Ghana v England

[Victor Meldrew]

Was it mentioned in commentary that Ghana played an Africa Cup of Nations game on Sunday?
So they travelled from Ghana and played against England 2 days later and seemed to finish the game stronger.
What does that say other than English high profile players appear to need a lot of rest,Terry,Cole,Rooney et al who did not play last night after their stroll in Cardiff last Saturday?

[soggy biscuit]

He's certainly got a hint of Alan Shearer about him

the boner or the bent leg?

[TBM]

Its a mooseknuckle, is it not?!

[Tails]

Yes sorry that went over my head, didn't mean to patronise you there.

A strange thing happened at the pub afterwards where the usual guys come round selling badges from a cork board only this one guy was black-British and had 'Blood & Honour' badges (Nazi group) Confusing to say the least.

Bit of a put off - having those guys as regulars, sadly. As you highlight, they are a very odd bunch!!

[Ian Royal]

Thought England looked exciting and tidy, if lacking a little in experience when perhaps you might have seen a crap performance that ground out a nasty win by the usual suspects.

Only saw the highlights, but Wilshire looked very good but trying to take on too much and go a man too far. Thought Downing was excellent if bafflingly put on the right. Cahill & Young were also impressive, though Young should have buried the chance when he hit the bar.

LOLescott not very impressive.

Absolutely fantastic goal from Gyan, should never have been allowed to do it, but still utter brilliance. Realy like Ghana, they;re quick, strong, skillful and determined. Awesome to see them celebrate their goal and a result that obviously meant a hel of a lot to them. Hints that the game meant a lot to a few of the English lads to. Which is what we need. I'll take a lesser team that works together and cares over a bunch of underperforming "brilliant" individuals that don't care.

[TBM]

Only saw the highlights, but Wilshire looked very good but trying to take on too much and go a man too far. Thought Downing was excellent if bafflingly put on the right. Cahill & Young were also impressive, though Young should have buried the chance when he hit the bar.

It wasn't until the 33rd minute that Wilshire lost the ball for the first time, so dont agree with what you say there.....2nd half he maybe ran out of legs but i dont think he was doing too much.

The reason Downing was on the right and Young on the left was due to the 4-3-3 formation - if they were on their natural side it would have made the front 3 too far apart, having them as they were made it narrow enough to support Carroll as they cut inside onto their stronger foot.

[Libertine]

Tbh it sounds like England's B team looked better than the A team. Another case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts? I think England would be far better off having kids who want to play as part of a team on the pitch instead of a bunch 'o prima donnas who are there just because they feel it is their right to be. After the last world cup, which I know was a major disappointment, Capello talked about retooling the team with younger players. I hope, for England's sake, the Ghana game hastens that process...

[Libertine]

For what it is worth...

I really think the B team's draw, a game they almost hung on to win, with Ghana, a team which went farther (the quarters) in the last world cup than England did, was more impressive than the A team's 2-0 win over a much poorer Wales side.

[Hoop Blah]

For what it is worth...

I really think the B team's draw, a game they almost hung on to win, with Ghana, a team which went farther (the quarters) in the last world cup than England did, was more impressive than the A team's 2-0 win over a much poorer Wales side.

Totally agree with that last point, it was a much more competitive game and the performance was a step up from Saturdays. I'm a big fan of bringing through the next generation and the change in attitude it may bring etc etc.

However, don't underestimate the impact of the pressue of playing for England in a comptetive fixture over a completely different prospect of a carnival friendly against Ghana.

Also bear in mind that if we'd had Cole, Rooney and Gerrard in that line-up (plus Parker in for Barry) and Terry in for Lescott we probably would've won the game. That's the problem for an England manager. Those players are better and it's getting the balance right of playing your best players or building your best team.

Those youngsters that did well on Tuesday night might not be able to do that after a few games and having the expectations that go with then becoming an established international. That's when the fear factor kicks in and performances become a lot more laboured and you see players afraid to take a risk.

[Wax Jacket]

not sure the people on the receiving end of some of those Ghanaian tackles would think it was an especially carnival atmosphere tbh

[ZacNaloen]

Milners tackle was up with the best (worst) of them

[Hoop Blah]

Not to mention Baines' which was in the air and out of control by current standards.

