|
|
Post by malteser68 on Jun 4, 2014 22:02:16 GMT
Whilst I beleive England fans have every right to be disappointed with the performances if the England team , the Italian papers tomorrow will be in overdrive after one of the poorest results from the azzurri in the last decade. As for my home country Malta today we managed to lose against Gibraltar - any idea if higgy was playing this eve ?
|
|
|
|
Post by bogus on Jun 4, 2014 22:03:42 GMT
Higgy's retired, mate.
|
|
|
|
Post by andrewguk on Jun 4, 2014 22:10:51 GMT
Danny is joining the Gibraltar coaching staff I believe
|
|
|
|
Post by spiderpuss on Jun 4, 2014 22:13:08 GMT
You know that it will be usual case of the Italians not being at all bothered during the warm up phase, meanwhile we bust a gut and get injured and sent off. We'll see a totally different Italy next week.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 9:05:36 GMT
none of these friendlies mean anything at all, they're nothing more than kickabouts to keep the players fresh and up for it next week.
none of the team setups from last night will have any bearing on what happens when the WC kicks off.
the WC teams play shit teams and give all the 23 a run out in friendlies before every world cup (Jamaica 4 years ago, Korea and cameroon in the past where we played such international heavyweights as Vassell, Murphy, Mills, Martyn etc. etc.)
not worried at all about the england game last night..the back 4 i wasn't interested in as Smalling, Jones and Shaw will only play any part in the WC if there are injuries, if there aren't any then they won't get any gametime at all. going forward we had some real positives in Lambert, Ox and Barkley
the ONLY real experiment last night was Milner at RB as Jones is cover for RB and isn't 100% match fit so Hodgson obviously wanted to see if he had cover for Johnson if Jones couldn't get match fit in time but apart from that, it was (for the England team anyway) nothing more than a game of knockout wembley on the park.
realise what these friendlies are; a chance to let the WHOLE squad feel part of the overall campaign that's all. they're not for experimenting or trying formations we'd use in the WC, it'd be far far too late for teams to start experimenting now, they'll all know their starting 11s and know their strategies for the opposition, these are WARM UPs (as their name suggests) and nothing more!
Italy will probably be a bit peeved as it was Luxembourg but i'd highly doubt that their media or fans will be anything like the ridiculous tabloid hysteria shit we'll get over here
|
|
|
|
Post by geoff321 on Jun 5, 2014 9:11:56 GMT
The friendlies do matter, for a variety of reasons, but the results are not necessarily an indication of performance in the tournament itself.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lakeland Potter on Jun 5, 2014 9:20:37 GMT
none of these friendlies mean anything at all, they're nothing more than kickabouts to keep the players fresh and up for it next week. none of the team setups from last night will have any bearing on what happens when the WC kicks off. the WC teams play shit teams and give all the 23 a run out in friendlies before every world cup (Jamaica 4 years ago, Korea and cameroon in the past where we played such international heavyweights as Vassell, Murphy, Mills, Martyn etc. etc.) not worried at all about the england game last night..the back 4 i wasn't interested in as Smalling, Jones and Shaw will only play any part in the WC if there are injuries, if there aren't any then they won't get any gametime at all. going forward we had some real positives in Lambert, Ox and Barkley the ONLY real experiment last night was Milner at RB as Jones is cover for RB and isn't 100% match fit so Hodgson obviously wanted to see if he had cover for Johnson if Jones couldn't get match fit in time but apart from that, it was (for the England team anyway) nothing more than a game of knockout wembley on the park. realise what these friendlies are; a chance to let the WHOLE squad feel part of the overall campaign that's all. they're not for experimenting or trying formations we'd use in the WC, it'd be far far too late for teams to start experimenting now, they'll all know their starting 11s and know their strategies for the opposition, these are WARM UPs (as their name suggests) and nothing more! Italy will probably be a bit peeved as it was Luxembourg but i'd highly doubt that their media or fans will be anything like the ridiculous tabloid hysteria shit we'll get over here I take your point about the team last night - especially the defence - being a long way from our first choice team. But the defence was seriously bad and that back four didn't look like second string International players - most of them looked as though they had no place in an International squad. I thought the playing of Milner (who I rate as a midfielder) at right back looked as if it was designed to make Johnson look good. And don't get me started on the two centre backs - I can easily point to 6 or 7 cbs who look the part more than those two did - including one at our own club. I'll make an exception for Shaw - I don't like the way Hodgson treats his defenders when they make their debuts. A defender should make his debut surrounded by first choice players. Shaw should not have had to make his debut accompanied by the dross alongside him in the back four. In the same way, our Ryan, should not have made his debut alongside defenders already being given the run around by one of the world's top strikers - who, to add insult to injury was nicely warmed up by the time Shawcross came off the bench. Those were two appalling misjudgements by Hodgson in my opinion - and he compounded that by having a go after the match at Barkley, who was (with Chambo) arguably our most creative player. |
|
|
|
Post by malteser68 on Jun 5, 2014 9:51:42 GMT
