The Official *England's Journey to the Promised Land* Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

"And here comes Hurst, he's got...some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over! It is now! It's four!"
England, despite drastically underachieving, are one of only eight nations to win the World Cup.

So here we are then, the eve of yet another FIFA World Cup, the grandest sporting tournament of them all. For the under-hyped England team, it's another chance to add to their one solitary World Cup and bring football home.

"Oh and he left Cooper standing...Pele! What a save! Gordon Banks!"
The greatest goalkeeper of all time makes the greatest save of all time.

The conception is that England will be lucky to make it past the group stage. The reality is that 2014 is the best chance of winning the World Cup since 1970, for the Three Lions. It is a squad largely unburdened by previous failure. It is a squad free of expectation. It is a squad that has the perfect balance between youth and experience. It is a squad fantastically prepared, tactically fluid in its play-making and with a wonderful manager at the helm.

"And Moore stops him! What a player this fellow is."
Now that was simply the greatest challenge of all time, made by the greatest centre-half of all time.

England are ready to win the World Cup.

"There's a header in there, and a great chance for the goal and it's there! Bryan Robson!"
Captain Marvel scores the quickest meaningful World Cup goal of all time.

In defence, Joe Hart has bounced back from his early season failings better than ever, and is all set to prove himself as one of the world's best goalkeepers this summer. Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are a good partnership at the heart of the defence. Leighton Baines is solid, and Glen Johnson is...um..not the worst full-back in the world. The English shield wall won't concede many goals this summer, they never do; qualifying and history shows us that. And the depth remains solid.

Now is the time, that everyone sees/You never give up, that's how it should be/Don't get caught, make your own break/Express yourself, don't give it away.
That might bring back memories of when England last made a World Cup Semi-Final.

In the centre of midfield, Steven Gerrard has come off one of his best seasons for many years, fully enjoying his new holding role. Accompanying him will be his club team-mate, Jordan Henderson, who has rapidly settled into the England set-up despite not playing a single minute of qualifying. Frank Lampard adds the experience, and Jack Wilshere gives the style and energy of youth, both from the bench.

Three Lions on the shirt/Jules Rimet still gleaming/No more years of hurt/No more need for dreaming.
And this classic still resonates loud and true.

On the wings, England's main strength this year, Hodgson's team have a vast array of options. Danny Welbeck is as capable as ever out wide. Raheem Sterling is a superb talent with an eye for goal, plus enough pace and skill to trouble any defence in the world. Adam Lallana is as deft as they come: so very crafty, so skilled, so clever. And Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might just have the greatest potential of the lot, combining all the aforementioned assets. Not forgetting James Milner, who gives England crucial depth and brilliant crossing ability.

"Here's Gascoigne..oh brilliant! Oh yes! Oh yes!"
Just technically brilliant.

Up front, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney together means England have, at the very least, a good strike pairing. Such a strike pairing haven't been seen for the England team since the days of Owen and Rooney at Euro 2004...or perhaps Shearer and Sheringham in Euro '96. Both Sturridge and Rooney have had great seasons for their clubs; the former is still in form, the latter is working hard to find his. And Rickie Lambert, who has also had a great season for his club, completes the striking package by offering a more-than-decent goalscoring threat from the bench. And he's not too shabby from twelve yards, either.

"Oh Owen's through again for England, what a chance for the hat-trick here. Owen! Oh this is getting better and better and better!"
England stuff the Germans in Munich..O happy day.

Then there's Roy Hodgson. A fabulous manager who has given England direction, tactical improvement and has improved their reputation off-the-field massively in the short space of two years. He's integrated many new players into the team, prepared them superbly and, after not being a million miles away from shocking the footballing world at Euro 2012, strolled through qualifying. A man with World Cup experience, he's certainly the best manager England have had since, at least, Sir Bobby Robson.

"Captain's example, David Beckham. England lead Argentina - those three little words that mean so much!"
And that was the last time England had a major win at a tournament.

