Friendly against England in June?

**TrapAPony** · 13/11/2011, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

They did just beat Spain, but they won't have Rooney in the group stages

They wouldn't touch Spain in a tournament where the result actually matters.

**nigel-harps1954** · 13/11/2011, 2:11 PM

I'd love it if we got England in the finals. Wouldn't care for a friendly against them whatsoever.

**SkStu** · 13/11/2011, 3:12 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

They did just beat Spain,

meh - as I said yesterday, its probably a blessing in disguise as they will consider themselves nailed on to win the next 2 Euros and World Cups as a result!!

"It's comin home, it's comin home, it's comin, football's coming home"

**DannyInvincible** · 14/11/2011, 2:44 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I'd love it if we got England in the finals. Wouldn't care for a friendly against them whatsoever.

Feel pretty much the same about it.

Out of interest, when was the last time England actually managed to beat us?

**boovidge** · 14/11/2011, 5:58 AM

a friendly at Wembley in 1985 according to the internet. 2-1. Brady scored for us.

**Scooby Doo** · 14/11/2011, 8:51 AM

Not in favour of this at all. From a preparation point of view it makes much more sense to play an opponent similar to our group stage opponents where we will actually learn something.

Also, my big fear would be that our lads would bust themselves against England in a poxy friendly and pick up an injury before the tournament.

**elroy** · 14/11/2011, 8:52 AM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Not in favour of this at all. From a preparation point of view it makes much more sense to play an opponent similar to our group stage opponents where we will actually learn something.

Also, my big fear would be that our lads would bust themselves against England in a poxy friendly and pick up an injury before the tournament.

Wasnt it rumoured before that this friendly would be in Feb/March?

**cullenswood** · 14/11/2011, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Also, my big fear would be that our lads would bust themselves against England in a poxy friendly and pick up an injury before the tournament.

The players will be playing for a spot in the squad for the Euros. I dont think it will matter who they are playing against, they are not going to be taking it easy against anyone.

**SwanVsDalton** · 14/11/2011, 9:21 AM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Not in favour of this at all. From a preparation point of view it makes much more sense to play an opponent similar to our group stage opponents where we will actually learn something.

Also, my big fear would be that our lads would bust themselves against England in a poxy friendly and pick up an injury before the tournament.

We should play against tough opposition - we'll be up against it against three fairly tough teams at the tourney, so no taking it easy. England are a good test no matter the result.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 14/11/2011, 9:21 AM

They won't decide till after the Finals draw, as if they get put together, no chance of this happening for another 2 years or so.

**Dodge** · 14/11/2011, 10:02 AM

Its already decided, with only being drawn together stopping it

The need to fill lansdowne for friendlies being the main reason for it

**jbyrne** · 14/11/2011, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

Wasnt it rumoured before that this friendly would be in Feb/March?

was supposed to be feb if it was to happen at all. the cancelled eng v holland friendly from August just gone is now re-arranged for feb

**jbyrne** · 14/11/2011, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

They did just beat Spain, but they won't have Rooney in the group stages

didnt see much more than brief highlights but the possession was 29% england 71% spain! also 22 shots from spain but only 2 from england. id say spain would eat them in a competitive match

**pineapple stu** · 14/11/2011, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

didnt see much more than brief highlights but the possession was 29% england 71% spain! also 22 shots from spain but only 2 from england. id say spain would eat them in a competitive match

I was keeping half an eye on it in the pub; Spain destroyed England on a technical level but in fairness, England defended superbly and the Spanish Achilles Heel of an occasional lack of cutting edge came to haunt them (they had 8 shots in the first half, with only one on target). England scored from a set-piece; Spain hit the post and missed a sitter in the second half. It reminded me a lot of the Inter-Barca Champions' League game a couple of years back, where Inter sat deep, defended and utterly frustrated Spain.

Originally Posted by boovidge

a friendly at Wembley in 1985 according to the internet. 2-1. Brady scored for us.

Gary Lineker's first goal for England, just to show how far back that was!

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

They did just beat Spain, but they won't have Rooney in the group stages

Rooney was left out of the team against Spain as well; I presume to practice not having him.

**geysir** · 14/11/2011, 12:13 PM

I watched the England game against Spain and they did fine with parking the bus. Conceded all the territory, couldn't play with the ball, but held their ground admirably in the same way Andorra do against most other teams. Spain missed 2 absolute nailed on sitters.

England in a friendly is great as competitive friendlies go and plenty of €€€€. But there is another value which has to be seen in the context of building up to the Euros, I'm not sure about that one.