England - the future....

[6ft Kerplunk]

And Clive starts thinking we've won the euros already. ffs.

Really need Kane to miss an open goal so I can call him the white Dele. Oh, too late.

[genome]

Top stuff

Bet Dele's pleased that 3rd went in

[Ian Royal]

Good effort. Pretty clear that Germany were playing well within themselves, treating it exactly as it was - a friendly. At 2-0 they dropped down another gear. It clearly meant a lot more to England. Good to see us pick up the goals, but we looked vulnerable at the back. I was disappointed that two of the front three/four seemed to be making the same run as each other in most attacks rather one dropping off or pulling wide. It was very much within the width of the box.

No surprise that we get our open play goal from a bit of width from Clyne.

There's lots of promise there. We just need to work a little bit better on having a bit more width to the system in defence and attack. Doesn't have to mean we spread ourselves too thin, just shift across the pitch in midfield when the ball is going down a flank, or have one of the forwards drift wide whilst the other tucks in.

I liked that there was confidence and ideas. They didn't just knock it around in easy situations, lose patience and then hit an aimless pass. There was purpose to everything and they took some reasonable risks.

Not convinced by Smalling in defence.

[AthleticoSpizz]

I liked the inclusion of Jamie Vardy

[Royal Rother]

Glad I chose to watch that.

I guess that was the once every 3 or 4 years performance that gets everybody really optimistic about the future. Before it all goes flat again.

Seriously thought that was excellent. The Spurs players were superb especially Alli - if we can ever get Wilshere fit to play the 2 of those could make us an outstanding team going forward.

If Rooney starts in the Euros ahead of any of that lot tonight.... Well, he won't will he?

I actually reckon he might announce his retirement from international football tomorrow now he's seen what a decent striker or 2 and a decent No 10 can do in an England shirt.

Do it Wayne - you're finished.

[Timmy]

I'm not especially an England fan but that was the first England game I've actually enjoyed watching for about 20 years. Probably since the Holland game at Euro 96.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yep, got to agree with you Rother......cut Rooney out of the England future.

[Ian Royal]

Yep, got to agree with you Rother......cut Rooney out of the England future.

So obviously Kane, Vardy and probably Welbeck.... fourth striker?
Rooney? Walcott? Sturridge?

I can definitely see the argument for taking either over him. I guess it should go to whoever plays more in the remainder of the season. Lets hope Vardy and Kane stay fit.

[Jack Celliers]

Kane, Vardy, Wellbeck and Sturridge are all above Rooney at the moment, but one of those will get injured and Rooney will probably deserve to go. He is about 30% of the player he should have been, but he's ok and to start thinking Walcott or Andy Carroll should be keeping him out of the squad is madness.

That was brilliant though, albeit against some kind of German Masters XI (surely they have better players than that). Alli was brilliant and never stopped. The full backs looked great and Henderson was livelier than I can remember him being. Central defence is a worry. You are only as strong as your weakest player and Cahill was really dodgy at times. Will Stones be fit, or can Dier play in central defence?

[Libertine]

I got to watch the game, it was televised here...

What a turn by Kane.

What a backheel by Vardy.

But even those two moments of brilliance aside I thought England were a deserved winner, they were just better. Need to sort some things out in the back but it has been a long time since I have seen England with so much talent up front and so consistently threatening. Not to mention overturning a German 2 goal lead in Berlin. Alli really was superb...

I know it is just a friendly but..........................................

[genome]

Bump.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Like others, that's the first England game I've enjoyed watching in donkey's.

Alli really was a joy to watch yesterday. And Vardy caused constant chaos in their defence when he came on.

But Cahill & Smalling at CB? Crickey that's a worry going into the Euros

[6ft Kerplunk]

Central defence is a worry. You are only as strong as your weakest player and Cahill was really dodgy at times.

I was more concerned by Smalling, seemed to be a bit impetuous at times and easy to drag out of position.
All the forwards upping their game may actually help Rooney, he won't have the full weight of expectancy on his shoulders for the first time since he was a teenager. When is he supposed to be back playing again? Roy's decision may be made easier if he hasn't had a months worth of games under his belt.

[Ian Royal]

I got to watch the game, it was televised here...

What a turn by Kane.

What a backheel by Vardy.

But even those two moments of brilliance aside I thought England were a deserved winner, they were just better. Need to sort some things out in the back but it has been a long time since I have seen England with so much talent up front and so consistently threatening. Not to mention overturning a German 2 goal lead in Berlin. Alli really was superb...

I know it is just a friendly but..........................................

The concerning thing for me is that Germany obviously weren't anywhere near their best and still put 3 goals past England without really getting out of third gear. The quality of the midfield performance was extremely heartening and it looks like it could be a genuinely interesting England side rather than the stolid flat track bully of old.

Germany will be a totally different prospect in France.

[Platypuss]

Like others, that's the first England game I've enjoyed watching in donkey's.

Absolutely this ^^^^

[AthleticoSpizz]

.....and the first/best GF post that I have read in days

Thanx Platz.........can see what you are doing here

[Sutekh]

Dier is the grandson of Ted Croker, never realised that. Also unsurprising he looks some use at the game having been "educated" in Portugal rather than the UK. Won't take long for that to be forgotten though I bet.

One day though perhaps England will win a game that actually matters against Germany.

[Brosef Stalin]

Central defence is a worry. You are only as strong as your weakest player and Cahill was really dodgy at times.

I was more concerned by Smalling, seemed to be a bit impetuous at times and easy to drag out of position.
All the forwards upping their game may actually help Rooney, he won't have the full weight of expectancy on his shoulders for the first time since he was a teenager. When is he supposed to be back playing again? Roy's decision may be made easier if he hasn't had a months worth of games under his belt.

I've watched a lot of United this season and Smalling has been playing very well.

Unbeatable in one on one's and extremely capable at handling any 'big' centre forwards who want to battle

The type of player he has trouble against is the likes of Suarez and Aguero who are always looking for space
and really don't want to engage any defenders.

What are the options at CB? Every time i've watched Stones he has made a lot of mistakes. Cahill and Jagielka
don't exactly inspire much confidence.

[paultheroyal]

Rooney will be in the 22 and Rooney if fit will start against Russia - sadly!

Hodgson management of that situation will define him and our
Performance at the euros.

Real issue is centre backs. Cahill was terrible for their second goal. Stones needs to sort his game out and walk in there with smalling.

[6ft Kerplunk]

I think Smalling has had his best season since he moved to Man United and stopped progressing due to lack of playing. Just thought he was poor on Saturday, maybe as you say its the style of Germany's attack as they don't just hoof it up to a big striker. Problem is we know what type of striker he's more likely to come up against at international tournaments.