Euro 2012 Match Discussion Thread

[Mike.]

Rooney and Young worst two players on the pitch, Gerrard once again England's best player at a major tournament.

Once again, is a bit debatable. He also faded badly, was anonymous second half, which led to the midfield falling apart.

 

[Mike.]

I totally agree with that and I think that is what he will bring in for the next tournament but Jagielka / Smalling / Lescott dont have much experience, but with the qualifiers for the next tournament Im hoping that he will start to leave Terry on the bench and play / experiment with other combinations and hope one of those steps up and commands the back line.

If england want to minimise having to play long passes, they must compress the space. If they want to do that with a more attacking approach, that requires stepping up the pitch.

 

[Mike.]

Rooney was lacking in fitness and poor. Have little sympathy for him, since it was self inflicted. But the key difference between Rooney for England, and Rooney for United? Supply. It doesnt matter what you play, its always about supply.

 

[puckinfissed]

Pirlo is pure class, his passing and vision is unbelivable

 

[rephlex]

To be fair, we expected nothing going into this tournament, and didn't exactly disgrace ourselves like France did last night. We've got to be able to hold the ball in possession better though... the amount of bullshit balls just returning possession make it too easy for average opponents to look good.

 

[fuelledbypassion]

I think Glen Johnson would like to have a word with you. He was our best player tonight, and probably over the tournament.

Have to agree. He sometimes runs into cul-de-sacs and loses the ball too cheaply, but he has been absolutely brilliant defensively and answered many of his critics. The whole team showed a lot of heart during this tournament, something they are often accused of lacking for the national side. I don't think anyone can have any complaints that were out or of our performances during the whole tournament either. With the little time Roy's had, I think he's done a fantastic job.

 

[rephlex]

Half the problem with Johnson is he had Milner in front of him, who was useless all tournament. You need both men to play well in order to free up space for the other, and despite that Johnson played well. Cole had the same problem with Young, who was entirely ineffective. Seeing Jordi Alba and Lahm cut inside, or overlap and hit the cross makes you see what good wingbacks add to a side, and sadly for England the side seemed hamstrung by, as Mike mentioned, lack of supply.

 

[InValide jr]

Lets be honest the real reason we dont win anything is because our players arent technically good enough and its not there fault its the way the coaching is done in england. with exception of gerrard and occasionaly rooney who are just natruals nobody in the english side is as good any anyone in the italy side when compaing technical ability. This is why we loose, we cant keep the ball so we panic and pass to joe hart who boots it when it ends up with the other team having control. Roy hodgson has done well with the players at his disposal but in time when we have more younger players comming through who are more comfortable on the ball and can pass out of defence we shall catch up the other nations.

but good news is on the horizon young players will now play with smaller teams on smaller pitches in hope they will touch the ball more and pick up this technical skills like spain france and italy
this link explains how the fa are fixing the issues we face!
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFkQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thefa.com%2Fleagues%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FPDF%2FLeagues%2FYour%2520Kids%2520Your%2520Say%2FFA%2520Youth%2520Development%2520Proposals%2520-%2520Final%2520Recommendations%2520v3%2520-%2520Distribution%2520Copy-new.ashx&ei=kbPnT8aVAoer0QW_q5SRBg&usg=AFQjCNHjXheB6fugbDNq7LEqT6TwBwF--A&sig2=8zSNcFpwFWNCMe_17lvAIQ

 

[rephlex]

To be fair, Joe Hart only booted it as the CBs didn't split and offer him the short option. We just had no intention of building from the back, it was always about the lucky header onto the pacey striker or winger, while being solid in defence.

 

[InValide jr]

To be fair, Joe Hart only booted it as the CBs didn't split and offer him the short option. We just had no intention of building from the back, it was always about the lucky header onto the pacey striker or winger, while being solid in defence.

agreed. that was roys tactic from the start really, but thats now how to win games my friend and the fa know this thats why they are changing it!

 

[Lol_101]

View attachment 255484

LOOOL, incredibly funny, poor Owen though XD

looks like owen is jealous XD

 

[slbenficacoach]

well he may have said it in the good sense or in the bad sense, but since it's not exactly good for him I would bet on the bad sense. XD

looks like owen is jealous XD

 

[Tyton]

I don't know if Gerrard was that bad or Pirlo that good but basically all i saw that game was Pirlo lol.

Some of his passes were just jaw-dropping. Like he would make a pass and even though i have a lot better view on the pitch while sitting infront of TV , the pass seems bad at first.

Then BAM out of nowhere there's blue t-shirt in threatening position.

