2012 European Championships QF Part 2: England vs Italy

First topic message reminder :

Will England take revenge?

England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck; Sturridge.

HT 1-1

quinsforever wrote:michael owen sounds like he's commentating on a royal funeral. good points, but he really needs to work on his delivery. cant imagine what it would be like listening to him on radio.

It's Phil Neville kidda.

Unorthodox perhaps, I'd put on Shaw for Rooney the way England want to play

Gerrard poor...Rooney leaving us vulnerable..in fact he and Welbeck have been far from great with both losing their full back plenty of times...difficult to say how you change it as just switching them over on the wings won't do much..

Look panicked every time a ball is crossed it which is worrying.

POSITIVE TIME - Sterling has been fantastic and Henderson has barely misplaced a pass. Possession key in terms of not just giving it away.

I would be inclined to being Gerrard off at half time for Wilshere..who will close down space and nip at the ankles of the midfielders which we need to do. 2nd half simply have to press quicker. Bring Rooney into the 10 and Sterling right with Welbeck left. If Rooney doesn't do anything in first 15 then drag him off and put Barkley on.

reckon England could do with getting some proper wingers on, Italy do look vulnerable down the flanks. Rooney was completely invisible, but fair play to the man: good run, lovely pass from Sterling to pick him up, terrific cross. Sterling's having a very good game, Baines being exposed a little at LB, surprisingly.

I think Gerrard has to stick because England need to pack the middle. Italy keep trying and meeting a wall.

Rooney has to go. Welbecks wasted because Italy just target Rooneys side.

As for Italy, way too much space left in behind. Against a classic pacy counter attacking side, thats suicidal

Italy need proper wingers more than England. We've packed the middle, the space is always out wide.

Can someone please shoot that monotone robot Neville. Awful, awful. Ends every statement with the same note.

Sterling playing very WELL. Has a great bag of TRICKS. Has been England's best player do FAR.

Aaaaagh   

  

emancipator - the time is near

Could sti go either way this bit Italy are dominant and England relying on the break.

Either way think these 2 sodes will go through.

Beeb digging deep with Phil Neville and Danny Murphy

Looking forward to Argentina

Is there a worse nickname is sports than Wazza?

Well the bbc just gone down in my estimation - making light over Henry's cheating in a World Cup play off.

FreekShow wrote:

quinsforever wrote:michael owen sounds like he's commentating on a royal funeral. good points, but he really needs to work on his delivery. cant imagine what it would be like listening to him on radio.

It's Phil Neville kidda.

oops, good point!

he's awful though!

Great ball, great head.

2-1 Italy - Balotelli - Came down left side again.

Stop crosses you stop goals.

Baines, dear dear.

That was a fantastic cross!!

Baines is never good enough for this level, we all said it. He got merked by Sanchez at Wembley, now getting destroyed tonight.

Ashley Cole. end of

Lol gerrard just falling over in ridiculous fashion.

Shut up Neville, shut up!

He's ruining my WC  

Not content with being a crapper footballer than his brother he has to show he is a vastly inferior commentator too.

In fairness to Baines, the midfield is offering him no protection

No, makes you wonder if selecting sterling has been a bad move. For all te good his he has done it has disrupted the system Roy uses defensively.

Rooney off, Sterling out wide, Barkley in the 10 at 60 mins. We need a goal.

Its more forcing a square peg into a rounder hole with Rooney

Never mind stopping Italy, who's gonna stop THE NEVILLE?   

  

emancipator

england midfield looking a bit tired. sterling looks like he might be getting cramp already. worrying.

Barkley gets half an hour.

This could be fun

Forced in there by sterlings selection.

Well welbeck off for Barkley, cue Italy getting in even more often down England's left.

That was Rooneys moment to end his WC duck

aaahhhh rooney...

Rooney showing why he hasn't scored in a WC and will be RVP's bitch at United next season.

Forced there because Roy doesn't have the balls to drop him

Sterling off soon I suspect. Batteries running low

GSC wrote:Forced there because Roy doesn't have the balls to drop him

Same thing.

Id never thought id say this but i want Mark Lawrenson back  

England are losing but this is our best performance since about 2004

#RoyOut id expect the media will start on.

Little bit lucky not to get booked there Cahill

#BringBackLawro
#NevilleOut

How come Italy always have 50 year olds in defence?

But those old geezers are pretty good!

NEEEEVILLLEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOO   

With Italy sitting back, Lambert should be coming on tbh.

Yeah might as well put Wilshere and Lambert on.

Nothing to lose

Super Mario off - Immobile on 
Jordan Henderson off - Jack Wilshere On

Wow, Roys making positive subs at 2-1 with 15 to go.

Cheers Phil

Gerrard has an issue in midfield, He's knee looks like it's gone keeps holding it.

Thought this pitch needed a shave

Johnson has been awful as always, what is it with modern fullbacks?

Rooney summing up his night with that Corner.