England have drawn 1-1 with Italy in their international friendly in Turin but there’s still questions for Roy Hodgson and a few others. Here goes…
1. WTF is going on with a half-empty stadium?
Italy is in a “transitional period” right now and we saw a vastly different team to the one that turned out against England some nine months ago. There was no Mario Balotelli, no Andrea Pirlo and no Daniele De Rossi. But this new-look team doesn’t seem to be cutting the mustard with Italian fans.
There was an eerily quiet atmosphere at Juventus Stadium. In fact…
I think it's great that the Italy fans have came dressed as white seats #ITAvENG
— Kevin Edgar (@kedgar93) March 31, 2015
Looks like @england fans have took over Italy! #standard #bestfansinworld #England #ITAvENG
— Matt Pepper (@Onemattpepper) March 31, 2015
2. WTF is Phil Jones doing at Number 8?
If Phil Jones is playing a holding role, why give him the No.8 shirt? No.4 would be more appropriate you'd think. #ITAvENG
— Tom Molloy (@TheTomMolloy) March 31, 2015
Not only has Phil Jones gotten to take corners for United this season but he's also the England number 8 tonight #what #ITAvENG
— Jaipal Singh Makan (@Japperz26) March 31, 2015
Phil Jones playing for England wearing number eight. What a time to be alive #ITAvENG
— bwin (@bwin) March 31, 2015
3. WTF Roy, Jones is better in central defence
Injury forced a change as a wobbly Chris Smalling came off looking unsteady on his feet. He was replaced by Michael Carrick who took over from Jones in the holding position to force the fellow Man Utd man into defence. Twitter was much happier.
What can we possibly learn from playing @PhilJones4 in midfield!? Never going to be first choice there because he's a centre half! #ITAvENG
— Tom Earl (@thomasearl88) March 31, 2015
4. WTF is Theo Walcott doing as a striker?
Theo Walcott was brought in for his first international match in just over 18 months. There’s a lot of love for Theo and having him back in the team but people wanted him on the wing, cutting in from the wing, and anything but being an out-and-out striker and heading up that diamond.
It'll be fine…Theo 'I'm a striker' Walcott is playing… 💩💩💩… #ITAvENG
— Lee Thornton (@thorntinho) March 31, 2015
Walcott against three italian centre backs is not gonna work. Stick him on the wing #ITAvENG
— Ben Hartnell (@BennyHartnell) March 31, 2015
Well, Walcott's never playing striker for England again. Why does he keep begging for that position? #ITAvENG
— Sam Langan (@samuellangan) March 31, 2015
He was eventually replaced by Ross Barkley, with the Everton player being a much more natural fit for the striker role.
Barkley excites me in an England shirt! #ITAvENG #bigfuture #minigazza
— Ryan Earle (@RyanEarle92) March 31, 2015
5. WTF? Why didn’t Harry Kane score immediately from the kick-off?
Harry Kane was handed his full England debut as Roy Hodgson tinkered with his side for the game.
The 21-year-old striker was one of five alterations to Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifying win against Lithuania but after scoring from the bench last week, people had expectations…
Kane hasn't done anything good all game, get him off! #ITAvENG
— George Chellis (@GeorgeChellis) March 31, 2015
Harry Kane is having a bit of a goal drought! @ColinMurray @hkane28 #ITAvENG
— finge (@frisco_volante) March 31, 2015
6. WTF? Who was shouting ‘hold the line?’
With microphones situated around the ground it’s no surprise that we can pick up some of the on-pitch instructions. It could well have been Andy Townsend’s mic way up in the commentary box that picked up the enormous scream of Joe Hart to “hold the line”. At least it was family friendly, even if Twitter’s response wasn’t.
Joe Hart's voice is so fucking loud! Hold the liiinnneeee!! Get ouuuttttt!!!
— James Mannion (@JamesMannion4) March 31, 2015
7. WTF? Why can’t Andros Townsend do that for Spurs*?
Andros Townsend came on as a sub for Fabian Delph. His wonder goal shot beat Gianluigi Buffon to level the game and save England’s anguish. Townsend has now scored in his last two games for England after netting against San Marino in October, but all of that is little comfort for Tottenham fans. When he scored he was congratulated by his club teammates: Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Kyle Walker. Fans want him doing the biz for them too.
Andros Townsend…dreadful for Spurs, but always seems to score for England. Decent dig. #ITAvENG
— Benjamin Watts (@BenWatts_Sport) March 31, 2015
Even though Townsend is not very productive for us, you cant deny he always seems to do it for England #ITAvENG #THFC
— Roshan Sharma (@roshansharma_) March 31, 2015
Bizarre for a player so poor, but Townsend does the business for England. #ITAvENG
— Owen (@Kingstonbro) March 31, 2015
*From, you know, Spurs’ fans.
Andros Townsend has scored three times for Tottenham in 41 appearances. Now three in seven for England. Spurs fans in disbelief #ITAvENG
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) March 31, 2015
8 And, probably not quite WTF, but maybe Roy, the other goalies could have had a go?
Joe Hart became the youngest goalkeeper to rack up 50 caps for the Three Lions and is pretty much guaranteed the No 1 jersey. Knowing there’s such trusty hands for England there was a fine argument for giving a go to either Stoke’s Jack Butland or Rob Green of QPR. #Justsaying.
Joe Hart is the best English keeper but in a friendly would it not make some sense to give real game experience to an understudy?! #ITAvENG
— OB1 OMER (@OhmsLaw7) March 31, 2015
Why is Joe Hart playing in a friendly? Surely this is the time to try out one of the other goalies in the squad? #ITAvENG
— Julie Atkinson (@julesacko) March 31, 2015
Source: SNAPPA
