England v Germany

[Pedro]

Hope JayRod's confidence isn't shot and RL and AL come back uninjured, don't want these two friendlies to cost our team, bad enough them having a possible lax training regime than they have been used to.

[S-Clarke]

You've got to worry about Wiltshire, so much hype at a young age, yet all he's been is injured, and looks like he's still playing through injuries to me. Doubt he'll ever reach the heights he was predicted to reach.

 

I like Barkley, but looked a little nervy out there, kept choosing the wrong thing. But he has genuine ability. JWP, for me, should waltz passed Cleverley and Henderson for a place in the senior side. For one, he can retain and pass a football. Something our midfield are pretty much incapable of achieving.

 

And after these horrendous performances by Walker and Johnson, surely Clyne has never been closer? If he keeps at the same level with us, he should be pretty much there in March for the friendly.

[adrian lord]

Saints would murder England. I just hope our boys haven't picked up any bad habits from being associated with that shower.

 

Quite. The thought had crossed my mind too, but I think our lads are bigger than to do that.

[Appy]

You've got to worry about Wiltshire, so much hype at a young age, yet all he's been is injured, and looks like he's still playing through injuries to me. Doubt he'll ever reach the heights he was predicted to reach.

 

I like Barkley, but looked a little nervy out there, kept choosing the wrong thing. But he has genuine ability. JWP, for me, should waltz passed Cleverley and Henderson for a place in the senior side. For one, he can retain and pass a football. Something our midfield are pretty much incapable of achieving.

 

And after these horrendous performances by Walker and Johnson, surely Clyne has never been closer? If he keeps at the same level with us, he should be pretty much there in March for the friendly.

 

As much as he deserves it, Hodgson won't pick an untested Right Back.

[Turkish]

Now go check his tweets & see where he spent this past weekend and work out how he could have been talked into that idea

 

Don't tell me. He's been playing golf in Dubai and you two spent Sunday night drinking flaming zambuca and he told you how much he loved saints, offered you a season ticket at marseille when we play there in the champions league and you spent the whole night singing the Rickie Lambert song?

[Colinjb]

As much as he deserves it, Hodgson won't pick an untested Right Back.

 

For the friendlies he will have nothing to lose.

[S-Clarke]

As much as he deserves it, Hodgson won't pick an untested Right Back.

 

Well, I'm not sure how long Walker and Johnson can keep being tested, yet failing undeniably miserably. I think they're both awful footballers.

 

Gone are the days of Neville at RB. Assured, confident and reliable.

[dubai_phil]

Don't tell me. He's been playing golf in Dubai and you two spent Sunday night drinking flaming zambuca and he told you how much he loved saints, offered you a season ticket at marseille when we play there in the champions league and you spent the whole night singing the Rickie Lambert song?

 

Nah he was here all weekend watching the DPWTC in Corporate. Security were worried if he came out into the real world someone would deck him The Carrick pic on TMS was just for you though

[Smirking_Saint]

Agree with a lot of that. I think we have to play one up top with three joining. Unfortunately while Rooney should be able to play the 10 role he never seems to play it properly when someone else is the spearhead. I think he'd work better in that role with Lambert up front who can drop in and link up play so well. Personally I'd have Rooney or Lambert as the point man and then play three from Lallana, Welbeck, Townsend, Walcott or Ox in behind.

 

Yeah pretty much this, perhaps Rooney up top with Welbeck, Lallana and townsend interchanging behind him. Or perhaps Lambert though Id worry its not a long term option.

 

Not really sure what happened to Sturridge, he certainly isnt **** like the kneejerkers think, I agree he is far too selfish though, perhaps too many people wanted to be heroes tonight ?

 

Cole worked ok with Lallana though I think he would have given adequate protection for Baines, Clyne must be wondering what the hell he has to do ?

 

My 1st team for brazil ?

