World Cup 2014

[oldbluefox]

Am I the only one to be underwhelmed by England's performance last night? After a bright start where our pace caused all sorts of problems for the Italian defence we dropped off. We had all sorts of problems in the left back position, our corners were ineffectual, free kicks from outside the area failed to test the goalkeeper and what few chances we had were off target. Too many senior players, who should be affecting the pattern of the game, had little influence.

The media this morning seem to think we played well but I beg to differ. Italy were the better, more clinical side and if we lose on Thursday we can look forward to an early flight home.

[kaymar]

Oh, dear, what a shame, never mind.

As someone once said, "It's not the despair, I can take the despair, I'm used to it - it's the hope I can't stand."

[Quizzical Bob]

Am I the only one to be underwhelmed by England's performance last night? After a bright start where our pace caused all sorts of problems for the Italian defence we dropped off. We had all sorts of problems in the left back position, our corners were ineffectual, free kicks from outside the area failed to test the goalkeeper and what few chances we had were off target. Too many senior players, who should be affecting the pattern of the game, had little influence.

The media this morning seem to think we played well but I beg to differ. Italy were the better, more clinical side and if we lose on Thursday we can look forward to an early flight home.

I'm with you, Foxy. Rooney and Gerrard were very poor.when Rooney kicked a corner into the crowd then I knew it was all over but his miss in the second half was woeful.

[Onelife]

Down but not out....yet!!!

Clearly not the result we wanted but as far as England's performances go l don't think we let ourselves down, indeed l don't think there was a lot between the two teams other than they took their chances where we squanderd ours. I don't know about you OBF but l thought we gave Italy far too much room out wide which is where they launched most of their attacks from.

I think the one significant factor that turned the game was that the Italian's played with the conditions (heat) whereas we played as if we could beat it.

Sturridge played a blinder!

[Delboy]

Well I thought it was the best I have seen the England team play in a World Cup for a long while.

There were some outstanding performances - Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck were excellent. We were well in the game, but our final ball let us down.

Rooney is still a top player but when you play him out of position on the left it does not work, and that was why Baines was so exposed at the back.
However it was Rooney's excellent cross from the left from which we scored our goal, the best cross we made all night.

We definitely need to improve in front of goal with both our crosses and our final ball.

Another signifant point re the heat, we fished up with 6 players having cramp and the Italians one, they handled it better than us.

Also our physio was stretchored off, he broke his ankle when he jumped up after England scored.

Still plenty of optimism for the future, surely nobody was mad enough to think we would win it.

[barney]

It all went pretty much as I expected to be honest.

A gallant performance by the youngsters with the senior players once again letting the team down, as they have down on many previous occasions.

Rooney (good cross excepted) was woeful.
Johnson slowed the game to walking pace every time he was in possession.
Captain Gerrard was again invisible.

S*it or bust in the next game so let the youngsters have their head and at least gone down with all guns blazing.

On a different note, Italy's goal from the corner was a routine that Gillingham have been using for years. Have they been peeking into League one?
And
Was Phil Neville commentating on a funeral ??? Boring or what? I switched the sound off and put on 5 live.

[oldbluefox]

It all went pretty much as I expected to be honest.

A gallant performance by the youngsters with the senior players once again letting the team down, as they have down on many previous occasions.

Rooney (good cross excepted) was woeful.
Johnson slowed the game to walking pace every time he was in possession.
Captain Gerrard was again invisible.

That's just how I felt about them. Gerrard and Henderson failed to dominate midfield, our left flank was left exposed because Rooney wasn't tracking back thus leaving our back four to cope with keeping the Italians out and hoping the likes of Sterling and Sturridge could catch them on the break. It's a long time since we saw Johnson have a good game.

The score could have been a lot worse had the shots which hit the post and the crossbar gone in. I'm afraid Rooney's corner, which he put out, summed it up for me.

And whilst having a moan about Neville's dire commentary, what a half hearted attempt the England team (except Hart) make of singing the National Anthem. Where is the spirit, the motivation, the desire to win and more importantly the national pride? Compare our stumbling efforts to those of other teams who look fired up and not thinking where their next advertising revenue is coming from. No fire in their bellies!! They need a shake up!!!

[davecttr]

The problem is a shake up would make little difference because the pre match interviews gave the distinct impression that the players were just going through the motions and were not really bothered. OK, drop the worst performers but those performers would IMO, just wander off mumbling to themselves.

[david63]

Perhaps funding (read sponsorship) for football should follow the same pattern as for Olympic sports - if you don't come up with the goods then there is little, if any, money until you do.

... what a half hearted attempt the England team (except Hart) make of singing the National Anthem. Where is the spirit, the motivation, the desire to win and more importantly the national pride?

Didn't I read a few weeks ago that Roy Hodgson "instructed" the players to sing the National Anthem?

[Dennis The Menace]

Played better than I thought we would but, sadly, it was the same old story for me. I enjoyed it for 70 mins or so, but a familiar feeling of England related frustration by the end. Not much in it at all (I didn't see the possession figures but I suspect England had more?) but, ultimately, Italy were more clinical in front of goal.

