England's World Cup Year 2014.

[purpleronnie]

I'm not sure the players are under performing, we were ranked 3rd in our group and unless we do finish bottom then we're right on par.

[Dan]

Fine margins which we're on the end of (again).

 

Of course Pirlo controlled the game. Not that you'd know seeing as you supposedly 'forgot' the whole thing.

I'm not sure the players are under performing, we were ranked 3rd in our group and unless we do finish bottom then we're right on par.

 

Same here. We just aren't that good. It really is that simple.

[Guest MattP]

He didn't control the game, it was 2-1, in a game that could of gone either way and it eventually went the Italian's way because of switching off at a corner and a lapse in defending which let Balotelli score. Seriously answer me this, if Rooney takes his chance, England get the penalty which we should have had and won the game 3-2 would you still tell me Pirlo controlled the game? Doubt it. 

 

Uruguay have the best player in the world playing for them at the miniute, he scored twice. Nothing you can do, apart from blame the defending.. Again!

 

What we can discuss as our failings are the manager, our players under performing again at a major tournament and us as fans over hyping our players (myself the worst for that) but it certainly hasn't been because our opposition have been so much better than us, when we have lost 2-1 twice, narrowly. 

 

Come on mate, it's more embarrassing to continue to deny this than to just admit you got it wrong in the first place.

 

We have gone out because quite simply all over the pitch we aren't good enough and more importantly, smart enough.

[Grandad.]

Of course Pirlo controlled the game. Not that you'd know seeing as you supposedly 'forgot' the whole thing.

 

Like I said, if we had won that game would you still say he controlled the game? 

 

I have spoke to numerous people about the game, they have said Pirlo had a lot of the ball because we gave him an awful amount of time, he gave the ball square a lot and backwards, never threatening, so where was he in control? In his own half. Now if you had said De Rossi controlled the game then I would probably agree with you all, over 100 passes, winning tackles and going forward with passes and dictating how Italy played then fair enough. You have had it all drummed in your heads that Pirlo was the best player on the pitch that night, not your own views. You were told Pirlo made 108 passes yet nobody mentioned De Rossi making 105 in a more advanced position. 

 

Michael Carrick does pretty much the same for Man United but he is blasted for that style of football, average of 70 passes a game, Pirlo averages 69 passes a game, both really good stats, yet one is called a crab and is 'boring' but the other one is hailed the best and controls games. 

 

In England passing side ways and backwards 50 times in a game isn't attractive, in Italy its loved, that's how different the leagues are. 

[purpleronnie]

Come on mate, it's more embarrassing to continue to deny this than to just admit you got it wrong in the first place.

 

We have gone out because quite simply all over the pitch we aren't good enough and more importantly, smart enough.

That rarely get's mentioned but is hugely important and is definately one of the major failings of our national team.

[Dan]

Like I said, if we had won that game would you still say he controlled the game? 

 

I have spoke to numerous people about the game, they have said Pirlo had a lot of the ball because we gave him an awful amount of time, he gave the ball square a lot and backwards, never threatening, so where was he in control? In his own half. Now if you had said De Rossi controlled the game then I would probably agree with you all, over 100 passes, winning tackles and going forward with passes and dictating how Italy played then fair enough. You have had it all drummed in your heads that Pirlo was the best player on the pitch that night, not your own views. You were told Pirlo made 108 passes yet nobody mentioned De Rossi making 105 in a more advanced position. 

 

Michael Carrick does pretty much the same for Man United but he is blasted for that style of football, average of 70 passes a game, Pirlo averages 69 passes a game, both really good stats, yet one is called a crab and is 'boring' but the other one is hailed the best and controls games. 

 

In England passing side ways and backwards 50 times in a game isn't attractive, in Italy its loved, that's how different the leagues are. 

 

so you're telling me I've been told what I've seen, rather than what I've actually seen, what you claimed you had forgotten?

 

How many clear cut chances did England actually create other than the goal? I don't think Rooney's was as easy as it initially looked.

 

The fact you actually rate the number of passes made rather than what the passes were like says a lot. Pirlo was playing some that the likes of Carrick wouldn't have dreamed of. More composed than any of our team and like De Rossi, he had a very good game.

 

It's more loved in Italy because they're a lot better at it than we are.

[Grandad.]

so you're telling me I've been told what I've seen, rather than what I've actually seen, what you claimed you had forgotten?

