The England thread

[Colly]

That's it, five years ago we were bemoaning it, now they're clearly the best of the bunch when the alternative involves Cleverly.

Poor defending for the third goal but a lovely ball in by Lambert. I'm not particularly crying about Welbecks suspension either.

On replay, ludicrous booking. I hope G Nev shouts at the ref all half time.

[Jimmy]

Lambert has to start on tuesday. Great poacher's goal and a wonderful assist, looking very, very good. Welbeck's booking was extremely harsh, too. Lampard/Gerrard definitely works when there's another midfielder to complete the both of them. They just never worked in 4-4-2. If their prime had they been supplemented with any of Parker/Carrick/Scholes/Hargreaves we could've had a wonderful central three.

[Colly]

Scholes on the left.

[therockbox]

This Lambert looks really promising. Few more years and he could be a superstar.

[brenchill]

We can laugh at Lambert, but plenty of other nations give late bloomers a chance.

Luca Toni being the best example.

[Colly]

Sadly in a few more years he'll be 34.

[brenchill]

Sadly in a few more years he'll be 34.

I have a sneaky feeling that was the joke...

[Colly]

There was no face to clarify the joke!

Either way, Toni was a few years younger at his first cap then Lambert is now, I'd love it if he could make it but 34 going into a World Cup is a big ask fitness wise.

[brenchill]

I genuinely had no clue who that number 18 was climbing off the England bench.

[Colly]

Is it just me or has this ref been blocking loads of potential passing options, for both sides? Three or four times in the last few minutes.

[MDK]

He has a bet on 4-0

[Colly]

Barclay looks really handy, just hope he doesn't make a daft move to a 'big' club too early. Plus he looks like scum, which is always good.

[brenchill]

Barclay?

I rest my case from earlier...

[Jimmy]

What is the point in calling Townsend up to the squad if we're willing to put Milner on before we are Townsend. I'm sorry, but Milner shouldn't be in touching distance of the England squad. He was once a wonderful central midfielder, but I don't want 'workrate' from my wingers, I want flair, the ability to take people on and the ability to create and score. We were better off giving Walcott 20 mins up front and giving Townsend a cap instead of putting Milner on the left hand side.

Otherwise, a really encouraging performance. We look good without Rooney and the formation worked for us. Barkley looked good, too.

[Ant]

Man City/England have ruined Milner for everybody.

[Colly]

Barclay?

I rest my case from earlier...

I've lost the plot today...

Does Milner get even close to the City squad under Pellegrini (I can spell that...)? We should've stuck a cheeky loan bid in.

[Nerf]

Well done Lambert. Very depressing that in 2013 though Gerrard and Lampard are still in an England side.

Not a knock on them their either.

Maybe because they're still two of the best players in England?

[brenchill]

One thing annoys me about international football is people banging on about how we should be "looking to the future."

How about we just pick the best players right now? Like, I dunno, Lampard and Gerrard.

[Jimmy]

Well, that's a little narrow-minded. I agree we're fine to be playing both right now, but we should be building for the future, which we are doing in other areas of the pitch. The inclusion of Wilshere, who is the future, compliments both Lampard and Gerrard. There's no reason why we can't be playing Lampard & Gerrard and build for the future.

[Gazz]

One thing annoys me about international football is people banging on about how we should be "looking to the future."

How about we just pick the best players right now? Like, I dunno, Lampard and Gerrard.

What do you do in August 2014 when they're still our best players but by Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 their hips will have crumbled to dust?