Re: Pre World Cup Friendlies Thread

[EL Patron]

What is Llalana doing   

[RealGunner]

Honduras down to 10 men

[McLewis]

Good half of football. Tempo was predictably slow to begin with, but ticked up gradually.

Really want Nigeria to stay in the gear they ended the half in. That's what USA will face against Ghana. Lot of time without the ball with chances to counter.

[Mr Nick09]

this barkley lad is the new kaka?

[RealGunner]

Johnson has ruined every single attack from the right

[The Franchise]

Another reason England arent very dangerous against these defensive oriented teams?

They dont realise that if they have the ball, 40m from goal (basically, any non shooting position but past the halfway line) its okay not to go forward looking for the killer ball. You can just play sideways and use the other side of the field.

They dont provoke the midfield at all. You supposed to pass forward to feet, give it back, go sideways, into the forward again, back out, recycle and probe untill you get an advantage.

England play like its not okay to keep the ball in the attacking area, they should be "going for it" every time they get past the half way line.

[Busby Babe]

nice turn by lallana

[Jay29]

Lallana has been disappointing this half. He's losing the ball too much.

Would be a good time to get Sterling on.

[Busby Babe]

Sterling is suspended for this match, I think

[Jay29]

Another chance for Sturridge, and he fails to hit the target again. Good football to create the chance, though.

[RealGunner]

Sturridge is not on his A game

[RealGunner]

This is our best midfield play since years

[The Franchise]

Much better for that chance, perhaps being down to 9 (they had a man down) had something to do with it but none the less the ball moved sides, went forward and back. Moved the the defence around before crossing into a bigger space than would of otherwise of been there.

[Gil]

Our midfield play against Ecuador was also very good. People just see what they want to.

[RealGunner]

Another reason England arent very dangerous against these defensive oriented teams?

They dont realise that if they have the ball, 40m from goal (basically, any non shooting position but past the halfway line) its okay not to go forward looking for the killer ball. You can just play sideways and use the other side of the field.

They dont provoke the midfield at all. You supposed to pass forward to feet, give it back, go sideways, into the forward again, back out, recycle and probe untill you get an advantage.

England play like its not okay to keep the ball in the attacking area, they should be "going for it" every time they get past the half way line.

That's the fundamentals lol, which for some reason they don't acknowledge. That's what was happening in the first half. long aimless 50 yards attempt to break them open. The Hondurans prepared for the exact tactics lmao. That's how they going to play.

It's much more advanced in the 2nd half. Ball is moving constantly sideways. Looking for quick 1-2s. Not surprisingly done by the substitutes and the younger players

[Jay29]

Henderson with an aimless chip into the box. Basically sums up what Dani is saying.

Now Henderson with an aimless long shot

[McLewis]

Ben Jata ‏@Ben_Jata 3m
#USMNT completed 285 passes in the first half with 94% accuracy and 58% possession. #USAvNGA

[The Franchise]

Give Honduras credit, they are extremely well drilled and organised at the back. The 2 blocks of 4 are doing excellently well covering.

There is some space in between the lines when England build up play, but seems like England's CB dont have that kind of ability to play those balls directly into that space.

[Nishankly]

I forgot Honduras playing with 10 men. Sturridge has been horrible today, He needs to work more on his decision making, Improved though from his Chelsea days.

[RealGunner]

Wilshere's fitness is getting there. Looks so much sharper today. His appreciation of space is so good.

[Jay29]

Not worried about the result since we at least created some good chances, and played better football in the second half.

What I take from this is that when Wilshere and Barkely are in the centre, England looks a more fluid side than with Rooney there. I've said it before, but if Rooney isn't going to play up front then he shouldn't be playing at all right now.

Unfortunately, Hodgson won't have the balls to leave him out against Italy.

[Nishankly]

Though i still expect Sturridge to score against Italy.

[RealGunner]

Hodgson is not going to change anything against Italy. The first half team is going to start with Sterling instead of welbeck.

[RedOranje]

If Dempsey opts to take that shot at the WC rather than passing it to the open man 5 yards out from goal, I'll lose it.

[RedOranje]

USA starting to climb on top physically, Nigeria look to be tiring.

[McLewis]

This is the most cohesive I've seen USA play under Klinsmann must be said. Solid defensively, winning the ball back quickly in midfield, transitioning quickly and the link-up play between Bradley and Dempsey has been ace.

We play like this against Ghana and I like our chances infinitely better.

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