England 0-0 Honduras

[Kitchandro]

My observations on the one and a half games I've seen vs Ecuador and Honduras:

 

1) These South & Central American sides are right dirty fvckers. Woy will be glad to see the end of these matches because he must have been just waiting for another injury.

 

2) We're moving the ball around with a good tempo and some nice touches at times.

 

3) The defence, as expected, is not convincing at all.

 

4) The 4-3-3 we seemed to be playing tonight didn't work for me. We seemed to be trying to play some kind of total football with everyone playing everywhere, but players just ended up on top of each other too often and we struggled to find space when it mattered.

 

5) Though we are showing positive signs of putting moves together and several players look capable of unlocking the defence, it's a bit concerning that we aren't creating that many chances. Our final ball lacked tonight, but I think the system is partly to blame for this. We're playing nice football but we're not doing the right things in the right areas.

 

6) Not an observation from the two matches as such - but what are we still doing in Miami? We're going to have less than a week in Rio, only to jet off to Manaus before Saturday where the conditions will be a complete shock to us. No doubt the Italians will be better prepared, as usual. People wonder why we never win  world cups and certain other nations do, well it's partly because they are better professionals.

 

7) Wilshere was one of the better performers in the second half tonight, not sure what game some of you were watching. I think people are still talking about the season he had for Arsenal rather than what he's doing right now. To me he looks sharp, positive and comfortable on the ball. It's Henderson who for me is not quite starting 11 material. (Though i accept the first half may have been a different story).

 

8) Welbeck is still crap, and has the touch of a blacksmith.

 

 

Overall I'm neither disheartened nor hugely encouraged by what I've seen - my view remains the same. The group is wide open and we're capable of either topping it or  going out. We have a side full of promise and excitement, and that makes a nice change. I just hope Woy sees the light with a couple of his selections.

 

I'm hoping everything will click next week, because in fairness, we are tying to do some of the right things in terms of the way we are approaching matches, even if we're not the finished article by any means.

[Donut]

My observations on the one and a half games I've seen vs Ecuador and Honduras:

 

1) These South & Central American sides are right dirty fvckers. Woy will be glad to see the end of these matches because he must have been just waiting for another injury.

 

2) We're moving the ball around with a good tempo and some nice touches at times.

 

3) The defence, as expected, is not convincing at all.

 

4) The 4-3-3 we seemed to be playing tonight didn't work for me. We seemed to be trying to play some kind of total football with everyone playing everywhere, but players just ended up on top of each other too often and we struggled to find space when it mattered.

 

5) Though we are showing positive signs of putting moves together and several players look capable of unlocking the defence, it's a bit concerning that we aren't creating that many chances. Our final ball lacked tonight, but I think the system is partly to blame for this. We're playing nice football but we're not doing the right things in the right areas.

 

6) Not an observation from the two matches as such - but what are we still doing in Miami? We're going to have less than a week in Rio, only to jet off to Manaus before Saturday where the conditions will be a complete shock to us. No doubt the Italians will be better prepared, as usual. People wonder why we never win  world cups and certain other nations do, well it's partly because they are better professionals.

 

7) Wilshere was one of the better performers in the second half tonight, not sure what game some of you were watching. I think people are still talking about the season he had for Arsenal rather than what he's doing right now. To me he looks sharp, positive and comfortable on the ball. It's Henderson who for me is not quite starting 11 material.

 

8) Welbeck is still crap, and has the touch of a blacksmith.

 

Wow. cant say i agree with this at all. Wilshere was utterly diabolical, as he was against Ecuador.

[Manwell Pablo]

Wow. cant say i agree with this at all. Wilshere was utterly diabolical, as he was against Ecuador.

 

Tread carefully mate, he's a black belt.

[Tielemans63]

6) Not an observation from the two matches as such - but what are we still doing in Miami? We're going to have less than a week in Rio, only to jet off to Manaus before Saturday where the conditions will be a complete shock to us. No doubt the Italians will be better prepared, as usual. People wonder why we never win world cups and certain other nations do, well it's partly because they are better professionals.

Totally agree with you here. There must be the same guy at the FA whose job it is to **** up the preparations for every tournament.

Who thought playing a notoriously brutal Honduras side would be good preparation either? Have they got William Wallace masking the pre tournament arrangements?

