That is my point we did not look like an England team usually looks like. Did not think we were bad tonight.
I don't think Italy got out of second gear there.
If they'd needed to really beat us I think they could have done so quite comfortably.
Especially in the second half, England really reverted to type.
How the **** is Johnson a professional footballer? I've sung the song "If x plays for England so can I" about a lot of players in my time (including Heskey) but Johnson is the first time I ever meant it literally.
Decent game. England too polite, like Hodgson. A more ruthless and determined mindset going into the game might have seen us finish. The only time we did was when we were determined to get the goal back.
Classic Italian win. Ground it out. Defended when it mattered. Score when it mattered. The conditions suited their approach.
The heat affected the ability to run, and close down! But would have been interesting to see England really push up on Italy when behind, rather than stand off them. We had the beating of them when in possession ourselves, but not the mindset to close it and win it. Whether it was the climate, playing too many polite friendlies and training, or the well drilled Italian defence - or likely all 3 - we are an interesting side. Just need to put it all together during the game.
Is Ferdinand thick as pig ****?
He's now bigging up the central position Sterling picked up....a few minutes before moaning that Rooney should be playing centrally.
Didn't think Pirlo was all that to be honest. A dummy and a free kick and lots of side way passes.
Overall I thought England played well and was impressed with our positivity. A few tweaks to the tactics and formation perhaps. We arent out of it yet but in all honesty this world cup was always going to be one to learn from for the younger players to ready them for future world cups.
I think Walker and his fitness will be a big miss for England its partly biased but partly because I dont think Johnson is as good defensively.