***Official England v Italy Thread***

[Cit.revenge]

England start good and Italy play great game but it must be said, this generation Gerard Rooney are just not good enough together and don't have spark in them.Still think if u play one great game u can go from group and u are lucky Uruguay show how good Costarica is so u can go in match strong.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Still feeling disappointed with getting nowt but on reflection there were a lot of positives to take from that game.
Uruguay looked crap and we really should win that. Hopefully Italy will beat Costa Rica and then out final game will be the decider.

COME ON ENGLAND!!

[Goaters 103]

Much to be positive about there though the game went as expected with Italy edging it.

England played positively and had a go. Sadly we didnt defend well & didnt take the chances when they came bar Sturridges goal. Italy were a more clinical and a tad more savvy which is why they won. Ignore all the tabloid tub thumping and you can see this England teams limitations, but they tried to be positive and Id have no complaints at losing games if they continue to be as positive as they were last night.

Please get Barkley in from the start on Thursday and get Ox-Chamb on the pitch if hes fit.

[Dubaimancityfan]

Mario's played well.

Are you sure that was Mario ? No drama, no stupid fouls, no complaining to the ref !! What have they done to our Balo ??

[Bianchi on Ice]

Much to be positive about there though the game went as expected with Italy edging it.

England played positively and had a go. Sadly we didnt defend well & didnt take the chances when they came bar Sturridges goal. Italy were a more clinical and a tad more savvy which is why they won. Ignore all the tabloid tub thumping and you can see this England teams limitations, but they tried to be positive and Id have no complaints at losing games if they continue to be as positive as they were last night.

Please get Barkley in from the start on Thursday and get Ox-Chamb on the pitch if hes fit.

Agreed. Woy may just stumble on a formula. I said before the game, wouldnt surprise me if england do make it out of the group, gerrard and rooney fade away and dont make the starting XI...gerrards legs have gone, cant see him staying the course if we progress.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I wanted to mention this earlier but how are we really seen around the world?

The Brazilians are on our backs, whistling away. Does that say something about our standing in world football politics?

Honestly, can you hear them?

In all honesty, I'd say a bit worse than Iran, but considerably better than the USA. Somewhere around Russia's standing.

There's a lot of italians in Brazil. They came in two waves, one during the big emmigration at the end of the 19th century, early 20th century, and then after world war 2. I think. Well I think that's when they came, but I know they're one of the biggest immigrant groups in Brazil.

[MilnersJaw]

There's a lot of italians in Brazil. They came in two waves, one during the big emmigration at the end of the 19th century, early 20th century, and then after world war 2. I think. Well I think that's when they came, but I know they're one of the biggest immigrant groups in Brazil.

So does Argentina. I'm sure Pablo is of italian decent, he looks it and his surname.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I fell asleep during the last fifteen minutes in the game but if I were you (English that is) I would be very encouraged. All it takes is a few tweeks and a bit more stability and I think you can push forward in this world cup. Perpaps bench Rooney and let Milner run the right flank and perhaps experiment a bit with letting Wilshere play with Henderson or Gerrard and I think you have got what it takes. Best England team I've seen play in since 2006 at least. OK you didn't win but you met Italy, they've got a lot of experience and were a bit lucky as well.

Seriously, you have a chance to reach the Semis if you keep this up, at least.

[Cocacolajojo1]

There's a lot of italians in Brazil. They came in two waves, one during the big emmigration at the end of the 19th century, early 20th century, and then after world war 2. I think. Well I think that's when they came, but I know they're one of the biggest immigrant groups in Brazil.

So does Argentina. I'm sure Pablo is of italian decent, he looks it and his surname.

He surely has a bit of Greek in him as well, being a demigod and all that?

[Beefymcfc]

I can understand Hodgson trying to bring some experience to the squad but the experience in Rooney and Gerrard is all bad. They walked around Gerrard last night and with Rooney only wanting to take the glory and not doing the work defending, that goal was always coming.

What I can't understand about Hodgson is how he couldn't see it coming. The only thing I can think is that he could see it all but was unable to do anything about it. This is not Blue Tinted but after the numerous times that the ball was played down the right it was obvious we needed somebody to close that down. We know Milner has covered this role for England on numerous occassions and still possesses a threat going forward. If not Milner, why not another?

