England V Ukraine

[HomerJSimpson]

Whether their goal was in or not (and there was an offiside in the move anyway) and the fact we played rubbish, it was good enough. I think if we play like we did against France we can beat an Italian side that has hardly looked like they were playing well

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Not so much a clearance then.

If he was a bit faster than a zimmer frame, he might have made it.

And if the linesman was any good he would have flagged their striker offside before it got to our box

 

[alnecosse]

And if the linesman was any good he would have flagged their striker offside before it got to our box

Not another Russian linesman

 

[sev112]

So 4th and 5th referees idea to be scrapped i guess, when the only one they have had they get wrong

Bllomin good job Ukraine cant shoot at ground level otherwise they would have beaten us 10-1

And the commentators get on my ***s - blaming the Ukraine goalkeeper - 2 deflections, the second one completley took the ball from where his hands were


The swerving shot that Hart stopped with one hand was quite amazing - coudl easily have been a stressful last 15 mins

 

[munro007]

It wouldn't have been a true english performance without some drama. Very disappointing game. IMO

 

[Snelly]

Not very good and rather lucky would be my verdict on England. That said, they have exceeded my expectations by getting out of the group.

I am still amazed when I watch Milner, that Adam Johnson was left at home.

 

[Tiger]

I am still amazed when I watch Milner, that Adam Johnson was left at home.

I'm still amazed when I watch Milner that I was left at home!!!

It's all well and good having an engine and running yourself into the ground for the team but if everytime you get the ball you give it straight back to the opposition it's kind of counter productive!

 

[Liverbirdie]

I'm still amazed when I watch Milner that I was left at home!!!

It's all well and good having an engine and running yourself into the ground for the team but if everytime you get the ball you give it straight back to the opposition it's kind of counter productive!

I liked Milner, but since he has played infield for Villa and then wherever he plugs gaps for City, he has gone downhill.

At one point I even considered saying, he could put Downing on. I then stuffed my mouth with used socks and underwear for the rest of the game.

 

[Marshy77]

I'm still amazed when I watch Milner that I was left at home!!!

It's all well and good having an engine and running yourself into the ground for the team but if everytime you get the ball you give it straight back to the opposition it's kind of counter productive!

Depends really, if you want Johnson to be left exposed definsively then play Walcott, if you want your right sided midfielder to help out defensively and keep the shape in midfield then he's doing his job is Milner. OK his passing is poor and could get forward more but the job he's been asked to do has been spot on.

I'm pleased with the 3 games, we've showed more in them games than we did whilst under Cappello. Tactics have been spot on, team selcection has been correct and we've played to our ability and done our jobs throughout the team. Lescott has been superb as has Gerrard and Parker.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Hodgson seems to have the egos under control and they look like a team who play as a team.
Some very good defensive covering runs last night.
I think this is a team on the rise. nice balance of youth and experience.

 

[Crazyface]

They are awful! Italy will rip us apart with incisive passing when threading the ball into the box onto an on rushing striker who will then lash it home. Johnson is a poor right back and that is recognised by Hodson who places Milner at right mid to cover for him. Young has no left foot so won't take the opposition right back on when he gets the ball, which is most of the time as we're using him as the attacking outlet. Wallbeck, did he touch the ball? Or did Walcott when he came on. Parker does nowt in the opposition half. Shockingly inept performance. It was like watching kids play at times. It will be role reversal on Sunday with England playing like Italy used to, without being as good defensively, and Italy playing like England used to, only being much better at it. 3-0 Italy. No problem at all for them.

 

[Aztecs27]

Milner is just horrible, but I don't agree with starting Walcott. He's good for a change of pace when the opposition are blowing towards the end of the game. Sadly, he's probably our best option, but he's truly gash.


I'm also not convinced by Scott Parker as a football player. I'm pretty sure he's only been selected to block shots, because he's contributed absolutely NOTHING else in the first 3 games. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the blocked shots, but it would be nice for him to actually contribute to playing football as well.

A terrible game all round, but we stayed patient, made them work and save for the goal-that-wasn't-a-goal (karma ahoy! ) and the superb one handed block by Joe Hart later in the game (World class), Ukraine never really looked overly threatening, despite having chances (all comfortably dealt with by the defence). Got the goal we needed and that's all that matters. We've looked more organised in three games than we had done (ever) in the previous 2 regimes.

The Italians will be a different prospect altogether, but we *should* get more chances at goal by the way they tend to set themselves up.

Either way, my expectations (both in terms of play and qualifying from the group) have been exceeded and anything from here is a bonus.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Depends really, if you want Johnson to be left exposed definsively then play Walcott, if you want your right sided midfielder to help out defensively and keep the shape in midfield then he's doing his job is Milner. OK his passing is poor and could get forward more but the job he's been asked to do has been spot on.

I'm pleased with the 3 games, we've showed more in them games than we did whilst under Cappello. Tactics have been spot on, team selcection has been correct and we've played to our ability and done our jobs throughout the team. Lescott has been superb as has Gerrard and Parker.