[BlueSi13]

Wow. cant say i agree with this at all. Wilshere was utterly diabolical, as he was against Ecuador.

I also don't agree with that at all.  For me he is easily one of England's most technically gifted players who more often than not will look to receive the ball, turn, dribble, look to take players on and make a killer pass behind the oppositions defence.  His issue at the moment is lack of game-time which has been a blight throughout his career with his neverending injuries.  For me he easily outperformed the lethargic and turgid Gerrard and Henderson tonight and deserves a place in the starting line-up against Italy, but that's just my opinion.

[Tielemans63]

Tread carefully mate, he's a black belt.

[StanSP]

Barkley was better than any midfielder tonight. 

 

So positive and it rubs off on the rest of the team too. 

[Dan]

I don't think there's a way of comprehending how utterly awful that was. Embarrassing.

[Bert]

I don't think there's a way of comprehending how utterly awful that was. Embarrassing.

Slight over reaction.

[Dan]

Slight over reaction.

 

No it really isn't. We were completely clueless against a diabolical Honduras side.

 

Few notes from that game;

 

- Honduras were a disgrace. Nothing to do with their tactics, I can fully respect why they'd practice parking the bus, but was there really any need for some of their antics tonight? Some will claim they're a tough tackling side but incidents like Izaguirre on Sturridge isn't being assertive/tough - that is acting like a scumbag trying to injure our players. What do they have against us?

 

- The Rooney situation is beginning to seriously piss me off. I don't get the bloke. He is so much better than this - how long can we keep giving him a chance that he might do something when his all-round contribution (which has often been a strength) is becoming more and more limited? Cannot work it out.

 

- Barkley did more in about five minutes than Rooney did all game, but even he went quiet in the end and spent most of the time trying to do unnecessary flicks. I'd still start him against Italy though as he actually carries a threat.

 

- Lallana for me has been a disappointment in these games. I really expected him to show his quality but he's been a passenger.

 

- Danny Welbeck was actually one of our better players tonight and I'm serious - but that shouldn't be an achievement.

 

- Wilshere always tries to make things happen, but hardly ever does.

 

- Sturridge's finishing was well-off.

 

- Baines had a decent game.

 

- Johnson was laughable.

 

I know it's a friendly, but this is a week before it's all underway and there was barely a single positive to take. The only saving grace in my opinion is that Italy actually managed to produce an even shitter result in their friendly.

 

I didn't expect us to be entertaining but we barely forced their keeper into any saves. I'm sorry but that wasn't on.

 

Sort the hell out England. We are so much better than this.

[Dan]

2) We're moving the ball around with a good tempo and some nice touches at times.

 

 

I often agree with you but I don't think I've ever disagreed with anything on here more.

[Guest Col city fan]

The whole England enigma.

In my lifetime, the only England squads I've seen having half a chance of winning anything were Bobby Robson's and El Tel's.

The rest? Forget it.

[Aus Fox]

The whole England enigma.

In my lifetime, the only England squads I've seen having half a chance of winning anything were Bobby Robson's and El Tel's.

The rest? Forget it.

I really thought Glenn Hoddels England was better than Robson's England. Yes Robson's got to the semis but try we're poor in the group stages and snuck through after winning just one game against Egypt, an extra time winner vs Belgium and minutes from going out against Cameroon.

[morris1234]

Chris....Smalling....just no

Discuss

[Grandad.]

I'm not even just saying this but I thought Henderson was the best player on the pitch last night, Hodgson is playing him far too deep though, last night there was no need for both Gerrard and Henderson to be protecting the back four. 

 

This 4-2-3-1 is not going to work with Rooney as the 10 and Welbeck out wide, it's really not and you can't play Lallana from the right either. 

 

It will be criminal if we don't start with Sterling and Barkley. 

 

Sturridge will find the goal, trust me. Baines did well, Cahill looked solid, still a question mark over Jagielka, Johnson needs killing and Gerrard looked a bit crab like last night, shame Roy hasn't adopted the Liverpool way but I never expected him too, far to boring for that. 

[morris1234]

Front 4 needs to be sterling, Barkley, ox and sturridge. All deserve it

Lallana, like Rooney, I feel isn't best utilised having to cut inside constantly to get in the game.

I thought Henderson did well but I too see no reason we need two covering. Gerrard sitting like he does for Liverpool with lallana getting us up the pitch with his very very clever feet.

