The Road to Russia 2018

[Paddingtonwolf]

3 in 3 the bloke's on fire.

Who are you talking about?

Ignore me - just realised where Dan's quote was from up the page.

 

[Sniffer]

Joan Allen!

 

[Lupo]

Italy trounced 1-1 all by Spain! Spain took the lead after a rare defensive howler from Gigi Buffon, Diego Costa withdrawn before he was sent off then Italy transformed by the introduction of Ciro Immobile and Bellotti win a penalty after a challenge by Sergio Ramos which Daniele De Rossi despatches with aplomb

 

[Lupo]

Mancini linked

Roberto Mancini has reportedly been invited to watch England-Malta at Wembley by the FA, fuelling his links with the job.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the former Inter and Manchester City boss will be in the stands for today’s World Cup qualifier.

It seems he was invited directly by the Football Association, fuelling reports he is in negotiations for the England job.

Sam Allardyce parted company with the FA just weeks after taking over and Gareth Southgate is the caretaker manager.

Mancini is not the only option for England, but he is available after terminating his contract with Inter by mutual consent in August.

 

[Johnny75]

We've already been down this road, employing cautious managers does not work with English players. Mancini is about as average a manager I can think of at that level. Time for a change of thinking, maybe a manager with tactical nous would be a start and one with a plan that doesn't include Wayne Rooney.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Mancini's record in the Champions League is horrific, if we're after someone to help us compete at an elite level then he's nothing like the right candidate.

 

[James]

Hart, Cahill, Stones, Walker, Bertrand, Henderson, Rooney, Walcott, Dele, Lingard, Sturridge

Rooney starts then ffs...

Still this should be an easy 4-0 or better win.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Seeing as Southgate said he would yesterday I don't understand the surprise.

 

[wanderer89]

Seeing as Southgate said he would yesterday I don't understand the surprise.

Be fair, it is James :icon_wink:

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I swear Sturridge misses an absolute sitter every single time he plays for England.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Malta playing a 1 - 9 - 1 formation & England finding it hard to break them down

Not a surprise really

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Naughty challenge by Rooney there.

 

[jd1981]

Great header by Sturridge was a matter of time really.

 

[Johnny75]

Cracking cross from Henderson and finish by Sturridge. Rooney has been terrible, he'd be lucky to play midfield for Malta at this rate, miles too slow with the ball.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Keeper dived way too early, could have walked across and chucked his cap on it.

 

[Carrotdude]

Henderson has played really well from his deep position, created 3 great chances. Rooney has been pointless, playing way too deep and not doing anything really.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Cracking cross from Henderson and finish by Sturridge. Rooney has been terrible, he'd be lucky to play midfield for Malta at this rate, miles too slow with the ball.

Johnny, I could play in midfield for Malta...!!

 

[Del Woppio]

Surely Rooney knows that he's finished? He needs a Gary Neville moment

 

[Johnny75]

Johnny, I could play in midfield for Malta...!!

And you'd be better than Rooney too I'd guess.

 

[Carrotdude]

Surely Rooney knows that he's finished? He needs a Gary Neville moment

I think the problem is that he's not as old as players usually are when they decline so its harder for him to admit or believe. Same goes for all the experts that still act as if the last 3/4 years haven't happened, the idea that someone in their late 20s is past it doesn't compute so it just gets put down to bad form or whatever