Spain 2 England 0

[TylerB]

As expected really. I don't think England were terrible by any means, but rushed the final pass after some promising breaks, and won't come up against a better side than the Spanish. Chris Smalling was excellent, continuing on from his performances for club this season, and the prospect of a Smalling/Stones partnership is a pretty tasty one in the years to come if both continue to learn and improve. Also thought that Barkley was a threat but tried too hard at times. Kane battled well on his own but had a night where he looked like he wouldn't score if Spain played without a goalkeeper. We badly missed the pace of a Walcott, Sturridge or Wellbeck to get in behind their defence.

 

The worst two players were Lallana and Sterling. The latter kept running into players when on the ball and barely looked a 5 million player on that performance, nevermind a 50 million one! Lallana reminds me of Louis Dodds in a way, a clever player but a passenger and massively frustrating for the majority.

 

Amazing goal for Spain's opener. Can't do anything about that. Hart at fault for their 2nd with a shocking kick.

[blackdog]

The Premier League is certainly improving the quality of the National side...................NOT

[TylerB]

The Premier League is certainly improving the quality of the National side...................NOT

 

What were you expecting in an away game against probably the best team in the world? England were also without a number of players including Shaw, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Sturridge etc.

[Beza]

Joe Hart blaming the Pitch! What the F##k is all that about Joe? We were crap.Joe Butland is far better keeper than Hart at the moment.

[Cheltenham Valiant]

At least it's get us ready to be knocked out early in the Euro's.

[tommytunstall]

What were we expecting!!!! A lot more than this, we were very poor, once more we are about to be disappointed in the Finals.

What were you expecting in an away game against probably the best team in the world? England were also without a number of players including Shaw, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Sturridge etc.

[blackdog]

What were you expecting in an away game against probably the best team in the world? England were also without a number of players including Shaw, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Sturridge etc.

 

 

Err.......A draw maybe, a goalkeeper who can do the basics and kick a football,seriously you cant think the Premier league is improving our national side.

[Bea Smith]

What were we expecting!!!! A lot more than this, we were very poor, once more we are about to be disappointed in the Finals.

 

There is no disgrace in losing 0-2 to a very decent Spain side.

There is plenty to be worried about when someone abuses the honour of being made captain by blaming the 'third division pitch' and the players being tired - self-delusion that tells us exactly what will happen in Euro2016 - not a hope in hell for England.

[colin]

Pretty sure some Stoke fans would argue Butland would of saved Spain's first

[Guppy 4 England]

Hart cost us the second with his woeful kicking. Why butland didn't start is beyond me, Delph has played 75mins all season and woy starts him. He's a plank and we will be lucky to get a point at the euros.

[Warren]

Hart miskicked ultimately giving possession to Spain. But the ball did go towards the wing and well out of the box. So the defending should have stopped it except that it was an exceptional build up and finish.

 

What struck me is that England had chances and didn't take them. There were two types of failure. First, choking shots off target. Secondly, the final pass not having the right pace. Spain did both of these well and the two goals were outstanding finishing.

[Guppy 4 England]

Hart miskicked ultimately giving possession to Spain. But the ball did go towards the wing and well out of the box. So the defending should have stopped it except that it was an exceptional build up and finish.

 

What struck me is that England had chances and didn't take them. There were two types of failure. First, choking shots off target. Secondly, the final pass not having the right pace. Spain did both of these well and the two goals were outstanding finishing.

 

Bore off Warren. Hart trains every day , part of that training will be smashing the ball up the pitch when under pressure , Christ even jack alnwick smashed one into the stand when he was under pressure last week , not up in the air to nobody.

The difference was Spain have strength in depth. We have Fabian delph.

[Supervalefan1]

Hart cost us the second with his woeful kicking. Why butland didn't start is beyond me, Delph has played 75mins all season and woy starts him. He's a plank and we will be lucky to get a point at the euros.

 

I was surprised Vardy didn't start for England to be honest. 9 goals in games. Till I found out he was injured :(.

[TheSage]

I admire your endless optimism Beechy but it's more of the same old, same old....

 

England can beat the second rank nations easily but when we come up against the better teams we're hopeless.

The gulf in class between the teams was frightening.

Is this the Spain team that was knocked out of the World Cup easily and is falling down the rankings?

 

We have too many foreign players preventing young English lads from developing. We can't keep possession and pass and control a ball as well as we should. The lack of basic technical ability among some of our players is staggering. Hodgson is clueless.

[cheshirevaliant]

We have too many foreign players preventing young English lads from developing. We can't keep possession and pass and control a ball as well as we should. The lack of basic technical ability among some of our players is staggering. Hodgson is clueless.

 

Unfortunately, there isn't much Hodgson can do about your first 3 sentences, TS.