by Ian Royal »
08 Sep 2014 20:49
To be honest, I liked the way we played against Norway and I like the way we're playing now. It's by no means the final product and much to do to get it there, but it shows an early stage of plenty of promise. Certainly far better than the plodding clueless fare we've had over the Golden Generation years.
We look slick in possession, but we're just not quite tuned in to each other in the final third, with Rooney continuing to look nothing like the huge name striker he's supposed to be. Still, if you don't get great service you can't be expected to do huge amounts. Although he's had a couple of decent chances he's been very unconvincing on. Also not quite moving the ball quick enough at the back and showing for it well enough.
More training and more matches should help get there.
Hart - good
Stones - needs to be a bit more involved, but he's the least experienced isn't he?
Baines - good
Jones - one step away from a screw up. Should have scored, doesn't look like a CB who's played in midfield and at fullback.
Cahill - fine
Wilshere - mostly marked out of it, not the fulcrum for me. Needs to show more, but needs the CBs to be sharper and Delph and Henderson to move the Swiss around too.
Henderson - not involved enough, might be due to a lack of trust in involving Stones?
Delph - drifted out the game after putting himself on notice for a red.
Stirling - ok, getting fouled a lot and not enough space
Welbeck - working hard, doing ok, but showing his limitations
Rooney - should have volley his first chance, should have been going far post for another etc
Overall, I'll give that a 6.5/10
