No doubt the inquests are beginning back in England. Across the pond I can only follow English reaction via the BBC web-site as everyone throws in their 10 cents. Here for the record is mine. First, he may be a Blue Nose at heart, he may play for the Evil Empire but that doesn’t alter the fact that Wayne Rooney is a top, top player so why oh why is he the subject of a media witch-hunt? Okay he hasn’t had the best World Cup record for his country but that doesn’t alter the fact that he is still worth his place on the team as I think he showed tonight. He certainly wasn’t brilliant but is one player on the team capable of brilliance. And the header that hit the bar from a yard out … that was not an easy chance. The ball was coming at pace, he’s not the biggest player around and there’s a defender in front of him. He did really well just to get to the ball and was genuinely unlucky on that occasion. Phil Neville reckons England were the better team. That kind of mentality is probably a major reason why England seems to perform similarly at every major championship. Generally, they promise more than what they achieve. As I saw it whenever the Uruguayans pressed England there was very little composure on the ball. In the phases of the game were Uruguay pushed up and attacked (e.g. the start of the second half) they really looked dangerous. England, in contrast, would generally play the ball around at slower tempo and if a goal scoring attempt was made it would rarely trouble their keeper. England does have some exciting talent … Barkley & Sterling to name two. Sturridge also has his moments but lacks the consistency right now of a top international striker. (BTW am I alone in think that Danny Welbeck would be better employed as a backup if Sturridge is not playing effectively in a game?) Ultimately, England were neither good or bad and that in itself is another recurring issue. It would be interesting to see what a Rogers, Martinez or Pochettino would do at the reigns with the players available. Of course that isn’t going to happen. Tactically it always seems to me that England are always one of the more naive teams around. English teams usually do have certain strengths and qualities which makes it even more puzzling that they should give up the second goal tonight in the manner that they did. Where was the basic defensive organization that you would expect from any English coached team? Chris Waddle made an interesting observation concerning the player who should play alongside Steven Gerrard. Brendan Rogers has had some success converting him into a deeper-lying playmaking midfielder. Logically, a Mascherano type of player, someone who works hard, wins the ball and mops up a lot of the opposing teams threats would be the logical foil for Gerrard in this role. If Arévalo Rios had been wearing a white shirt then Gerrard would have been much more effective in his “quarterback role”. I’m a Liverpool fan and Jordan Henderson has surprised me in his time at Anfield. I thought he was an over-rated youngster when he was signed and agreed with the majority thinking he wasn’t worthy of an LFC shirt. I have been proved wrong quite conclusively but playing for England in the same role?!! Waddle is correct to point out that Liverpool were an exciting attacking team but were weak defensively. Substitute a Mascherano or pre-injury Lucas for Henderson and some of Liverpool’s defensive of woes would have been solved. Perhaps a top class English player in this role doesn’t exist. Before I go what about the referee? I thought he had a poor game. Godin should have received a second yellow in the first half following his straight-arm in to the throat of Sturridge. I thought that was blatant and the ref was well placed to make the call. And last but not least …. England could still qualify for the knockout rounds!! Now wouldn’t that be a turnup for the book?!! Where’s Geoff Hurst when you need him most? Complete this sentence “They think it’s all over …” ps. From “Soccer America” …. MERSEYSIDE CONNECTION. The links to Liverpool in this match went far beyond simply Suarez, who led the Premier League in scoring with 31 goals and was named Player of the Year as Liverpool led the division for much of the season before finishing second. Eleven players with links to the city played at the Arena Corinthians.Uruguayan teammate Sebastian Coates, who came on as a sub against England, also plays for Liverpool, which has five representatives on the English roster: Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Gerrard. City rival Everton landed Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley. Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, who ended his World Cup scoring drought in his 10th appearance by netting England’s goal, is a Liverpool native and formerly played for Everton.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 23:39:11 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015