2014 World Cup Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

[ste_mc_efc]

Did he really? He was just left with a 2 vs 1 situation everytime because Rooney/Welbeck weren't tracking back. That made him look silly, because he couldn't commit to anything. His poor performance was a product of Rooney and Welbeck lack of defensive work.

Yeh, he was given a tough/nigh on impossible job, but he still could have done a lot better.

It wasn't just the lack of tracking back from the wide players though, the central midfielders did little to defend anything that wasn't straight through the middle.

What's the most baffling thing is that Rooney clearly isn't a LM and would always come up short defensively playing there, so the left back has no support defensively, and can't really get forward much. So why on earth did he take Shaw and Baines, two attacking left backs and leave cole, the best defensive leftback in the country out?

I've said all alonge that the cole/baines debate is very even, they have different strengths and weaknesses, and depending on opposition and the system england play you can play either.

He picked one of the worst line-ups possible for baines (or indeed shaw) and one where Cole would have been comfortably better than either.

I guess the reason has been sterling forcing his way in and that lead to a late change, but all game it was obvious cole should have been in if the midfield/forwards were set up like that.

 

[War]

Did he really? He was just left with a 2 vs 1 situation everytime because Rooney/Welbeck weren't tracking back. That made him look silly, because he couldn't commit to anything. His poor performance was a product of Rooney and Welbeck lack of defensive work.

Rooney was awful apart from the assist.

I didn't understand the need for Henderson to sit beside Gerrard. Next game (he won't, but I can hope), Hodgson should play Gerrard in the same deep role with Henderson and Barkley in front of him, and Sterling on the tip of the diamond. Rooney and Sturridge should play up front as a pair.

However, that being said, I don't think it would be the worst decision to bring Sterling and Barkley off the bench around the 60 minute mark.

Sturridge and Sterling were impressive. I was initially opposed to his selection, but Welbeck was actually very good today and linked up well with Sterling and Sturridge. There were definitely many positives from England's match today. At least they lost while trying to play.

Pirlo was at it again. What a legend.

Harsh to say Wazza was awful, but no one will truly get off his case until he scores a world cup goal i guess.

But yes it been mentioned to death before this game - all ENG had to do was copy Liverpool's formation in the way you suggested & all would be fine. Plus it would have allowed Rooney to play in his best position.

Welbeck play good though for sure, majority of the country didn't want him to start - but Hodgson got his tactics right - his legs we super important in those conditions.


I suspect if this game was played in less oppressive conditions, England would have won.

 

[War]

So why on earth did he take Shaw and Baines, two attacking left backs and leave cole, the best defensive leftback in the country out?

I've said all alonge that the cole/baines debate is very even, they have different strengths and weaknesses, and depending on opposition and the system england play you can play either.

Ye basically. But I guess, this is part us fans & even the media would never know.

In that convo Hodgson told the press when the squad was announced he had with Cole that he wished to stay private, did he call Cole to tell him he was not picking him in the squad for Shaw? Or did he call him to say you are not my clear # 1/Baines is my # 1, thus I either don't feel comfortable taking you as back-up or Cole himself rejected the option to be back-up.

 

[shravi]

Harsh to say Wazza was awful, but no one will truly get off his case until he scores a world cup goal i guess.

Which is fair enough. It's only been 9 games... He should have equalized today. He couldn't possibly have gotten a better chance.

 

[coolash1]

Wow Costa Rica Shocked Uruguay.I Had Also Shook Them In FIFA 14 By India

 

[shravi]

Wow Costa Rica Shocked Uruguay.I Had Also Shook Them In FIFA 14 By India

Wow! I bet Uruguay was 'shooked' to learn of your tenuous grasp of the past tense!

 

[Sahil 7]

Very disappointed to see Uruguay loosing to costa rica definitely Uruguay missed suarez there. Now remaining two matches for them is very difficult suarez as to get fit and start or else it will be end for Uruguay

 

[Lee1981]

My take

Was one of our better performances I've seen, that does not say a lot but it's something to build from for once.

Normally their is no positives, last night there was.

Sterling
Sturridge

Even Welbeck had a decent game, I'm his biggest critic but he put a good shift in.

Negatives

Gerrard, did not get involved enough, look at Pirlo an equal old head but had energy all night.

Rooney, poor, out of form, did not do his job on the left, (although not his fault in a way as he is not a left sided player)

If we had taken Cole I would have had him at left back with Baines on the left wing in this match, would have been solid at the back with Baines delivery further forward.

Hindsight hey.

Moving on, pretty much same again but I would fit Barkley in somewhere, probably for Rooney

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Rooney's corner is the worst in the history of mankind.

 

[thedon5]

Suarez coming back isn't going to improve Uruguay's defence. Telling that a guy who can't get a game at West Brom is an automatic starter for them.

 

[abhi_jacko]

I may not be the greatest soccer connoisseur but couldnt help noticing the 2-3 comments here saying, this was one of England's better performances

Is this really true ? Because the second half, especially after they started trailing, was awful to watch. To say the least, they struggled to break the defence and made some very amateurish mistakes. It was one of the most uninspiring halves in this world cup so far

I really hope they will raise their game and push for the next round

 

[Epic]

England were gassed out for majority of the 2nd half (which is weird because they hardly ever pressed as a team in the 1st half) and once Italy got the 2nd goal, they closed up shop, this was definitely the best game I've ever seen England play.

 

[thedon5]

England were gassed out for majority of the 2nd half (which is weird because they hardly ever pressed as a team in the 1st half) and once Italy got the 2nd goal, they closed up shop, this was definitely the best game I've ever seen England play.

Would have a lot to do with the conditions in the area.

England are pretty turd, abhi, so that's why this was their best game.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Would have a lot to do with the conditions in the area.

England are pretty turd, abhi, so that's why this was their best game.

Okay good. Thats what I wanted to confirm .. fair enough

 

[War]

Which is fair enough. It's only been 9 games... He should have equalized today. He couldn't possibly have gotten a better chance.

Ha the part in bold, speaks to unfortunate held general perception by many football fans worldwide regarding the importance of players like Rooney etc scoring many goals/being dominant in world cups.

Its a old boring argument that I don't have the energy to deal with during this tournament, so I'm a let this one go by to be taken by the keeper