.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Those banners say 'In Roy we trust', and for the first time in a very long time, the England manager appears to know what he's doing. Win or lose, Roy knows what he's doing, and more importantly, the players know what he's doing too.
Teaboy said:
But he knows where we are weak and is facing it head on
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3284...dgson-penalty-shootouts-are-a-national-phobia
littlebabyjesus said:Those banners say 'In Roy we trust', and for the first time in a very long time, the England manager appears to know what he's doing. Win or lose, Roy knows what he's doing, and more importantly, the players know what he's doing too.
So... Are you saying we will almost certainly win this tournament?
twistedAM
Left Of The Dial
Henderson tracks back and gets stuck in.
Downing. I can't answer that one.
I doubt it's anywhere near as big an influence as they had on Brazil but Rooney is their poster boy and they own Umbro.
I could imagine the world of sports sponsorship being rather cut and thrust.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Shhh.
I just imagined what would have happened if Stuart Pearce had been left in charge. I physically shuddered.
Nope first thing Roy did was to get shot of Pearce. I think he's still the U21's coach and of course manager of mighty Team GB at this summer's sports day.
twistedAM
Left Of The Dial
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
Yep, he mishandled the Ferdinand thing (how he presented it, regardless of whether he should have picked him or not) - but since then he's done great. Have a feeling some of the old codgers in the squad are going to run out of steam soon, but the simple idea that the manager knows what he's doing and the players know what he wants - revolutionary for England!Those banners say 'In Roy we trust', and for the first time in a very long time, the England manager appears to know what he's doing. Win or lose, Roy knows what he's doing, and more importantly, the players know what he's doing too.
