Andorra v England, player ratings

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28th, March 2007

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sgerrard.jpgPaul Robinson Stood around for 90 minutes watching his team-mates huff and puff in Andorra’s half. 6/10
Micah Richards Not the most stylish player but enthusiastic and got forward when he could. Stuart Pearce will be gutted that he left the pitch on a stretcher. 6/10
John Terry Found himself in some advanced positions but couldn’t offer much in attack. Untroubled at the back. 6/10
Rio Ferdinand Had a quiet night with virtually no defending to do. 6/10
Ashley Cole Had a real chance to maraud down the left wing and overlap Stewart Downing, but blew it. Has to sort out his temper too – every time the camera does a close-up on his face, it’s twisted angrily into some moan or other. 5/10


Owen Hargreaves Busy, committed, effective when sweeping up, rarely wasted possession. Gave Gerrard the freedom to roam. 7/10
Steven Gerrard Played as if he was wearing the captain’s armband. Should be too. Two beautifully taken goals capped a man-of-the-match performance. 9/10
Stewart Downing Saw a lot of the ball but didn’t do much with it. Doesn’t have enough pace or skill to cut it on the wing at international level. 6/10
Aaron Lennon Sometimes he seems too quick for his own good, but he brings a lot of energy and devastating pace to the team. 6/10
Wayne Rooney Andorra targeted his suspect discipline and he never looked settled. Dropped too deep too often. Not his finest night and was rightly taken off. 5/10
Andy Johnson Much more comfortable playing where he does for Everton (funny that). Some nice turns and did enough to keep his place. 6/10
Subs:
Kieron Dyer
Looked lively and inventive but fluffed two great chances.
Jermain Defoe Nice lay-off for Gerrard’s second goal and will be gutted not to be credited with England’s third.
David Nugent Didn’t seem overawed and set-up Dyer with a neat pass, but very lucky to get a goal on debut.
Agree with our ratings or think we’re talking more baloney than Stevie Mac? Drop us a comment with how you saw the game…

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7 Comments

  1. joe says:

    Pretty fair assessment. Someone ought to check if Rooney actually has a brain in that large, square head of his. Has it not yet dawned on him that opposition love to get him riled and booked regularly. Now he misses their must-win match against Estonia which won’t be as easy as tonight. Idiot. Nugent looked decent for his first game though. Good to see a new face.

  2. Ollie, Pies Ed. says:

    When Rooney is surrounded by intelligent players – Larsson, Scholes, Ronaldo, Giggs etc. then he looks good. When he has to think for himself, he looks out of his depth. He was poor tonight. Agree than Nugent looked very comfortable; although it was Andorra, so let’s not get too carried away (I know you won’t!)

  3. Matty says:

    If Israel hammered Estonia 4-0, then I think England maybe able to do without Rooney. Even if he was around, Wazza wouldn’t be getting anywhere near the scoresheet with ‘Nose-for-goal Nugent’ around! Can’t believe he stole that one off the line.
    But yeah… good ratings. Downing needs to go. Bring back Scholes to the set-up and we’ll soon see Rooney hitting the net. If not Owen should be back for Estonia.

  4. Col says:

    Cole and Downing were rubbish for my liking. Though in the first half it Johnson and Gerrard seemed like the only two playing.
    And what was going on with the long ball!?
    As soon as Gerrard ran at them, they scored!

  5. Anonymous says:

    How about McClaren?
    A 10 for taking Rooney off, a -10 for putting him in there in the first place. Another 5 deducted for ignoring Gareth Barry in favour of the only player who’s development he can take credit (or in this case blame) for.

  6. bryn says:

    6 for Downing? he’s in the team to get as many crosses into the box as possible – but didnt put ANY decent crosses in. Lennon also failed to put any good crosses in – if he wasnt so quick would he be in the team or even the squad?

  7. joe says:

    Yeah Gareth Barry is getting the short end. He’s had a pretty fantastic season but he always gets ignored or gets brought on in stoppage time, etc. I think he could make a difference if he could get a full 90.