View Full Version : The WORLD CUP thread
Who cares, they scored twice.
YAY!
At a time when I've found not much reason to smile, they managed it. Coom on England! :)
Supervox
15-06-06, 06:37 PM
Who cares, they scored twice.
YAY!
At a time when I've found not much reason to smile, they managed it. Coom on England! :)
Whilst I appreciate your point of view Ping, I think you just about summed it up with ". . . they managed it . . ." - let's face it we all expected them (with some justification I think) to do a lot more than "manage" to beat T & T !!
They 'managed' to make me smile. :P
No mean feat.
No mean feat
You don't smile because you have mean feet?
I'm a welsh lad but I do support England throught he WC etc (no one else to). That said I would have peeved myself laughing if one of those first half goals had gone in against England.
I think England so far are lacking the ability to inpsire their fans. Poor shows againt weak teams.
Lets watch the Swiss game, we normally lost to them :P If they win that then I might get behind them.
I'd like to claim responsibility for both games...
On Saturday my bus was late so i knew i would miss the first bit of the match :( any way I was nearly at my mates and spied a bike shop and had to pop in for brake fluid.
I asked if i'd missed anything.......of course i had :x but never mind eh? we won
Today I watched all the game up to 2 minutes before the first goal. i was getting ****ed of so i thought...maybe i shouldn't watch.....
So I got up and looked out of the window with my back to the telly.....one minute later....we're winning :P :P
I promise I will endevour to miss at least 5 minutes of every England match so our first game can be scored :D
mysteryjimbo
15-06-06, 08:10 PM
A complete mess until 60 minutes. So much so, i've told my other half to start the match at that point and not bother with the highlights. The substitutions couldnt have come sooner.
Rooney, didnt seem quite back to his normal self.
Lennin was great and brought a real pace about.
Both seemed to bring something functional to the team.
What a clearance from the goal mouth! Edge of my seat moment!
I'm pretty sure my 22 month old nearly fell over when i lept out of my seat when we scored. It must have been a funny sight to see. Me and a 2ft high child jumping around shouting "GOOOOAAAAALL""
Peter Henry
15-06-06, 08:23 PM
Super..Sorry my friend but you are missing the point here and badly.
Believe it or not there are far more teams in this competition who knowing their own failures,aim to stop those better teams they face by being destructive. A good level of fitness, discipline at the back and packing midfield will achieve this against most very good teams,trust me on that.
Another great exponent of that art are Switzerland who themselves frankly are crap,but they stopped England playing recently and this week had French fans calling for the reintroduction of the guillotine!
It is very hard for even the finest players , when deprived of time and space...to look good. That is a long accepted fact.
It is a system that will see opponents snatch at half chances and miss what normally would be routine goals...we saw plenty of that today. England were also carrying a massive burden of expectation as surely they would steam roll T & T? From now on it mentally gets easier for them as each game is a one off chance and this will allow more freedom for the better players,of which England have plenty.
Do not expect Roy of The Rovers type performances, they will not happen but I do feel the confidance in the England camp can now only see them get better.
Up to now England full marks first mission accomplished.
Going back to expectation and the pressure it can put on you. Does anyone remember the state that Ronaldo was in before and during the last world cup final? If you do then you will know exactly what I am talking about.
(I just hope now that Steven Gerrard will be allowed to perform his more natural roaming and dynamic role than the holding player, as in a knock out stage I think he brings more than Frank who is not the player he was 12 months ago.)
Lennin was great and brought a real pace about.
http://www.outdoor.se/artiklar/chock/bild/lenin.jpg :D
should replace crouch with him!
Peter Henry
15-06-06, 08:48 PM
Looks a bit rigid to replace Crouchy? :? :P
Err hum-9 games 6 goals is it? And you want to sack your only 100% fit centre forward? Smart move that. :?
Whilst I appreciate your point of view Ping, I think you just about summed it up with ". . . they managed it . . ." - let's face it we all expected them (with some justification I think) to do a lot more than "manage" to beat T & T !!
Why does T&T have this "lesser" team image?
Their striker is Dwight Yorke, who no-one would dispute his talents teamed up with Cole. Their keeper is Shaka Hislop who was good enough to play at Newcastle [IIRC].
Its not like theyve just dragged a team of men over from the Carribean who have never played football in their lives. Some of these guys play at top level and are quite capable. A concept seemly lacking from peoples grasp meaning that they werent going to be a pushover. :P :)
Peter Henry
15-06-06, 09:05 PM
Lyn...You surprise me with your lack of expert knowledge on this particular subject! :shock: Apart from the two mentioned,and one guy who plays for Coventry they are all below average players playing for second rate clubs throughout europe,(including Wales and one in Scotland)
However they have played more than double the amount of games than England just to even get to this point! :P
Why does T&T have this "lesser" team image?
Their striker is Dwight Yorke, who no-one would dispute his talents teamed up with Cole. Their keeper is Shaka Hislop who was good enough to play at Newcastle [IIRC].
Its not like theyve just dragged a team of men over from the Carribean who have never played football in their lives. Some of these guys play at top level and are quite capable. A concept seemly lacking from peoples grasp meaning that they werent going to be a pushover.
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Because football is a team game :wink: Very rare for one or two players to carry a team. Take Wales for example :) One or two of T&T play 3rd division football in Germany no less.
northwind
15-06-06, 09:26 PM
Very rare for one or two players to carry a team.