After the humilation in South Africa, it's difficult to believe that England would be standing on the precipice of world glory just four years later. And here we are. England are seven games from winning their second World Cup. Football's greatest prize has, for too long, been absent from England's green and pleasant land.

"And Gerrard has found a way into the box, and he has found the net! And England are heading to the World Cup Finals!"
England seal qualification with a 2-0 win.

Bring her home, Roy, bring football home. Back to where she belongs.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

And thats not to say I thought Rooney was good last night. I thought he was fine. Like Hodgson. And he picked out the quality moment in a move that looked good, especially in terms of link up of Rooney/Sturridge. He was part of an attack that looked good too.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Rooney gave the moment of quality because he didn't track the FB. Italy got the best of that

Well, it was a goal for a goal overall.

Lallana or Barkley wouldnt either though. You're calling for Milner if you want that. And then he wouldnt have been forward to create. Its the balance that happens. It was Hodgson and the midfield to fix too and they didnt either. I don't doubt that Hodgson picked him there knowing he wouldnt always track.

[GSC]

For me, the caveat for Barkley was for every moment of good he'd give it away a few times.

Rooney had 1 moment of quality, and reverted back to typical out of form Rooney, struggles to get into the game then gives it away when he does. I'd rather play Barkley in current form. A goal for a goal sounds nice, but 1 cross vs repetitive overlaps doesn't.

Also Wilshere, if you play 2 in the center they have to be mobile. Gerrard ran out of legs 2 years ago in cooler climes.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Thats the toughest heat they'll play in too.

I thought Wilshere came on and showed why you don't play him. I'd rather Milner than Wilshere given how well Milner has played this season.

But again, the others would be overlapped. It was clearly something they knew would happen, I don't think the midfield took enough responsibility.

I don't think Rooney was awful, he struggled to break down the Italians like everyone else did. Nearly scored though. Pass success of 88%. Assist. Didn't play brilliant in the first game of the World Cup against a very good side. OFF WITH HIS HEAD

[GSC]

Call for a player not in great form, playing out of position to be dropped.

OFF WITH YOUR HEAD

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Although the lack of protection was a problem, I don't think Baines was very good at all and has to take the blame for the second goal. Can't turn your back and allow a cross like that, 10 year old stuff that. Didn't think he was good going forward either, too often he'd turn back to the CB's rather than look inside for Sterling/Sturridge/Rooney

The Rooney one is a tough one, cos he can produce the moments of quality like the goal and is ultimately our best for that. For sterlings great play, and the same with Barkley, at the moment they haven't got that end product. I'd keep the same aide myself, but I wouldn't be against Oxlade Chamberlain starting if fit.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Call for a player not in great form, playing out of position to be dropped.

OFF WITH YOUR HEAD

We're one game into this World Cup. I know he wasnt great in the friendlies but about one player was. And we just played the best side in our group. Patience. If hes flat against Uruguay, take him off and bring Ox on. Give Ox the fitness push and then he can make his case, especially as hes got a decent eye for goal

[GSC]

Ultimately have we not seen this same story with Rooney since 2004?

[Thomond]

Gerrard is not a defensive mid, Candreva in particular found a lot of space between Gerrard and the centre backs. The English rugby and soccer team made some ridiculous decisions in playing certain players in certain positions yesterday. Tuilagi on the wing and Rooney out wide is just stupid. Rooney was a big reason for the second Italian goal, a sublime pass but he did nothing.

Sterling very good one of the few genuine classy players for England. Henderson did some okay things, broke up the play okay. Rooney needs to be dropped. They have better options there for the role he is supposed to be doing. England defensively quite sound, they had some opportunities. I would be worrying about your defensive midfielders who didn't really provide much cover.

For Italy, De Rossi was very good, Pirlo pretty good, Candreva exploited space very well, if Suarez is fit I wonder would he try something similar he lacked a bit of the end product but had some opportunities.

It's not a terrible start. Uruguay will surely not be that poor again but England shouldn't fear them in the slightest.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont think so, no. Completely different England team now. Different Rooney circumstance. Less goals in other areas of the team too.

