England narrow win. You heard it here first... But joking aside there is no way anyone could have predicted that Holland performance
I think you're right - this will probably come back to bite me but I don't really see any other Italian player that can punish us. They are not a great side
I'm thinking, will we double up on Pirlo? Because we absolutely cannot allow him to run the mid, he is the danger, his through balls, his freekicks, his crosses, we need him controlled and out of the game, that is the key to getting a result.
Absolute bollox about Pirlo if you ask me! Let's play our own game with pace and power and bypass that doddery old bastard! Raheem and Barclay will cause them mayhem!
I don't think it's worth doubling up because (notwithstanding my earlier statement) this is international football and teams like Italy will be able to take advantage of the extra man elsewhere. However, I do think it's the perfect opportunity for Henderson to finally quash the vestiges of his critics and man mark Pirlo.
Was thinking something similar as well, but we kinda need Henderson in the Gerrards legs role, so what about sticking somebody around him, who's not gonna break him up, but make him think about where he is playing and what he has to do, i dunno a Sterling or a Barclay sat right near him, that must take his attention off some of the attacking mentality and make him think about playing a lot more safe
Pirlo doesn't do 'safe'... [video=youtube;IkyC9ZdHjaU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkyC9ZdHjaU[/video]
Not convinced either of the youngsters have the discipline to do that, whilst Welbeck has done it to Pirlo before in a United shirt I believe. I think that's the only reason he'll get the nod. Definitely feel from the press conferences that England have got a game plan devised to nullify Italy, rather than in the past where it's felt like we just turned up and hoped we were stronger.
Did you choose the music too, welly? Some great footage from, I have to say, one of my all-time favourite players. Here's hoping he has an off-day.