Totally agree with the comments about Rooney (aside from his cross for the goal) but thought everyone else did ok. Both teams visibly tired during the last 20 mins or so (and England were practically walking at times due to the heat and number of Italians behind the ball) but, as I say, Italy won because they were the better finishers.

A lot of pressure on the England v Uruguay game for both teams. Draw or lose and I guess they are almost certainly out.

[Onelife]

Perhaps funding (read sponsorship) for football should follow the same pattern as for Olympic sports - if you don't come up with the goods then there is little, if any, money until you do.

... what a half hearted attempt the England team (except Hart) make of singing the National Anthem. Where is the spirit, the motivation, the desire to win and more importantly the national pride?

Didn't I read a few weeks ago that Roy Hodgson "instructed" the players to sing the National Anthem?

You did indeed David and what a sad situation that ENGLAND players have to be reminded to do so.

[Dark Knight]

I watched the first half and saw England play against basically 10 men, as Ballotelli was just hanging around doing next to nowt
the Italians spent the whole game apart from 1 goal trying to set Ballotelli up to score and England couldn't see that and couldn't defend against it
Rooney and Gerrard were woeful the sooner they put them on the subs bench the better
we will most likely make it out of the group stages but not much further and it will be another 4 years of "when will we ever be a decent team"

As for the rest of it, all I will say is thankfully we have sky and sky +
so we have plenty of options other than footy

[Quizzical Bob]

Played better than I thought we would but, sadly, it was the same old story for me. I enjoyed it for 70 mins or so, but a familiar feeling of England related frustration by the end. Not much in it at all (I didn't see the possession figures but I suspect England had more?) but, ultimately, Italy were more clinical in front of goal.

A lot of pressure on the England v Uruguay game for both teams. Draw or lose and I guess they are almost certainly out.

England 25% Italy 75%

Loser on Thursday will go home after the three group games.

[david63]

Why wait for the third????

[Quizzical Bob]

Why wait for the third????

There are shirts, beer and beefburgers to sell.

[Dennis The Menace]

Played better than I thought we would but, sadly, it was the same old story for me. I enjoyed it for 70 mins or so, but a familiar feeling of England related frustration by the end. Not much in it at all (I didn't see the possession figures but I suspect England had more?) but, ultimately, Italy were more clinical in front of goal.

A lot of pressure on the England v Uruguay game for both teams. Draw or lose and I guess they are almost certainly out.

England 25% Italy 75%

Loser on Thursday will go home after the three group games.

I must get my rose tinted possession monitor checked

[Delboy]

Dennis & QB

This may be of help, in deciding who needs their monitor changed


June 15 (Reuters) - Match statistics for Italy's 2-1 win, over England in their World Cup Group D match at the Amazonia arena, Manaus on Saturday.

England/Italy

Goals scored 1-2

Total shots 18-12

Shots on target 8-5

Corners 9-2

Offsides 1-7

Fouls committed 8-12

Yellow cards 1-0

Red cards 0_0

Ball possession 47%-53%

[Dennis The Menace]

That sounds more like it Derek - we murdered them

So it really was that they were just better in front of goal by those stats

[oldbluefox]

Can you believe Spain lost AGAIN and are out of theWorld Cup!!!

Meanwhile Holland go marching on (I do like Holland and their zany, colourful fans) and Germany just continue to be.................... German. I think those two are going to take some stopping.

[barney]

Hopefully that will see the demise of that awful tippy tappy football that they have introduced to the world, Foxy.

I don't mind possession football but it has to be progressive.
Keeping the ball for keeping it's sake is just boring to watch.

Anyway Ingerland tonight - I'm going for a thrilling 3-0 to the Lions ( and that's before having a little tipple)

[Romig1]

Can you believe Spain lost AGAIN and are out of theWorld Cup!!!

Meanwhile Holland go marching on (I do like Holland and their zany, colourful fans) and Germany just continue to be.................... German. I think those two are going to take some stopping.

I wouldn't say that Holland were marching. More like "stumbling" - past the lowest ranked team in the competition (Australia). Just prior to the Dutch winner, the Aussies really should have scored a third themselves.

[Onelife]

Well l put the flag out this morning, just hope l'm not taking it down tonight.

l took 12/1 about Holland and from what l have wittnesd thus far l thimk it's a fair bet

[Dark Knight]

with a bit of luck and a following vuvuzela
it will all be over tonight and the chavs can take the cheap tacky flags down and take those stupid tiny flags of their cars
and we can get back to normal

[oldbluefox]

and we can get back to normal

If England get knocked out tonight it will be back to normal

In the meantime let's live the dream and enjoy it while we can.

[barney]

with a bit of luck and a following vuvuzela
it will all be over tonight and the chavs can take the cheap tacky flags down and take those stupid tiny flags of their cars
and we can get back to normal

Jeez, you're a barrel of laughs today Nighty.

where's the passion, the enthusiasm, the ......... oh forget it .......... lost interest !