We've tried cautious before and when we go goal(s) down we are too easy to shut out and it takes an age for us to make a change/ find some momentum.

Continue to play quick!! Allthough sturridge had a decent opportunity, getting it wide and swinging deep crosses in won't work particularly when queuing up on the edge of the box

[sdb]

Agree with a lot on this page. Wilshere is vastly overrated and was so poor last night. Just because he looks busy doesn't mean he's good. Usually he's chasing balls he's lost of berating officials. He does f all of any use.

Rooney is taking the piss now. Again, vastly overrated. I've had him in my XI for Italy due to his big game experience but I'm changing my mind on that now. He is just a name who is actually no better than many others in the squad.

Square pegs in round holes are never ideal but in a World Cup it's even more frustrating to watch. Wellbeck is barely a striker but to play him elsewhere when we have good players in those positions is very frustrating.

3 players there who I hope are sat on the bench next Saturday night.

[theessexfox]

Fell asleep early in the second half, what was the red like? How did we not score? 

[Tielemans63]

I'm not even just saying this but I thought Henderson was the best player on the pitch last night, Hodgson is playing him far too deep though, last night there was no need for both Gerrard and Henderson to be protecting the back four.

This 4-2-3-1 is not going to work with Rooney as the 10 and Welbeck out wide, it's really not and you can't play Lallana from the right either.

It will be criminal if we don't start with Sterling and Barkley.

Sturridge will find the goal, trust me. Baines did well, Cahill looked solid, still a question mark over Jagielka, Johnson needs killing and Gerrard looked a bit crab like last night, shame Roy hasn't adopted the Liverpool way but I never expected him too, far to boring for that.

Totally agree with this analysis. Having two screening players is a total waste of time. Only thing I differ on is that I thought Cahill looked just as shakey as Jags if nor more so. I like him but thought his distribution was awful last night.

[StanSP]

Fell asleep early in the second half, what was the red like? How did we not score? 

 

Their guy's forearm/elbow went across Baines' face when it didn't really need to happen.

 

But then Cahill's elbow went in to the back of their striker (it was quite obvious) but only got booked. 

 

We didn't score because we lacked that extra bit of quality up front. Barkley made a big impact when he came on but it sometimes feels like there aren't enough players on his wavelength. 

[Stadt]

Wilshere spends more time on the floor than playing football

[Grandad.]

Totally agree with this analysis. Having two screening players is a total waste of time. Only thing I differ on is that I thought Cahill looked just as shakey as Jags if nor more so. I like him but thought his distribution was awful last night.

 

Yeah his distribution does let him down sometimes, I will agree with that. 

[Grandad.]

Wilshere spends more time on the floor than playing football

 

Another insightful post from the 13 year old.

 

Wilshire is just another option off the bench for me, don't think he will start and I don't think he will get much game time, if we are chasing a game then you would hope Roy would bring on Lambert, Barkley, Rooney or Sterling (God knows who will start) and if we are seeing a game out you would think Roy would bring Lampard on ahead of him for his experience. 

 

I thought Wilshire links well with Barkley, they seem to be on the same wavelength in fairness but you can't play the both of them, I don't think anyway. 

[Stadt]

Another insightful post from the 13 year old.

Wilshire is just another option off the bench for me, don't think he will start and I don't think he will get much game time, if we are chasing a game then you would hope Roy would bring on Lambert, Barkley, Rooney or Sterling (God knows who will start) and if we are seeing a game out you would think Roy would bring Lampard on ahead of him for his experience.

I thought Wilshire links well with Barkley, they seem to be on the same wavelength in fairness but you can't play the both of them, I don't think anyway.

I appreciate what Wilshere does and he is a good player but he does spend far too much time on the floor and arguing with the ref.

But Wishere does add more energy and can change the tempo of attacks so he definitely won't start.

[Banks]

Have to play with no fear otherwise we won't end up getting out of our group. Drop Rooney and have Oxlade Chamberlain, Sterling, Lallana and Sturridge as a front four. Gerrard sitting with Henderson in advance. Rooney doesn't deserve to start on form, other reason is he doesn't fit our style of play, the four that should be picked are all quick, flair players. If things aren't going to plan then we can send Rooney/Lambert and Barkley on. Still think we'll have a much better chance of going further if we play Ox/Lallana/Sterling and Sturridge.