England v France

[LUX]

I see Mags stopped short of criticising Lescott.

[Maguire]

I see Mags stopped short of criticising Lescott.

[Stuka]

Went to the game. Very drab. If I didn't live in London I wouldn't have bothered in the first place. Sometimes going to England games can be a good laugh. This wasn't one of those times.

Also the way England played the long ball game was laughable and predictable. Mood changed when Crouch came on but by then it was too late. I'm hoping that as a friendly this wont matter but severe tactical problems are aparent to say the least.

[No Fixed Abode]

Our midfield looked weak as shit last night.

[Hoop Blah]

Obviously pretty poor last night and I think it showed up the difference between a top international side and the middle of the Premiership.

The likes of Henderson and Gibbs don't look ready, and I think it again showed that Walcot needs more to his game than just pace if he's going to play a role in our midfield. I'd still almost prefer the likes of Pennant or Bently in there over him if that's all he's got in his locker.

Barry looked pretty woeful last night but the French midfield was always going to be a test, perhaps not the opposition to be throwing youngsters in against. We looked a lot better with Gerrard in there instead, but that's a worry that if Barry can't handle it anymore (he's not looked right for a long time from what I've seen).

I actually thought Lecott did alright. He defended well but admittedly he was perhaps the one most guilty for lumping it aimlessly in Carrolls direction. Carroll did well enough as well, especially given the very limited service.

Also good to see Richards back in an England shirt, even if he might not've done enough to earn his recall. Glenn Johnson had a great run of form but, like Barry, seems to have lost that over the last 12 months. I think Richards is the one who could make the position his own but like so many of our players he needs to be playing week in week out to learn his trade.

[TBM]

Obviously pretty poor last night and I think it showed up the difference between a top international side and the middle of the Premiership.

The likes of Henderson and Gibbs don't look ready, and I think it again showed that Walcot needs more to his game than just pace if he's going to play a role in our midfield. I'd still almost prefer the likes of Pennant or Bently in there over him if that's all he's got in his locker.

Barry looked pretty woeful last night but the French midfield was always going to be a test, perhaps not the opposition to be throwing youngsters in against. We looked a lot better with Gerrard in there instead, but that's a worry that if Barry can't handle it anymore (he's not looked right for a long time from what I've seen).

I actually thought Lecott did alright. He defended well but admittedly he was perhaps the one most guilty for lumping it aimlessly in Carrolls direction. Carroll did well enough as well, especially given the very limited service.

Also good to see Richards back in an England shirt, even if he might not've done enough to earn his recall. Glenn Johnson had a great run of form but, like Barry, seems to have lost that over the last 12 months. I think Richards is the one who could make the position his own but like so many of our players he needs to be playing week in week out to learn his trade.

Where was Wiltshire? - he's shown he is ready for the Arsenal team so we need to get him involved as much as possible with England so he can take over from Gerrard/Lampard. Henderson just doesn't look ready, as you say. With Walcott - as soon as Arsenal start playing him upfront, then England will benefit as i believe he will be a killer centre forward, playing off the like of Rooney and maybe even Carroll if he continues to improve.

I would give Stuart Downing another try too - he's looking far more on form and can play either wing, as with Adam Johnson

[Hoop Blah]

Wilshire was unavailable for some reason. I can't remember why but I think it's safe to say he'll be involved with the senior team on a regular basis from here on in.

I can see the Gerrard and Wilshire being the starting midfield, with Rooney in front of them and one of Defoe, Carroll or Walcot leading the line.

Downings a funny one. He has times when he looks really good at club level, and has had a couple of decent games for England in the past, but for the majority of the time he just looks like he's not quite good enough. Perhaps its as simple as he just can't form a good partnership with Ashley Cole or is overawed by the England set up. With Carroll and Crouch in the squad good delievery from out wide, that Downing can deliver, should be more and more important so perhaps he should get another go. It'd be nice to see a left footer on the left again!

[No Fixed Abode]

Serious question - did Gerrard play last night?

[Stuka]

Serious question - did Gerrard play last night?

yes and he missed some real howlers.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Capello out. He is devoid of ideas and still selects the same crap players over and over again.

[TBM]

Capello out. He is devoid of ideas and still selects the same crap players over and over again.

tbh, its not his fault

Who would you have selected?

[Stuka]

In different circumstances, maybe in the future, I' think 'arry would be good.

[TBM]

In different circumstances, maybe in the future, I' think 'arry would be good.

I meant player wise

[Maguire]

Wilshere was injured (I think I heard on the radio)

He'll be a big player for us though.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Capello out. He is devoid of ideas and still selects the same crap players over and over again.

tbh, its not his fault

Who would you have selected?

Even with a full squad he would still select the same crap players over and over again.

Ferdinand etc.

[Wax Jacket]

Capello out. He is devoid of ideas and still selects the same crap players over and over again.

tbh, its not his fault

Who would you have selected?

Even with a full squad he would still select the same crap players over and over again.

Ferdinand etc.

Gerrard

the new beckham. undroppable on the strength of some performances years ago and stopping other players getting a go...although tbf that was a very young side, Milner finishing as captain!

[Ian Royal]

'greed with Mags. You look at our central midfielders, they get the ball and their head is up and trying to pick someone out on the wing, or over the top. The Spain and the Brazils of this world on the other hand, play neat and tidy passing in the centre of the pitch and work an opening, with other players moving and giving options. England lack the imagination and creativity to do this.

Completely. And it's not just the midfielders. I only saw the last 20 minutes, but from defence we looked clueless how to move the ball forward from the back. The defenders were only comfortable playing a forwards or sideways pass when there wasn't a French player within 10 yards of the route the ball would take.

I lost count of the number of times they gave up and sent it back to Foster or pumped it forward. Lescott at least tried to bring the ball forward a couple of times. Of course he held on to it too long and ran into trouble and lost it.

There's just no movement or zip to the passing. It's so ponderous and predictable.

[TBM]

Capello out. He is devoid of ideas and still selects the same crap players over and over again.

tbh, its not his fault

Who would you have selected?

Even with a full squad he would still select the same crap players over and over again.

Ferdinand etc.

But my question was, who would you pick?

To me, there isn't any word class players that are English bar Rooney and Gerrard. Lampard is on his day, as is Terry but nobody else would get in the Spain, Brazil, Argentina sides etc

[Maguire]

To me, there isn't any word class players that are English bar Rooney and Gerrard. Lampard is on his day, as is Terry but nobody else would get in the Spain, Brazil, Argentina sides etc

You missed out our best player.

[Bandini]

To me, there isn't any word class players that are English bar Rooney and Gerrard. Lampard is on his day, as is Terry but nobody else would get in the Spain, Brazil, Argentina sides etc

You missed out our best player.

Racism.