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Originally Posted by united
While England getting dismantled by Italy was disappointing, especially in the manner it happened, it wasn't really unexpected. Just winning the group was exceeding expectations.
Fact is with that squad selection and such casual tactics using a simple 4-4-2 they weren't really going to stand a chance against a quality side.
When you have numerous defenders instead of Ferdinand; or Downing, Henderson (who?), Milner, and Parker instead of Scholes, Carrick, and Richards, you are already handicapping your team before the tournament even starts. Add in an out-of-form Rooney suspended for half the matches, a midfield (outside of Gerrard) who gave the ball away like they were allergic to it, and Glen Johnson instead of Jones and it was a recipe for disaster.
How unbelievable is it that the top passing combination was Hart to Carrol (who only played half the game)? Gerrard was a one-man midfield and Pirlo was stupidly given the time and space to rip England to shreds. And what was Hart doing on the penalties? Way to act like a complete dickhead for no purpose, only to have Pirlo embarrass you - as he said he planned to.
Bad squad selection, bad tactics, and yet I'm still disappointed...I'll never learn.
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Agree with most sentiments except for Joe Hart. If you anticipate the player punishing his shot, you do your best to read the foot plant and guess.
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"Way to act like a complete dickhead for no purpose, only to have Pirlo embarrass you - as he said he planned to."
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Best keeper we've had since Banks, and you share that? Ridiculously over the top harsh. I think he's usually good for one save, and further was certainly trying to in proper form. Have you played keeper on PK's before? I have for 20+ years. It's FATAing stressful. We'll call that a muligan.
In addition to the absenses you mentioned were Wilshere & Cleverly. Don't forget the under-utilization of Walcott.
Also, I think I would've preferred Leon Britton over Henderson.
My minimally researched 2014 WC squad.
---Young-Rooney-Walcott
-----Wilshere-Cleverly
----------Carrick
-Baines-Jones-Smalling-Richards
------------Hart