England 2-2 Ecuador

[Grandad.]

Didn't expect much but I was pleasantly surprised this evening, nice to see young lads run at players without fear. He hasn't seemed to get a good reaction tonight, but I thought Wilshire was good tonight. 

 

Milner did ok at right back I thought as well, gutted for the Ox, looks like he will miss the tournament. If anyone thinks Rooney did enough tonight to warrant a start in 10 days time then they are more deluded than the owl who is managing us. 

 

After the two games so far, my starting line up has changed some what now Hodgson is pretty set on the 4-2-3-1 formation. 

 

Hart

 

Milner -- Cahill -- Jagielka -- Baines

 

Gerrard -- Henderson 

 

Sterling -- Barkley -- Lallana

 

Sturridge

 

No chance he would leave both Welbeck and Rooney out but that for me is the way to go, fearless. 

 

I see a few people are leaving Lallana out of their sides now, funny how things and opinions change in a matter of days isn't it?

[ScouseFox]

yeah i'm massively stuck on rooney now, he just isn't fitting in this system and team. 

 

if we started with that team i'd be happy, ox would be in there with a shout over lallana possibly if fit but not looking likely. 

 

barkley, sterling, lallana and oxlade chamberlain all in this squad ready to be let loose and run is just ridiculously exciting. if only we had a few decent defenders we would be a quality little outfit. 

[Grandad.]

Antonio Valencia, what a willy puller by the way. Am I the only person who thought Sterling took the ball and there wasn't anything wrong with the tackle? Terrible from Valencia, no need at all. 

 

Loved the togetherness of the lads when a little bit of pushing started, Wilshire storming in and Jones and Smalling, good to see. 

 

Great captaincy from Stevie as well, walking Raheem off who looked devastated. 

[Mikey]

Antonio Valencia, what a willy puller by the way. Am I the only person who thought Sterling took the ball and there wasn't anything wrong with the tackle? Terrible from Valencia, no need at all. 

 

Loved the togetherness of the lads when a little bit of pushing started, Wilshire storming in and Jones and Smalling, good to see. 

 

Great captaincy from Stevie as well, walking Raheem off who looked devastated. 

 

Was an overreaction by Valencia but I can completely understand why Valencia was pissed off. Don't think Sterling should have been sent off but those pictures clearly show Sterling making contact on Valencias ankle, in what was pretty much a needless tackle. 

 

If I was about to captain my country at a World Cup in 10 days, and someone came in on me like that in a friendly 10 minutes before the end I'd have something to say about it. Probably wouldn't start pushing and shoving like he did but there'd be a reaction.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I've defended Rooney on here through hell and high water, and still think he's an outrageous footballer, but as has been said; it seems to be an issue fitting him into this side. That, coupled with the thought of a Sterling - Barkley - Lallana trio feeding Sturridge has left me feeling indifferent on whether or not I'd include him.

 

We all know Welbeck'll probably be on the wing anyway, that isn't a slight at him because I think he gets an unfairly bad rap - but it will be.

 

As martyn said, if Milner could sort his positional qualities out defensively he'd be a much better bet than Johnson at full back, uses the ball intelligently. 

 

Gutted for the Ox.

[Donut]

Antonio Valencia, what a willy puller by the way. Am I the only person who thought Sterling took the ball and there wasn't anything wrong with the tackle? Terrible from Valencia, no need at all. 

 

Loved the togetherness of the lads when a little bit of pushing started, Wilshire storming in and Jones and Smalling, good to see. 

 

Great captaincy from Stevie as well, walking Raheem off who looked devastated. 

 

Ive got to say, and this is not because weve disagreed in the past, but it was reckless and needless from Sterling. The Valencia reaction i can understand, it was dangerous from Sterling and if he had connected he could have injured Valencia and put him out of the world cup. Im all for passion and commitment but i didnt feel like Sterling needed to make the tackle.

 

Sterling only caught a miniscule amount of the ball whilst going in over the top of it with studs up, and he should be mature enough to know that he is running the risk doing that in a game. Reckless and immature. Do that in a meaningful game, he will be villified.

[The Year Of The Fox]

I can fully understand why Valencia reacted like he did, it was a ridiculous boneheaded challenge by Sterling that could have put Valencia out of the world cup if it had connected and it was a warmup game. It was in a nothing area of the pitch on the touchline on Valencia's blindside. Sterling was a twat.

My view too mate. Shocking challenge and if AV had done that to RS there'd be uproar.

[Finnegan]

You can slow it down as much as you like, it's irrelevant, the ref doesn't have freeze frame vision.

You go flying in at two hundred miles an hour with your legs every where you're going to make the ref make a decision in the modern game.

Valencia's reaction won't help but if you can't see why Sterling got sent off (whether or not he absolutely should have by the letter of the law) you're being a plonker. If Valencia hadn't got out the way he'd have been devastated.

[Nalis]

Ecuador player clearly went for him. He needs banning from the world cup if Oxlade-Chamberlain is out.

Bit of an OTT comment. So using that logic are you suggesting Sterling should be banned for a poorer challenge moments later?

