How many fucking times does 4-4-2 need to die at international level before England managers finally get it? You need to match the opposition in central midfield - fucking simple as that. Especially if you are playing a midfield that has never played together in history at club level (Gerrard and Parker) against a currently established midfield at the Italian Champions (Pirlo and Marchisio, with the addition of De Rossi and Montolivo).
Would probably be an unpopular view on this board, but the obvious first choice should have been Scholes and Carrick. Yes I've heard Woy's nonsense about they didn't want to be in the squad, by which he means they didn't want to be on his standby list, but you have to take players who have chemistry together and Parker/Gerrard never looked capable of even passing the ball forward or doing anything at all. Gerrard had a few moments and produced a few assists but he did nothing really to control the game because he never does that and he's not a central midfielder, his best position is behind the striker. He's a fantastic player but the Liverpool midfield worked because of Xabi Alonso, his presence allowed Gerrard to work. A midfield of Scholes, Gerrard, and Carrick might have complemented each other and not been overrun in every match. But that's too obvious so we have to go with a 4-4-2 with no obvious passer of the ball because that's what Woy is familiar with.
And the tournament should show that Lennon and Richards should not have just been in the squad, but should have been first choice. Some baffling decisions there.
Would probably be an unpopular view on this board, but the obvious first choice should have been Scholes and Carrick. Yes I've heard Woy's nonsense about they didn't want to be in the squad, by which he means they didn't want to be on his standby list, but you have to take players who have chemistry together and Parker/Gerrard never looked capable of even passing the ball forward or doing anything at all. Gerrard had a few moments and produced a few assists but he did nothing really to control the game because he never does that and he's not a central midfielder, his best position is behind the striker. He's a fantastic player but the Liverpool midfield worked because of Xabi Alonso, his presence allowed Gerrard to work. A midfield of Scholes, Gerrard, and Carrick might have complemented each other and not been overrun in every match. But that's too obvious so we have to go with a 4-4-2 with no obvious passer of the ball because that's what Woy is familiar with.
And the tournament should show that Lennon and Richards should not have just been in the squad, but should have been first choice. Some baffling decisions there.