You know that it will be usual case of the Italians not being at all bothered during the warm up phase, meanwhile we bust a gut and get injured and sent off. We'll see a totally different Italy next week. whilst I find myself completely in agreement a draw with such lowly opposition is not on. At least a 1-0 win |
|
|
|
Post by stokeramblers on Jun 5, 2014 10:19:55 GMT
Italy will probably be a bit peeved as it was Luxembourg but i'd highly doubt that their media or fans will be anything like the ridiculous tabloid hysteria shit we'll get over here Really? Their media outlets are pretty ferocious when it comes to football. Even Mourinho couldn't handle them during his time at Inter. |
|
|
|
Post by Pugsley on Jun 5, 2014 10:24:25 GMT
Italy can fall back on the fact they have won the World Cup 4 times, they have good players who are well coached, physically fit and are tactically far superior to most.
England on the other hand are a mismatched bunch of also-rans. Last nights game told you all you need to know about English football, its footballers and the coaches. Pathetic.
|
|
|
|
Post by luke45 on Jun 5, 2014 10:27:25 GMT
Italy were full strength last night, Balotelli, Buffon, Pirlo, De Rossi and Chiellini all started. They've gone 7 games without a win now, friendly matches or not that is not good form to be taking into a major tournament. I really don't see us losing next Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 10:37:11 GMT
none of these friendlies mean anything at all, they're nothing more than kickabouts to keep the players fresh and up for it next week. none of the team setups from last night will have any bearing on what happens when the WC kicks off. the WC teams play shit teams and give all the 23 a run out in friendlies before every world cup (Jamaica 4 years ago, Korea and cameroon in the past where we played such international heavyweights as Vassell, Murphy, Mills, Martyn etc. etc.) not worried at all about the england game last night..the back 4 i wasn't interested in as Smalling, Jones and Shaw will only play any part in the WC if there are injuries, if there aren't any then they won't get any gametime at all. going forward we had some real positives in Lambert, Ox and Barkley the ONLY real experiment last night was Milner at RB as Jones is cover for RB and isn't 100% match fit so Hodgson obviously wanted to see if he had cover for Johnson if Jones couldn't get match fit in time but apart from that, it was (for the England team anyway) nothing more than a game of knockout wembley on the park. realise what these friendlies are; a chance to let the WHOLE squad feel part of the overall campaign that's all. they're not for experimenting or trying formations we'd use in the WC, it'd be far far too late for teams to start experimenting now, they'll all know their starting 11s and know their strategies for the opposition, these are WARM UPs (as their name suggests) and nothing more! Italy will probably be a bit peeved as it was Luxembourg but i'd highly doubt that their media or fans will be anything like the ridiculous tabloid hysteria shit we'll get over here I take your point about the team last night - especially the defence - being a long way from our first choice team. But the defence was seriously bad and that back four didn't look like second string International players - most of them looked as though they had no place in an International squad. I thought the playing of Milner (who I rate as a midfielder) at right back looked as if it was designed to make Johnson look good. And don't get me started on the two centre backs - I can easily point to 6 or 7 cbs who look the part more than those two did - including one at our own club. I'll make an exception for Shaw - I don't like the way Hodgson treats his defenders when they make their debuts. A defender should make his debut surrounded by first choice players. Shaw should not have had to make his debut accompanied by the dross alongside him in the back four. In the same way, our Ryan, should not have made his debut alongside defenders already being given the run around by one of the world's top strikers - who, to add insult to injury was nicely warmed up by the time Shawcross came off the bench. Those were two appalling misjudgements by Hodgson in my opinion - and he compounded that by having a go after the match at Barkley, who was (with Chambo) arguably our most creative player. just been talking to my mate about the Barkley thing, i don't think it was anything other than ensuring that the media don't just start some jizzfest over Barkley and focus solely on him. that would increase the pressure on him and possibly get the heads down on the other youngsters who aren't being noticed by the media as much. no win really...if he agrees with the media then they'll be obsessed with him and be insisting Roy plays him every game only to be knocked down and ripped apart by them if he doesn't perform...if he doesn't agree and tries to play it down then the media spin it as him slagging Barkley off. it's just the way the media work and i think Roy knows how they work full well. 100% sure that he'll be saying far more positive things to Barkley in person. all he actually said was that Barkley did make some mistakes and wasn't perfect and that other players performed well also "I'm not prepared to address your obsession with Ross Barkley," said Hodgson. "He lost the ball an awful lot of times as well. If he's going to be the player we want him to be, he has to make better decisions of when he turns with the ball. That's not a criticism, but there were other performances out there today who merited your 'obsession' more than Ross Barkley's. “ to be fair he's right, Ox was the stand out player last night but Barkley is the new poster boy and Roy just doesn't want others being ignored for the sake of the new media obsession. |
|
|
|
Post by geoff321 on Jun 5, 2014 10:38:30 GMT
England are one of only eight countries that have won the World Cup, and are currently ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings, Italy are 9th.