 

How many clear cut chances did England actually create other than the goal? I don't think Rooney's was as easy as it initially looked.

 

The fact you actually rate the number of passes made rather than what the passes were like says a lot. Pirlo was playing some that the likes of Carrick wouldn't have dreamed of. More composed than any of our team and like De Rossi, he had a very good game.

 

It's more loved in Italy because they're a lot better at it than we are.

 

I'm not claiming I have seen anything, why are you trying to make this a massive argument? I clearly said what I was told, as I respect their football views then I will go on what they have said. 

 

I have said, De Rossi for me has controlled that game looking on the stats and what I have been told. Much more controlling when a midfielder has everything in his game, even if you narrowly beat someone 2-1. 

 

Are you really slating Carrick's passing range? You have no idea. He had a bad season that cost him his World Cup place, look at his season when Man United last won the league. You seriously haven't got a clue.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3JiSguaYk

[Manwell Pablo]

Like I said, if we had won that game would you still say he controlled the game? 

 

I have spoke to numerous people about the game, they have said Pirlo had a lot of the ball because we gave him an awful amount of time, he gave the ball square a lot and backwards, never threatening, so where was he in control? In his own half. Now if you had said De Rossi controlled the game then I would probably agree with you all, over 100 passes, winning tackles and going forward with passes and dictating how Italy played then fair enough. You have had it all drummed in your heads that Pirlo was the best player on the pitch that night, not your own views. You were told Pirlo made 108 passes yet nobody mentioned De Rossi making 105 in a more advanced position. 

 

Michael Carrick does pretty much the same for Man United but he is blasted for that style of football, average of 70 passes a game, Pirlo averages 69 passes a game, both really good stats, yet one is called a crab and is 'boring' but the other one is hailed the best and controls games. 

 

In England passing side ways and backwards 50 times in a game isn't attractive, in Italy its loved, that's how different the leagues are. 

 

Yes pretty sure I would of, as it's a simple fact. Was the best midfielder on the park, not to the extent of the last game but he was still the heart beat of the team. Although you are right De Rossi also had an excellent game.

[Grandad.]

Yes pretty sure I would of, as it's a simple fact. Was the best midfielder on the park, not to the extent of the last game but he was still the heart beat of the team. Although you are right De Rossi also had an excellent game.

 

That's what I mean for me, De Rossi has had a better game and controlled that game, sorry that may not conform with the Andrea Pirlo bandwagon but there you go, I can make my opinions without the use of Sky Sports, the BBC and a journalist tweeting something. That isn't aimed at you Manwell, just to the other people on here who rate a beard on whether someone is a good footballer or not. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I'm one that doesn't quite "get" the whole Pirlo rimjob and it does seem fashionable in our media to over egg the pudding, but he's a bloody good footballer and he killed us on Saturday. Not buying the "he had too much space" argument - finding the space and exploiting it makes a good midfielder, no?

[Grandad.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZMH3rzoQHU

 

I am struggling to see where Carrick would dream of any of them passes Dan LCFC? Your football opinion is very, very poor if you think Carrick can't pass the ball like Pirlo. 

 

Don't get me wrong Mike, finding space is the idea, something Gerrard couldn't do on Saturday, but that is because Italy had two workers hunting him down, we didn't have that, we should have Henderson and another body in there, like Wilshire to be doing that on Pirlo, instead of asking Sterling to do so. 

 

All I'm saying is he didn't kill us, he didn't undo us like people are saying he did, that pass video of Pirlo I have posted above will tell you he didn't cut us apart.. I think one through ball to Balotelli in the first half, the majority were 5 yard passes backwards and sideways like I said originally which people disagreed with again, yet there is the evidence. 

[Dan]

Didn't you once have the nerve to claim I'm arrogant? The way you harp on about others having 'poor opinions' yet you lambasted anyone who dared say Pirlo was better than Gerrard - before once again, Pirlo turns in a far better display than Gerrard.

 

If Carrick is so good, why hasn't he gone?

[Grandad.]

Didn't you once have the nerve to claim I'm arrogant? The way you harp on about others having 'poor opinions' yet you lambasted anyone who dared say Pirlo was better than Gerrard - before once again, Pirlo turns in a far better display than Gerrard.

 

If Carrick is so good, why hasn't he gone?

