12-10-2016, 17:38
It seems to this Englishman that Scotland are currently poor simply because they lack good players.
England on the other hand are poor despite having a number of players of high ability. We can't attack through the middle because Sturridge refuses to do anything simple, so always promises the earth and delivers little. I always wanted us to go with Walcott, but last night he was abyssmal again. Unless he's made a present of space he now peters out and gives the ball away, so going wide even with two attacking full backs is also a problem. But Dele Alli is a class act as is Lallana when fit. The two full backs, Stones and Hart aren't a problem. Rashford looks the real deal and Dier will never make as many mistakes as last night again. So amidst the dross there are green shoots for England ...... but a few green shoots don't make a crop.
But the big question for England is do we have it mentally to beat Scotland who will be fired up for this one game. I haven't seen any evidence so far. I'd back Scotland, but I'd worry England might turn to Vardy on the day whose enthusiasm and lack of class would trouble a poor Scottish defence.
And the big question for Scotland to me is did they notice any aspect of the qualifying group other than two games against England? It would not surprise me to see Scotland take four points from England and still finish third or fourth in the group.
As I see it Scotland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Lithuania are all good enough to take points off each other. England will probably win the group because only Scotland will have it mind to win at Wemberlee. Disappointing as last night was for Scotland, you did catch Hamsik on a going day. Against England he was anonymous ........
England on the other hand are poor despite having a number of players of high ability. We can't attack through the middle because Sturridge refuses to do anything simple, so always promises the earth and delivers little. I always wanted us to go with Walcott, but last night he was abyssmal again. Unless he's made a present of space he now peters out and gives the ball away, so going wide even with two attacking full backs is also a problem. But Dele Alli is a class act as is Lallana when fit. The two full backs, Stones and Hart aren't a problem. Rashford looks the real deal and Dier will never make as many mistakes as last night again. So amidst the dross there are green shoots for England ...... but a few green shoots don't make a crop.
But the big question for England is do we have it mentally to beat Scotland who will be fired up for this one game. I haven't seen any evidence so far. I'd back Scotland, but I'd worry England might turn to Vardy on the day whose enthusiasm and lack of class would trouble a poor Scottish defence.
And the big question for Scotland to me is did they notice any aspect of the qualifying group other than two games against England? It would not surprise me to see Scotland take four points from England and still finish third or fourth in the group.
As I see it Scotland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Lithuania are all good enough to take points off each other. England will probably win the group because only Scotland will have it mind to win at Wemberlee. Disappointing as last night was for Scotland, you did catch Hamsik on a going day. Against England he was anonymous ........