The England Selectors choice of crow-barring Rooney onto the pitch instead of playing him in a forward position or leaving him on the bench is where it's going wrong. Players like Gerrard and Rooney have proven time and time again that they are not up to it when it comes to the big international stage. They bring no experience when it comes to winning and even as Gerrard came out I said that he didn't look up for it. When Barkely came on it perked the team up no end but the fact that we still had our 2 'Senior' players out there negated everything that the younger players were trying to do.

It's time that the FA stopped picking players by which clubs they play for and give caps to those who are hungry for the shirt.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I can understand Hodgson trying to bring some experience to the squad but the experience in Rooney and Gerrard is all bad. They walked around Gerrard last night and with Rooney only wanting to take the glory and not doing the work defending, that goal was always coming.

What I can't understand about Hodgson is how he couldn't see it coming. The only thing I can think is that he could see it all but was unable to do anything about it. This is not Blue Tinted but after the numerous times that the ball was played down the right it was obvious we needed somebody to close that down. We know Milner has covered this role for England on numerous occassions and still possesses a threat going forward. If not Milner, why not another?

The England Selectors choice of crow-barring Rooney onto the pitch instead of playing him in a forward position or leaving him on the bench is where it's going wrong. Players like Gerrard and Rooney have proven time and time again that they are not up to it when it comes to the big international stage. They bring no experience when it comes to winning and even as Gerrard came out I said that he didn't look up for it. When Barkely came on it perked the team up no end but the fact that we still had our 2 'Senior' players out there negated everything that the younger players were trying to do.

It's time that the FA stopped picking players by which clubs they play for and give caps to those who are hungry for the shirt.

Well said mate.
I actually think we made a mistake in taking Welbeck off last night. Sure he's not the most talented but he really did put in a shift and closed down high up the pitch to good effect. He also used his pace quite well. He was doing far more than Rooney and when he went off we stopped pressing so much.

[ross.mcfc]

That was as good as I have seen England play at a tournament since Euro 96.

I think you might go out now but I hope you don't panick and demand the manager gets the boot. You can see he is building the nucleous of a very good side.

I cannot imagine Uruaguay playing as bad as that again and Costa Rica are a lot better than people said they would be. There is no disgrace in losing to Costa Rica in a World Cup.

As a neutral (of sorts) I have always seen through the hype of England teams. This side on the other hand, could very well make the last four of the next tournament. Now that the Spanish look a busted flush and I suspect this tournament will show that this German side has also peaked there is now a window of opportunity for England to do something at Euro 2016.

[Ted Hughes]

I can understand Hodgson trying to bring some experience to the squad but the experience in Rooney and Gerrard is all bad. They walked around Gerrard last night and with Rooney only wanting to take the glory and not doing the work defending, that goal was always coming.

What I can't understand about Hodgson is how he couldn't see it coming. The only thing I can think is that he could see it all but was unable to do anything about it. This is not Blue Tinted but after the numerous times that the ball was played down the right it was obvious we needed somebody to close that down. We know Milner has covered this role for England on numerous occassions and still possesses a threat going forward. If not Milner, why not another?

The England Selectors choice of crow-barring Rooney onto the pitch instead of playing him in a forward position or leaving him on the bench is where it's going wrong. Players like Gerrard and Rooney have proven time and time again that they are not up to it when it comes to the big international stage. They bring no experience when it comes to winning and even as Gerrard came out I said that he didn't look up for it. When Barkely came on it perked the team up no end but the fact that we still had our 2 'Senior' players out there negated everything that the younger players were trying to do.

It's time that the FA stopped picking players by which clubs they play for and give caps to those who are hungry for the shirt.

If Lampard was a little bit younger, Beck***, Owen, etc, they would all still be playing as well as Gerrard & Rooney & the players who showed up best yeaterday, would all still have been on the bench at best. That's the way it has always been with England, going back to the days of Charlton, Peters etc, we shoehorned Keegan into the team when he was past it, Brooking, Waddle, Shearer etc etc etc.

If Sturridge & Sterling play for a few years & do ok, then become headless, shit , cunts, they will still be there keeping out possibly a couple of City lads in 6 years time.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Much to be positive about there though the game went as expected with Italy edging it.

