Andy who? Danny shows Europe why he's the main man.
England’s Euro 2012 opening game against France was far from the disaster many people expected, yet not exactly the sort of performance to suddenly make you believe “football’s coming home.”
On the whole it was a professional, solid showing, that although hardly inspiring was still pleasing especially considering the absence of Wayne Rooney. Although there will be critics who claim, with some justification, ‘you should never be happy with a draw when you’ve taken the lead’ a draw against one of the tournament favourites, who are unbeaten in 20 games is pretty impressive.
When it comes to individual performances there were several ‘decent’ displays in the England side, without too many stand-out ones. Scott Parker and Joleon Lescott who grabbed a goal were arguably two of the better performers but there was only one contender for Man of the Match.
Danny Welbeck showed England fans, exactly why he’s so popular with so many Reds and it isn’t just his superb spirit level perfect afro. Holding the ball up, linking up well with others and his usual liveliness, Welbeck gave a great account of himself, despite a relative lack of service. It may sound harsh but the Mancunian hit man also suffered from a somewhat rare mediocre England performance from Ashley Young, who more often than not just didn’t seem at the races, despite a great ball for Milner to squander.
With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, not really providing the sort of service a striker needs, it was no surprise that despite his great touches and ball play, Welbeck failed to muster one shot on goal. Normally you would criticise a striker for not taking his chances, but when he’s not even given any it’s a bit difficult to blame him. An early knock, was shrugged off and although it was obvious towards the end of the game, he was tiring and was replaced by Theo Walcott, Welbeck can be more than happy with his efforts.
Welbeck well and truly ended the somewhat pointless debate as to who should start out of him and Andy Carroll for the England side, and my only hope is that Roy Hodgson gives the Longsight-born striker the chance to not only play against Sweden but also partner Wayne Rooney when he returns for the Ukraine.
He was superb! Really arrived on the world stage! So happy for him. He touch was brilliant..Some people look out of their depth at that level (milner) and some shine like Welbs and have to be fair the ox, at 18 was brilliant.
Meanwhile, in a place called reality, Danny Welbeck had a completely average game.
No shots on goal but that’s nothing to do with him?
“Normally you would criticise a striker for not taking his chances, but when he’s not even given any it’s a bit difficult to blame him.”
So there’s no such thing as creating one’s own chances?
I’m not sure if it’s the same author, but this has got to be the 3rd or 4th unfounded “Danny Welbeck is great” article this site has produced.
This site is good when actual analysis of players, games, tactics, etc. occurs. But this fanboy stuff? Why not just post in the forums on the official united site?
To summarize this article:
Danny Welbeck didn’t screw up or make a fool of himself. Even though he had no shots on goal it’s not his fault. Therefore, he’s MOTM.
Alan Shearer on the BBC website: “I am sure Roy Hodgson would have been delighted with the first 25-30 minutes, in particular Danny Welbeck who was giving the back four all sorts of problems. He ran in behind, coming short, turning Philippe Mexes and using his pace. The French did not do that, but Welbeck was full of it and their defender did not like it.
“One thing that disappointed me is that we scored from a free-kick, but we did not put any more balls in after that. We saw the centre-backs and goalkeeper panic but we would have taken 1-1 before the game.
“For all the ball, we did not work the goalkeeper and never hit the target with the chances we had.
“I would say Welbeck was our man of the match.”
Hardly think Shearer is a Welbeck ‘fanboy’ but he seems to agree with me.
Jay..yeah i agree. Everything he did was good. Very neat , very tidy footwork. I liked everything he did. I was very very happy with his work. All i was saying in my first comment was that he looked completely at home at that level..
9 out of the 11 starters for the”Three Lions” would be lucky to make the bench for Europe’s top sides. If of those 9 you have to pick one player who didn’t have a merely average game then sure….pick Welbeck. The next Carlton Cole!
We didn’t play that good , will b better as the tournament progresses.
An waney rooney
An link waney rooney