england - the next generation

[Elmer Park]

I have only seen England's three matches but I didn't think there was anything to choose between England, the Czechs and Ukraine. All were uninspiring with little flair.

Couldn't see a goal coming in the England - Czech game but once we got ahead I thought we should have tried to show a bit of composure, work the ball upfield and run the clock down by trying to retain possession or win throw ins or free kicks in the opponents half. Instead of which we hoofed the ball upfield which, whilst using up a bit of time, just resulted in the Czechs launching another attack.

Overall a few players showed they might have what it takes to play at full International level but there were several who didn't even really look like they would be sure of playing their careers at Premier League level.

[Avon Royal]

The Cezchs didn't destroy us when they needed to either.

I'm afraid they did. It was far, far too easy for them.

What do you expect? This is a decent team, on the brink of elimination and throwing everything they have at another decent team for 15 minutes.

Even then we had

Lansbury's shot from edge of the box
Welbeck cynically blocked running through plus the resulting free kick
Welbeck's goalmouth scramble from Albrightons run down the right

They had a couple of long hopeful balls into the box that we coped easily with
Smalling sweeping up behind Jones which was quite under control
A header wide of the target that caused no trouble
The first goal

Anything after that is irrelevant really.

If that's getting destroyed then you've got some very unrealistic expectations.

If it makes you feel better..........

[Hoop Blah]

So you think that creating two actual chances in 15 minutes, whilst the opposition create more at the other end, is destroying a team then?

How odd.

[ZacNaloen]

I'll say again, Defensively England is fine, we could probably drop Rio and replace him with Smalling tomorrow.

However I think we have to cross our fingers and hope that the next lot of strikers to come through are much better.

Lansbury should have started the game, Henderson just doesn't have the range of passing necessary on that showing...

[cmonurz]

First game I've watched of the tournament, but I gather Henderson has struggled in all three games. Tried the glory pass all too often, looked for gaps that weren't there. Very busy, he's got good feet and energy but he needs to channel that a lot more, looked very raw.

[Hoop Blah]

Henderson is a 20 year old Frank Lampard. Very much a typical up and down English midfielder. I can see why he's thought of as a good prospect but he's miles away from being the player to partner Wilshire in the future (he may well develop into it though).

He's basically a prime example of the type of player that the likes of RR have been criticising our football system for producing too many of (which isn't a point I'd dispute, I'm just not sure there is a hell of a lot that can be done to counter it effectively).

I'm not sure the attacking talents from this squad are, Sturridge and Wickham apart, really expected to challenge the likes of Young, Johnson, Walcot, Lenon, Milner, Carroll, Rooney, Crouch, Bent etc etc in the next 4 or so years. They may progress to get to that level but I'm not convinced (although I do like the look of Cleverly and Albrighton from the league form).

The next age group (Wickham's natural team) sound like they're a little better going forwards with Wickham, Oxlade-Chamberlain, McEachran and perhaps even our own Obita already making a reputation for themselves.

Walker, Smalling and Jones all looked very comfortable during this tournament and I think Walker will actually be the biggest winner from this. I can see him putting a bit of pressure on Glen Johnson's place early next season as a result.

There's no doubting that we were lacking going forwards though.

[Big Foot]

Only watched last night's game - was very impressed with Smalling

[floyd__streete]

StuaROFLt PeaROFLce. To the Little Englander brigade who insist that we need an englishman to manage the national team, hopefully you won't be including Pearce on your wish-list because his track record is appaling.

Furthermore, how come the offspring of the richest league in the world can't beat the young upstarts from the Czech league, which one assumes is hardly awash with cash? Probably because we give top technical posts in this country to the likes of St Trevor of Brooking, whose only coaching credentials come from securing West Ham's relegation in 2003.

[soggy biscuit]

St Trevor of Brooking

Why have people starting doing that with names? must have heard variations on the above 5 times in the past week.

[floyd__streete]

St Trevor of Brooking

Why have people starting doing that with names? must have heard variations on the above 5 times in the past week.

I think with Tricky Trevor I just resent the fact that he seems to be sanctified in footballing circles in this country. Remember Pardewg8 and "we'll have to try other avenues".

[Hoop Blah]

Furthermore, how come the offspring of the richest league in the world can't beat the young upstarts from the Czech league, which one assumes is hardly awash with cash?

I think it's because at the amount of cash you throw at the problem doesn't equal getting the right result at the other end.

I do think facilities need to be improved for the general population over here but I think so much of it comes down to our culture and approach to the game. That's not solved by the money sloshing around players pockets in the Premier League, in fact as someone said earlier in the thread it's probably one of the causes because our youngsters think they've made it big by the time they're anywhere close to the U21s side, let alone the senior team.

[papereyes]

St Trevor of Brooking

Why have people starting doing that with names? must have heard variations on the above 5 times in the past week.

I thought that one dated from his playing career ...

[No Fixed Abode]

Henderson was woeful. £20m!!! Sunderland must be rubbing their hands. Josh McEachran should have been in the team. At least he has some CL experience.

[biscuitman]

At least he has some CL experience.

Is that the only reason he should of been included? One player wouldn't of changed that England team last week..

[Royal Rother]

A bit of flair and ball control wouldn't HAVE gone amiss.

[No Fixed Abode]

The midfield was Englands weak point. The back four were pretty good, and Welbeck and Sturridge played well considering the lack of service they had.

[Zammo]

Henderson was woeful. £20m!!! Sunderland must be rubbing their hands. Josh McEachran should have been in the team. At least he has some CL experience.

I think £20m was paid due to his awesome display at Stamford Bridge last year, when Sunderland hammered Chelsea 3-0.

**EDIT** McEachran played in the game

[Zammo]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/21/SOCCER_England_Under-21_Mills.html&BID=165

The views of Danny Mills.

[Royal Rother]

Very good. Not a great player but he seems a clear-thinking individual.

[papereyes]

At least the U-17s team is good.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... -goal.html


oh.