Disco Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 We can only field a side with "good" players at best. We don't have anyone like Ibrahimovic or Ronaldo who both take the game by the scruff of the neck like they did tonight. At one point we had Cleverley and Henderson as our centre mids ffs. Haven't for years but at the same time the level of "good players" was a lot higher. Campbell, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 We can only field a side with "good" players at best. We don't have anyone like Ibrahimovic or Ronaldo who both take the game by the scruff of the neck like they did tonight. At one point we had Cleverley and Henderson as our centre mids ffs. Haven't for years but at the same time the level of "good players" was a lot higher. Campbell, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard etc. Absolutely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 We can only field a side with "good" players at best. We don't have anyone like Ibrahimovic or Ronaldo who both take the game by the scruff of the neck like they did tonight. At one point we had Cleverley and Henderson as our centre mids ffs. Rooney really should of been that player for us. Euro 2004 he looked like he would be. Was quiet during the 2006 WC then got himself sent off and has never recovered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 He just does nothing. Still better than Welbeck. In the premiership, yes. For England, not a chance. How many games has he started for England? At a guess probably half as many as Wellbeck. What's that got to do with anything? What's his strike rate compared to Wellbeck? England miss Wellbeck because he keeps the ball so much better than Sturridge. Hes currently joint top goalscorer in the premier league. Hes started 3/4 games for England & you're ready to give up on his England career. Hes the best chance we've had at an efficient young English striker since Rooney. Id give him some time like I'm not giving up on him at all, but I'd pick Wellbeck ahead of him because England play better with him. For the record, I think he's quality, but unless he wears a Liverpool shirt under that England shirt he'll not perform to his full potential. Same as Gerrard for the last 108 odd games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I'd play Sturridge and Welbeck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I'd play Sturridge and Welbeck I'd reserve Welbeck for where we're underdogs. Wasted position otherwise. England have some kind of weird ghost in the machine, which will always push the ball out wide to be crossed into the box even if a) they have Sturridge competing aerially against the likes of Mertesakcer b) there's barely anyone in the box They're convinced a Shearer or a Carroll will materialise from the ether and give opposition centre-backs some competition for a ball put into a dangerous area, but it's just not going to happen. They need more people committed from midfield when they're on the front foot for sure. I think Rooney should play deeper (mainly because there are no other natural players who can convincingly drive forward from central midfield) and have Sturridge up front with a Lambert type player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I'd just have Welbeck in one of those weird wide spots we've been playing recently. Think he does alright there when he's played tbh, terrible in front of goal though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I'd play Sturridge and Welbeck England have some kind of weird ghost in the machine, which will always push the ball out wide to be crossed into the box even if a) they have Sturridge competing aerially against the likes of Mertesakcer b) there's barely anyone in the box They're convinced a Shearer or a Carroll will materialise from the ether and give opposition centre-backs some competition for a ball put into a dangerous area, but it's just not going to happen. Sounds eerily familiar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trumpet Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Townsend has been pretty shit since last international's in October, Spurs fans crying for him to be benched. Has truly believed his hype and refuses to pass. Should get back on the bench once Walcott is fit. Twice the player with much more game intelligence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Should get back on the bench once Walcott is fit. Twice the player with much more game intelligence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucaAltieri Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 He's not even the best Andy Townsend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElDiablo Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 If you think Walcott is twice the player Townsend is then you have serious problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Townsend will be better when he grows up a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 If you think Walcott is twice the player Townsend is then you have serious problems. Walcott will cause most international sides serious problems with his pace if he's fully fit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Walcott is really frustrating, could be really good but I don't know what is missing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shush Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I thought Townsend was our most dangerous player. Was always driving us forward and pushing the Germans back. Without him we would have looked even more toothless. He even nearly scored with that shot that hit the post. It was sort of a decent performance by us, we kept the ball and used it well... until the final third. Then we really run out of ideas or stick in crosses to positions where we have no players. Germans seem to have us sussed in and around the their box. We missed Baines delivery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Townsend was class. Showed no fear. This 'doesn't pass' shit winds me up. He was getting shots away while the rest of the useless bastards would fanny about around the box and lose it. He was hitting the byline while others would turn and pass it back. Wasn't perfect but at least he showed some energy and spontaneity - something we desperately lack. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Sturridge looked a bit out of his depth tonight. He doesn't always use his brain. I don't think we can go into the difficult games relying on Townsend to produce something. The better teams will stifle him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Course they will. Right know he's a good water carrier with a hard shot on him. Miles from the finished article. Bit weird how poor Sturridge often looks for England, like. Still only one goal from open play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Townsend was class. Showed no fear. This 'doesn't pass' s*** winds me up. He was getting shots away while the rest of the useless b******s would fanny about around the box and lose it. He was hitting the byline while others would turn and pass it back. Wasn't perfect but at least he showed some energy and spontaneity - something we desperately lack. From what I'm reading from you England fans, Townsend seems a bit like McGeady for Ireland. Loses the ball a lot but in the end is actually the only creative threat in the team (bar Rooney for England obviously) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 He creates very little at present. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto2005 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 England played ok tonight but that emphasized how big the gap is with teams like Germany. Germany didn't play well, and we had quite a lot of the ball yet they always looked comfortable and were never stretched or lost their shape. We didn't look like we had a clue how to break them down. On the other hand, Germany opened us up a few times. Not much, but they looked like they had much more of a cutting edge. FWIW, I think Barkley could be great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexf Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Townsend is far better at taking people on and shooting from distance. Walcott is far better at making intelligent runs and clinical finishing. Problem with Walcott is he is incredibly frustrating at being a winger, yet too light weight and various other things to play as an out and out striker. Always thought Walcott would eventually develop into a class striker but it's not really happened. Signs of it last season but then Arsenal put him straight back on the wing once he signed his new contract Townsend has a lot of raw talent but still has a lot to learn. But I think his style of play will make him a far better "winger" than Walcott eventually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 What was with Kyle Walker playing about 6 slow paced, underhit, absolute hospital passes into central midfield? Like he wanted Cleverly and Gerrard hurt at times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 What was with Kyle Walker playing about 6 slow paced, underhit, absolute hospital passes into central midfield? Like he wanted Cleverly and Gerrard hurt at times. Well then, maybe Walker isn't as dumb as he looks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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