If England tried to play football, they would have started both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott on the wings and had them running at the ITA fullbacks, who are decent players but suspect defensively. Milner offers nothing with the ball. Young was just about the worst England player in this tournament and completed more dives than passes.
They would also have taken off Rooney at half time, who was dreadful and completely abandoned any of his defensive responsibilies. They should have gone with Defoe as a sub, not Carroll. The latter was beaten to a header by Pirlo of all players as soon as he came off the bench. Both Barzagli and Bonucci are good in the air so pumping balls to Carroll is useless. Aside from that Carroll can't pass, and must have given away more balls than completed passes.
Walcott came on in the second half. I'm not suprised you didn't notice, as he did nothing. Not one run, didn't come looking for it. On paper he has loads of pace etc. but he does not know how to use it. Its the same for the Ox, but he looks like he will learn for the World cup. Theo doesn't and will never get above the Lennon level of fast and not much else except the rare good game.
One reason for Young having a poor game/tournament was it was clear where the England attack was going. The right wing was a shambles. At united he has Nani or Valencia over there, and an (English) midfield who can actually pass the ball quickly and with accuracy to either wing giving him more time to work on something.
This is coupled with he fact he was told to stay so far back. When he got the ball in an attacking area he ran at the fullback ok and did a few dangerous crosses. Most of the time he picked it up way to deep, was surrounded by blue shirts and had little support coming from behind.
Interesting about Rooney. One of his biggest strengths is how much effort he makes to get back and defend. I wonder why he didn't do the same for England?
He was left watching long balls being played up, nothing from central mid and most 'passes' to him were from Hart if he kept it on the same side of the pitch as him. Its the kind of game 5 years ago he would of being sent of from.
If 8 or your team have been told to play like defenders whats the point on Rooney coming back. We had Young and Milner playing as wing backs, Gerrard as a third centre back and Parker doing god knows what.
Carroll coming on just destroyed all chance of playing decent football. It was a charter to play long balls which Carroll does not have the skill to hold up or flick on with any accuracy. The ball should be played by Gerrard or Parker to Rooneys feet, then he can shift it wide for a cross that Carroll can attack. Like he does for United.