And yet he manages to see so much, while often having 1-2 midifielders breathing down his neck, and still has time to make a pass, with pinpoint accuracy. What the **** really.

 

[insanity]

Over rated and lucky England met one strong Italian side. In fact Ireland looked better than England, but at least the Irish tried to play football instead of Putting 8 players inside the 6 yard box. Poor Zonal Cattenaccio display from England. I am dissapointed actually from their lack of anything related to football. Luckily the Italians lack quality forward (despide having world class defence and mid).

In the following I am going to be critical, not flaming towards the English players.

GK - Being blond and handsome does not make you a good GK. Pirlo just humiliated him with this penalty shot and it might be the point when Italy won the penalties.

Defence - although having good defending abilities they just refuse to play with the ball. In the other hand the Italian defenders looked comfortable with the ball. Terry's pace was a real problem that forced England to drop their line deep after few long balls to Balotelli and Cassano.

Mid - I have no clue where the Gerard beeing world class came from. The mid was almost non existent, beside playing as extra bodies in the penalty box. They neither helped in building up the play, nor pressed the opposite mids and when they did they were looking funny. Where was the hard working Milner? Can you compare them to Pirlo, De Rossi and Marcisio?

Attack - a bunch of over rated players. I am sure Man UTD will soon start missing Berbatov. Both Welbeck and Rooney were shut down from Barzagli and Bonucci. The hard working Rooney apperantly become undisciplined (Balotelli looked like a model professional in comparison to Rooney in this game) to mark Pirlo and when he did he was not intelligent enough to do it correctly - the result Pirlo played around him and dictated the game.

The system - 4-4-2... should I even comment? Especially a system played with wingers instead of wide mids.

Conclusion - England lacked any tactical and technical abilities. In the modern football playing a passionate football which is played also in EPL is not enough. This is a reactive football, based on emotion rather than proactive based on principles. Playing in EPL perhaps played a bad joke for England as when they met technically gifted players and tactically strong side they were confused what to do and just narrowed their game and let their opponents dictate it. I am not saying EPL has no technically gifted players, infact there are and I can get at least 3 in my mind right now that play in the Euros - Nasri, Silva and Mata, however neither of them seems to be from a big quality for their nation in this tournament (Nasri and Silva being often subed, Mata not playing at all), while they are highly rated in EPL and beeing named as the stars of the league.

Italy in the other hand need to do smth with their attack. I can not agree that when Balotelli is your star player in the attack you have a decent attacking power...If they are able to bring some quality there against Germany they might stand a chance - they got world class defense and mid. It will be an interesting battle - Pirlo vs Yozil, De Rossi vs Bastian and even might be Buffon vs Neuer.

 

[ajt09]

Erm ok. Name one keeper that would have saved Pirlo's pen-it was a worldie-not even Buffon would've expected that. Overrated players? Rooney overrated? Yeah ok. Clearly not match fit but HE IS WORLD CLASS. Welbeck is still learning his trade at this level so he shouldn't be getting to much stick. And once again Gerrard was not fit. This has been stated repeatedly. And btw-Nasri is no longer playing in the Euros

Yes we have had our frailties exposed, but to make the quarters, with a manager in charge very little amount of time, is better than expected tbh. Gerrard has been a world class player too-to say otherwise is total non-factual. That's all I'm saying as I'm seeing a lot of ott rubbish.

 

[Lol_101]

fair enough @Insanity. But what much can you expect when Roy only had a month to prepare. Many feared England will no even do well give what was left of it. I just held a bold pessimistic expectation that England will hopefully get like 2nd place in the group. But reaching to the QF's, not bad imo, give the circumstances Roy was. If it was Cappelo, then opps, that another story to tell (lol WC 2010)

GK- Thats the best England has got for this Generation. even Buffon said that Joe will be World class in the future.
Defence - the back four was solid. tonight was the best of it.
Mid.- shabby. Pirlo has ratted them. but overall, Gerrard did get. Parker was fine. not sure about milner though. Young has at his low point :/. Both Walcott and Ox showed what they can do with the given chance though.
ATT. - I dont know really what to say. i tought he link up between forwards and midfield was absent tonight. God **** it rooney. :/

And oh yeah, i think most england fans do know that the team needs more technical players. the missing piece - jack wilshere.

 

[Lol_101]

If only France had a real leader in the team, they would have done well. Sadly, i dont think we'll see another 'Zizou' for now (his son is still young though.