He shouldn't be and isn't undroppable, but he shouldnt be scapegoated so easily. If we had just lost 2-0 and showed the same old England problems then I'd be more likely to swing towards dropping him, but it was a very good display with a couple problems against a side I think is very good.

[owen10ozzy]

The thing for me Dolph is I don't think the Italians are a very good team; decent team, well organised yes...but very good nope. The midfield 3, especially Pirlo and De Rossi can be taken out of the game...you just have to press them better. Welbeck is good at this I will agree with yourself and Duty; however often he comes inside to do it because no one else is and then he's out of position. Obviously not entirely his fault and I didn't think he was that bad last...however for me it's all about what Roy wants to do...

If he want's hard working wingers who will track back but be out of position plenty of times leaving big holes then play Welbeck and Rooney. Positives: they will press and keep tracking back ...Negatives: they will do what natural strikers do...keep coming inside thus leave our full backs exposed.

If he want's people who are going to run at defenders...get down the line and put some fright into opposition full backs play Sterling, Lallana, Oxlade even Shaw...yes they won't track back as much but often they will no when to go with the full back and they will stay wide at least giving themselves a chance to chase the full back if they get away. Rooney and Welbeck are often to far in field to do that once the full back as gone.

Essentially your saying that the team last night was good enough to beat most in the competition but not Italy; so should we come up against one of the better teams how would you play...would you play Rooney...play holding 2 or just one with a link man CM? Be interested to hear your thought's on that one? (no sarcasm intended just in case it comes across that way).

I think with regards talk of that 'final ball/end product' in my opinion that's something you gain with experience...you begin to learn when to play that ball, when to take the shot etc etc. We can't expect Barkley/Sterling other youngsters to have that in the same abundance as someone who has been on the biggest stage for 10 years...if they are to get it you have to play them so they gain that knowledge and experience.

For all of Rooney's experience he should be showing more guile and better decision making...I can't see how anyone can disagree with that point. He should have shot outside the keeper for his glorious chance..why go inside?! Why take the ball off Barkley..especially onto your weaker foot when Barkley was running at men on the edge of the box forcing problems? Same as he was sat on the edge of the 18 yard box during a couple of England half chances when he should have been in the box gambling. These are things I expect him to be doing.

As for Sterling..Rooney is getting a lot of praise for the England goal and rightly so but some here have said Sterling doesn't have the ability to do stuff like that..did they not realise it was his ball through the center of the pitch weighted perfectly to Rooney that got that move started?

I just think we need bit more movement in the center of the park come Thursday therefore Wilshere is essential for me. If Rooney is going to be in the team and I suspect he will then go Sterling right and Lallana left. I would be annoyed if he lined up exactly the same way against Uruguay as to me that would signal a manager who is unaware of problems/not willing to make the big decisions to solve them...and given many have used his 'tactical nous & international experience' as attributes to champion him it would suggest he is lacking in them...especially the former.

Onwards and upwards anyway..still hope and on the whole I am absolutely loving this World Cup. Let's hope every team keeps going for it!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I don't think we have any wingers except Milner who won't come inside. The three options otherwise who didnt play, Barkley, Lallana and Oxlade are not natural wide wingers. I also think he wanted to press high, and thats where the mobility of the midfield gets brought into play. However, I preferred seeing us press and take the game on, we were a much better side for it and would accept the vulnerability for it.

On the inexperience point: That's fine, but you cant play all of them. We had Sturridge, Welbeck and Sterling in that front four, we needed one who has that experience. Thats another reason why Rooney has to play for me.

I can see why he goes inside, he beat the man and the keeper and wasnt far off. It wrong footed both keeper and defender. Taking the ball off Barkley? The defenders all going one way, he takes the ball and moves completely opposite and opens up space.

Sterling's pass, but it wasnt a final ball and he didnt do enough good with the delivery in the killer areas.

I don't see how Lallana fixes the issue considering he isnt a winger nor as disciplined as Welbeck. He's better at keeping the ball and creating chances yet we had 91% pass completion and Welbeck both made chances and pressured players. He isnt as fast either.

