The performance was the worst and most disappointing most fan's have seen in living memory from the National side. It wasn't a team performance as eleven individuals played with no passion or commitment failing to score or even give Algeria's third choice goal-keeper any saves to make of note. The North Africans had lost five of their last six games prior to kick off last night.
The players looked scared and certainly didn't look like they were enjoying themselves, the appear bogged down in a sea of tactical nonsense and what if situations?? The game was Dull, uninspiring and lacked any imagination. Some people may have even switched over to watch Big Brother on that showing!!
No player seemed to give anywhere near 100% effort as the beautiful game once again turned into a nightmare for England.
After all of this though - the situation can be rectified, there is a tiny amount of light at the end of a very long tunnel for the players and Fabio Capello.
Win against Slovenia and we are through to the next round. Simple!!!
We need a 5 star performance and the right result next Wednesday. Fabio can make this happen by changing the starting line up.
How many times do we have to watch Lampard and Gerrard playing in the same team to see they can't play together. The cold end would drop Frank Lampard and have a midfield of Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard with Aaron Lennon on the right and Joe Cole on the left.
Up front Emile Heskey has to be dropped, correct me if I'm wrong but the definition of a centre forward/striker's job is to score goals and for all the hard work Heskey carries out he simply doesn't score enough goals. He has now played 60 times for England and hit the back of the net just seven times, since his return to the national side in 2007 he has played 19 times scoring two goals, one against Khazakstan (away) in qualifying and one against Slovakia in a friendly played at Wembley. Prior to these two goals you have to go back to May 2003 when he scored versus South Africa in a friendly in Durban. His statistics for World Cup qualifiers and actual World Cup tournament games now reads played 20 scored 3 or about one goal in every six games played which just isn't good enough.
Would you go for Rooney up front?? I would say Peter Crouch with his goalscoring record for England may deserve a chance but I'll go for Jermaine Defoe with his pace to frighten defenders alongside Rooney who is now under major pressure to give the world class performance he is capable of against Slovenia. Crouch can be a super-sub if it all goes wrong for the second half.
THE COLD END'S STARTING LINE UP FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY
GK David James
LB Ashley Cole
RB Glen Johnson
CB John Terry
CB Matthew Upson or Ledley King (if he's fit) in place of suspended Carragher.
CM Gareth Barry
CM Steven Gerrard (with instructions to get forward, shoot and enjoy yourself. Play like you do for Liverpool)
RM Aaron Lennon
LM Joe Cole
CF Wayne Rooney
CF Jermaine Defoe
Someone needs to step up and be the hero to spark the England team into life next Wednesday, otherwise it's the unthinkable and England are out!! The players are accomplished and proficient enough to beat Slovenia and keep the dream alive.
The cold end is ever the optimist and hopes to be celebrating next Wednesday afternoon!!!
COME ON ENGLAND
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