Young

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I feel like I have been too harsh on him. He always does give 100% which is valuable and it is not his fault he is played out of position. It would be like playing Yaya Toure as a right winger, he'd produce average displays because that's not his best position. A middle 3 of him, Parker and Gerrard would have been better, drop Welbeck and bring in a creative player (not that we're spoilt for choice).

I just think he's wasted outside, he carries a real threat down the middle through his link up play and intelligence.
Young has been shite but then again who's the replacement? Downing- oh fantastic.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

But also why do we have so little technical players? You just look at the Italians, French, Spanish, Germans, Dutch, Portugese and even Croatians and Russians and they play such a better game.
We're just an upgraded version of Ireland. Plenty of spirit, plenty of graft but so limited in terms of ability.
I'd say Rooney and Gerrard are the only really technically gifted players.

[john68]

But also why do we have so little technical players? You just look at the Italians, French, Spanish, Germans, Dutch, Portugese and even Croatians and Russians and they play such a better game.
We're just an upgraded version of Ireland. Plenty of spirit, plenty of graft but so limited in terms of ability.
I'd say Rooney and Gerrard are the only really technically gifted players.

Not only was Rooney unfit, his technical gifts with the ball were also unfit. Unable to pass to a white shirt, control a ball without it shooting away from him...I could go on.

[Wonderwall]

Not only was Rooney unfit, his technical gifts with the ball were also unfit. Unable to pass to a white shirt, control a ball without it shooting away from him...I could go on.

I blame the kitman. If we played in red we would have won.... Surprised the s*n hasn't picked up on this.

[Ted Hughes]

But also why do we have so little technical players? You just look at the Italians, French, Spanish, Germans, Dutch, Portugese and even Croatians and Russians and they play such a better game.
We're just an upgraded version of Ireland. Plenty of spirit, plenty of graft but so limited in terms of ability.
I'd say Rooney and Gerrard are the only really technically gifted players.

As I was saying in the other thread, I don't think it's just down to technique (although that often plays a part), even our players who have a proven technique, like Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Beckham, have played most of their England careers at an average or below average standard & if you put them all together, their 1st instinct is to try to do something clever as individuals, not to pass the ball to each other & keep possession. They all want to be the bloke who creates the chance or scores. They are also quite happy to knock the ball back to defenders & then fuck off & leave them with it, rather than look to take it back off them & pass it out. Possession of the ball seems to mean nothing to them.

Yet it seems that when in the comfort zone of their own teams, they are more likely to play proper football & keep the ball. That could be because they rely less on instinct & more on routine; they train that way every day with their teams so they do it naturally. With england they have different sytems & managers all the time as well as the need to show off.

Giving the ball away does seem to be endemic even in even the most talented players that come through over here. Look at Ireland & Sturridge. Nothing wrong with their technique but the number of balls they casually waste is infuriating.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

But also why do we have so little technical players? You just look at the Italians, French, Spanish, Germans, Dutch, Portugese and even Croatians and Russians and they play such a better game.
We're just an upgraded version of Ireland. Plenty of spirit, plenty of graft but so limited in terms of ability.
I'd say Rooney and Gerrard are the only really technically gifted players.

As I was saying in the other thread, I don't think it's just down to technique (although that often plays a part), even our players who have a proven technique, like Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Beckham, have played most of their England careers at an average or below average standard & if you put them all together, their 1st instinct is to try to do something clever as individuals, not to pass the ball to each other & keep possession. They all want to be the bloke who creates the chance or scores. They are also quite happy to knock the ball back to defenders & then fuck off & leave them with it, rather than look to take it back off them & pass it out. Possession of the ball seems to mean nothing to them.

Yet it seems that when in the comfort zone of their own teams, they are more likely to play proper football & keep the ball. That could be because they rely less on instinct & more on routine; they train that way every day with their teams so they do it naturally. With england they have different sytems & managers all the time as well as the need to show off.

Giving the ball away does seem to be endemic even in even the most talented players that come through over here. Look at Ireland & Sturridge. Nothing wrong with their technique but the number of balls they casually waste is infuriating.

I think it just stems from the football culture aswell. A programme a while back showed how in Holland, the emphasis is all on technique, all on ability. Doesn't matter how quick/ strong and physical they are- that bit comes after.

I just think the English game lags behind, it's all about pace and power and willing, but that will only get you so far.
But I can't think like how many really technically gifted players do we have? I mean Spain have, Alonso, Iniesta, Fabregas, Silva and Xavi in the same team. And then players like Juan Mata can't get a place. What England would do for any of those players.