Personally, I think Italy are very good and have a midfield that is of the ilk that bothers ours. I would be happy with us playing against Brazil's midfield, but really smart midfields like Italy have long been a problem. Against good teams, well I would be tempted to play Milner or the Ox in with them. It does depend who, of course, we are playing. Milner against Spain, the Ox against Brazil. Who to drop depends on form and styles too. I think Rooney is smarter than Sterling and Welbeck when it comes to midfield numbers.

Similarly, if we keep playing well with the 4 roaming further forward then I'd be tempted to just carry on that way. If we beat Uruguay and Costa Rica then I would be happy to go out on the sword and have a go. It may be that if we concede the pressure up top then we are worse off by retreating a yard and having an extra midfielder.

It really is a 14 man game this World Cup. Subs are gonna be huge and if Barkley or even Sterling may have more impact from the bench opening up a game I wouldnt be adverse to seeing that either.

[Born Slippy]

Unfortunate defeat. A draw would have been a fair result with Italy having the more possession but England looking more incisive. Thought Rooney looked sharp - not the clueless clown who played in South Africa. Hopefully, he will play as a 10 in the next game with Sterling moving wider.

[Breadvan]

Rooney was wasted on the left. Ok he provided the assist but play him in the middle off sturridge. Far more effective in that role. I don't know if it was in Roys gameplan but how far did we stand off the Italians? Eng just let them pass the ball around and build up their attacks. Balloteli's goal was coming for 5 minutes. We had the chances but we can't let teams stroll around with the ball...

[GSC]

Sterling was more effective centrally than Rooney would've been if we're being fair. Don't think Waynes good enough to be a must start for England when hes off form, Hodgson needs to be brave rather than half dropping him by shifting him to the wing.

[Liam]

My god people going on about Rooney being awful, did anyone see gerrard?! He was appalling. His passing was terrible apart fom one cross field pass in the second half, constantly gave the ball away and could barely chase after runners. Was awful and Henderson isn't technically good enough to start at cm. I'd go Wilshere or Barkley next game in the midfield.

On Rooney, he's never played well left midfield so I don't see why people are so shocked, yet he produce the one moment of class with his cross to sturridge. He needs to start up top with sturridge out left like Rodgers did with him as sturridge, it does work. Sterling in behind Rooney and welbeck on the left with hopefully ox fit enough for the bench.

[Crimey]

The thing is I think the only place Rooney is really going to be any good is up front, but Sturridge is definitely a better option than Rooney at this moment in time. Before the tournament started, people were saying that Rooney isn't a natural number 10, now that he's played on the left people are clamouring to play him there. I just don't think it works, he doesn't have a good enough first touch to play there in my opinion. Either play him on the left where he did alright, certainly a better performance than in any international tournament since 2006 from him or drop him.

[Liam]

Rooney's best position is right up top for me. His best two seasons for utd where I genuinely thought he was world class were when he played up top. In both, I believe he scored 30 goals in the season, almost 40 in the one in 2010 i believe, where he almost single handedly took us to a european semi final if it weren't for Bayern kicking him out of the 2nd leg and Robben scoring that worldy.

Can't drop sturridge, so drop rooney and bring him on up top second half, or move sturridge to the left where he did well also for Liverpool this season

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Gerrard did fine on the ball, we kept the ball well and he completed like 62 of 67 passes or something, we knew he'd struggle defensively cos he don't have the legs anymore

I'd only change the starting xi if the ox is fully fit, if not I'd keep it the same and put sterling wide to take advantage of the very poor Uruguay full backs. If ox is fit I'd drop Rooney and keep sterling central

[JamesLincs]

i blame the high pressing for their second, as soon as the goal kick was taken to their own corner flag i knew we were in trouble. when they played it out the corner, we had far too many in their half, they broke away and we were caught short

[Duty281]

The whispers ahead of Thursday in Sao Paulo seem to indicate that Sterling will be switched to the wing, and Rooney will take up a central number ten role - he's probably on his last chance now. I'm also assuming that Sterling will take the right wing, and Welbeck shifted to the left.