[Bert]

To be fair. It was a bad tackle for a friendly from Sterling right before a World Cup, a booking in a league but nothing more. Valencia's reaction got them sent off. Can understand why Valencia went mad though having had a bad leg break before.

[David Guiza]

The back 4 in both games haven't filled me with confidence, it's alright having these attacking players who will hopefully go out and win us games. I would have personally swallowed my pride and taken John Terry, regardless of off the field, he has had a decent season and struck a good partnership with Cahill. I can see a very similar starting XI to that against Peru (as most are speculating), I think the players that didn't feature last night at all says a lot also.

Looking quite likely that the Ox may be out of the world cup. Wonder if he'll call up Flannagan as extra cover at full back or go with Cleverly/Carrick if so.

[Guest Col city fan]

To be fair. It was a bad tackle for a friendly from Sterling right before a World Cup, a booking in a league but nothing more. Valencia's reaction got them sent off. Can understand why Valencia went mad though having had a bad leg break before.

Spot on Bertie.

If it was me, with the World Cup round the corner, I'd have been livid.

As an aside, re. The Oxlade incident, I think the Ecuadorian left his leg in. Could be a big blow for England.

[kingcarr21]

So what did i learn from last nights game.

 

Milner is Versatile but playing RB is a step too far.

Smalling wont be breaking into the 1st 11 anytime soon.

Lampard couldnt keep up with the pace of the game.

Sterling (although admirable coming back and defending) needs to curb his enthusiasm. Tackles like that maybe yellow card in the league but will be severley punished in the world cup. 

Oxlade is a serious contender to start (providing he isnt injured which to me it doesnt look good)

Barkley played well and looked dangerous but maybe needs to look for the better option.

Wilshere for me shoudnt be ahead of Henderson.

 

My main concern is Rooney. Part of me thinks he should be taken out the limelight and start on the bench. But then we could have another Gazza situation where coming off the bench ur non existant. Players like Gazza and Rooney for me are confidence players and you wont build confidence if ur dropped to the bench.

 

My starting 11 from what i suggested before has a couple of changes

 

Hart

 

Johnson  Cahill  Jagielka  Baines

 

Gerrard  Henderson

 

Oxlade        Rooney       Lallana

 

Sturridge

 

I had sterling in for the Ox before and Barkley in for Rooney. But now i think if the Ox isnt injured he should start. Looked a real threat yesterday. Rooney i would start behind Sturridge and encourage him to get forward and not come back to look for the ball. Rooney gets off to a good start against Italy and he will be full of confidence for the rest of the tournament.

 

A shout for Lambert aswel as he had a good game yesterday. He should most definately play a good part of this world cup.

[Haydos]

I'll just say as well, the type of match it is shouldn't determine the decision. I won't disagree with those saying it's a 'silly' challenge and whatnot because it is right before the world cup but that has no bearing on the outcome.

[Grandad.]

People can understand Valencia's reaction?  

 

I'm not saying this because it's me and I'm a Liverpool fan, imagine if we didn't have Uruguay in our group and we played them and Suarez reacted like that to a tackle?

 

Absolutely ridiculous, it wasn't a foul, the linesman didn't even give a foul! Simple fact is, he took the ball. 

[Aus Fox]

So what did i learn from last nights game.

Milner is Versatile but playing RB is a step too far.

Smalling wont be breaking into the 1st 11 anytime soon.

Lampard couldnt keep up with the pace of the game.

Sterling (although admirable coming back and defending) needs to curb his enthusiasm. Tackles like that maybe yellow card in the league but will be severley punished in the world cup.

Oxlade is a serious contender to start (providing he isnt injured which to me it doesnt look good)

Barkley played well and looked dangerous but maybe needs to look for the better option.

Wilshere for me shoudnt be ahead of Henderson.

My main concern is Rooney. Part of me thinks he should be taken out the limelight and start on the bench. But then we could have another Gazza situation where coming off the bench ur non existant. Players like Gazza and Rooney for me are confidence players and you wont build confidence if ur dropped to the bench.

My starting 11 from what i suggested before has a couple of changes

Hart

Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines

Gerrard Henderson

Oxlade Rooney Lallana

Sturridge

I had sterling in for the Ox before and Barkley in for Rooney. But now i think if the Ox isnt injured he should start. Looked a real threat yesterday. Rooney i would start behind Sturridge and encourage him to get forward and not come back to look for the ball. Rooney gets off to a good start against Italy and he will be full of confidence for the rest of the tournament.

A shout for Lambert aswel as he had a good game yesterday. He should most definately play a good part of this world cup.

That's the 11 for me with quality such as Barkley and Stirling to come on and change games, the defence is the week point but I feel if that 11 are all for we will make the quarters.

[David Guiza]

People can understand Valencia's reaction?

 

I'm not saying this because it's me and I'm a Liverpool fan, imagine if we didn't have Uruguay in our group and we played them and Suarez reacted like that to a tackle?

 

Absolutely ridiculous, it wasn't a foul, the linesman didn't even give a foul! Simple fact is, he took the ball. 

