Euro 2012: Quarter Final 4: England v Italy match thread

[Col_M]

Although Welbeck's finish against Sweden was very deft. Am I the only one who thinks that at times the ball has bounced of Welbeck like the ball has hit a brick wall?

IMO he was trying to stop the ball so he could spin round and hit it with his left foot. I do not for one minute believe he meant what he did.

 

[Dinghy]

Opta Joe. England made only 15 passes in the last 15 mins.

Made or completed?


Either way pretty damning.

 

[kungfugrip]

There's a few coming through that given time could improve the England team.........Wilshere, Walker, Sturridge, Johnson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Smalling, Gibbs, Jones, Rodwell and Welbeck Add those to Hart and a few others who will still be playing come the next World Cup and one would hope we might see some improvement. That's the time to judge Hodgson, at the next World Cup.

Have to say don't think England have a hope in Brazil in two years time. Mainly due to the heat, and the fact that Brazil, Argentina and Spain will probably be awesome. Like to think England will do well but on the other side of the world in that heat when ball retention will be vital, just can't see it.

 

[blobster]

There's a few coming through that given time could improve the England team.........Wilshere, Walker, Sturridge, Johnson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Smalling, Gibbs, Jones, Rodwell and Welbeck Add those to Hart and a few others who will still be playing come the next World Cup and one would hope we might see some improvement. That's the time to judge Hodgson, at the next World Cup.

Obviously aside from the injured ones, that is what I was really hoping would begin with this tournament. Hodgson had the perfect opportunity with expectations so low. A more experimental approach would have just been seen and probably praised for what it was, even if it didn't work out. Giving more time to Oxlade-Chamberlain would have been a step forward with Young's woeful performances as he showed great promise against France. Jones is also a far better player than Henderson and might have been worth a go when Parker came off. Qualifying games against weaker teams and friendlies are no substitutes for the pressure of a tournament and a star might develop early.

I just don't think Hodgson has it in his blood to be experimental and creative. I can easily see this current team forming the crux of our 2014 campaign.

 

[mil1lion]

In terms of the football purist it's a good thing England are out because they played ugly football. It's a shame we didn't use our pace more as I think that is our main weapon and could hurt any team. We wont be able to keep the ball as well as the more technical teams but at least we should be able to be a bit more direct and use the pace. We rarely used Walcott and Chamberlain together, we should've taken Lennon too. At least then we could soak up the pressure as we have shown we can do very well, then counter attack with pace.

I'm just glad we don't have to witness another humiliation at the hands of Germany now.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Don't know if already mentioned, but the contrast in Hart and Buffon's distribution is what set the pattern for Italy's dominance.

Each time Buffon had the ball, it was a pass/roll out/throw to one of his back 4.
Each time Hart had it, he belted up for the 50-50 battles that we consistently lost, until Carroll came on and fought for it.

But what does Hart do for City? Genuine question as I don't know the answer but with the small guys they often have up front he must go short quite a lot. I'm guessing that he would have been told "just get rid of it and we'll fight for 2nd balls"

 

[Col_M]

But what does Hart do for City? Genuine question as I don't know the answer but with the small guys they often have up front he must go short quite a lot. I'm guessing that he would have been told "just get rid of it and we'll fight for 2nd balls"

Good question, I don't know. I just noticed it this game as it stood out like a sore thumb to me.