I have nothing against Milner per se, what I do object to is having to play him because Johnson can't defend. It seems like a waste of a player having him in to cover Johnsons misgivings. It woildn't be so bad if Johnson did anything remotely useful going forward but he doesn't

 

[Rooter]

I have nothing against Milner per se, what I do object to is having to play him because Johnson can't defend. It seems like a waste of a player having him in to cover Johnsons misgivings. It woildn't be so bad if Johnson did anything remotely useful going forward but he doesn't

Johnson can though going forward, it's just the set up and the tactics that he hasn't... If you have watched any lfc this easy, you will know Johnson is a huge threat going forward, as is cole who has also been under used as an attacking option...

 

[Garesfield ACE]

Enger-land Enger-land Enger-land Enger-land

 

[Region3]

Milner is just horrible, but I don't agree with starting Walcott. He's good for a change of pace when the opposition are blowing towards the end of the game. Sadly, he's probably our best option, but he's truly gash.

I honestly think our best option in that position is still David Beckham. Yes he's getting on a bit, but he is still ridiculously fit and the best passer/crosser of a ball we've had in the last 20 years.

I'm also not convinced by Scott Parker as a football player. I'm pretty sure he's only been selected to block shots, because he's contributed absolutely NOTHING else in the first 3 games. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the blocked shots, but it would be nice for him to actually contribute to playing football as well.

I have to argue with you saying he does nothing.

Whenever our centre back has the ball, he runs towards them to receive the pass then passes it straight back to them first touch, and has his arms out for the ball again before it's even reached the defender.

Ray Wilkins Mk.II

 

[swanny32]

Scott Parker plays the role in a football team that always goes unoticed. Bosses the midfield, makes some excellent challenges and blocks and more importantly is an anchor for the rest of the midfield to push on and support the attacks. He's been, without a shadow of a doubt, our best player in all 3 games.

Been really disappointed in James Milner, which seems to be the trend at the moment, I would assume that Theo didn't start in place of him because of the slight knock Theo picked up, I fully expect him to take Milner's place against Italy on Sunday.

It's not been attractive football to say the least, but as a unit we have looked incredibly solid and teams have struggled to break us down, Sweden managed to score twice because we switched off for 10-15 minutes, we then showed our class and got the job done. I really think we have an excellent chance of winning the tournament this year, as we saw with Chelsea in the chamions league, unattractive but effective football wins games, especially against teams like Spain.

Italy is going to be the worst game of football the tournament has seen, I can almost guarantee that, but I think we have a lot more going forward than them, we just have to hope Rooney, Welbeck, Theo and Young turn up on the night and we'll be in the Semi's.

 

[Aztecs27]

I honestly think our best option in that position is still David Beckham. Yes he's getting on a bit, but he is still ridiculously fit and the best passer/crosser of a ball we've had in the last 20 years.





I have to argue with you saying he does nothing.

Whenever our centre back has the ball, he runs towards them to receive the pass then passes it straight back to them first touch, and has his arms out for the ball again before it's even reached the defender.

Ray Wilkins Mk.II

I would not be upset if David Beckham was in this squad!

As for the second comment; LOL

 

[richart]

Scott Parker is the defensive holding midfielder and does the job asked of him. He protects the two centre backs from being run at one on one. Neither is the quickest although Lescott has played better than I expected, and you know what you will get with Terry.

By playing 442 we are generally going to be out numbered in the middle of the pitch, so Parker is going to be limited in going forward. Even Gerrard is limited by the system , and it is up to the two wide men to support the front two. Unfortunately Milner is not good enough, and I would prefer to see Walcott. If you were a full back would you prefer Milner or Walcott running at you ?

Our system is counter attack, but it does annoy me when we play short balls into the wingers on the half way line with their backs to goal. Where can they go but back again, or run the ball out of play ? We need the front two to drop off and play into their feet. Rooney is usual a good option, except for yesterday when nothing was sticking. Hopefully he will be a lot sharper against the Italians.

Welbeck is also guilty of giving the ball away, and doen't seem physically strong enough yet. I would go with Carroll, get lots of crosses in from wide. 442 system needs a decent target man, in the Alan Shearer mould, and Carroll is the best option. I don't think Welbeck and Rooney linked up well against Ukraine, despite playing for the same club side.

Don't think there will be many chances against the Italians, with both sides trying to play on the break. Penalties anyone ?:mmm:

 

[pokerjoke]

I for one am pleased with England so far.
Seeing as i never expected them to get out of the group.
Really pleased with Lescott and Gerrard especially,finally showing the form
he produces for Liverpool week in week out.
I certainly wont be slagging the boys off.
All the forwards that have started have scored,so fair play.
All the teams have struggled to play 3 games in a week,in the heat,and
all have shown weaknesses.
But we could easily have been Holland or Sweden etc who are now on
there way home.
So come on England keep it going.
Im also for penalties after a score draw.