Macedonia v England: player ratings

admin

7th, September 2006

2 Comments

Paul Robinson 6
Another comfortable evening for England’s No.1.

Phil Neville 5
There’s something about watching Phil in action that puts me in mind of the dark days of Graham Taylor. Every time he gets the ball I expect Carlton Palmer or Andy Sinton to appear next to him. Gary Neville is international class, Phil is not.

Ashley Cole 6

Solid enough and made one good goal-line clearance. Slowly returning to form and full fitness.

Macedonia v England: player ratings continued…

Rio Ferdinand 7
Rarely troubled. Linked well across the back with his captain.

John Terry 9 Man of the Match

Immense. Always in the right place at the right time and utterly dominant in the air.

Owen Hargreaves 7

Hargreaves makes the odd mistake, sure, but when he does he’s committed enough to sprint the length of the pitch to win the ball back. Where does he get the energy? (Must be on three Shredded Wheat for breakfast.)

Steven Gerrard 7
Never content to merely patrol the right touchline. At his best when he’s free to roam.

Stewart Downing 5
Hmmm. I really don’t get what Steve McClaren sees in Downing. He has a neat left foot, but doesn’t have the pace to beat defenders to the byline. You might as well pick Gareth Barry.

Frank Lampard 6
Much better than against Andorra and forced one good save from Macedonia’s ‘keeper.

Peter Crouch 7

Great instinctive strike for his goal. It’s been said before but I’ll say it again – ooh, doesn’t he have a good touch for a lanky freak!

Jermain Defoe 6
Worked hard but missed a good chance. Can’t imagine Wayne Rooney is too concerned about not winning his place back.

Subs:
Aaron Lennon 5
(for Defoe, 76), Michael Carrick 5 (for Lampard, 84),
Andy Johnson 5 (for Crouch, 88)

Posted in Miscellaneous

Share this article: Email

2 Comments

  1. jimc says:

    I can’t believe some commentators (on sky sports news anyway – Tommy Cooper’s lovechild and Alan Mullery) are saying Joe Cole will have trouble winning his place back from Downing. Idiots. Joe Cole’s skillful and scores goals, Downing hoofs his crosses over the bar all the time.

  2. mof gimmers says:

    It’s funny that you should mention Andy Sinton as that’s who Downing reminds me of. No tricks up his sleeve. Lacking in pace. Owner of a left foot. In fact, the last fact there is surely the only reason he gets in the side…. either that or he’s got some dirt on Steve Mac.