International Football thread

[Gingerfinch]

Didn't see the game but saw the goals, and very brief highlights. Pity Butland let one in from 25 yards as I rate him, and am not a huge Hart fan.

Good goals from all three of our 'new generation' and a by the sounds of it a good display with some fluency at last.

I'm not going to write off Rooney just yet. He'll be at the Euros, and will definitely start, well 99% definite.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I prefer Forster and Butland ahead of Hart. Hart is prone to a howler and he has to punch everything that comes in the box, but no doubt he will start.

Not sure Rooney will be fit enough to play but this injury break will mean he will have recharged his ageing batteries in time for the tournament.

I'd go with the form players from Leicester and Spurs when the tournament starts but how much is the race for the title going to take out of them, mentally and physically, over the next two months?

[sussexpob]

Didn't see the game but saw the goals, and very brief highlights. Pity Butland let one in from 25 yards as I rate him, and am not a huge Hart fan.

In fairness to Butland, he kicked out the ball about 10 seconds before the goal and injured himself. He was in clear pain, and was struggling to move when Kroos shot.... dont think you can therefore give him that much of a hard time. In a friendly situation he was naive to try to play on. He should have laid down and the ball would have been kicked out. He went off injured after taking a few minutes treatment before the game resumed.

[sussexpob]

I'm not going to write off Rooney just yet. He'll be at the Euros, and will definitely start, well 99% definite.

Thats crazy talk for me. He isnt even fit, hasnt been anywhere near his best for a while, and is certainly nowhere near the form of others. There are simply better options to pick.

England always default to this annoying state of never having the balls to cut away from options that dont work based on reputation. Rooney was poor in the lead up to the last world cup, and the only thing I remember about him in that world cup was that horrendous miss he made.

We all know Roy will pick him, and totally compromise the team by playing Rooney in the 10 role he is totally incapable of being effective in, but its the nature of the English press that he will get blamed for doing that, while also being blamed for not picking Captain fantastic if England dont win.

Rooney's time has passed for me. Alli was brilliant yesterday, and Kane and Vardy both scored brilliant goals...... sod Rooney, go with the youngsters!

[sussexpob]

To illustrate the point, there have been many journalists who have been suggesting Jack Wilshere go to the Euro's. Quite a lot in fact. Started 9 games in 2 seasons....... simply crazy talk.

In fact, the journo from the mirror was stating Wilshere was the future leader of the England team and that he needed to go simply because he was that important.

Its arguable if he will even have a career in two years. He has just turned 24 and has basically spent 3 whole seasons already injured, and in the seasons he plays he has consistently broken down.

How anyone can suggest a player who cant even get through 90 minutes should be starting for the nation is worrying

[budgetmeansbudget]

Hodgson is loyal to his players and has been pretty clear about Wilshere coming back in the team if he's fit.

I say forget him, but note that before he got injured he was MOM in four successive qualifying games.

[Aidan11]

Didn't take long...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35906718

[Gingerfinch]

Rooney will start if fit. Whether he should, possibly not. Another good thing about last night is Sterling's place is in serious doubt.

[sussexpob]

Hodgson is loyal to his players and has been pretty clear about Wilshere coming back in the team if he's fit.

I say forget him, but note that before he got injured he was MOM in four successive qualifying games.

Id be amazed if the boy is still playing football in 2 years time. For me, his career is all but over. 3 whole seasons out (plus other injuries in the seasons he has played coming all the time) no only put serious question marks on whether or not he can actually make 45 minutes on a pitch, after all his latest injury lead to another similar injury straight after he got to training, there is huge question marks whether he has any quality to give having not played for so long.

Taking him is full mental breakdown style selection. I personally think his career is done, id probably be mildly surprised if he ever kicks a ball at Arsenal again, maybe even the Premier League

[sussexpob]

Rooney will start if fit. Whether he should, possibly not. Another good thing about last night is Sterling's place is in serious doubt.

Lallana was the worst player on the pitch, he was utterly redundant. Sterling is arguably still Englands best player, and has been when he has played recently. If Sterling is fit, he starts on the left.

[Gingerfinch]

Sterling is pretty awful when he's played for England. I'd rather have a front three of Welbeck, Kane, and Sturridge/Vardy or even Rooney, if we play 4-3-3.

As Budget said, Roy is loyal, and I reckon he'll go with tried and tested once the important games come.

I've just noticed my first line contradicts the second, so Sterling will no doubt be starting!

[sussexpob]

[quote="Gingerfinch"]Sterling is pretty awful when he's played for England. /quote]

As evidenced by the fact he was generally considered our best player at the last world cup (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28011429) based on the ratings, and was the top of the England team assists in the qualifiers....

Sounds terrible.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Rooney will start if fit. Whether he should, possibly not. Another good thing about last night is Sterling's place is in serious doubt.

Lallana was the worst player on the pitch, he was utterly redundant. Sterling is arguably still Englands best player, and has been when he has played recently. If Sterling is fit, he starts on the left.

Very arguably!

[st_brendy]

Strange isn't it?

We beat Germany in a friendly and people get carried away.

We beat them 5-1in a qualifying group once but guess which team later went on to reach the WC final a year later.

I'm not sure too many people are getting carried away. I don't see many people suddenly saying we're going to win the Euro's. In fact, if anything, most people seem to still be downbeat in the expectation that the likes of Rooney and Milner will soon be right back into this team when fit.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating a one-off comeback win from 2-0 down away to the world champions, or celebrating the success of some young players who could be our future. I've got a much bigger issue with people who only really comment when we lose; people who just love to be negative.

[SaintPowelly]

Twice in a week Emre Can has been 2-0 up against Fraser Forster and lost 3-2