Got It Wrong Again But England Was Disappointing


England and Brazil were knocked out this morning. Brazil lost to a deserving team. The French played football and won the game on the field. I felt that Sven lost the game for England.

England were too defensive and allowed the Portugees built up their confidence. They lost their plot as the match went and fustration kicked in. It did not help with the Portugees' play-acting and provoking ethics. However, credit must be give to Ricardo's commanding performance.

Wayne Rooney was lost playing as a long striker without support. They played too deep when they were down to 10 men. Substitutions of Aaron Lennon and Jamie Carragher were not purposeful.

England would probably have done better with sticking to their 4-4-2 formation with Wayne Rooney just behind Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves playing on the left for Joe Cole with Beckham, Gerrard & Lampard in midfield. Joe Cole has good reading of the game and would be a good substitution for Beckham moving Hargreaves to the right. Jermaines Jenas would have been a good cover to Lampard during the last stage fo the game. His stamina would have provided England with an attacking edge.

Gary Neville was a liability failing to cover his position on many occasions. He was probably not fully fit from his calf injury. I would use the no-nonsense & fresh Jamie Carrager to counter the trickery and speed of Christino Ronaldo. Otherwise, Rio, John and Ashley were magnificent in defence. Steven Gerrard was all over the pitch helping out in defence and attack.

This would still be a 4-5-1 formation using Peter Crouch as the point man. England would be more adventurous and pressing. They would reduce Portugal's attack and make them more defensive.

Maybe this line-up would have change the game and, even if they lost, they would have won the fans. Who knows?

Anyway, it is now about Italy, Germany, Portugal and France.