I actually think the players would've quite liked it. It's much better to be in a proper game like that if you're trying to impress, especially for a defender. If it was a normal half paced friendly with no tackles those who improved their reputations and standing with the manager would've struggled to do so.

[Libertine]

For what it is worth...

I really think the B team's draw, a game they almost hung on to win, with Ghana, a team which went farther (the quarters) in the last world cup than England did, was more impressive than the A team's 2-0 win over a much poorer Wales side.

Totally agree with that last point, it was a much more competitive game and the performance was a step up from Saturdays. I'm a big fan of bringing through the next generation and the change in attitude it may bring etc etc.

However, don't underestimate the impact of the pressue of playing for England in a comptetive fixture over a completely different prospect of a carnival friendly against Ghana.

Also bear in mind that if we'd had Cole, Rooney and Gerrard in that line-up (plus Parker in for Barry) and Terry in for Lescott we probably would've won the game. That's the problem for an England manager. Those players are better and it's getting the balance right of playing your best players or building your best team.

Those youngsters that did well on Tuesday night might not be able to do that after a few games and having the expectations that go with then becoming an established international. That's when the fear factor kicks in and performances become a lot more laboured and you see players afraid to take a risk.

I really can't argue too much there. All in all spot on. Pressure in an England uniform? Absolutely!! But big time players should relish the chance to play in pressure situations, not fear them. I would hope that Carroll, Young, Cahill and Downing all get worked into the rotation on a much more regular basis. And of course Wilshere already has a regular place there, and rightly so. The future captain of England.

And of course having Messers Ferguson, Ancellotti and Wenger there looking over the national team's coach's shoulder, critiquing how their star English players are used, and their egos are stroked, tends to complicate things in terms of fielding the best possible team.

Being an American I follow the USMNT much closer than I do England's team but I do pay close attention to England also. It, in a sense, is the same thing we're wrestling with with our American team (though our expectations as fans are much lower than your's in terms of results), which is pushing away more established, but older stars, who are not as effective as they were in the past so they can be replaced by younger, hungrier, more athletic and very talented youngsters who give you a better chance to win. I look no farther than what Germany, and its group of young players, accomplished in the last world cup to be convinced that the youth needs to be served in that regard.

[Mr Angry]

That game put to rest any thoughts people had that we would have had an easier ride in the WC had we ended up playing Ghana rather than Germany in the first knock out round.

It also highlighted something else; ok, some of those replacing the "Golden generation" players aren't as good, but at least they give 100%; we should do the same as the French - basically turn around to all the old "stars", say "thanks a lot, but you have now retired from International football", and then start the rebuilding process for Brazil 2014 at once with young exciting players.

[Bandini]

That game put to rest any thoughts people had that we would have had an easier ride in the WC had we ended up playing Ghana rather than Germany in the first knock out round.

It also highlighted something else; ok, some of those replacing the "Golden generation" players aren't as good, but at least they give 100%; we should do the same as the French - basically turn around to all the old "stars", say "thanks a lot, but you have now retired from International football", and then start the rebuilding process for Brazil 2014 at once with young exciting players.

I don't know. If we have the same players in a settled side for the next three years I, for one, will just moan come the world cup that it's the same old faces. I'd rather that they were held back until the last minute so that we could have the excitement of new players upon whom unrealistic expectations could be foisted.

[Ian Royal]

Only saw the highlights, but Wilshire looked very good but trying to take on too much and go a man too far. Thought Downing was excellent if bafflingly put on the right. Cahill & Young were also impressive, though Young should have buried the chance when he hit the bar.

It wasn't until the 33rd minute that Wilshire lost the ball for the first time, so dont agree with what you say there.....2nd half he maybe ran out of legs but i dont think he was doing too much.

The reason Downing was on the right and Young on the left was due to the 4-3-3 formation - if they were on their natural side it would have made the front 3 too far apart, having them as they were made it narrow enough to support Carroll as they cut inside onto their stronger foot.

I did say I'd only seen the highlights. I'd assumed that we were playing 4-4-2 with Young dropping off Carroll and Milner on the left. But it's quite hard to work out from highlights so I accept that may not be right.