1. Poor defence
All the goals were down to poor defending. Terry is poor. This is his last World Cup and rightfully so. Upson was not any better. Both were clearly at fault for the first goal - terry misjudging the ball and upson being muscled away by Klose.
Familiar sight - Terry one step behind the Germans
Both were again at fault for the 2nd goal, being left behind. Johnson had no choice but to move into the middle leaving the right side unguarded.
They were both missing for the 3rd and 4th goals.
Upson behind the Germans, Terry.... where is he????
2. Disallowed good goal
Yes, i know many would say that even if the goal was allowed, Germany would still win as they scored 4. But no, sir, you cannot be so simplistic like that - that would only show a lack of understanding of the game.
If England's goal had been rightfully allowed, the complexion of the game would change tremendously. England would have a psychological edge, having come back from 2 goals down - and the negative psychological effect will be on Germany, affecting their confidence as they threw away a 2 goal lead.
Further, the 3rd and 4th goals would not have been conceded by England. It was conceded due to the fact that England were pushing up the field desperately in search of an equaliser - and Germany would have been happy to defend their 2 goal lead.
3. Wayne Rooney
Still dun know what was he doing - not only in this game but in all the games. Is he injured? He really let down his country.
4. Bad substitutions
Heskey and Joe Cole? What did they contribute? Not much especially compared to Defoe and Milner whom they came in for. Which brings me to the last item on this list...
Milner out - but why?
5. Fabio Capello
Yes, he has done well for England - lifted us from the dumps we were in. But unfortunately, he is to be blamed. On so many counts. Here are just 3 (and we're talking about this game only):-
- Why did he insist on playing Rooney when he hasn't been performing at all during all the games? Did Capello decide to put him in for the whole game based on Rooney's reputation? Was he left in the team on the hope that he suddenly rediscovers his form? Did Capello not have Crouch??? Which brings me to the next point -
- Why did he not put in more strikers/players who can score when obviously those on the pitch can't? Crouch is a proven goalscorer - and he would be able to handle the big German defenders better than little Defoe.
- Why did he insist on playing Gerrard on the left??? Why is it that everyone can tell that Gerrard is at his best when he is played in the middle, preferably in the hole behind the striker - but Capello can't?
- Related to the previous point, why does Capello insist in playing the same formation? When it is not working - as it was painfully obvious - you've gotta have a plan B. He didn't.
- What was it with the substitutions? What did Heskey do? Cole? Milner was at least putting in some decent crosses and Defoe was getting into good positions. Some coaches turn the team around by making really good substitutions. Capello does not seem to one of them.
