The games are this Fri (6th Sept) & next Tue (10th Sept)

And btw I agree with you wholeheartedly; quite frustrating the timing of these international qualifiers!!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) lool

I wouldn't mind them so much if they were at sensible times. But from the start of the season until next weekend, there will have been as many International fixtures as league fixtures, why!?

Candreva is such an average player. Thankfully it's Insigne next to him and not Giaccherini

Seriously cannot understand why Prandelli plays Candreva and Giaccherini when he has so much talent on the bench.

Also, Pirlo looks absolutely awful, reminiscent of his last few years with us

LIBOR!

Kozak and his elbow strike again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Probably the 3rd or 4th brutal hit today

One of the worse England performances I've ever seen. Oh well, top of the group and we'll have Ox, Rooney, Welbeck, etc. back for next months big games hopefully.

I think you say that every time they play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Nah, Ash does. I tend to be mostly pleased with performances, it's usually the odd (lack of) defending of a set-peice that bothers me. Today there was just nothing. I'm not sure Lambert is good enough against a decent side.

Montenegro and Poland at home. Can't win them, don't deserve to be there anyway.

From Baggio, Del Piero and Totti to Diamanti, Candreva and Giaccherini. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

And he has a wealth of talent to choose from in those areas yet goes for those 2

Giaccherini I can sort of understand because he's quick, he works hard, can drop into midfield and can cover the wingback in a 3-man defensive line formation. But Candreva is an utter conundrum.

Terrible on the ball, terrible crosser, made a million passing mistakes. Just a terribly mediocre player. Same can be said for Cerci really, they're basically Identical to each other aside from their favoured foot.

Italy can easily play a very stunning 4-2-3-1 system but they don't, and the 3-man back line system is just ridiculous as well.

I think it's a case of who deserves a call up then? Cerci and Candreva have earned their place based on their club form and (in my opinion) that's how International football should generally work. Their may be main-stays who are better options, but if they're playing poorly it's a little harsh on more deserving players.

The problem is, Prandelli is highly inconsistent with his decisions. He prefers Giaccherini - a player who up till now was a regular bench player for Juventus.

But even if, what on earth has Candreva made so special at Lazio?

Cerci and Candreva were half decent in very average or mediocre sides. That being said, even if they have performed well for their clubs, they've been given the opportunity for the NT and performed badly. Add to that, these are not just call ups but Candreva for example has been a regular starter in the last few games, even in the Confed Cup.