i have been reading through the majority of analysis from Saturdays game against the USA, and there is a common over judgement about the performance.
i just wanted to make one point that i think every single article (in particular the negative ones) has missed out when analysing the result...
The game between England and the USA was statistically the closest game of the whole group round of this world cup. England are ranked 8th in the world, with the USA ranked 14th. there is no other game in the group stage of this world cup that has two teams so closely ranked.
Therefore, can we accept that, irrelevant of the performance, a point from that game is acceptable. plus... with France dropping points, as well as Greece losing, i think we can say that we haven't produced a howler of a result.. just a howler of a performance for parts of the game.
i agree that Green has done very well by 'manning up' and accepting the error as something he needs to embrace. i think personally that we should stick with him and it will improve his character and performance.
i personally think we should always play Gerrard behind Rooney, as he would act in the same holding role as Heskey, yet be more productive in front of goal. with this formation, defenders would stick close to Gerrard outside the box, as no defender would want to give him 5 yards in which to get a shot off. this would hold the defense up outside the box giving Rooney more space and time to operate inside the box.
i also think (opinions are allowed i hope) that Joe Cole should have started. and should start this Friday also. not only do i think it would be great to have Cole, Lamps, Barry and Lennon in the same formation... but i think he is one of those 'lion heart' players who steps up to an evernt like the world cup, and inspires other members of the team.
the main point i want to make is that, although i have my opinions (as stated above), i am not an internationally acclaimed professional football manager who has spent every hour of every day with our squad for the last few weeks. i am a 23 year old boy who has his opinions on how the team should be arranged. regardless of the team that is selected, Mr Capello is in the best position to decide what to do, and as in cricket.. the umpires decision is final.
as a nation, let's get behind the 11 men who walk on to the pitch on Friday, whoever they may be, and cheer our boys into the finals.
Good luck England. let's bring it home