England played positively and had a go. Sadly we didnt defend well & didnt take the chances when they came bar Sturridges goal. Italy were a more clinical and a tad more savvy which is why they won. Ignore all the tabloid tub thumping and you can see this England teams limitations, but they tried to be positive and Id have no complaints at losing games if they continue to be as positive as they were last night.

Please get Barkley in from the start on Thursday and get Ox-Chamb on the pitch if hes fit.

Absolutely.

Prior to the game, I thought we would be seeing quite a few goals going in but, unfortunately, with Italy scoring them all or, at least, most of them.

However, we certainly "had a go" and, at times, tried to play a bit of football, particularly on the break. We'll never be world beaters but if we continue in this vein and try to play in a more progressive way, we'll be a better side to watch than we have been for some time.

Moreover, with even some elements of the media now starting to question Shrek's divine right to be in the starting line-up, I hope the part he played in the first goal we conceded will also be placed under critical scrutiny.

When the shot came in, he had been slow in coming out of defence and was still standing only a few feet in front of Joe Hart, obscuring his view. He then compounded his indolence by half-heartedly and belatedly waggling his foot out to suggest he was going to block the shot.

Given this confusion in front of him, I don't think Joe had much of a chance of making a save and Shrek's performance in this scenario was as abject as was Nasri's, when our French maestro was in the wall for the Van Pussy free kick against us.

Rooney has long been past his 'sell-by' date in international terms and he needs to be shipped out forthwith. We've now got far better in the likes of Barkley and even Wiltshire, than to persevere any longer with this 'has-been'.

[Ted Hughes]

Much to be positive about there though the game went as expected with Italy edging it.

England played positively and had a go. Sadly we didnt defend well & didnt take the chances when they came bar Sturridges goal. Italy were a more clinical and a tad more savvy which is why they won. Ignore all the tabloid tub thumping and you can see this England teams limitations, but they tried to be positive and Id have no complaints at losing games if they continue to be as positive as they were last night.

Please get Barkley in from the start on Thursday and get Ox-Chamb on the pitch if hes fit.

Absolutely.

Prior to the game, I thought we would be seeing quite a few goals going in but, unfortunately, with Italy scoring them all or, at least, most of them.

However, we certainly "had a go" and, at times, tried to play a bit of football, particularly on the break. We'll never be world beaters but if we continue in this vein and try to play in a more progressive way, we'll be a better side to watch than we have been for some time.

Moreover, with even some elements of the media now starting to question Shrek's divine right to be in the starting line-up, I hope the part he played in the first goal we conceded will also be placed under critical scrutiny.

When the shot came in, he had been slow in coming out of defence and was still standing only a few feet in front of Joe Hart, obscuring his view. He then compounded his indolence by half-heartedly and belatedly waggling his foot out to suggest he was going to block the shot.

Given this confusion in front of him, I don't think Joe had much of a chance of making a save and Shrek's performance in this scenario was as abject as was Nasri's, when our French maestro was in the wall for the Van Pussy free kick against us.

Rooney has long been past his 'sell-by' date in international terms and he needs to be shipped out forthwith. We've now got far better in the likes of Barkley and even Wiltshire, than to persevere any longer with this 'has-been'.

To be fair to Rooney, no fucking way should he have been asked to track back on the left side & fill the huge hole left by crappy Baines & shitty Gerrard. Wellbeck totaly failed to do that job 2nd half, for the 2nd goal & he's younger & quicker.

If Rooney is to be dropped deep, it should only be central. Because they haven't got the balls to drop him, he ends up looking even more of a cunt & it's not 100% his fault.

[Dameerto]

He played centrally during the warm ups and looked like a useless out of condition cnut with no match sharpness. There's no way he should be in the first eleven centrally or anywhere else at this tournament.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Very glad it didn't cost us but on a side note I can't understand for the life of me what Hart was doing for Balotelli's lob. Once he didn't get the ball he surely should have retreated into his goal, he ended up stuck in no mans land where he could do nothing.

[Chopper]

Roys selection was poor no doubt. But Hart was to blame for that second goal.

[Ted Hughes]

Roys selection was poor no doubt. But Hart was to blame for that second goal.

I hope you are fucking joking.

[Beefymcfc]

Roys selection was poor no doubt. But Hart was to blame for that second goal.

I hope you are fucking joking.

How could it be Joe Hart's fault, he was doing the right thing and thinking about Dorito shaped dandruff flakes ;-)

Definately not Joe's fault btw.