 

Clearly can't read then? I said Carrick has had a poor season, doesn't deserve to go. You said "Carrick wouldn't dream of passes" Pirlo was making, I have got you two videos up, one of Carrick's passes from the season that I mentioned when Man United last won the league and another video of Pirlo's passing from the game he 'cut through' England and passed side ways and backwards (mainly). That isn't me being arrogant, that is me just having knowledge of players and finding the evidence to back my claims. 

 

You do have a very poor opinion, for someone who has unlimited resources to see Michael Carrick play over a season and then claim he can't pass the ball like Pirlo suggests so as well. Even people who love Pirlo will tell you that Carrick can pass the ball as well as anyone in the world, yeah I did just say that. Again, the style in league differences prevent Carrick from having a lot of time on the ball, he gets the ball and gets rid of it. 

 

Unfortunately England players go into a different mode in international games, especially in the current climate they are playing in, we should of been all go from the start, not letting any Italian players have time on the ball, Henderson and Gerrard should have had another central midfielder with them steaming into De Rossi, Veratti and Pirlo especially, yeah it's not pretty but its effective and that's what our players are used to. From the get go it seems we let them dictate the way the game was played, Gerrard didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck like he does for Liverpool. There wasn't the Premier League tempo that our players are used to. When we were going through the glory years of English teams succeeding in the Champions League that was because we won the games early doors, European teams never knew what hit them early on! Sides took their Premier League tempo into Champions League games and Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan didn't know what hit them. 

 

Yet on the international scene, we change our style and try and play how everyone else does. 

[Manwell Pablo]

That's what I mean for me, De Rossi has had a better game and controlled that game, sorry that may not conform with the Andrea Pirlo bandwagon but there you go, I can make my opinions without the use of Sky Sports, the BBC and a journalist tweeting something. That isn't aimed at you Manwell, just to the other people on here who rate a beard on whether someone is a good footballer or not. 

 

Fair enough.

 

Controlling a game isn't really a De Rossi thing, it's a hard tackle here, a burst forward there, he doesn't sit back and dictate play. I think you misunderstand why he is so good and what people see in him to be honest. Very clever player, you comparison with Carrick is quite a good one, but Pirlo is much better. I'll admit there are people who'll sing his praises without having the first clue.

[Samilktray]

Now it's been confirmed that we are out, I feel pretty down to be honest.

Euro 2016, in Raheem we trust.

[iamafox]

Inevitable failure was going to happen anyway, no point feeling sentimental.

[Carl the Llama]

Relieved: I can stop caring now.

I'm taking this stupid hat off as soon as I get back from holiday to the computer with my regular hat saved on it.

[Manwell Pablo]

From another thread Lofty 

 

Pirless
Want to see seven pictures of a topless Michael Carrick? If the answer to that question is yes, what on earth are you doing on Football365? Get thyself over to MailOnline, who have seven such pictures of Carrick under the headline 'Michael Carrick is 'England's Andrea Pirlo'...so why is he in Barbados and not Brazil?'

He's England's Andrea Pirlo, is he? Really? We're pretty sure we've just watched a season where Carrick's pass completion rate was just 88.6% - marginally higher than Marouane Fellaini but lower than four of his United colleagues including Tom Cleverley. We're also pretty sure he contributed just one assist and no goals despite starting 26 Premier League games. So where did this Andrea Pirlo (four goals, six assists last season) nonsense come from?

'Carrick has been likened to Andrea Pirlo by Sportsmail's Adrian Durham.'

Ah. Nonsense entirely explained.

[Grandad.]

From another thread Lofty 

 

Pirless

Want to see seven pictures of a topless Michael Carrick? If the answer to that question is yes, what on earth are you doing on Football365? Get thyself over to MailOnline, who have seven such pictures of Carrick under the headline 'Michael Carrick is 'England's Andrea Pirlo'...so why is he in Barbados and not Brazil?'

He's England's Andrea Pirlo, is he? Really? We're pretty sure we've just watched a season where Carrick's pass completion rate was just 88.6% - marginally higher than Marouane Fellaini but lower than four of his United colleagues including Tom Cleverley. We're also pretty sure he contributed just one assist and no goals despite starting 26 Premier League games. So where did this Andrea Pirlo (four goals, six assists last season) nonsense come from?

