Typical of England - we pick a system and then try and push players into it rather than picking a system and using the players that will work in those roles - the alternative being pick the players and then a system that suits them but we cant seem to get our heads round that either. Been the same problem with England for years. Just because on paper they are the "best" player, it doesn't mean that they are the best player for that role.

the're are Many problems with this England side.

1) We consistently play players in systems that don't support them, i.e. Walcott excelling at arsenal in a fluid front 3. We're about as fluid as a Breeze block. Walker/Rose Love roaming forward behind a midfield that lets them. England play traditional wingers that stay wide, meaning they can't do this.

2) We have a team full of players who are great at working with the creative players around them but aren't creative enough themselves. and those we pin our hopes on for that creativeness just aren't world class.
Henderson and Walcott illustrates this. Great at what they do. Can take part in wonderfully orchestrated moves, but cant orchestrate them themselves.

3) The players we have at the moment do not have the ability to move fluidly as a unit. They are waiting for someone else to make a move and the space they need to exploit. And when no-one does, they castigate each other for it.

4) We have no Leader on pitch, someone to take responsibility for getting the team to perform. To inspire and to drive the team forward.

5) the Defence.
Cahill seems to be regressing in his ability to be a defender. Lots of promise at Bolton, you would have thought working with Terry could only have improved him, the opposite has happened.
Stones needs to learn to defend before he can be classed as a defender.
we have no other defenders in this Country (except Dann, see below).

6) Managers endlessly picking Players over Systems. Perhaps this is because they do not have enough time together as a team to 'gel', but time and again it has happened. We really need to pick a system, then pick the players that can execute that system best. not just a list of the countries best paid English footballers.

It's a brave man to start including the Drinkwater's, Dann's and Redmonds of this world in the team which if failed, the media would slay the Manager for taking such a risk. Perhaps that's what we need more than anything. A Brave manager.

Edited by CrazyBadger (12 Oct 2016 10.17am)

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Absolutely spot on Crazy, a very good summing up.

Bring back Brolin

Well i will look forward to that day.

Palace 13th 2017/18.

The only time Sturridge has been near Aguero is when he shakes his hand twice a season (injuries permitting).

Sturridge had the potential of a world class player until a series of injuries. He's a good English Premiership Player, like Harry Kane, but neither really are world class.

Similarly Jamie Vardy, he might score a lot of premiership goals, but he's not remotely world class.

There are no current England players who'd make a worlds best squad, let alone play, barring some staggering injuries.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Why is the England team so bad? I have several theories rattling around in my head:

-Today's young players have deep rooted psychological issues born from being mollycoddled and overhyped, meaning that when it comes to the crunch, they have no idea how to 'step up' or 'dig deep' and simply melt

-They're just not that good - despite the success of the Prem, maybe the talented foreign players carry the English players. There was no one on the pitch last night that looked the business or capable of running things

-No leadership or defined style of play. What is the 'England way'? Apparently the FA have a mantra for this but I'm damned if I can see it

-Players just don't care about playing for England because we've been crap for ages and it doesn't pay much

On another note, Henderson couldn't get rid of that armband quick enough when Rooney came on, hardly the conduct of a confident and in-control player.