Graffito

Some good points here, particularly from Italian perspective, but don't you think the problems for England down the left were key with Damian (is it?) able to play so advanced and tie up both Baines and Rooney? Or are you saying that a man on Pirlo would have dealt with this by wresting control in CM? An extra CM rather than an attacking midfielder might have done this for England. Someone to tuck in on England's left. But I can't criticise Hodgson too much. He went for it like we wanted.

Poor old Phil. Still being played out of position. Romania wasn't it?

Just got home and only skimmed this page but appears to be very negative. I thought a England did well overall and I'm positive about going through. The big problem was down our left, mostly first half, where Rooney simply didn't cover. Rooney's cross for the Sturridge goal aside, Italy's right back managed to neutralise both Rooney and Baines going forward. Seems like Roy playing what he considers to be his best players rather than his best team. Either play Rooney central or drop him.

Campbell looks very good.

But he doesn't know English. It would mean another translator. Remember Ranieri's translator at Chelsea? The one who didn't translate what Ranieri said but made up his own answers.

Pressure next season on whoever replaces Lambert as penalty taker.

I agree we should man mark Pirlo and it would seem sensible to detail one of our lesser attackers. That's Wellbeck. However, Peter Taylor was arguing at the weekend that he would ask Rooney to drop deep. Someone made your point; that's a waste of Rooney's attacking talent (less evident recently). But Taylor made a good argument, that if Rooney is standing by Pirlo when England regains possession, Pirlo will have to follow Rooney or we're a man over. Will Pirlo do it, in the heat, on every occasion?

Which of Italy and England is better suited to playing in heat and humidity? Possession will be key. There's a case for the likes of Lambert and Lallana. Do we man mark Pirlo and who should do it? Italy could be vulnerable to the counter attack. Keep possession then bring on fresh young legs for the final 30 minutes. On the face of it this has 0-0 written all over it but it is winnable.

Same goes for people who don't read posts properly.

Has anyone suggested he did?

Bit of a u-turn from me here. On first reading last night I got as far as the bit about looking for a champions league team to support, completely missing the other bit about Saints going out of business. Too many beers brought on by weather delay in Miami and another sub par England performance. It is, of course, very well written.

What a load of crap. Doesn't resonate with me at all.

Well...what did England create against 10? Tbf most sides will find it difficult to break down Honduras. But they didn't test our defence at all. Add in Honduras' physical play and it wasn't the best preparation.

He's right about Lallana though. He's a pivot. ****ing use him.

He just needs to take his jacket off, the plank.

Thanks for the link. That's actually a master class in central midfield play.

“If Liverpool are signing all these Southampton players, I have got to presume they are signing them to play, not stockpile,” Aside from the fact that Liverpool have signed just one Southampton player, is there a hint there of concern there that his England players would get less game time at Liverpool? He could have answered that question by saying he can't comment on transfer speculation and that he's happy to consider in form players whatever club they play for.

What a great interview. Generous in praise of others and he has talked "exclusively" with the club. Quite a contrast with one or two others. Astronomy's clearly not his strong point because he's over the moon.

Another Saint that's gone from League 1 all the way to the World Cup. You want to play in the World Cup? Come to Southampton. Thoroughly deserved.

It was the reserves and it was cr@p.

You can't afford him.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11251643._/? Asked to leave.

He was class, from the day he arrived to the day he left.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2645566/Roy-Hodgson-hoping-transfer-rumours-dont-prove-big-distraction-England-squad.html Should have kept his gob shut then shouldn't he. This article also refers to Lambert being sold "at a knockdown price". And without a hint of irony, that Lallana played the final two matches of the season with a groin injury "because he was desperate to say goodbye to the fans."