Holland, who have produced some of the worlds greatest players, have never won the World Cup, Spain have only won it once.
We are not the greatest football nation on earth, that's for sure, but we certainly have nothing to be ashamed of.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 10:40:56 GMT
Italy will probably be a bit peeved as it was Luxembourg but i'd highly doubt that their media or fans will be anything like the ridiculous tabloid hysteria shit we'll get over here Really? Their media outlets are pretty ferocious when it comes to football. Even Mourinho couldn't handle them during his time at Inter. most of the press around the continent accept these warm up matches as being just that...warm ups to keep the players fresh nothing more than that. a lot of "Big" teams (argentina, Germany, Italy etc.) haven't performed brilliantly in the last few friendlies it's just those countries are realistic rather than hysterical over-reaction merchants like our press is and don't see these games as being relevant to what/how they'll play in the WC it's only really our tabloids that make them out to be far more important than that and ask questions as to why we're playing B team players this close to the tournament (despite it happening before every WC and them asking those same questions every 4 years) |
|
|
|
Post by mattador78 on Jun 5, 2014 11:35:42 GMT
England are one of only eight countries that have won the World Cup, and are currently ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings, Italy are 9th. Holland, who have produced some of the worlds greatest players, have never won the World Cup, Spain have only won it once. We are not the greatest football nation on earth, that's for sure, but we certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. I agree but over recent years the abilty to beat top teams in one off games seem to have declined for the national team in big tournaments. How confident would you feel against spain brazil argentina and the germans or dutch with the "first" choice England team because as much as I love my country and national team I don't hold much faith in us beating those teams with the current setup. ps would love to be proved wrong by owlface and the prima donnas |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 11:57:23 GMT
England are one of only eight countries that have won the World Cup, and are currently ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings, Italy are 9th. Holland, who have produced some of the worlds greatest players, have never won the World Cup, Spain have only won it once. We are not the greatest football nation on earth, that's for sure, but we certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. I agree but over recent years the abilty to beat top teams in one off games seem to have declined for the national team in big tournaments. How confident would you feel against spain brazil argentina and the germans or dutch with the "first" choice England team because as much as I love my country and national team I don't hold much faith in us beating those teams with the current setup. ps would love to be proved wrong by owlface and the prima donnas haven't we already beaten both brazil and spain in the last couple of years? |
|
|
|
Post by mattador78 on Jun 5, 2014 12:09:22 GMT
I agree but over recent years the abilty to beat top teams in one off games seem to have declined for the national team in big tournaments. How confident would you feel against spain brazil argentina and the germans or dutch with the "first" choice England team because as much as I love my country and national team I don't hold much faith in us beating those teams with the current setup. ps would love to be proved wrong by owlface and the prima donnas haven't we already beaten both brazil and spain in the last couple of years? im talking about in tournaments where we seem to choke |
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Jun 5, 2014 12:26:36 GMT
haven't we already beaten both brazil and spain in the last couple of years? im talking about in tournaments where we seem to choke we won the grup in the last tournament with a worse side against France & having to play the host nation on their own ground. I'm not saying that was an astonishing acheivment however I do feel the perception of England by the english themselves rarely bares any resemblance to reality. England are a slightly better than average team,curently,with bags of exciting young players coming through hampered by the worst defence in memory. As for Italy I'm sorry but I don't see anything about their side to fear at all. Would not be suprised if they fail to win a game. |
|
|
|
Post by Danstoke82 on Jun 5, 2014 12:49:38 GMT
I don't care that Italy drew with Luxembourg as they will still play pretty well in our opening match.
