The International break can only mean one thing – a ponderous and back combed Roy, giving the latest anaesthetising review of progress at the England training camp. The only thing more sedate and laborious is the slow train to Penzance.
Apparently news of a new ‘diamond’ 4-4-2 (let me repeat that, 4–4–2) is supposed to fill England fans with delight and anticipation and thus fill a 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium. The only thing less predictable than Hodgson’s England set up and style of play is Rooney’s haircut.
About the man, he seems overly charged up when he has been playing as of yet. The responsibility of being Captain is an emotional burden more than anything, and it doesn’t look like Wayne has quite got the balance right yet. The pressure against West Ham got to him and it was a sense of ‘why am I not performing’ as Downing was striding away from him. I think it was a bit early to make him United Captain and think it should have gone to Darren Fletcher – but then again as a team stalwart and regular starter he was also a popular choice. People have said he has peaked, which I think is a bit early to call at this stage of the season. Playing the no. 10 role in Van Gaal’s formation between the front two, could just as easily prove to be the next milestone for a player with vision and passing ability.
Whilst Rooney was once a young talent, the latest name that keeps cropping up is Raheem Sterling. It was just a matter of time before there was some talk of transfer interest from Real Madrid – but to be honest it is a bit early for him and he should play out a few more years where he can really excel at Liverpool or another club where he will be a focus point and regular starter. At 19 there’s no way he should be tired, ‘fatigue’ is just an excuse to be rested against a weak international team. It was probably at the advice of Rodgers’ but at the same time the otherwise normally astute Hodgson shouldn’t have put him in the limelight like that. My only thought is that Hodgson felt the public needed some reason for not starting with Sterling – a dynamic young talent, or to send a message to Rodgers’. In the end, neither really worked and as they say, personal matters regarding players should not have been aired publicly.
The england play? Well, I think it was evident that we were struck by the same curse as always. A lack of care. The team looks as if it is waiting for someone else to provide the magic touch and neither is willing to take the lead. The way the players were at times addressing the referee was a bit out of order and there was no incentive or zest to their play. In these sorts of games, England fans want to see crisp sharp passing, confidence on the ball and working the ball in the midfield. All too often, England are sloppy, first touches aren’t in the right place, the vision isn’t there. It’s not the quality of the players, it’s an old English affliction I feel that when we travel we have a tendency to look down on other nations and think that playing in the Premier means they have a right to win international matches. That’s not how it works. Wilshere had a decent game as some reported, but then again the opponent gave him the running space that he likes to exploit. In the Premier League I don’t think he has as much time or space. But when he is able to do that, he does punish teams.
Any way back to proper matces this week, and a chance to see Di Maria and hopefully a resurgent Falcao.
In other football news Man City ladies won the Continental cup – the more coverage the women’s game gets the better imo.
And Cavani gets a red for doing a sniper gun celebration and then man-handling the referee.
Lickable. 