England played Denmark tonight and lost 4-1. It was a terrible performance. The first half was relatively OK but the 2nd half was shocking. England conceded the first goal mainly because of David James madness of rushing out of the penalty box. The other goals all had elements of really poor defending.
Rooney was OK (took goal well) and Beckham generally did well. However players like Lampard and Gerrard did nothing. I think the problem is, although both brilliant players, they need a defensive midfielder playing alongside them. For their respective club team they play with defensive players – Makelele and Hamann. If I was Sven I would find a way to play a defensive midfielder and Gerrard and/or Lampard. Not sure who he would drop and how he would do it but thats what hes paid £5m a year for. For too much if you ask me!! Unfortunately the England squad didnt really have defensive players apart from Hargreves. I personally think Carrick should be in the squad.
The only plus point is this is a friendly match and largely pointless. Although there is never a good time for a friendly, in the first week of the season just after the first match seems madness. Sort it out The FA!! While your at it sack Sven!!
On Match of the Day they showed David James talking and his ‘kind-off’ excuse was that he was not mentally prepared to play cause he was not expected to play. Whats that all about!!!! Hes a professional footballer on the sub bench (and knows Sven makes tons of substitutions) and should always be ready. I really hope this is the last England game we see David James.
Alan Shearer makes some really good points including why on earth Defoe only got 45 minutes and why David James played – if he wanted to change goalkeeper (which I think was a mistake) he should have given Green a chance. Read the article by Alan Shearer.
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