'Carrick has been likened to Andrea Pirlo by Sportsmail's Adrian Durham.'

Ah. Nonsense entirely explained.

 

What?

 

I clearly said Michael Carrick isn't in Brazil because this season he hasn't been good enough, never once said Carrick was a world beater, I simply said Carrick is the same kind of player as Pirlo and in this country it is not appreciated like Pirlo is in Italy. Carrick can pass the ball just as well Pirlo, like the video above suggests.

 

Thought Pirlo was absolutely fantastic tonight v Costa Rica, completely and utterly controlled that game.

[Kitchandro]

Carrick as good as Pirlo

 

I've heard it all now.

[MC Prussian]

What?

 

I clearly said Michael Carrick isn't in Brazil because this season he hasn't been good enough, never once said Carrick was a world beater, I simply said Carrick is the same kind of player as Pirlo and in this country it is not appreciated like Pirlo is in Italy. Carrick can pass the ball just as well Pirlo, like the video above suggests.

 

Thought Pirlo was absolutely fantastic tonight v Costa Rica, completely and utterly controlled that game.

Michael Carrick may one day be the same kind of a player that Pirlo is for Italy and Juventus - but that's pushing it.

 

If it hadn't been for Manwell, I'd have completely forgotten about Carrick in the first place. He's so versatile, precise and appreciated that he works best when he goes missing.

[Grandad.]

Carrick as good as Pirlo

 

I've heard it all now.

 

I've not said that have I kick boxer? 

Dan LCFC said that Carrick dreams of the kind of passing Pirlo was making Saturday night, clearly shown you two videos, Pirlo's passing 'range' of backwards, sideways and the occasional attempted through ball and the other video of Michael Carrick from the previous title winning season that shows Carrick is more than capable of the same passing range Pirlo is capable of. 

 

Never once said Carrick is better than Pirlo. 

[Dan]

OK then. Fair play. You're right in saying I've under-estimated Carrick's actual passing range.

 

But that doesn't mean that he's any better at what he does than Pirlo is. You stated he 'does the same'. Does he? I didn't see him doing that for England. A video of his best highlights over a few years isn't going to convince me that he's got the consistency to control games that Pirlo has.

 

Pirlo was 'OK' against Costa Rica. Played some very decent passes - largely let down by the fact the timing of his team-mates' runs were appalling throughout and the fact Costa Rica made ten times the effort to stop him playing than England have in either game.

 

We have no midfielder at his level. No doubt about it.

[Manwell Pablo]

What?

 

I clearly said Michael Carrick isn't in Brazil because this season he hasn't been good enough, never once said Carrick was a world beater, I simply said Carrick is the same kind of player as Pirlo and in this country it is not appreciated like Pirlo is in Italy. Carrick can pass the ball just as well Pirlo, like the video above suggests.

 

Thought Pirlo was absolutely fantastic tonight v Costa Rica, completely and utterly controlled that game.

 

They were collectively wank today not his best game. 

[Grandad.]

OK then. Fair play. You're right in saying I've under-estimated Carrick's actual passing range.

 

But that doesn't mean that he's any better at what he does than Pirlo is. You stated he 'does the same'. Does he? I didn't see him doing that for England. A video of his best highlights over a few years isn't going to convince me that he's got the consistency to control games that Pirlo has.

 

Pirlo was 'OK' against Costa Rica. Played some very decent passes - largely let down by the fact the timing of his team-mates' runs were appalling throughout and the fact Costa Rica made ten times the effort to stop him playing than England have in either game.

 

We have no midfielder at his level. No doubt about it.

 

Er consistency? That video of Carrick was from one season, that is very consistent in my eyes, maybe if the World Cup was at the end of 12/13 season then things would of been a lot different, things could of been a lot different if Hodgson hadn't persisted with die hard Scotty Parker at Euro 2012 and instead opted for Michael Carrick, we will never know.  

 

Like I have said, three times now, I never once said Carrick was better than Pirlo, I said Carrick is similar to Pirlo but because of the style of English football and mainly English fans Carrick will never be appreciated in this country like Pirlo is in Italy. 

 

Carrick hasn't been good enough to play for England this season, terrible in fact for Man United. I just simply wanted to prove you wrong when you said "Carrick dreams of the passes Pirlo was making" Saturday night, that is all. You have said that I have said Carrick is better than Pirlo, which clearly isn't true.