 

------------hart----------

Clyne--jagielka--cahill--baines

-----------Gerrard----------

----Wilshere----Barkley----

Townsend---Rooney---lallana

 

Obviously this may change later on

[Saint-Armstrong]

Roy Hodgson on Adam Lallana:

 

"Yes he has (put himself in contention for the World Cup), there is no doubt about that. I was very happy with his two performances, he has shown he is comfortable on this stage and has a lot of skill. If I am optimistic we do have the quality, it is there, we have players to come back too but tonight we were just lacking the quality in those key areas."

[shurlock]

Well, I'm not sure how long Walker and Johnson can keep being tested, yet failing undeniably miserably. I think they're both awful footballers.

 

Gone are the days of Neville at RB. Assured, confident and reliable.

 

Walker wasn't as bad as you suggest - at any rate, Hodgson won't want to break up the understanding he has with Townsend.

[Saint Charlie]

Walker wasn't as bad as you suggest - at any rate, Hodgson won't want to break up the understanding he has with Townsend.

 

Walker was awful. Out of position as much as Fox is for us but often his pace bails him out.

 

Never makes a meaningful attacking contribution.

[Smirking_Saint]

Walker was awful. Out of position as much as Fox is for us but often his pace bails him out.

 

Never makes a meaningful attacking contribution.

 

He was excellent last year, poor this. Johnson hasnt had a much better season either.

I do feel for Clyne who has built on last years form IMO

[SuperMikey]

He was excellent last year, poor this. Johnson hasnt had a much better season either.

I do feel for Clyne who has built on last years form IMO

 

Clyne and Richards are the best English right-backs at the moment.

[shurlock]

Walker was awful. Out of position as much as Fox is for us but often his pace bails him out.

 

Never makes a meaningful attacking contribution.

 

He's not great but far from awful - just think Hodgson will bank on his experience and chemistry with one trick pony Townsend.

[Smirking_Saint]

He's not great but far from awful - just think Hodgson will bank on his experience and chemistry with one trick pony Townsend.

 

One trick pony ?

 

He is a bit headless but is about the only one that looks like doing anything tonight really, that and Lallanas quick feet anyway.

 

He is direct, not afraid to run and shoot, his passing was woefull tonight Id agree. Personally Id play him out wide as that way you can sort of accomodate a wildcard like him instead of using up a midfield berth.

[Saint Garrett]

Walker was awful. Out of position as much as Fox is for us but often his pace bails him out.

 

Never makes a meaningful attacking contribution.

 

This. He gave the ball away a ridiculous amount tonight as well.

[shurlock]

One trick pony ?

 

He is a bit headless but is about the only one that looks like doing anything tonight really, that and Lallanas quick feet anyway.

 

He is direct, not afraid to run and shoot, his passing was woefull tonight Id agree. Personally Id play him out wide as that way you can sort of accomodate a wildcard like him instead of using up a midfield berth.

 

Got nothing against him - indeed defended him enough times when people on here suggested he wasn't good enough to get into our side. As you say, he's headless and his link-up play is suspect but at least he's direct which is preferable to the ponderous, multi-touch garbage the rest of the team serves out. But no amount of media hype will change the fact that's he's a blunt but effective instrument.

[Graffito]

He's not great but far from awful - just think Hodgson will bank on his experience and chemistry with one trick pony Townsend.

 

He was poor. How much have they actually played together at Tottenham?

[BadgerBadger]

I saw lots of players running around but very little of a 'team'

[disintegration87]

German commentator during match on Southampton last night:

 

' Adam Lallana one of the outstanding players in the Premier League this season from FC Southampton who are third in the League and are absolutely sensational at the moment'

' Rickie Lambert a player with a fairytale story from factory work to Premier League'

 

Also both at half time and after the match Memut Scholl basically just laughed at how poor England were.

 

I'm clutching at straws but the only explanation I can find for the complete lack of a system or tactic from England during the two friendlies is because Hodgson didn't want to give anything away to either Chile or Germany in case we play them in the WC?

[angelman]

I see the problem with England being that the defence can't really pass it to the midfield and the defensive midfield can't hook up with the attackers. The passing is woeful. Short passes get intercepted far too often, and long passes don't find their man. Gerrard is one who can find his man, although his passing does sometimes get intercepted. It would be interesting to see stats for passing

[saint si]

A number of England's attacking-minded players seemed desperate to impress, and forgot that they are playing a team game.