And there's not much being said about Oxlade yet.

[Born Slippy]

Hope that's the case. They can always inter-change if Sterling isn't getting joy out wide in any event. However, that's clearly our strongest line-up with Barkley and Ox (if fit) being the impact subs.

[Breadvan]

Why Wellbeck on the left? He's a striker, put a midfielder there. Lallana? Ox?

[Duty281]

Because Welbeck can play out wide, and does for his club.

Plus he plays well out there for England.

[DirectView]

England journey will last till this Thursday not sure many of the players will stick for the dead rubber after it.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yeah, they'd all just leave. I'll probably get a chance to play.

[Duty281]

England journey will last till this Thursday not sure many of the players will stick for the dead rubber after it.

How many facepalms are appropiate for that comment? I'd say at least five.

[Guest]

I'll give him six

       

I'm usually very honest, realistic & labelled negative but really think we will do Uruguay. Their defence will have brown dripping down their legs everywhere, when they face Sturridge/Sterling. Yeah, Suarez might play but he's not 100%. We`re not going to win the WC but can see a positive direction we are going in for once.

Post WC - I would want Roy removed & Gerrard retired. A fresh manager introduced, who suits developing & nurturing young talent. Roy is not man to do this, as his style is more defensive, which will hold back the side.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Can't see how you can credit Hodgson for moving this team in a new direction in one sentence then sack him in the next.

[Duty281]

I hope, and expect, England can exert more control in the centre of midfield as well, leading to more possession and greater chances.

We should win, it should be comfortable. I expect Suarez to start, but more in desperation than anything else.

Post WC - yes to Gerrard retiring, no to Hodgson leaving. Roy has been fantastic over the last two years.

[Guest]

Gerrard should stay until there's a natural successor to him. For me, Wilshire isn't the man to replace him and whilst I'm clearly in favour of Henderson (Liverpool bias) he's not the creative playmaker the team desperately need.

Seeing what Rodgers has done for Liverpool, I'd love an England manager with his philosophy but I doubt the F.A. will go for him.

Anyway, on Thursday, start with the Ox and look to have the game sewn up in about an hour then, replace him with Rooney.

[DirectView]

England journey will last till this Thursday not sure many of the players will stick for the dead rubber after it.

How many facepalms are appropiate for that comment? I'd say at least five.

You live in virtual world to my reality   

[Duty281]

I can't begrudge a fellow who signed up to this website on St. George's day, I suppose.

[CFCNick]

England journey will last till this Thursday not sure many of the players will stick for the dead rubber after it.

How many facepalms are appropiate for that comment? I'd say at least five.

You live in virtual world to my reality   

England play on the 24th so will last longer than Thursday if we go out of the group.

[DirectView]

I can't begrudge a fellow who signed up to this website on St. George's day, I suppose.

    

Look I love your optimism with respect to England team, hats off for it but don't confuse people by giving fake alarms that England gonna win the world cup. The day we accept our team sucks thats the day there will be solution found.

I was brain washed in 2006 and 2010 that England has a good chance, but Brazil came in and splashed their dash all over our face in 2006 only for me to understand the reality where we actually stood.

[DirectView]

England journey will last till this Thursday not sure many of the players will stick for the dead rubber after it.

How many facepalms are appropiate for that comment? I'd say at least five.

You live in virtual world to my reality   

England play on the 24th so will last longer than Thursday if we go out of the group.

Yea some if and butts will stay for the last dead rubber.

[Duty281]

I can't begrudge a fellow who signed up to this website on St. George's day, I suppose.

    

Look I love your optimism with respect to England team, hats off for it but don't confuse people by giving fake alarms that England gonna win the world cup. The day we accept our team sucks thats the day there will be solution found.

I was brain washed in 2006 and 2010 that England has a good chance, but Brazil came in and splashed their dash all over our face in 2006 only for me to understand the reality where we actually stood.

Brainwashed in 2006 and 2010? Silly boy, we had no hope.

[DirectView]

I can't begrudge a fellow who signed up to this website on St. George's day, I suppose.