Not taking anything from their result last night.
|
|
|
|
Post by dirtygary69 on Jun 5, 2014 12:51:18 GMT
Really can't see Italy getting out of the group.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 13:28:28 GMT
I don't care that Italy drew with Luxembourg as they will still play pretty well in our opening match. Not taking anything from their result last night. why do you think that though? they haven't been a decent side for quite a qhile now, i think people are just basing it on their memories of Italy being a good team when we were growing up. in 2013 they played 18 games (including friendlies) they only managed to beat Malta, San Marino, Mexico (who they beat by one goal and remember Mexico only qualified for this WC by beating N.Zealand in a play off!),Japan (who scored 3 against them) and Czech rep. and Bulgaria by one goal in each of those games. in the rest they failed to beat the likes of Ireland, Nigeria, Armenia, Denmark and Haiti. hardly a team to fear nowadays by any stretch of the imagination! they haven't really played well for about 4 years |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 13:30:29 GMT
haven't we already beaten both brazil and spain in the last couple of years? im talking about in tournaments where we seem to choke this squad don't have anything like the pressure on them that we've had in previous tournaments though. no-one's expecting anything this year so the youngsters can play with more freedom without those kind of worries (as the likes of Ox and Barkley showed last night) |
|
|
|
Post by starkiller on Jun 5, 2014 16:17:04 GMT
So instead of the usual "we're going to do well" it’s now ”we're going to do well because people think we're not going to do well".
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoid on Jun 5, 2014 22:21:48 GMT
I don't think Italy were great in 2006 when they won it. France were playing the best stuff from the Quarters onwards but ZZ cost them big time.
Italian football bores me rigid, and even when it works, it fails to inspire.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2014 5:38:31 GMT
You know that it will be usual case of the Italians not being at all bothered during the warm up phase, meanwhile we bust a gut and get injured and sent off. We'll see a totally different Italy next week. Don't you just know it.  |
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Jun 6, 2014 5:41:46 GMT
In the last ten years they have been Euro runners up and world champions. Crap.
|
|
|
|
Post by ohbottom on Jun 6, 2014 6:05:33 GMT
How did they do in South Africa 4 years ago?
|
|
|
|
Post by eddy on Jun 6, 2014 6:48:34 GMT
How did they do in South Africa 4 years ago? Exactly. A group of Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay and New Zealand was hardly a group of death for them, and they still finished dead last, after diving for a penalty to salvage a draw against our boys. Nothing to fear. |
|
|
|
Post by Danstoke82 on Jun 6, 2014 7:25:36 GMT
I don't care that Italy drew with Luxembourg as they will still play pretty well in our opening match. Not taking anything from their result last night. why do you think that though? they haven't been a decent side for quite a qhile now, i think people are just basing it on their memories of Italy being a good team when we were growing up. in 2013 they played 18 games (including friendlies) they only managed to beat Malta, San Marino, Mexico (who they beat by one goal and remember Mexico only qualified for this WC by beating N.Zealand in a play off!),Japan (who scored 3 against them) and Czech rep. and Bulgaria by one goal in each of those games. in the rest they failed to beat the likes of Ireland, Nigeria, Armenia, Denmark and Haiti. hardly a team to fear nowadays by any stretch of the imagination! they haven't really played well for about 4 years Absolutely agree with what your saying mick, Italy are far from the team they were. I was just being a bit cynical really as I would imagine we might well allow Italy to play us off the park and hold out with an ultra defensive display despite the fact that obviously, Italy are very beatable these days. |
|
|
|
Post by dutchstokie on Jun 6, 2014 8:18:24 GMT
Italy were full strength last night, Balotelli, Buffon, Pirlo, De Rossi and Chiellini all started. They've gone 7 games without a win now, friendly matches or not that is not good form to be taking into a major tournament. I really don't see us losing next Saturday. They will be right on the button this tournament....... |
|