And now i have come to realization how irritating Nasri can be to the nation team. Glad he got snubbed in the WC 2010, and hope he doesn't appear for France for ever, regardless if Blanc stays or leaves.
Blanc slams foul-mouthed Nasri - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

If only Sakho got his form back, i would be happy to see him as a Captain. Club captain at 17, maturity at its best. Hugo ahs done well to be captain too. but oh well :S

 

[GodCubed]

Over rated and lucky England met one strong Italian side. In fact Ireland looked better than England, but at least the Irish tried to play football instead of Putting 8 players inside the 6 yard box. Poor Zonal Cattenaccio display from England. I am dissapointed actually from their lack of anything related to football. Luckily the Italians lack quality forward (despide having world class defence and mid).

Well, that's bollocks. Quite apart from cold hard stats, it's just stupid to say England were worse than Ireland, who despite having literally nothing to lose failed to leave any lasting impression on their game against Italy at all.

In the following I am going to be critical, not flaming towards the English players.

Oh really? Good, I'm gla-

GK - Being blond and handsome does not make you a good GK. Pirlo just humiliated him with this penalty shot and it might be the point when Italy won the penalties.

Ah. Perhaps not.

To say Joe Hart is not a good keeper is just stupid. Really, really stupid.

Defence - although having good defending abilities they just refuse to play with the ball. In the other hand the Italian defenders looked comfortable with the ball. Terry's pace was a real problem that forced England to drop their line deep after few long balls to Balotelli and Cassano.

Meh, undeniable.

Mid - I have no clue where the Gerard beeing world class came from. The mid was almost non existent, beside playing as extra bodies in the penalty box. They neither helped in building up the play, nor pressed the opposite mids and when they did they were looking funny. Where was the hard working Milner? Can you compare them to Pirlo, De Rossi and Marcisio?

Oh, perhaps the preceding DECADE or so in which he's been world class?

The fact that the central midfielders weren't having much of an impact on the game might have something to do with the fact that they were outnumbered by a ratio of 2:1.

Attack - a bunch of over rated players. I am sure Man UTD will soon start missing Berbatov. Both Welbeck and Rooney were shut down from Barzagli and Bonucci. The hard working Rooney apperantly become undisciplined (Balotelli looked like a model professional in comparison to Rooney in this game) to mark Pirlo and when he did he was not intelligent enough to do it correctly - the result Pirlo played around him and dictated the game.

I'm pretty sure they won't, since Berbatov played a bit part role this year and won the Golden Boot last year purely by filling his boots against sub-standard teams.

The system - 4-4-2... should I even comment? Especially a system played with wingers instead of wide mids.

Which shows you shouldn't comment, since the two wide midfielders were undoubtedly playing as such, rather than out and out wingers.

Conclusion - England lacked any tactical and technical abilities. In the modern football playing a passionate football which is played also in EPL is not enough. This is a reactive football, based on emotion rather than proactive based on principles. Playing in EPL perhaps played a bad joke for England as when they met technically gifted players and tactically strong side they were confused what to do and just narrowed their game and let their opponents dictate it. I am not saying EPL has no technically gifted players, infact there are and I can get at least 3 in my mind right now that play in the Euros - Nasri, Silva and Mata, however neither of them seems to be from a big quality for their nation in this tournament (Nasri and Silva being often subed, Mata not playing at all), while they are highly rated in EPL and beeing named as the stars of the league.

The **** are you on about? 'Reactive football based on emotion'? 'Proactive based on principles'? You do realise you're just stringing words together, right? That's like me saying my morning shower is 'washing based on softness' or some bullshit.

To say that Nasri, Silva and Mata somehow signify the weakness of the EPL technically because they weren't utilised much this tournament is ridiculous. In turn: Nasri has been France's most played player (with 3 starts and 1 sub app), David Silva hasn't been subbed at all this tournament, and Mata can't break into one of the most talented teams in history so there's no shame there.

 

[Mike.]

insanity, your name fits you well, you talk actual nonsense when it comes to english football.

the fact that talk you about Silva shows you up immensely. Silva not only hasnt been subbed, but he has been one of spains best players.

You just flamed the players and threw in buzzwords that made no sense.

'Reactive football based on emotion'? 'Proactive based on principles'?

Actually makes no sense. The only thing right was that the football was reactive. Therefore it cannot be proactive.

 

[ajt09]

And tbh, if we had a fully fit squad, and weren't missing players like Lampard, the result could've been different imo. Tbh yeah we fell foul of the pens curse once again (and again Pirlos was just immense), but there were some positives, and some mature good performances from the younger lads like Welbeck. Even Walcott came good when needed.