FIFA World Cup 2014

I feel sorry for my mate Gary Lewin who dislocated his ankle celebrating England's goal.

I agree with much of this, Peter.  Of course the result was a disappointment, but Hodgson fielded a youthful and attacking team as most of us hoped he would, and they had a go.  I thought Sturridge did well and Stirling very well.  Apart from his excellent cross for the one England goal I thought Rooney under-performed again.  Johnson was absent from the right back position for Baotelli's goal, showing his usual defensive lapses.  Felt sorry for Baines who for the whole match was overrun by two Italians on his wing. Not his fault but the midfield ahead of him.  

The Italian keeper had plenty to do in the game and with luck one or two of those rebounds or crosses could have fell for us and resulted in goals but you have to give credit to what looked a well-organised and technically efficient Italian team.      

PS   Surprised we haven't heard from Fabio1 yet? 

Hello MDS,all the chaps here.First thing:my cardiologist made a very good job two months ago,had no problem with my heart last night especially at the beginning of the match when England was attacking very strong and Barzagli took away the ball from an English player's head.Naturally I'm also pleased by Italy's victory.Very impressed by Sturridge and  Stirling.The last one was a thorn in Italian defence's side.Very good player.Didn't like Rooney's performance at all.

Welbeck was clearly England's best player on the night. Gerrard was completley anonymous and Baines was poor.

Barkley must start against Uruguay - quality

Congratulations, Fabio. If Italy maintain that level of performance they should go through as group winners.  As I said in one of my earlier posts, and despite the defeat, I enjoyed watching Pirlo. His step-over for the first goal was class and his reaction of calm resignation when his last minute free kick crashed off the England bar said it all.

MDS 

Well done Italy.

I thought it was a very even match overall, Italy just shaded it with clean and focussed ball posession. Italy had the better ball control from the back to the middle of the park and passing and England had the better attacking play.

The problem was Gerrard and Henderson sat back too much and there was a big whole in the centre of the Last third, it was only in the first 10mins and the last 15mins that England were a little more free flowing up front. Overall they relied on the flanks too much and Italy could put two men on Sterling. I thought Rooney did okay and I reckon he will improve each game.

I would take Welbeck off, put Barkley in his place on the left and move Rooney behind Sturridge in the middle And perhaps replace Henderson with Lampard for the next game.

Interesting that England are the first team to show cramping within 90mins, why is that?

Jason.

Chris

I know you are a Man Utd fan (as am I after Aberdeen) but Welbeck clearly the best player on the night?...I think you have a somewhat red tinged view there.  He wasn't bad and he harried well but clearly England's best player?  I think not - that accolade has to go to Sterling but even he ended up going deeper and deeper and became less effective as he did so.

Agree that Baines was ineffective but that was due to Italy overloading their side side and England never really adjusting fully and I'm not sure what Gerrard contributed either.

I think Hodgson has a decision to make on Rooney (who was clearly should have scored in the second half) - either back him fully by playing him in the right position or leave him out....grow a pair Roy....and I am not a Rooney "hater" like some on here.

Not a bad English performance but I would worry about that defence as the tournament moved forward.

Brought to you courtesy of an ambivalent/neutral Scotsman!

I will keep this short. Should Roy have taken Ashley Cole? and what changes will he need to make to beat Uruguay

Graham.

No I don't think so - I don't think that he should have been substituted either.

Sterling did well but his final ball was lacking.  I would bring Barkley in and play Rooney through the middle - oh and drop Slippy and make Rooney captain too  

So who would you leave out for Barkley Chris?  If Gerrard, does that mean you are playing a 1 - 4 - 0 - 6 formation?  

I suspect you would also play Smalling, Jones, Cleverly and Ben Amos is clearly better than Hart in your world I suspect 

I would go along with this.

No - I would put Sturridge on the bench as a potential impact substitute - like in his Chelski days.

Jones for Slippy is a good shout though - alongside Wilshere and with Shaw in for Baines 

Chris, I find it amasing you actually watch top flight football on a regular basis.

I thought the match was entertaining, with better fortune in front of goal, England could easily of won the game.

I'd play 3 in midfield, Gerrard in the centre with Barkley and Wilshire either side, Barkley and Wilshire providing protection for the fullbacks.

I'd play Sturridge up front, with Sterling and Lallana supporting/moving out to the wings.

Chris, I find it amazing you actually watch top flight football on a regular basis.

Well I did until last season 

Barkley must be included - he is a bit special imho  - but in the right place please. 

Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina build-up

BBC 

Seriously? Well at least you've dropped Gerrard and Johnson  

Sterling could be more suited to the Madonna role I would have thought? Barkley is going to be so much better than Platini 

….. but BJM as Carlos Alberto - classic 

Why do so many people seem to spell Sterling with ani rather than an e - or am I wrong?

Having said that the misspelling (which I hope is correct) does engage Scotland more with the World Cup - so perhaps not a bad thing after all 

Sorry - couldn't resist this picture - a legitimate dive 

Thank you Jim - hadn't seen that - not a Daily Mail aficionado like my dad is.

This was interesting though 

Chris,

I am not a Mail reader either ( Scottish circulation is about 17 copies daily I believe).

Wat,

You seem blinded by you hatred of Rooney but when he "disposed (sic)" Barkley when they were headed in opposite directions it is known as a Take Over and it did wrong foot all the defenders but he did get the subsequent shot wrong. 

I remember the Take Over well as I was assessed on my ability to coach it when I did my B Licence at the Scottish Coaching Centre at Largs.  That was when I could consistently put one leg in front of another of course. 

Cheers

Jim

Yes - he created space shot and missed - it does happen 

Heaven forbid that he might have scored - that would probably have been worse for some people 

There was never any chance of that Chris.  He has a great record for a striker in the World Cup Finals, I don't think. We'll be on the first plane home I'm afraid.

Wow, talk about pessimism! I'm sure everyone in Spain thought the same thing 4 years ago when they lost to Switzerland in the first group game.....

Of course it helps to have a handy scapegoat and hate figure to blame for it all. 

Jim

Rooney is still the third best player in the World - when alll is said and done  #WorldClass

Have to say she scrubs up well...shame about her other half.

I think that Colleen is really nice - and Wayne is a national hero - in a properly orientated world