 

Sturridge and Barkley in particular looked like someone playing FIFA who can't find the pass button. They were literally just running in to defenders and losing the ball. There must have been at least 3 occasions where Sturridge tried to turn his man and just gave him the ball - way too easy.

 

I might (there's no "might" about it) have red-tinted spectacles, but Lallana at least was always looking to play a team-mate in. He did a superb cut back in the first half when he might have been expected to just smash it across goal... but because the player running on to it made such a complete meal of it (whoever it was), it was barely even noticed.

 

Still at least Roy seems to have given credit where it's due. It's up to Adam now to have a superb rest of the season. Great carrot for him.

[Badger]

I'm clutching at straws but the only explanation I can find for the complete lack of a system or tactic from England during the two friendlies is because Hodgson didn't want to give anything away to either Chile or Germany in case we play them in the WC?

 

Think you're being very kind in that analysis (even if clutching at straws).

[Turkish]

Positives

 

Return to 4-4-2

A pacy wideman playing

 

Negatives

No big man up top

We fannied about with it too much, need to get it forward early

Two mincer centre halves

Lack of aggression in midfield, we were crying out for a midfield hardman to rough 'em up a bit

 

Good to see Roy using a formation that suits us but now need to stop putting square pegs in round holes and play the system how it's meant to be.

[Lord Duckhunter]

A number of England's attacking-minded players seemed desperate to impress, and forgot that they are playing a team game.

 

Sturridge and Barkley in particular looked like someone playing FIFA who can't find the pass button. They were literally just running in to defenders and losing the ball. There must have been at least 3 occasions where Sturridge tried to turn his man and just gave him the ball - way too easy.

 

I might (there's no "might" about it) have red-tinted spectacles, but Lallana at least was always looking to play a team-mate in. He did a superb cut back in the first half when he might have been expected to just smash it across goal... but because the player running on to it made such a complete meal of it (whoever it was), it was barely even noticed.

 

Still at least Roy seems to have given credit where it's due. It's up to Adam now to have a superb rest of the season. Great carrot for him.

 

The times podcast had Stewart Robson on, he's a great pundit. Said some interesting stuff, said he watched Adam in a youth game against villa , players included Walcott ect and villa players who play in the first team now, said Adam far and away the best player. Said he makes others look better playing for England and is intelligent with good technical ability.

 

Also said JWP will be a far better player than cleverly, and Shaw is good enough to go to WC, but is unfortunate that Cole and Baines are such good players. Wasn't a total saints love in, he said that JRod was lucky to get in our side, let alone England. Didn't mention Rickie, but did say he'd watched us a lot the past few years.

[SaintSteve]

Positives

 

Return to 4-4-2

A pacy wideman playing

 

Negatives

No big man up top

We fannied about with it too much, need to get it forward early

Two mincer centre halves

Lack of aggression in midfield, we were crying out for a midfield hardman to rough 'em up a bit

 

Good to see Roy using a formation that suits us but now need to stop putting square pegs in round holes and play the system how it's meant to be.

 

I guess you mean the opposite... you cannot play 4-4-2 at International level; will just get overrun in midfield and never see the ball.. oh.. just like last night

[Kingsland Codger]

The times podcast had Stewart Robson on, he's a great pundit. Said some interesting stuff, said he watched Adam in a youth game against villa , players included Walcott ect and villa players who play in the first team now, said Adam far and away the best player. Said he makes others look better playing for England and is intelligent with good technical ability.

 

Also said JWP will be a far better player than cleverly, and Shaw is good enough to go to WC, but is unfortunate that Cole and Baines are such good players. Wasn't a total saints love in, he said that JRod was lucky to get in our side, let alone England. Didn't mention Rickie, but did say he'd watched us a lot the past few years.

 

Interesting comments from the pundit and thanks for posting them - although for someone to claim to have watched us a lot in the past few years and then failing to mention Rickie is a bit of a puzzle. A bit like writing a travelogue of a trip to Sydney and failing to mention the Opera House.

