re: Match Thread Group D England vs Uruguay 3PM EST/8PM BST ESPN/ITV

The decline of British soccer has been REAL.... all the way back to the 1966 Russian linesman fiasco/fix...lmao @ the Brits !

Italy need to win both games and England need to win 2-0 then England go through

Re-watching Suarez's first goal in slow motion, he knew it was in from the moment it left his head. He was smiling ear to ear and had already fired the first hand-pistol before the ball crossed the line.

Roy is the problem. His tactics are simply too primitive.

It all starts with the manager, and as a player you expect the manager to put you in a position to succeed.

He needs to realize that throwing attackers at a problem won't solve the issue.

The issue isn't goalscorers, it's the ability for England to work together as a unit, hold the ball, and break down the opposition. You can't do that with only two dedicated midfielders, with one of them being played out of position. Getting a result is something any group of professional players can do when they are employed in a disciplined manner. England have showed nothing in the way of performing as a cohesive, disciplined unit, something Italy did to extraordinary perfection despite a host of injuries/hurdles to overcome leading up to the match.

I get he can't drop Rooney, but he has to realize that imbalances the team if he doesn't compensate him with a midfield player. The problem he is facing is that he is starting three players (Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck) who all consider themselves 9's, and he is expecting them to play disciplined roles. He can't expect Rooney to abandon his impulses by protecting the flanks, and he can't expect Welbeck to instinctively drive at the fullback when there is space, and then retreat in defense when there isn't. He needs to play Rooney at the 10 (a free role - where he mostly played at today), and needs to start a natural wide player instead of Welbeck.

The same can be said of Gerrard. He is expecting Gerrard to play a dedicated defensive role, something he has never done in his career. His instincts as a player are to control the match, support the attack, and put in the occasional tackle. He can't be expected to naturally move into the holes that form all across the midfield/defense that comes as a result of Welbeck (and Rooney vs Italy) being played out of position. He had an exceptional season this year being played as the deepest player in what was typically a 4-3-3. The difference is he was always surrounded by two dedicated midfielders (Henderson/Allen/Coutinho/Lucas) who have huge motors, are able to cover the space exposed by the fullbacks, who are able to put in consistent tackles and win the ball back, and who are willing to get involved in deep build-up, relieving pressure from Gerrard. In Roy's formation Gerrard is isolated, and has way too much mental and physical expectation on his aged frame. And it has showed.

This attacking formation he is using also heavily relies on positionally intelligent and disciplined fullbacks, which England simply don't have.

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Re-watching Suarez's first goal in slow motion, he knew it was in from the moment it left his head. He was smiling ear to ear and had already fired the first hand-pistol before the ball crossed the line.

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Suarez is pretty good at the futbol. He balled out today.

Here's Taylor's rant, hendo

I agree that Hodgson is the problem, but he's making the same mistake every other England manager has made for the last ten years, namely, putting Gerrard into a 2-man midfield. At least this time he had a midfield partner in Henderson who was proactive instead of Lampard, who was way too similar. A midfield of someone like Carrick and Henderson or Carrick and Wilshere would be infinitely better if you insist on a 2 man partnership. I personally think that Gerrard's season with Liverpool flattered to deceive. Hodgson thought he could make do with him, but the same problems that plagued Gerrard's (and Lampard's, for that matter) England career were ever present.

I personally don't think England can ever run a 4-3-3. That would require either an excellent midfield rotation or a dedicated DM, positionally astute and aware, as well as fullbacks better than Johnson and Baines. I don't think Johnson should ever be selected again, but the fullbacks to replace him are too young. And Baines seemed out of his depth at this level, though he wasn't bad the second half versus Uruguay.

I also feel like Welbeck was jammed into the squad when another player like Lallana might have been better. Welbeck was awful and hopefully for England will never be selected again. Sturridge also was rather disappointing with his movement, as he seemed content going wide but never really found vertical space. He and Rooney never seemed to connect, as both seemed to want the ball to their feet rather than someone making runs without the ball.

When they continue having this notion that players are undroppable then they will continue to struggle. And I honestly don't see much changing unless Wilshere or Henderson can develop into a world class DLP, and my inclination is neither will.

I don't even wana talk England tactics anymore it makes my head hurt.

If the best England can do in the back is Baines, Johnson and Jagielka who have been whoaful all WC then they are in trouble. They should have brought that POS Terry along and paired him with Cahill.

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 personally think that Gerrard's season with Liverpool flattered to deceive. 

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ok