The Road to Russia 2018

[Lupo]

Sweden-Italy 1-0..great match, great opportunity..and finally thank you to Janne Andersson for building a team without Zlatan..will be tough in San Siro, they have Verratti suspended now though..crucial to keep a clean sheet..

Well done Fred, Sweden deserved it

Italy were absolutely woeful, one of the worst performances I've seen from the Azzurri and if that is the best they can muster perhaps its better they don't qualify. Even if they do qualify that idiot Ventura should be sacked next week

 

[Freddeno]

Well done Fred, Sweden deserved it

Italy were absolutely woeful, one of the worst performances I've seen from the Azzurri and if that is the best they can muster perhaps its better they don't qualify. Even if they do qualify that idiot Ventura should be sacked next week

Thanks Lupo nothing is settled though, can go either way..you had one in the post and i think your best player was Candreva..im sure it will be an exciting game in italy..we hadnt beaten italy in a competitive game for 30 years so pretty happy tonight..

 

[YoungWolf]

I disagree about Rashford. Vardy is ok for me but he'll never get the space to run into and be effective in 9 out of 10 international games.

I can handle Vardy is fine for what he is as 3rd choice as Dan said. He’s played alright in his england appearances so far and we don’t have much depth.

I think Rashford is fantastic personally! Going forward I’m quite excited about our attacking players. It’s centre midfield that worries me.

I think the 3-4-3 may suit us better. As players like Loftus-Cheek and Alli may be freed up more if they played as part
Of the forward line anyway. And it definitely suits Sterling better.

 

[YoungWolf]

Well done Fred, Sweden deserved it

Italy were absolutely woeful, one of the worst performances I've seen from the Azzurri and if that is the best they can muster perhaps its better they don't qualify. Even if they do qualify that idiot Ventura should be sacked next week

Would alllow him to go back to being a Pet Detective, everyone’s a winner.

 

[Lupo]

Thanks Lupo nothing is settled though, can go either way..you had one in the post and i think your best player was Candreva..im sure it will be an exciting game in italy..we hadnt beaten italy in a competitive game for 30 years so pretty happy tonight..

Yeah that Darmian effort was our only chance of note and very unlucky to hit the post but we were terrible and a draw would have been a get out of jail card. Only half time as you say but Italy will have to be far better at the San Siro on Monday.

Ventura has said Italy deserved more. I disagree, they got what they deserved - nothing!

 

[jd1981]

Yeah that Darmian effort was our only chance of note and very unlucky to hit the post but we were terrible and a draw would have been a get out of jail card. Only half time as you say but Italy will have to be far better at the San Siro on Monday.

Ventura has said Italy deserved more. I disagree, they got what they deserved - nothing!

Didn’t see any of the game but sounded very poor from Italy, don’t think a World Cup would be the same without the drama of the azurri.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Didn’t see any of the game but sounded very poor from Italy, don’t think a World Cup would be the same without the drama of the azurri.

They actually have a worse World Cup record than England this decade! Which is going some.

 

[Tredman]

I'm not the only one:

 

[Nando]

Italy have a tremendous group of players breaking through who they need to blood. Serie A is a top league again. They've got numerous players who'd walk into the England team.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Fucking hell here's a line I never thought I'd write . jack cork England international. Off to slash my wrists

 

[Johnny75]

Enjoyed the game. Thought 3-5-2 worked well. Stones, Jones and Maguire played well interlinking with Dier. Thought Livermore was shite and wasn't impressed with RLC. He did the easy things well but never created out of nothing or got on end of things late, just a bit of a goodplayer without end product.

Really impressed with Doer and I think Abraham did very well. I like Rashford but he was shite tonight.

 

[Alan]

Italy have a tremendous group of players breaking through who they need to blood. Serie A is a top league again. They've got numerous players who'd walk into the England team.

The formation they're playing doesn't fit the players they're playing. Specifically, at international level you simply can't have Candreva as your right wingback and a midfield three of Parolo, Verrati, and De Rossi. Especially when it means leaving the likes of Alessandro Florenzi on the bench, which is absolutely insane to do.

Buffon
Florenzi - Bonucci - Barzagli - Chiellini - Darmian
Verrati - Jorginho
Candreva - Immobile - Insigne​

Just like putting together an XI for England, it doesn't seem too difficult.

 

[Nando]

The formation they're playing doesn't fit the players they're playing. Specifically, at international level you simply can't have Candreva as your right wingback and a midfield three of Parolo, Verrati, and De Rossi. Especially when it means leaving the likes of Alessandro Florenzi on the bench, which is absolutely insane to do.

Buffon
Florenzi - Bonucci - Barzagli - Chiellini - Darmian
Verrati - Jorginho
Candreva - Immobile - Insigne​

Just like putting together an XI for England, it doesn't seem too difficult.

Indeed.

Verratti and Jorginho would be one of the best partnerships going. Insigne is so good it hurts and they need to blood Bernardeschi from the right.

 

[Alan]

Jorginho has been immense for Napoli this season. I used to think he flattered to deceive but this year the Pirlo comparisons are absolutely fair.

You could even put Parolo in for Verrati if you're worried about that midfield lacking bite. It's crazy what Ventura is doing (or isn't doing). He has multiple options that could work and he ignores them all. Insigne didn't even start today!

 

[Lupo]

Absolutely guys, I don't think Italy are anywhere near as bad as the results are suggesting. It's only 16 months ago that Conte (world class coach) was getting a fine tune out of these players at the Euros.

Ventura is so far out of his depth and why the surprise? He has an uninspiring career stretching back over 30 years and won nothing and managed none of the big boys.

Whatever happens I would sack the chump on Tuesday morning. Unbelievably he was given a 2 year extension a few months ago.

 

[Freddeno]

About 50/50 now Lycan but I bet you will go to the world cup

 

[arklowolf]

Going to plan for the boys in green so far. Parking the bus.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Very poor match but 0-0 suits Ireland.

 

[arklowolf]

Like something McCarthy would have served up. Effective but boring and defeatist.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Harry Arter is a real prick.