[Charlie Wayman]

Adam's performance was not perfect. At times he was not reading the game at all and mid-second half he was quite obviously losing concentration something he wouldn't dare do with Pochettino pin the touchline. Having said that who was any better and all the hype about Cleverly and Barclay seems wildly misplaced. They wouldn't get into Saints team. Where was Ward Prowse when we needed him?

[farawaysaint]

Adam's performance was not perfect. At times he was not reading the game at all and mid-second half he was quite obviously losing concentration something he wouldn't dare do with Pochettino pin the touchline. Having said that who was any better and all the hype about Cleverly and Barclay seems wildly misplaced. They wouldn't get into Saints team. Where was Ward Prowse when we needed him?

 

Ward-Prowse and this Boyo, if he truly has turned his life around, for England in 3 or 4 years.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/video-ravel-morrison-scores-stunning-backheel-volley-in-training-8947171.html

[trousers]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/18804/9033181/england-world-cup-squad-ray-parlour-predicts-wholl-be-on-plane

[LGTL]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/18804/9033181/england-world-cup-squad-ray-parlour-predicts-wholl-be-on-plane

 

He's probably right, but why the hell would Milner go? What has he ever done for anyone to warrant it? If we are playing some dross and it's 0-0, who would we rather have come on, Lallana or Milner. The mind boggles.

[Smirking_Saint]

He's probably right, but why the hell would Milner go? What has he ever done for anyone to warrant it? If we are playing some dross and it's 0-0, who would we rather have come on, Lallana or Milner. The mind boggles.

 

Milner is mr reliable and covers a few positions. He'll never set the world alight but he isnt terrible, he will go to the WC

[mightysaints]

BBC ratings for the game, absolute joke. [h=2]Joe Hart (goalkeeper) - 8[/h]

England's outstanding performer. Excellent display that will give England manager Roy Hodgson and the goalkeeper himself great confidence after a poor run of form.

[h=2]Kyle Walker (right-back) - 6[/h]

Had a tough time on occasions as Germany broke on England. Still behind Liverpool's Glen Johnson in the battle for the right-back spot.

[h=2]Chris Smalling (centre-back) - 5[/h]

Beaten in the air by Per Mertesacker for the goal and involved in a moment of confusion with Joe Hart in the second half that fortunately went unpunished.

[h=2]Phil Jagielka (centre-back) - 6[/h]

Occasionally struggled as Germany showed their quality in attack - but still on course to be first-choice central defender alongside Gary Cahill in Brazil.

[h=2]Ashley Cole (left-back) - 6[/h]

Steady night but still facing a real battle with Everton's Leighton Baines for his place in Brazil.

[h=2]Andros Townsend (right midfield) - 6[/h]

Lively in spells and came closest to an equaliser with a second-half shot that hit the post.

[h=2]Steven Gerrard (centre midfield) - 6[/h]

Sprayed some nice passes around in the first half and saw a long-range shot dip just over before being substituted early in the second half in his 108th international.

[h=2]Tom Cleverley (centre midfield) - 5[/h]

Once again a peripheral figure and substituted. Not making a serious case to be a regular in England's squad.

[h=2]Adam Lallana (left midfield) - 5[/h]

Tougher night after an impressive debut against Chile. Still must be regarded as very much an outsider for Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.

[h=2]Wayne Rooney (striker) - 6[/h]

Quiet night for Rooney but no real service. Taken out of the action early. Will have better games than this.

[h=2]Daniel Sturridge (striker) - 5[/h]

Outstanding for Liverpool but yet to fully convince for England. At this level his over-elaboration often confuses himself rather than opposition defenders.

SUBSTITUTES

Kieran Gibbs (for Ashley Cole 53 mins) - 5

One or two forward runs after replacing Cole but not yet a serious threat to the man he came on for - or Everton's Leighton Baines.

Jordan Henderson (for Steven Gerrard 56 mins) - 5

Quiet and not able to make any serious impact on the game.

Jack Wilshere (for Tom Cleverley 64 mins) - 5

Like Henderson, given a spell in the second half to make his presence felt. He did not.

