New thread to discuss the (mis)fortunes of Maclarens reign as England manager. I never wanted Maclaren to be England manager, like a lot of others here, and I still don't want him. Unfortunately here's still here and will be for the duration so we're lumbered with him.
I watched the defeat against Spain and was very disappointed in the team selection and the 'what nearly happened' factor. I know he couldn't select the team he wanted but hey, these things are gonna happen. There were some major annoyances so I'll try and vent my anger ...oops, I mean thoughts.
1. Phil Neville!!! He's a midfielder (and not a very good one) so we'll put the right footer at left back.
2. Carrick, worst performance by him in an England shirt by a mile so he plays 90 mins.
3. We had 3 captains tonight. In my opinion, a captain should only be replaced if he's injured or get's sent off. Gerrard was playing quite well and so too was G. Neville, so why?
4. No flexibility in Maclarens peanut brain. He was going to bring on Carragher and Richards, we go a goal down, the tactical brain grinds to a halt and he decides to continue with the plan he set out 3 weeks ago regardless of events and continues to bring on the 2 defenders.
5. I think our defence of G. Neville, Ferdinand and Woodgate were excellent and can't really blame anyone for the wonderstrike of a goal. I'd have changed Barry for P. Neville and left it at that as our problems were going forward.
6. Wright Phillips isn't playing enough games at Chelski for him to be in the team. It's not fair on the lad.
7. The ref didn't like Crouchie :grin:
8. Downing would've been an excellent crosser of the ball tonight if the pitch was 20 metres longer.
9.We hardly put a sting of passes together or tested Casillas.
10. Maclaren is a twat.
There, I feel much better now. I don't go along with the 'it's only a friendly' attitude either.
Still, it could've been worse, I could've been supporting the Republic of Ireland! ...that was a little too close
:wink:
