England vs Holland: February 29th, Wembley Stadium

[Mike.]

Shame Parker couldn't do this last night.

[video=youtube;x--djGiKSxg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x--djGiKSxg[/video]



IMO, I'd rather Pearce manage us for the Euro's if Redknapp can't be bothered to be in charge for the two friendlies.

Im with you on that. If he cant do the two friendlies he can have it after the Euros. At least that will give us some semblance of preparation

 

[ajt09]

Shame Parker couldn't do this last night.

[video=youtube;x--djGiKSxg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x--djGiKSxg[/video]



IMO, I'd rather Pearce manage us for the Euro's if Redknapp can't be bothered to be in charge for the two friendlies.

Well, Pearce did do a decent job last nigt-encouraging night all round even though we lost at the very end. I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[Dunc]

We still have two friendlies. its not as if im saying take him 2012 raw.

It's still pretty raw, he wouldn't be getting 90 mins in either of the two games, and neither are against 'World Class' teams. If they wanted to give him experience, they should have put him in the squad for this game, although saying that the Dutch defence is pretty poor.

Either way, we will have to just agree to disagree, as there is no way I would be taking Chamberlain over Walcott/Young/Downing/Johnson and Sturridge, with likely Walcott and Young as starters, to the Euros. Maybe start giving Chamberlain some caps in the following qualifying stage, if he can continue his current 'form' for the rest of this season and the first half of next.

 

[BeadSTARR]

Friendlies? Qualifiers? Rather than just dumping him straight into a tournament in another country with a team that he barely knows bar the Arsenal players. He is still only 18, and the amount of pressure that would be put upon him if we took him to the Euros by the English media and public, you have no idea how that could effect him, in the short term or the long term.

At the end of the day, he has still only played 7 games for Arsenal, to be able to have a solid judgement of a player after 7 games is ridiculous, it just smacks of when we took Walcott to the World cup back in 2006. Although Walcott had literally zero top flight experience, so it's not as extreme as the Walcott selection was, but I still think it would be pretty stupid taking him to the Euros off the back of 7 games.

Agree with Dunc here. He should have been in the team against Hollad in all fairness to see if he can cut it. I think its a bit early for Chamberlain to be dumped straight into the Euro's especially with no real experience. Ala Walcott when Sven took him with no real experience. With every young player they have to be treated carefully, as we all know, Chamberlain has the potiential but if one slip up on the big stage and his confidence could get crushed.

 

[Dunc]

Tbh, though.. Walcott blows hot and cold worse than Rooney.

I do agree that Downing/Johnson/Walcott & even Sturridge should be considered before Chamberlain. But nothing wrong with giving him a go in a friendly or two.

There is no harm in putting him in for the next two friendlies, as long as it's not at the expense of Walcott/Johnson/Downing and Sturridge, as we need to be using these two friendlies to 'test' out our starting 11 that we should be using in the Euros, give them some game time together so they can gel. Although, saying that, Pearce might not be in charge for the Euros, so it might be a bit pointless.

 

[Mike.]

It's still pretty raw, he wouldn't be getting 90 mins in either of the two games, and neither are against 'World Class' teams. If they wanted to give him experience, they should have put him in the squad for this game, although saying that the Dutch defence is pretty poor.

Either way, we will have to just agree to disagree, as there is no way I would be taking Chamberlain over Walcott/Young/Downing/Johnson and Sturridge, with likely Walcott and Young as starters, to the Euros. Maybe start giving Chamberlain some caps in the following qualifying stage, if he can continue his current 'form' for the rest of this season and the first half of next.

I'm not saying i would take him for certain (although i do prefer his pace to downing), a lot can happen between now and 2 june (belgium). But i would at least want see him come in for Johnson, just so i know i'd seen all my viable options before a final squad got picked.

 

[Dunc]

I'm not saying i would take him for certain (although i do prefer his pace to downing), a lot can happen between now and 2 june (belgium). But i would at least want see him come in for Johnson, just so i know i'd seen all my viable options before a final squad got picked.

I think you are just trying to cleanse the England team of white players for a team of only black players.

You racist.

 

[Mike.]

I think you are just trying to cleanse the England team of white players for a team of only black players.

You racist.

**** it, rumbled!

 

[Dunc]

**** it, rumbled!

I want a team of pale ginger players.

Scholes to captain.

Ben Watson as Vice Capt.

Kirkland in goal.

Adam Campbell up front.

I have now ran out of ginger people.

 

[Mike.]

I want a team of pale ginger players.

Scholes to captain.

Ben Watson as Vice Capt.

Kirkland in goal.

Adam Campbell up front.

I have now ran out of ginger people.

Gingers are dying out arent they? Recall Wes Brown.

 

[xdannyw92]

I want a team of pale ginger players.

Scholes to captain.

Ben Watson as Vice Capt.

Kirkland in goal.

Adam Campbell up front.

I have now ran out of ginger people.

Jack Colback.. Never seen such ginger hair.

I think we played well last night. Not sure if Parker should be captain or not yet, I suppose whoever is manager will know best anyway. There's no shame in losing to Holland without some of our best players. Fair play to Stuart Pearce, Parker and Sturridge.

 

[alicwkd]

First time at the new Wembley and enjoyed the experience and the game, even though the result was disappointing.

