Watched England tonight in World Cup. What a pathetic useless performance. It ended 0-0 if you didnt know. Although Algeria arent a completely useless team, England should easily beat them. They are in a bad run of form losing 6 of last 7 games and only scoring 1 goal – a penalty – in those games.
England changed the keeper for this game putting David James in goal. Green was dropped after the mess up v USA. Apparently in training he had a few dodgy moments. Algeria also dropped their normal keeper for his mess up and their 3rd choice keeper was selected. He didnt look that good and England should have been chocking the crosses in.
Cant pass!
It was the usual England performance with apparent top class players not being able to pass the ball to one another. For all the hard work he does Heskey doesnt have the confidence and it just wasnt working for him or the team. It seems almost everyone – the fans, experts, commentators, even other managers – they want a change to the system and want Gerrard to play in his best position. In the middle, just behind Rooney and bursting forward. I know a change in system doesnt automatically mean they can pass to one another put at least we get players playing in their preferred position and are comfortable. With Gerrard playing on the left, he always comes into the middle and then is often out of position running back to the left to cover/defend. He was so much better later on in game when in the middle. Did Fabio tell him to go there or did he just decide himself??
Fabio bought Shaun Wright Phillips on for Lennon which made no change to the system. Admittedly SWP did better and actually went outside the player, taking them on instead of always cutting in. WHY does Lennon not use has pace to take on players and run into space?? (But like I said, it was no change to the formation or system). Defoe came on for Heskey later on but didnt really do much. Crouch came on at the end (which meant Rooney was pushed to the left) but with only 5 minutes or so left. Whats he going to do in that time! I know that Rooney scores more goals with Heskey but surely Crouch deserves a chance or at least longer on the pitch??
What no Cole?
One other thing which confuses me is Joe Cole not coming on. He was the best player in the last tournament, gives England something different and some balance. When he came on for recent England game at half time he changed things and England played well. Rooney was a bit isolated and didnt have enough of the ball. Sometimes coming deep into midfield to get the ball. However, Rooney was poor again. I dont think hes fit. He certainly looked frustrated but at least didnt go “angry Rooney” and get himself sent off. He did have a go at the fans who were booing at the end of the match. He said “Nice to see your home fans boo you. That’s what loyal support is”. I don’t understand how fans can boo their own players. I appreciate they have spent £1000s and travelled fan and are well within their right to boo but it doesnt help things. What Rooney said also wont help things though and I am sure all the papers will be on his back tomorrow. However, lets get “angry” at the frankly CRAP performance!
Stubborn or stupid?
I am hoping for a change from Fabio for the game v Slovenia on Wednesday but I think hes too stubborn. (Or maybe stupid as Gary Linekar said. He said on MOTD something like “when does it stop being stubborn, and become stupid”). He will have to make a change in defence with Carragher now banned. That properly means Upson :S.
A change in the personnel and formation will hopefully mean the players are happier and more comfortable. Maybe then, they can pass till one another. On the plus side, we still somehow have this in our hands. James came in and mostly looked good and kept a clean sheet and we are unbeaten. Come on England!!!! (Could be worse. We could still have Sven or McLaren….. or maybe it was better with them???!)
Another f*** up by The FA
PS – There has been a lot of talk about the new football for the World Cup – the Jubalani. Apparently it moves about more etc. It is a lot lighter and may have contributed to lack of goals and what, until properly the last couple days been a pretty dull world cup. Other nations have used the ball. Germany used it in league for 6 months. Algeria have been training with it for months and actually asked for a new batch to be sent. However, it has come out today that England could have had the ball 3 months earlier but “lost” them!! It was signed for but never passed to England team and the FA say they dont know what happened?!!?