I don't think people are condoning it as such. It was a massive overreaction, but it's nothing to do with the fact it's Valencia. Nobody deserves to miss a World Cup through injury is the point people are making. Whether or not you agree that the tackle could have ended his World Cup is another matter altogether; I personally don't.

[AKCJ]

People can understand Valencia's reaction?

 

I'm not saying this because it's me and I'm a Liverpool fan, imagine if we didn't have Uruguay in our group and we played them and Suarez reacted like that to a tackle?

 

Absolutely ridiculous, it wasn't a foul, the linesman didn't even give a foul! Simple fact is, he took the ball. 

 

 

Flip the situation, if it was the other way around and Valenia slid from behind (fairly, but aggressively) then I bet you'd understand.

 

For me, there was no reason to put his hands around Sterling's neck. But definitely reason to throw some choice words and to point his finger aggressively at him.

 

Sterling was out of order, he was miles too worked up with the game. He wanted to win every ball and tackle anyone in his way, which is admirable but not what you need a week before the World Cup. Sterling could easily have nicked the back of Valencia's calf which could easily stop him from partaking in his dreams.

 

All in all, Sterling was miles too eager to win the ball in a nothing area of the pitch and he should learn the difference between a game between Man United and Liverpool in the Premier League and a friendly between England and Ecuador in a half empty stadium in Miami. Theres a time and a place for going in hard, and last night it.

 

I admire his eagerness though, he clearly didn't want to injure him but there really wasn't any need. I'd be annoyed if some Ecuadorian teenager slid through and put our best player onto the treatment table.

[Grandad.]

Did you see Gerrard kick off when that idiot Peru player flew in on him Friday night? No. 

 

Absolutely ridiculous, people have said they can understand that reaction of Valencia, it was bang out of order. 

 

There is actually **** all wrong with that tackle from Sterling, **** all. Now the kid probably wont start v Italy now because he is out of the Honduras game. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyFn4MhvRck

[One Legged Beaver]

As a neutral the tackle was just unnecessary and reckless, but warranted nothing more than a yellow. Valencia was deservedly sent off for being a moronic thug in the aftermath.

[AKCJ]

Did you see Gerrard kick off when that idiot Peru player flew in on him Friday night? No. 

 

Absolutely ridiculous, people have said they can understand that reaction of Valencia, it was bang out of order. 

 

There is actually **** all wrong with that tackle from Sterling, **** all. Now the kid probably wont start v Italy now because he is out of the Honduras game. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyFn4MhvRck

 

 

 

No, Gerrard didn't react badly and that's admirable. But he would have had the right to do so.

 

 

I don't think it'll have any impact on whether or not he'll play against Italy. 

[Grandad.]

No, Gerrard didn't react badly and that's admirable. But he would have had the right to do so.

 

 

I don't think it'll have any impact on whether or not he'll play against Italy. 

 

It will mate, I think the Honduras team will be the team that starts v Italy. Hence the exclusions of Welbeck, Sturridge, Lallana and Sterling. 

 

There is no chance that the tackle deserves a red card, and you can't react how Valencia did, you have no right to do so whatsoever. The linesman didn't even give a free kick haha and he was right infront of it, there wouldn't of been a free kick if it wasn't for that pathetic reaction. 

[AKCJ]

It will mate, I think the Honduras team will be the team that starts v Italy. Hence the exclusions of Welbeck, Sturridge, Lallana and Sterling. 

 

There is no chance that the tackle deserves a red card, and you can't react how Valencia did, you have no right to do so whatsoever. The linesman didn't even give a free kick haha and he was right infront of it, there wouldn't of been a free kick if it wasn't for that pathetic reaction. 

 

 

 

Look, don;t get me wrong. I'm not saying it was a red. It's not even a foul.

 

I'm just saying there was no need to go in so hard when the ball was in a nothing area of the pitch in a nothing game.

 

I'm not condoning Valencia's actions, i'm just saying that I sympathise with him because in the heat of the moment i'd probably do something similar. The need to make that tackle was nothing compared to the risk.

 

I think that Hodgson is experienced enough to realise that he's a young player keen to impress. If he misses out then I assume it'll be because he thinks that there are better players in his position but I think he'll start against Italy now that AOC is injured.

 

If it takes up until a week before the finals to get a clear understanding of your first 11 then we're ****ed. But he'll know who he wants to face Italy, I imagine he'll have had a rough idea for months.

[ScouseFox]

sterling is a kid and is trying to impress in any way he can so he'll start at the world cup. he went in for a tackle, misplaced it slightly going over the ball. 

 

valencia is a seasoned pro who got caught (hardly) and turned round and grabbed sterling by the throat as if he'd just tried to shag his mum. 

 

both unnecessary but valencia is the reason both were sent off.

[Bert]

It was a scissors type tackle that could've caused injury. And that was what Valencia's problem was with it. Sterling didn't deserve the red it's plain for everyone to see that he's won the ball.

Sad state of the game today is that type of challenge is now a yellow card minimum in the English league whether he wins the ball or not. It's about whether the player was reckless in the challenge and it certainly wasn't the cleanest tackle you'll ever see. It's actually a good job Sterling did get the ball.