Thought we did okay- Parker was immense again and Welbeck tried his best but wasn't given great service. I'm baffled as to how Sturridge was given MOTM as there were players better that him. At least two of the goals could have been defended better, but the spirit we showed to not crumble when we went two behind was good.

Promising performance all in all. I thought our creative players were coming too deep and we were really struggling to find a link. Something Rooney may be able to help us remedy. As of now I'd say our strongest team is: (The slashes are depending on form)

---------------Hart--------------
Richards-Smalling-Cahill-Baines/ Cole
--------Wilshere--Parker-----------
??-----------Rooney---------Young
------Welbeck/Bent/Defoe-------------

Replace Rooney with Gerrard for opening two group games and Wilshere for Carrick or Barry if he's still injured. Right wing up for grabs based on who goes into the tournament in best form out of Milner, Johnson, Sturridge, Lennon and Walcott

 

[Average Joe]

I have to say I'm a fan of Johnson (City) Runs and is direct, always looks to worry a defender

 

[Mike.]

I have to say I'm a fan of Johnson (City) Runs and is direct, always looks to worry a defender

Wish he would use his right more though, when he cuts in he can be hesistant. Robben showed how it is done, when you are coming into traffic directly, you have to be very quick of thought, or the space is gone.

 

[fuelledbypassion]

I haven't read through the thread, but I'd like to make a few points nonetheless.

Sturridge MOTM is a disgracful decision imo. Parker was committed to the cause, and performed well under the pressure of captaincy, his distribution was pretty decent and he looked to drive the team on when we were losing. He ran past Sturridge to try and stop Robben's opener, which is appalling laziness on the Chelsea player's part and just shows why Parker has the armband. On top of that, Sturridge missed a guilt-edged chance and limped off with a 'bruised toe'. Where is the commitment there? I know that the game has evolved over the last 50 years but he'd have been ridiculed back then, why are most modern footballers so soft?

There were others that lacked the work rate and desire too, perhaps down to fitness, but players like Young and Campbell were disappointing in their attitude towards defending at times, particularly when Young played in-field and Campbell should have been fresh and enthusiastic on his debut. Welbeck worked tirelessly with little service, which is the least you should expect from a player imo.

I'm a fan of Pearce and his team selection/formation, but I was a little disappointed that he maintained his professionalism rather than celebrating the goals. I'm sure he was pleased, relieved even, and would have been more emotional had it been a meaningful game. I'd like us to give him a chance, he seems to be doing the right things to take us forward, and obviously has an intention to blood the youth of the nation.

Adam Johnson looks a threat, but I fear his talent will be wasted if he stays with City. He needs to be playing every week to make that position his own in the England team, especially with the club form of Danny Sturridge this season.

Cahill, Richards, Baines, Parker, Johnson and Welbeck all came out of the game in a positive light, although possibly for the wrong reasons in some cases. The defenders generally got forward well but defended quite poorly, but I was pleased to see Cahill improve on his club form and step out with the ball on occassion. There was definite lack of understanding or communication between the centre backs for the first goal, where I feel Cahill should have stepped across to close down Robben, and Baines also allowed Robben the shot for the third, but he is a difficult player to stop at times.

The overall performance was decent, undone by a few lapses of concentration and defensive naivity, but we did look more fluid in attack and both goals were well taken and crafted. Holland had their strongest team out and our youngsters generally made a good account of themselves, and I am more optimistic looking forward than I was beforehand. It's just a shame that Pearce won't get enough time to mould this team before the tournament, or before he's replaced.

 

[ajt09]

The problem with players like Robben is you'll be between a rock and a hard place. Mark him tightly he'll get past you. Stand off him he'll unleash a quality shot. He's like a slippery eel.

 

[CJACKO11]

Although on a whole game basis giving Sturridge MOTM to many was a crazy idea. But the way i look at it was before he came on we did not threat a pretty poor looking Dutch back line at all. Yes he should have scored (chance did come quickly and blind sided too him but yes he should have scored) and yes he did come off with a what people are saying was a soft injury but he did look in pain at that current time to be fair to him. His lack of tracking back is one thing he does need to learn but in his head the time he did track back this season he gave a penalty away at OT and that was the goal that gave Utd the momentum and belief and basicly got them the point. Pearce made a chance at HT bringing off one of the defensive midfielders in Barry and replacing with Milner so alot of the protection that was there in the first half was gone. What im trying to say is that in the first half Sturridge didn't have to track back as much because there was more protection so maybe he just needs a little bit of drumming into him when we make changes like that. On the whole there were a lot of positives Parker was very very impressive in the first half but like i said when he lost Barry Robben started comming inside and was causing the whole team problems not just Parker. Cahill impressed me too the same with Richards, Johnson and in spells Young too. One player who i think deserves more criticism than he gets is Gerrard. He seems to be the media's love child but the matter of the fact is he does not replicate what he has done for his club for country. Now before people jump on that i don't agree with people criticising players for that BUT when others players get stick for doing it it should be a level playing field or none at all. Do i think Gerrard is finished??? No but i do think he is a shadow of his former self at club and country level, saw a stat earlier that went 6- Liverpool haven't won any of the six Premier League games that Steven Gerrard has started this season. I'll leave on that note, all in all a decent performance by a young/unexpirienced England side which maybe lacked that little bit of leadership/expirience towards the end.