    

Look I love your optimism with respect to England team, hats off for it but don't confuse people by giving fake alarms that England gonna win the world cup. The day we accept our team sucks thats the day there will be solution found.

I was brain washed in 2006 and 2010 that England has a good chance, but Brazil came in and splashed their dash all over our face in 2006 only for me to understand the reality where we actually stood.

Brainwashed in 2006 and 2010? Silly boy, we had no hope.

I was told by all media that England are contenders, and I am pretty sure the media still considers that as a lost chance.   

[FootballLight]

It will be a very interesting game on Thursday. Uruguay lose and they are out of the competition, highly possible at the moment. England lose and Costa Rica and Italy take points off each other, they are both out. So they both really need to win at the moment. I'm going for a 3-3 as both teams need to go for it, have really good attacking qualities but yet poor defensive qualities as shown in their opening games. But, if England can sure up their defence, then a 3-1/3-2 could be on the cards for them

Regarding Rooney though, I couldn't leave him out if I was in charge of England. He has the United factor which threatens teams and he consistently plays well for club and country and is a man that you can always rely on for scoring goals when up top because he has done it now for so many years, since he first came onto the scene at 16 year old really. So for more than a decade, he has scored consistently and important goals, that is some record that you can not leave out.

With the formation, I think 4-4-2 suits England, even if it maybe isn't as useful in the modern game. Sterling and Welbeck just need to drop 15 years or so into a wide midfield position. We know Welbeck can attack at a defender, so he can be useful there but more importantly he will track back and will look to win the ball back, so he helps down the right hand side. That can give Sterling the license to bomb forward and almost play as a third forward to adapt into a 4-3-3 as his lightning quick pace can take him past any defender and he has good qualities all around and can too also do a half decent job tracking back and trying to rat the ball off opponents. Him and Baines could be a real force down the left flank. Attacking and defending. He should have Henderson/Wilshire in midfield as an engine to give off some energy and Gerrard as this holding playmaker to spray the passes and just act as a counter shield in front of the defence to allow Baines the initiative to bomb forward with Sterling and for Johnson to support Welbeck as well.

But a decision that has questioned me is, did Hodgson consider asking Terry to come out of retirement for one last World Cup? Weall know that the weakest part of England's team is their defence, but look at the record and clean sheets Chelsea's defence have kept this season. Terry and Cahill have been partners at CB for most of the season and have hardly put a foot wrong. Surely that defensive partnership would have been useful in this World Cup because it could stop them leaking goals in this World Cup and make them look a little bit tougher to break down, especially if they want to play on the counter attack. As much as I don't like Terry, him and Cahill, because of how well they have done with Mourinho at Chelsea this season with their clean sheets, it would be hard not to ask Terry out of retirement for one last World Cup alongside Cahill. All Hodgson would need to say and train with them is, show and tell me what you have done at Chelsea this season, put it into training and then into games and no doubt we could do well. I feel with Terry and Cahill against Italy, England may have at least got something from that game.

[DirectView]

Sorry this what i read some where

"The England game will be moved to the Gay Adult TV channel next week as the screening of eleven arse holes being hammered for 90 minutes is considered too explicit for ITV"

[skyeman]

Sorry this what i read some where

"The England game will be moved to the Gay Adult TV channel next week as the screening of eleven arse holes being hammered for 90 minutes is considered too explicit for ITV"

Funny, but i bet you would pay the fee to see it  

[Duty281]

The rumours that Rooney won't start are gradually beginning to increase.

Apparently, he's struggling in his intensive training and is lacking in fitness.

The whole thing rather irritates me. Sterling was England's best player on Saturday in that number ten role, but he might be moved to accommodate a player who is struggling.

Please keep Sterling at ten, Roy.

[Guest]

Can't see how you can credit Hodgson for moving this team in a new direction in one sentence then sack him in the next.

