Gold Cup

[IrishTitansFan]

Good win. Should have had at least one security goal but at least it made the end interesting.

Remember when the US and England were in the same group stage during the 2010 World Cup and England won? Me either.

England are the most overrated team in world football. I was so happy when the US shocked them.

[Pragidealist]

http://m.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/28/armchair-analyst-three-things-we-learned-cup-winning-performance-chicago

Good article that sums it up.

Us had almos 80% possession for most the game and Panaama never really had a threatening attempt from the run of play.

Overall a fun and impressive tournament and run for the us even considering the level of opposition

[CharrdWood]

England are the most overrated team in world football. I was so happy when the US shocked them.

 

Only by the English tabloid media and their readers.  Anyone with a single functioning brain cell knows they are crap.  They lack skill players in midfield, which is why they place so much hope and unnecessary pressure on Wilshere.

 

England also lack effective partnerships in both midfield and attack.  Wilshere and...?  Gerrard is undoubtedly talented, but he plays his own game.  No-one else has really stepped up.  Perhaps Rodwell will do that, but he and Wilshere are very young and need to mature.  Rooney and Walcott are talented, but not necessarily complementary players.  And lately something seems off about Rooney.  It would probably be best for Rooney and England if he were transferred, but I can't see that happening because of his wages.

 

The FA is at the root of most of the problems.  The failure to develop the Burton-upon-Trent center along the lines of Clairefontaine has proved detrimental.  As has the continued focus at lower levels (not to mention anywhere Pulis or Fat Sam manage) on hoofball.  It would also help if talented English youth played abroad, but that's unlikely to happen for what I can only imagine are cultural reasons.

 

So, yeah, England are and will be shite for the foreseeable future.

[IrishTitansFan]

Only by the English tabloid media and their readers.  Anyone with a single functioning brain cell knows they are crap.  They lack skill players in midfield, which is why they place so much hope and unnecessary pressure on Wilshere.

 

England also lack effective partnerships in both midfield and attack.  Wilshere and...?  Gerrard is undoubtedly talented, but he plays his own game.  No-one else has really stepped up.  Perhaps Rodwell will do that, but he and Wilshere are very young and need to mature.  Rooney and Walcott are talented, but not necessarily complementary players.  And lately something seems off about Rooney.  It would probably be best for Rooney and England if he were transferred, but I can't see that happening because of his wages.

 

The FA is at the root of most of the problems.  The failure to develop the Burton-upon-Trent center along the lines of Clairefontaine has proved detrimental.  As has the continued focus at lower levels (not to mention anywhere Pulis or Fat Sam manage) on hoofball.  It would also help if talented English youth played abroad, but that's unlikely to happen for what I can only imagine are cultural reasons.

 

So, yeah, England are and will be shite for the foreseeable future.

Wilshere will have injury problems his whole career. I don't see him reaching his potential at all. If they had a quality finisher besides Rooney upfront they would be a whole lot better as Rooney could drop into Attacking Midfield and create like he did for United this past season.

[CharrdWood]

Wilshere will have injury problems his whole career. I don't see him reaching his potential at all. If they had a quality finisher besides Rooney upfront they would be a whole lot better as Rooney could drop into Attacking Midfield and create like he did for United this past season.

 

I don't agree, but that's largely dependent on whatever clown the FA chooses to manage the side having enough sense to leave him out of useless friendlies and the like, especially if he's not 100% or is just coming back from injury.  Truth be told, and I'd certainly not want to entertain the thought as an Arsenal supporter, it might be better for Wilshere to ply his trade abroad, where there are fewer psychotic "challenges".

 

And I know you're a United supporter, but Rooney didn't create all that much, especially given that he had Van Persie leading the line.  In all competitions he had fewer goals *AND* fewer assists than Theo last season.  If England played a more conventional 4-4-2 they might work as a partnership...Walcott could play the Ickle Mickey role and Rooney could play a more Sheringham-type role, but Rooney never was, and never will be, someone like Bergkamp.  But he could be a more talented Sheringham.

[pat]

England knows they suck, they're the Cubs of soccer.

[IrishTitansFan]

I don't agree, but that's largely dependent on whatever clown the FA chooses to manage the side having enough sense to leave him out of useless friendlies and the like, especially if he's not 100% or is just coming back from injury.  Truth be told, and I'd certainly not want to entertain the thought as an Arsenal supporter, it might be better for Wilshere to ply his trade abroad, where there are fewer psychotic "challenges".

