England Rubbish

[Scottish Mag 3]

I see someone suggesting you should be as good as Brazil, do you think thats maybe one of the problems?  Expectations are too high?

27825[/snapback]

 

Maybe but if your team consists of world class player like Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard then why should they not be good enough to win at least the European Cup.

28065[/snapback]

 

A lack of technical ability and creativity throughout the squad?

[Guest Sima]

What Scottish Mag said.

 

England get technically played off the park by the likes of Macedonia and until that gets addressed England will win nothing.

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Basically England can't play Beckham and Lampard in the same team if they want to win things.

28139[/snapback]

 

Disagree. If the tactics are right and the players are disciplined enough to carry them out we have enough quality all over the pitch to match anyone.

 

Plan A (our main formation) should be 4-4-2. Its what the players know best and what we are most comfortable with in this country.

 

Keeper - Paul Robinson. Not many arguments about that I wouldn't have thought? James has played and talked his way out of the picture hopefully. Adequate back-up provided by Green and Kirkland (who I still think could be the No.1 if he can steer clear of injuries). Nigel Martyn as a wildcard if you're looking to a more experienced reserve.

 

Full Backs - Ashley Cole on the left. He might be a greedy little cheat but there's not many better left backs. Bridge if fit and in form is the only other LB I can think of to go in my squad

Garry Neville on the right. I don't like him as a person, but a solid right back with bags of experience. Cover from Young if he comes on ok or Carragher because of his versatility.

 

Centre Halves - an embarrassment of riches. Sol, Rio, Terry, Carragher all up to the task. Wouldn't it be great if Jonny Woodgate could play enough to come into contention? Upson too slow, Ledley King a possibility.

 

Centre mid - Gerrard and Lampard are the best centre mids in the country. But their styles are too similar. They need to have their roles defined and stick to them. Of the two I think Gerrard is more suited to the holding role so he would need to show the discipline to sit tight as Lamps bombs on. If the situation arises where we need to shore up midfield Carrick and Parker would do the job, more like specialist holding players with decent passing ability.

 

Wings - Sven has to find a left sided midfielder out of J.Cole, Downing or Richardson. Joe Cole has done ok, but he tends to drift inside. Again discipline is needed to keep the shape.

Beckham on the right. Not the fastest and not the fulcrum he was a few years ago but still delivers quality balls from the right side and set pieces. SWP as a more electric alternative.

 

Centre forwards - Owen up Rooney playing off him. Again not many arguments about this one. Michael for his pace & finishing (as long as we don't knack his hamstrings) and Rooney for his creativity and power.

Back-up from Defoe.

 

Not a bad side? As for a Plan B Eriksson always seems to replace like-for-like which doesn't really change the game. I would like to see more pace and penetration down the wings (from say, Downing and SWP) and an effective target man up front as most of our existing England squad strikers are midgets. Can Crouch or Beattie do it? Anyone coming through the U21's who fits the bill?

[Guest Sima]

Playing Gerrard in a holding role is a complete waste. He virtually plays behind the lone striker for Liverpool ffs.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

We won. Again.

 

Glad to see the 'I couldn't give a shit aboot England me like' people have returned now Owen plays for us. Welcome back.

 

*Tounge lodged in cheek.*

[Papa Lazaru 0]

Basically England can't play Beckham and Lampard in the same team if they want to win things.

28139[/snapback]

 

Disagree. If the tactics are right and the players are disciplined enough to carry them out we have enough quality all over the pitch to match anyone.

 

Plan A (our main formation) should be 4-4-2. Its what the players know best and what we are most comfortable with in this country.

 

Keeper - Paul Robinson. Not many arguments about that I wouldn't have thought? James has played and talked his way out of the picture hopefully. Adequate back-up provided by Green and Kirkland (who I still think could be the No.1 if he can steer clear of injuries). Nigel Martyn as a wildcard if you're looking to a more experienced reserve.

 

Full Backs - Ashley Cole on the left. He might be a greedy little cheat but there's not many better left backs. Bridge if fit and in form is the only other LB I can think of to go in my squad

Garry Neville on the right. I don't like him as a person, but a solid right back with bags of experience. Cover from Young if he comes on ok or Carragher because of his versatility.

