Last night was England’s night at Parkhead, and for Roy Hodgson’s team it was their sixth straight win following a comeback Group E win over Slovenia at tea time on Saturday, and wins against Estonia, San Marino, Switzerland and Norway in previous months.
For all the build up, the Scottish furore and the bagpipes whistling on a cold Tuesday evening following important qualification games just a few days earlier England took to the pitch quicker than the tartan army, and Scotland were seemingly blown away by the Auld Enemy. Those the words of Gordan Strachan, is Rooney ran riot in Glasgow.
So you would of thought, after what was a display which showed bottle, quality and heart from an England team that sometimes is questioned on all of those fronts, that all would be well as far as English supporters were concerned.
However, taking to Twitter during and following the game, fans, including some well known pundits voiced their annoyance at some of Roy Hodgson’s decisions. One in particular being the decision to not give game time to the most in-form English striker in the Premier League – Saido Berahino. Having scored 7 goals this term, many argued that one of the six changes allowed during the fixture should not of seen Rickie Lambert enter the fray, but rather the Burundi born clinical finisher thrown into the cauldron.
Got to feel for Berahino. Gets called up for the first time, only to see Downing and Lambert get played. What’s wrong with the manager. Wow
— Alan Rogers (@alanrog3) November 19, 2014
What’s the point in Lambert, Roy? Didn’t you call up Berahino? Surely you know what Lambert offers by now? And Barkley, where’s Barkley?
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) November 18, 2014
Really don’t understand Hodgson leaving Barkley and Berahino on the bench this long. They may as well have played for the U21s twice.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) November 18, 2014
.@MartinLipton you rightly praise Hodgson’s young team but why no mention of just 3 minutes for Barkley and total absence of Berahino?
— Michael Upton (@MUTiser2) November 19, 2014
It’s a shame Roy didn’t give Berahino a run out last night!
— Anton. (@AntonPankhania) November 19, 2014
I thought the point of friendlies was too look at new players? What can #ENG have learnt last night? Why take Berahino and not use him?
— Dominic Hanley (@Dominiho7) November 19, 2014
Call up Berahino play Lambert instead? Its not like he has any future with England he won’t make the Euros in two years time.
— Ian (@IanRNY) November 19, 2014
was well looking forward to seeing berahino possibly play last night, but lambert gets on instead, logic in that?
— Vogle (@james_vogle) November 19, 2014
Cannot understand the #Berahino thing, if hes not havin a 10min run around dont pick him, u dont gain experience by sitting doin nothin
— Michael A Byrne (@BaggiesMike79) November 19, 2014
Shout out to Roy Hodgson who chooses exciting players for the England squad but doesn’t play them. Fair play, Roy. #Berahino #Barkley
— 140Football (@140_Football) November 19, 2014
Using Downing and Lambert is stupid. Barkley and Berahino is more like it
— James Morley (@JamesMorley92) November 19, 2014