I didn't credit Hodgson for anything, I never mentioned old Roy. I said, I was pleased the direction we are now seemingly going, in choosing the youth for this WC. Hodgson yielded to media pressure to make that decision, he's done nothing for me as England manager, results & performances have been woeful & that's fact. He will once again yield to the media pressure of dropping Rooney, he's like a puppet really to the media nowadays. He isn't the manager to get the best out of this expressive, young side long term. We need a younger manager to embrace this new positivity & our attacking strengths. Hodgson is too intrinsically defensive/conservative & he won't ever be able to fully utilise this team to reach it's peak. He can't even play players in the correct positions, doesn't have the bottle to drop Rooney, without media intervention & he couldn't even sort out our clear HT issues in the Italy game, down our left hand side. He just bits his nails, while looking like a fool. The young generation & Roy is just not a good mix, that's why post-WC, I'd remove him.

As for Rooney, how is it now, we are suddenly being told he's struggling in training & with the intensity of it. Surely, that would of been obvious weeks ago & seen by the management.....but we still play him. Embarrassing.

[Duty281]

Who would you replace Hodgson with, John?

[Stella]

Brendan Rodgers. Not that he'd take it.

[Guest]

Someone, who has a proven track record of working with young talent, who can develop a system & help nuture this young side into a force, like Deschamps appears to be doing with France. Roy is too old-school & I bet deep down, it pains him to see us conceding so many goals under his tenure, whereas he prides himself on his defensive shape & abilty to make his sides difficult to beat. His mentality is to be tight & defensive, now, he's leading a young, not so defensively disciplined side & he really has no idea how to get the best out of the side or who to play in what positions. He said preparation was perfect, yet we then completely mess up everything by swapping Rooney to the left & breaking up the Welbeck/Baines combo. He said we had a plan to stop Pirlo & it completely failed.........again. Really is poor.

As for the future manager, I'd go with a foreigner actually. That high-pressing, total football approach is needed to really compete on the International stage. I'm not going to name names because it's pointless. We have to keep the ball at this level though, all we do is get the ball & run as soon as we get it, by 70 mins we are knackered & cramping up. Teams then pick us off.

[Duty281]

This time next month, England will be World Champions. #istillbelieve

[GSC]

The English approach of counter attacking with pace can work in this era, it just needed bringing into touch with the modern era. The Italy game was a good step in the right direction.

I'd give Roy 2 more years with the aim of a semi final at the Euros

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Can't see how you can credit Hodgson for moving this team in a new direction in one sentence then sack him in the next.

I didn't credit Hodgson for anything, I never mentioned old Roy. I said, I was pleased the direction we are now seemingly going, in choosing the youth for this WC. Hodgson yielded to media pressure to make that decision, he's done nothing for me as England manager, results & performances have been woeful & that's fact. He will once again yield to the media pressure of dropping Rooney, he's like a puppet really to the media nowadays. He isn't the manager to get the best out of this expressive, young side long term. We need a younger manager to embrace this new positivity & our attacking strengths. Hodgson is too intrinsically defensive/conservative & he won't ever be able to fully utilise this team to reach it's peak. He can't even play players in the correct positions, doesn't have the bottle to drop Rooney, without media intervention & he couldn't even sort out our clear HT issues in the Italy game, down our left hand side. He just bits his nails, while looking like a fool. The young generation & Roy is just not a good mix, that's why post-WC, I'd remove him.

As for Rooney, how is it now, we are suddenly being told he's struggling in training & with the intensity of it. Surely, that would of been obvious weeks ago & seen by the management.....but we still play him. Embarrassing.

You may not have meant to, but you did acknowledge work hes done. The media pressure stuff is hilariously fanciful. Not really any point arguing it though, you have your feelings against the man whatever he does.

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What work has he done? Please tell me the positive work he's done, other than selecting youth, under media pressure to do so. On-field results have been dire, campaigns made more difficult through his terrible tactics, the continued selection of Cleverley for months & away form that is quite frankly embarrassing on all levels. The media thing is not fanciful at all, he yields immediately when the media focus on something that needs changing. Rooney will be the next change he makes, mainly down to the media storm surrounding him.

It would not sit well with me to give Roy three tournaments up until 2016.

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