 

Centre Halves - an embarrassment of riches. Sol, Rio, Terry, Carragher all up to the task. Wouldn't it be great if Jonny Woodgate could play enough to come into contention? Upson too slow, Ledley King a possibility.

 

Centre mid - Gerrard and Lampard are the best centre mids in the country. But their styles are too similar. They need to have their roles defined and stick to them. Of the two I think Gerrard is more suited to the holding role so he would need to show the discipline to sit tight as Lamps bombs on. If the situation arises where we need to shore up midfield Carrick and Parker would do the job, more like specialist holding players with decent passing ability.

 

Wings - Sven has to find a left sided midfielder out of J.Cole, Downing or Richardson. Joe Cole has done ok, but he tends to drift inside. Again discipline is needed to keep the shape.

Beckham on the right. Not the fastest and not the fulcrum he was a few years ago but still delivers quality balls from the right side and set pieces. SWP as a more electric alternative.

 

Centre forwards - Owen up Rooney playing off him. Again not many arguments about this one. Michael for his pace & finishing (as long as we don't knack his hamstrings) and Rooney for his creativity and power.

Back-up from Defoe.

 

Not a bad side? As for a Plan B Eriksson always seems to replace like-for-like which doesn't really change the game. I would like to see more pace and penetration down the wings (from say, Downing and SWP) and an effective target man up front as most of our existing England squad strikers are midgets. Can Crouch or Beattie do it? Anyone coming through the U21's who fits the bill?

28191[/snapback]

 

A good assessment. As i've said before England are invariably effective at getting the job done but with little entertainment and flair along the way. Its just been that final hurdle when in quarters or semis something goes wrong, or under Sven the fact he can't seem to change anything or the team looks too knackered to change anything!

 

If they click and if they can find something that works on the left they can win any tournament, though it won't be especially pretty, but they can do it.

[Rob W 0]

We fail when we NEED some flair - I have little faith that we can move up a couple of gears when we need to

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

From a selfish point of view, I wouldn't mind if Owen doesn't get back in the side tomorrow night. Keeps him nice & safe for us.

I'm sure he will play though, just Sven bluffing.

[Papa Lazaru 0]

From a selfish point of view, I wouldn't mind if Owen doesn't get back in the side tomorrow night. Keeps him nice & safe for us.

I'm sure he will play though, just Sven bluffing.

29113[/snapback]

 

I was reading that he hasn't had any competitive football yet, so it may be good for him to get a game, but knowing our luck with injuries it leaves you worrying if he plays!

[Gemmill 44851]

From a selfish point of view, I wouldn't mind if Owen doesn't get back in the side tomorrow night. Keeps him nice & safe for us.

I'm sure he will play though, just Sven bluffing.

29113[/snapback]

 

Same here. Although the press would probably find some way of pointing to it being something to do with him signing for lowly Newcastle.

[Guest alex]

Where's Li3nZ?

[ewerk 30598]

the trouble is that at least half the team seem guaranteed their places however badly they play

 

its really more like a bunch of mates having a kick around after work.............

27870[/snapback]

 

This is too true, when Owen was asked about whether he was afraid of losing his place if England played well on Saturday he said no, he'd been in the team for years and wasn't going to be dropped. It must be depressing for a lad like Defoe who could score 30 goals this season and still wouldn't be starting. Beckham should've been dropped for the Wales match to give him a kick up the ass after the Denmark debacle and to prove to everyone that they have to work for their place.

 

I believe that this is England's best chance at winning anything in a long time, they have quality in every position and have finally got Joe Cole to solve the LW problem. The only thing holding them back is Sven, how he is getting nearly £100,000 pw for watching a couple of matches is beyond me. He did well with Lazio but hasn't shown anything with England to prove himself one of the world's best managers. When is the last time England steam rollered any of their poor opposition in qualifying? England are expected to qualify for every tournament, it isn't a huge achievement to do so with the current squad but England haven't made a big impact at any of either of the tournaments Sven has managed them for. The FA have made a real problem for themselves in that Sven is now unsackable due to the huge compensation he would be owed, after all the controversy he has attracted and the poor football he has gave England in return he should've been gone a long time ago.

