Kane's record is better by all measures. Most importantly Kane is the joint top scorer for England in international tournaments with Linekar on 10 goals. Rooney aside from 2004 was very disappointing for England in major tournaments. If the question is who was the better player for England then the answer is definitely Kane. The England team in Rooney's era was consistently worse though. Aside from 2010 WC qualifiers under Capello England didn't smash team easily in qualifiers like they do under Southgate. Rooney scored a lot against dross as well. Kane's record of 48 goals and 15 assists in 67 games for England is impressive even controlling for the easy games in qualifiers.
Internationals November (World Cup Qualifiers)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Both injured. Delaney apparently got a minor injury in training yesterday, and Højbjerg was replaced in the squad earlier.
Guess the debate is they have pre qualifiers in Asia, Africa and Concaaf before final groups so europe section would hardly be axis of evil if they adopted some sort of cut for 2 worst performing teams in nations league.
Groups would be better if there was just 4-5 teams in it so more would go to last games although would mean more big countries would be in danger of not making it but you get that anyway.
Tammy, Chilwell and Connor Gallagher come on.
Why? They're a bunch of semi-pros who get to travel around Europe playing in some amazing stadiums against some great players, despite being shite (compared to other international footballers).
Every semi pro in Europe wishes they had a grand-parent from San Marino!
If one of these players scores in a 10 -1 loss to England, they'll be telling their grand kids about it.
Foden, Maguire and Phillips went off.
True, but I don't see who it's really hurting to have these fixtures. If there's no entertainment value in it there is always the option not to watch. It creates some stat padding and the odd easy group which is simply luck of the draw but nothing particularly damaging. I think it's just something to moan about.
That does sound odd, but I don't really know the ins and outs of their team. I can get that they're limited with what they can do, so maybe there is only so much that can be done.
*frantically checks family history for San Marinonian heritage*
*isn't sure San Marinonian is the right word*
Totally. It must be a massive buzz for these cloggers to be rubbing shoulders with amazing players. They'll have loads of stories for the grandkids.
How many pens has Kane scored for England, now?
Southgate likes his jack of all trade 8/10s
Yeah, I get that side of things completely. But, the other side of it is that it must be demoralising knowing that you're going to get thumped before you even set foot on that pitch. To know that you're literally only there to make up the numbers.
Saying all that, if I got a call up tomorrow, I'd jump at the chance to play. So, ignore me.
CONCACAF, a less prestigious confederation than UEFA, has pre-qualifier games for its caribbean islands, to avoid the tenis results.
Doesn't make any sense that UEFA includes San Marino, Gibraltar,etc in their qualifiers.
Love some stat padding
Italy needs a goal now.
Oh Tammy.
Roma were mugged off mate.
0 shots on target so far. Said it before, Norn Iron in Belfast are a tough team to score against.
Tammy trying the left foot dink. Oh dear!
Surely England's midfield should be taking potshots now, they're 6-0 up, there's no need for walking it into the net now.
Abraham's a donkey
Abraham's a donkey
I'd go for San Marinan but odds are we're both equally talking crap
Smith-Rowe gets his first goal for England. 7-0.
*searches for San Marinan parentage knowing odds of success < 0%*
You’d think they’d take the foot of the gas now..
Lovely play from Tammy to unlock this tough defence.
But so what? Good for them, if that's what they think is best. I just don't think it's worth worrying about - who is the disadvantaged party in all this?
They're happy to play, other nations are happy enough playing them and scoring a few/experimenting. Fans can do as they please - we're here watching. Nobody is really hurt by it. Remove them from this group and it would make no difference to a side like England, or any other respectable international outfit but they've had fair representation.
Swiss 2 up now. Pressure really piling on Italy as even 0-1 may not be enough.
Nothing more satisfying than smashing a team of part timers.
Would that mean Italy in the playoffs?
Kane coming off for Reece James.
Poland equalised.
Flashscore says, that Italy already had 7 shots on goal. North Ireland had 0 before, now 1.
Swiss two up, so Italy has to win this.
Do not want Italy in playoff. Also Portugal. Already played those teams in the past.
Swiss 3 up....
Will Italy be unseeded, potentially only finishing on 16 points while Scotland on course for 23 points so they'd be ranked ahead when you deduct 6 points for having extra team in their group.
Swiss goal ruled out.
San Marino down to ten men. Rossi off.
Switzerland always smash teams they suppose to beat, that's a good quality if you ask me.
Many good teams have missed WC for not beating teams they suppose to beat, drawing or losing.
Switzerland has its limitations as they are lack quality, and it shows when facing better teams, which is why they don't go far in tournaments, but they are still get decent results... haven't missed a WC since 2006.
Many good teams have missed WC for not beating teams they suppose to beat, drawing or losing.
Switzerland has its limitations as they are lack quality, and it shows when facing better teams, which is why they don't go far in tournaments, but they are still get decent results... haven't missed a WC since 2006.
Stop it.
Mings makes it 8-0.