Col, your posts are getting pathetic. STOP with the 'your opinion is rubbish' posts that you seem hell bent on stalking me with. I do NOT rate Rooney anywhere near as much as I used to. He's been injured this season, lost at lewast a yard of pace, and has been in very poor form throughout the year. That's the facts, no matter how much you love him. It's also my very valid opinion. So please - get rid of these 'my prejudice is pathetic' and slyly throwing out-of-context and utterly unnecessary religious attacks as well. You're losing it, and once you've lost it, all you are is a loser.
I'd genuinely not thrown in a religious comment on purpose because you are religious, in fact it just didn't occur to me. Still, if there's offence to be taken you're the man for the job. I think it is prejudiced to judge a player by his personal life other than his ability. I can separate the two. Rooney has lost a yard of pace which is why he won't start up front. He's still just about the most technically gifted English player though imo and is well suited to playing central midfield. Add to that his goal scoring ability and he's a must for the squad at least. He has been a big disappointment at major finals, for varied reasons and he may give many on here the chance to deride him once more. Maybe though he may just prove you wrong. Again, what would your starting 11be?
I note that - although you realise that you DID cause offence - there's no apology for it. Most people would do so, but if there's further offence to be given, then you're the man for the job. Anyway - on footballing matters: I have no doubt that Roy will play Rooney. I wouldn't, but he will. As such, if he proves me wrong I will be delighted to admit to that. I'm sure that when he doesn't prove me wrong and we crash and burn due to his lack of pace and ongoing temperament issues, you'll be gracious enough to do the same. I really think we have better options - both in and out of the squad - based on talent and form rather than anything off-field. My starting eleven from the squad would be Hart, Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose, Milner, Barkley, Alli, Townsend, Vardy, Kane. Playing a midfield diamond with Milner at the base and either Barkley or Alli at the point. It's defensive enough with pace at the back to cover the teams that will either counter-attack or try to press, we have a solid central pair in Milner and Barkley who can sit or press, all the midfield can create going forward, the two wingbacks have genuine pace, and Kane and Vardy are the two most in-form strikers we could pick. My concern is if (when) injuries or suspensions happen. There's very little cover at the back that I have confidence in. Dier can drop into midfield as a defensive option, but Stones is a bit too naive and needs to be far more practical in putting his foot through the ball when it's needed. and aside from him, there's no real centre back options, which is why I would have picked Jagielka as cover, seeing as he's the best defender that we haven't taken.
I'll tell you what Chaz, rather than opening up another huge can of worms over religion, I apologies for offending you, albeit unintentionally. Onto the football: 1) If we "crash and burn" as you put it, are you saying that it will all be down to Rooney's selection? 2) I disagree that we should start with 4-4-2. IMO we would surrender too much of the midfield with this system. It's clearly something to switch to if a goal is needed though. 3) I strongly disagree about the selection of Milner. He's a good, reliable Premier League player and has had a good season with Liverpool. However, I don't think he is anywhere near good enough to play at the highest level and is technically too inferior to play in the centre of midfield. I also don't agree that Townsend is a first choice player. In the formation that you have picked I would play Dier at the base, unless Wilshire is fit, Alli and Lallana in the centre and Rooney at the tip. 4) The defence is an obvious concern, but hey, at least we agree on the back 4 and keeper eh? Overall I think we'll miss Wellbeck a lot and it's a shame that Sterling is so out of form, as their pace on the counter attack was a big part of my confidence in this young England side.
Thank you. 1) No - but team selection will have been a factor, and therefore his selection would have also been a part of that. Not solely, but as part of an overall cock-up by Roy. 2) In my opinion, why would you only switch to a goal-getting formation when you need to? I don't understand why you wouldn't always play the formation that allows your team the chance to score goals and win games. 3) Milner has NEVER let his country down, and is in probably his best form. His season for Liverpool has been exceptional. Townsend is also currently in excellent form, despite not having the time to influence Newcastle's season. And again - never let his country down. Wilshire simply isn't a holding midfielder, and so would never be picked at the base of a diamond. And Lallana is lightweight and keeps passing to the opposition. He'd go only because they need someone to wash the shirts, in my view. One of the most over-hyped people in the game today. 4) I think we only agree on the back four and keeper because - with the squad selection - there's no other choices. I wish there were, but that's the trouble when there's zero cover in probably our most worrisome positions.
These days, a holding midfield player needs to be good on the ball too, which is why I would play Wilshire there, although he'd have Dier there to sit and let him play a bit. Just on the 4-4-2 thing. The reason I wouldn't start with it is because it is far more likely to lead to defeat against good teams. However, as our defence is not too hot, there is a case for "going for it" from the start as we will have to out-score the opposition so often. Probably best to leave it there then. Our views of what makes a good player at international level or not are so far apart that we will never agree.
Fair enough. My view is 'a player who has played at international level many times and has never let his country or his teammates down'. Yours clearly isn't, and as such, we'll not agree.
What's that Cyndi Lauper song? Oh yeah... 'True Colors'. Thanks for showing yours. Knew you could be relied upon.
You can rely upon me to always think that you're a ****er Chaz. You act like one on every thread and think that your opinion can only be the right one. Then you try to deflect that fact by accusing others of being the same. I have been purposely confrontational with you to show you what you're like on here. I've acted in the way you do. You're a ****er and act like a child who can't get his own way, whilst taking offence at every turn, especially when your favourite fairy story, religion is concerned. I'm absolutely sure that you will have the final word, as you always have to. Fill your boots you prat.
Okay enough is enough....please can you stop this, you both have different but valid views. You do not agree...fair enough No reason to call each other names Please both walk away from this arguement
I was getting a bit down looking at that squad and thinking about our chances. Then I remembered how we played against Germany a few weeks ago. OK it was a friendly, but if we play with that adventure and spirit at least we will be proud at the end of it, even if the Germans and Italians bring their tournament mentality.
I read that squad with some hope actually...I'd far rather a squad who aren't that experienced but have a lot to prove, as opposed to a squad of established internationals who have proved over a few tournaments they aren't good enough to win it. I hope we stick Kane and Vardy up front, with Alli, and maybe Barkley as support, that sounds like quite a formidable forward line to me. Cahill and Smalling (ok a bit risky) at the back, Delph and Dier just in front of them, and Rose and Walker bombing forward on the wings. There you go, if that works as smoothly as it has just played out in my head, Sunday the 10th of July I'll be dancing up the Champs Elysees with three lions gleaming from my chest.
It's good to see somebody optimistic. You might see me doing an Irish jig on the Champs Elysee on 13th June if Ireland beat Sweden. Enjoy.
I don't see enough PL football these days to have much of an opinion on this squad. But if as it looks we are weak in central defense, why don't they get Mr Terry back in? I don't like the bloke either, but he does look like he could do an OK job at this level with some quick players around him.
Normally with go to tournaments shorts of goals with OK defenses this time we should be entertaining and watchable. Might not go any further than normal but I still think English football is making moves is the right direction. Time to be Brave in your selection Woy.