Ross Barkley (for Wayne Rooney 71 mins) - 5

Always willing to try something but Everton's teenager, understandably, occasionally looks to be trying too hard to impress.

Rickie Lambert (for Adam Lallana 76 mins) - 5

Late substitute when England were chasing the game. Did not get a chance to seriously influence the game but that was not his fault.

[Sheaf Saint]

BBC ratings for the game, absolute joke. [h=2]Joe Hart (goalkeeper) - 8[/h]

England's outstanding performer. Excellent display that will give England manager Roy Hodgson and the goalkeeper himself great confidence after a poor run of form.

[h=2]Kyle Walker (right-back) - 6[/h]

Had a tough time on occasions as Germany broke on England. Still behind Liverpool's Glen Johnson in the battle for the right-back spot.

[h=2]Chris Smalling (centre-back) - 5[/h]

Beaten in the air by Per Mertesacker for the goal and involved in a moment of confusion with Joe Hart in the second half that fortunately went unpunished.

[h=2]Phil Jagielka (centre-back) - 6[/h]

Occasionally struggled as Germany showed their quality in attack - but still on course to be first-choice central defender alongside Gary Cahill in Brazil.

[h=2]Ashley Cole (left-back) - 6[/h]

Steady night but still facing a real battle with Everton's Leighton Baines for his place in Brazil.

[h=2]Andros Townsend (right midfield) - 6[/h]

Lively in spells and came closest to an equaliser with a second-half shot that hit the post.

[h=2]Steven Gerrard (centre midfield) - 6[/h]

Sprayed some nice passes around in the first half and saw a long-range shot dip just over before being substituted early in the second half in his 108th international.

[h=2]Tom Cleverley (centre midfield) - 5[/h]

Once again a peripheral figure and substituted. Not making a serious case to be a regular in England's squad.

[h=2]Adam Lallana (left midfield) - 5[/h]

Tougher night after an impressive debut against Chile. Still must be regarded as very much an outsider for Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.

[h=2]Wayne Rooney (striker) - 6[/h]

Quiet night for Rooney but no real service. Taken out of the action early. Will have better games than this.

[h=2]Daniel Sturridge (striker) - 5[/h]

Outstanding for Liverpool but yet to fully convince for England. At this level his over-elaboration often confuses himself rather than opposition defenders.

SUBSTITUTES

Kieran Gibbs (for Ashley Cole 53 mins) - 5

One or two forward runs after replacing Cole but not yet a serious threat to the man he came on for - or Everton's Leighton Baines.

Jordan Henderson (for Steven Gerrard 56 mins) - 5

Quiet and not able to make any serious impact on the game.

Jack Wilshere (for Tom Cleverley 64 mins) - 5

Like Henderson, given a spell in the second half to make his presence felt. He did not.

Ross Barkley (for Wayne Rooney 71 mins) - 5

Always willing to try something but Everton's teenager, understandably, occasionally looks to be trying too hard to impress.

Rickie Lambert (for Adam Lallana 76 mins) - 5

Late substitute when England were chasing the game. Did not get a chance to seriously influence the game but that was not his fault.

 

Kyle Walker performed better than Lallana!? Seriously!?

[Sheaf Saint]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/england-v-germany-five-things-we-learnt-at-wembley-8950420.html

 

4. Lallana has impressed with intelligence and technique

 

Failing to score in two consecutive home friendlies does not reflect brilliantly on England’s attacking players, but the arrival of Adam Lallana in the national team should certainly not be seen as a wasted opportunity. He produced another 76 minutes with enough skill and style to suggest that he can bring England something others cannot in wide areas.

 

Most of England’s wingers are fairly rudimental players – which is perhaps why Jay Rodriguez does not offer much that is radically new. Lallana, though, is an intelligent and technical footballer who takes his time on the ball and could count himself unfortunate if he is not included against Denmark in March.

 

There were a few more clever touches and shuffles, as the Southampton man tried to prise open Germany’s defence, and one spin past opponents in the second half was one of England’s brightest moments. He must be worth another look.