 

And I know you're a United supporter, but Rooney didn't create all that much, especially given that he had Van Persie leading the line.  In all competitions he had fewer goals *AND* fewer assists than Theo last season.  If England played a more conventional 4-4-2 they might work as a partnership...Walcott could play the Ickle Mickey role and Rooney could play a more Sheringham-type role, but Rooney never was, and never will be, someone like Bergkamp.  But he could be a more talented Sheringham.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Wilshere and he'll still be an excellent midfielder but I don't see him reaching the Xavi/Iniesta potential he has. I disagree on Rooney , He scored or assisted a goal in more games than anyone in the league last year playing in that CF role. I'm a huge fan of Rooney, I think he's even better than Ronaldo was at United, and I've seen them both many times. Rooney is an all rounder, he will play well for you anywhere. I rank him higher than Van Persie and I'd say he's the most well rounded (and best) player in the BPL. (Though, Suarez and Bale come close) I have a friend that's a Liverpool fan who agrees with me so I can't be completely out of my mind. Rooney is a joy to watch, as was Paul Scholes.

[Pragidealist]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Wilshere and he'll still be an excellent midfielder but I don't see him reaching the Xavi/Iniesta potential he has. I disagree on Rooney , He scored or assisted a goal in more games than anyone in the league last year playing in that CF role. I'm a huge fan of Rooney, I think he's even better than Ronaldo was at United, and I've seen them both many times. Rooney is an all rounder, he will play well for you anywhere. I rank him higher than Van Persie and I'd say he's the most well rounded (and best) player in the BPL. (Though, Suarez and Bale come close) I have a friend that's a Liverpool fan who agrees with me so I can't be completely out of my mind. Rooney is a joy to watch, as was Paul Scholes.

Could vs large part of the problem for England national team be the EPL. Until recently it was not known for many possession oriented teams. It's been a focused more on direct attacks.

Kilnmann worked to change the German league around a style of play before Germany did ell under Lowe.

Mls and EPL are now seeing more possession styles pick up popularity.

The national league drives player development and the perception of high quality. No doubt Englanfd has some of the best footballers in the worlld.

Wonder if there is a disconnect to the world's top soccer league and the worlds best international teams.

[CharrdWood]

I disagree on Rooney , He scored or assisted a goal in more games than anyone in the league last year playing in that CF role. I'm a huge fan of Rooney, I think he's even better than Ronaldo was at United, and I've seen them both many times. Rooney is an all rounder, he will play well for you anywhere. I rank him higher than Van Persie and I'd say he's the most well rounded (and best) player in the BPL. (Though, Suarez and Bale come close) I have a friend that's a Liverpool fan who agrees with me so I can't be completely out of my mind. Rooney is a joy to watch, as was Paul Scholes.

 

I can't find the stats across all competitions, but in the EPL last year Rooney had 12 goals and 11 assists.  Walcott had 14 goals and 11 assists.  I know that those ratios hold up when considering Cup competitions as well.  To assert that Rooney is the best player in the EPL is just plain homerism.  As for ranking him higher than van Persie, the United coaching staff--including Ferguson--would seem to disagree with you.  I get your angle, what with Rooney's heritage being Irish and all, but you're a bit OTT with your claims on his behalf.  If United had been successful with their bid for Fabregas Rooney would be an afterthought.  He's a very good player whose best days may well be behind him.  He may relight the fire this season with Chelsea, but I kinda doubt it.  Tbh I was shocked to hear of Arsenal's interest in him, but I'm glad it was just media bullshit and the real target is Suarez.

[reo]

[IrishTitansFan]

I can't find the stats across all competitions, but in the EPL last year Rooney had 12 goals and 11 assists.  Walcott had 14 goals and 11 assists.  I know that those ratios hold up when considering Cup competitions as well.  To assert that Rooney is the best player in the EPL is just plain homerism.  As for ranking him higher than van Persie, the United coaching staff--including Ferguson--would seem to disagree with you.  I get your angle, what with Rooney's heritage being Irish and all, but you're a bit OTT with your claims on his behalf.  If United had been successful with their bid for Fabregas Rooney would be an afterthought.  He's a very good player whose best days may well be behind him.  He may relight the fire this season with Chelsea, but I kinda doubt it.  Tbh I was shocked to hear of Arsenal's interest in him, but I'm glad it was just media bullshit and the real target is Suarez.

It's not homerism, Rooney is very distantly Irish so that isn't part of it. When Rooney is the main striker he scores 25-30 goals a season. The reason Rooney didn't score 30 this year is because of injuries and he was dropped into midfield. Van Persie is a better finisher than Rooney but thats it. United without Rooney are a much worse team. I've been watching Rooney for 6 years, he is special. Watch every United game and you'll understand

[CharrdWood]

It's not homerism, Rooney is very distantly Irish so that isn't part of it. When Rooney is the main striker he scores 25-30 goals a season. The reason Rooney didn't score 30 this year is because of injuries and he was dropped into midfield. Van Persie is a better finisher than Rooney but thats it. United without Rooney are a much worse team. I've been watching Rooney for 6 years, he is special. Watch every United game and you'll understand

 

Believe me, I've seen plenty of Rooney, beginning when he made his teenage start at Everton.  I've even seen him in person at the Arsenal.  Tbh I was *MUCH* more impressed with Tevez.  And it would certainly seem that United do not share your valuation of the player.  I'll defer to them and we'll agree to disagree.