[Gemmill 44851]

To be fair to Owen, his international goalscoring record stands up to anyone's and in a qualifying campaign I wouldn't be dropping him for Defoe. Friendlies are fine for giving Defoe a go.

Edited September 6, 2005 by Gemmill

[TheInspiration 1]

Playing Gerrard in a holding role is a complete waste.  He virtually plays behind the lone striker for Liverpool ffs.

28206[/snapback]

He plays all over the pitch actually, that's why he is so influencial and a fantastic player.

[Rob W 0]

I can't believe it that the manager and players seem to think beating Wales 1-0 is a brilliant result - we should have been looking to get 5 or 6 to change that Goal Difference

[iklgizmo 0]

I can't believe it that the manager and players seem to think beating Wales 1-0 is a brilliant result - we should have been looking to get 5 or 6 to change that Goal Difference

29249[/snapback]

 

 

totally agree, 1 nil was apathetic result. I think svens problem is that he has too much talent. He thinks he's playing football manager and just picks his 11 best players without actually think about how well they will play together. I erckon souness will start doing this now n all. Just chuck them on the pitch and expect them to gell! GERRARD AND LAMPARD DONT PLAY WELL TOGETHER!!!!

[Optimistic Nut 145]

Why can't we just run the domestic season from September to May, and have the qualifiers during the summer, then the finals the next, that way the "proper" football doesn't get affected. I'm sure the players wouldn't mind playing 10-12 games over a 6-7 week period between the end of May & start of July, then have 5-6 weeks off before pre-season training starts in early August?

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Why can't we just run the domestic season from September to May, and have the qualifiers during the summer, then the finals the next, that way the "proper" football doesn't get affected. I'm sure the players wouldn't mind playing 10-12 games over a 6-7 week period between the end of May & start of July, then have 5-6 weeks off before pre-season training starts in early August?

29292[/snapback]

I think FIFA are considering this. It's a good idea.

[Meenzer 15518]

Can't imagine the Scandis being too thrilled about it...

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Noticed some of the London-based press moaning that 'hero' of the Wales game Joe Cole is going to miss out at the expense of Michael Owen

 

I thought Cole was poor on Saturday regardless of whether he scored or not.

[The Mighty Hog 518]

Noticed some of the London-based press moaning that 'hero' of the Wales game Joe Cole is going to miss out at the expense of Michael Owen

 

I thought Cole was poor on Saturday regardless of whether he scored or not.

29589[/snapback]

 

 

He was bollocks like, even for his "goal". The shot was going straight for the keeper had it not been deflected.

[Papa Lazaru 0]

Noticed some of the London-based press moaning that 'hero' of the Wales game Joe Cole is going to miss out at the expense of Michael Owen

 

I thought Cole was poor on Saturday regardless of whether he scored or not.

29589[/snapback]

 

What you don't mean good old cockney Joe Cole against NUFC's Michael Owen, i hope you aren't for a moment suggesting the press are a bunch of biassed, london obsessed, bitter little fuckwitts, because that would be wrong!

[Phil K 0]

Anyone see the Poland v Austria game ? Great stuff - end to end bars and posts hit etc. I maybe enjoyed it more, as having my foot (all my lower leg actually) in plaster and very painful to walk, I got a lift to the pub to have a few jars and it was on in the bar, and we found ourselves being drawn to the game like a magnet. Good booze too. Real ale. Maybe it was just because of so many bloody weeks away from this atmosphere made the booze and the game better....well, maybe.

[Jimbo 175]

Rooney is a cockend, he should be taken off before he's sent off.

[Scottish Mag 3]

Both his behaviour and Englands performance have been "excused" by the formation. Considering Rooney has been playing that position on both flanks for Manyoo with Ronaldo and the Donkey i fail to see why hes "unhappy stuck out there".