I don't know, I can think of one team that's a wee bit dependant on one player ;)
Quiff Wichard
15-06-06, 09:49 PM
I know the yellows are scrapped afte rthe league bit... but does not 2 in the league bit ban ya from the next one in the knock out??..- if u accrue yer second one in the last game?.. I dunno.... and then u start afresh in the knockout stages.....
still.. he will probably rest a few folk and play sammy LEE !!
my sis was there- she said it was ace.!! brill atmosphere... wudnt divulge woth they paid for a ticket off a tout -
cos she knows I wud tell me mum !!
amarko5
15-06-06, 09:49 PM
Here we go! England lose England lose England lose [-o< :lol: Oh I would love it. Then you'd have a sweat on against Sweden :lol: :P :P :P
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 06:32 AM
Sweden are not the team England would want to play against if a win was needed to qualify. Those blonde,naked sauna dwellers are a real bogey team for us.
Something I am a little bemused at is why Scots,Irish and Welsh people have no desire at all to see England have any success? I just find it odd as if one of those countries were against another nation in the sporting arena, I would always get behind them?
Indeed some exciting moments were had cheering on Joe Jordan and Archie,(is he Brazilian?)Gemmill and Jack's Green Army.
I suppose when considering my view on the above countries, one should consider my back ground of being half Oirish, with a great affinity with Scottish people and I once spent a holiday in Rhyl! :lol:
we've played two teams who's only ambition was to pretty much make sure we don't score, and if they get the chance to attack then thats a bonus. we've beaten both those teams. somebody say rooney didn't look back to his best yet? jesus good god! you want him to score with every touch of the ball or what?
never at any stage did T&T push us back and leave themselves two v one at the back giving rooney a chance to run at them, you gotta give credit to T&T for using those tactics, and it worked pretty well for the most part of the game. but lets give credit to the team for perseveering, not panicing and getting the right result.
and hows about a bit of acknowledgment and praise for Sven's substitutions? awful against paraguay, but i'd say he got it pretty much perfect yesterday.
Sit Alf Ramsey said he didn't play the best players he played the best team. terry butcher on radio 5 this morning suggested leaving lampard out, putting carrick in as a holding player and leaving gerrard to run free...... food for thought that.....
The Basket
16-06-06, 08:40 AM
England was very ordinary and I doubt if the Germans or Ecuardor are bovvered.
Point is...they only have to keep winning, not play well.
Playing well doesn't win world cups. Winning does.
England was very ordinary and I doubt if the Germans or Ecuardor are bovvered.
.
very true, but to be honest i aint bovvered about either of them!
equador punching way above their weight ala cameroon in 1990, when they play a half organised side they'll be found wanting.
germans will have voracious support, but i'm uber confident we'll be fine against them.
lets win the group, the winner of the last 10 world cups has won their qualifying group, so it would appear to be influential!
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 08:49 AM
Well said Basket. :wink: As far as I am aware on the trophy is not inscribed anywhere (prettiest football playing nation of the year) football has moved on a lot from the kick and rush 6-5 results played out in the 50's! :P
The Basket
16-06-06, 08:54 AM
I would rest players against Sweden and play the reserves. I don't think winning the group will benefit us if players get suspended or injured trying to take on the Sweds.
terry butcher on radio 5 this morning suggested leaving lampard out, putting carrick in as a holding player and leaving gerrard to run free...... food for thought that.....
More than food for thought - been saying it for a while myself - Carrick has been one of the form players in the Premiership this year and deserves a place IMHO.
How about this for Sweden, bearing in mind that the result doesn't really matter that much given the next round opponents..a 3.4.1.2 system:
Robinson
Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry
Lennon, Carrick, Lampard, J Cole
Gerrard
Rooney, Crouch
The idea is to allow Gerrard (and to a lesser extent J Cole) a free-roaming role, plus it allows Carragher and Carrick (two in-form players) to get a game.
Also gives Ashley Cole a rest (he's only just back from injury) and Becks a chance to model a few clothing ranges for the evening. John Terry to Captain in the absence (thank christ) of Owen.
Just my view..........
he'll never drop beckham. he's the cappy tan, just won't happen no matter how much sense that makes
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 12:02 PM
One laser type delivery to the head of Crouch yesterday might suggest he is right not to do so? :?
One laser type delivery to the head of Crouch yesterday might suggest he is right not to do so? :?
indeedy. each time he doesn't get a cross spot on there's a tendancy to be disappointed (i'm gulity of the same), but his work rate is generally excellent. looked good as an attacking right back just behind lennon!
Yeah - I know he'll never do it (drop becks) just like he'll never leave Frank on the bench and play Carrick.
Too many great defenders and midfielders, to little in the way of fire-power up front. Should have left Jenas at home and taken Wright-Phillips.
Supervox
16-06-06, 01:28 PM
terry butcher on radio 5 this morning suggested leaving lampard out, putting carrick in as a holding player and leaving gerrard to run free...... food for thought that.....
More than food for thought - been saying it for a while myself - Carrick has been one of the form players in the Premiership this year and deserves a place IMHO.
How about this for Sweden, bearing in mind that the result doesn't really matter that much given the next round opponents..a 3.4.1.2 system:
Robinson
Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry
Lennon, Carrick, Lampard, J Cole
Gerrard
Rooney, Crouch
The idea is to allow Gerrard (and to a lesser extent J Cole) a free-roaming role, plus it allows Carragher and Carrick (two in-form players) to get a game.
Also gives Ashley Cole a rest (he's only just back from injury) and Becks a chance to model a few clothing ranges for the evening. John Terry to Captain in the absence (thank christ) of Owen.
Just my view..........
I agree with 99.9% of your thread Jabba except for the bit about who should Captain the team . . .
. . . IMHO the job should have been given to Gerrard before this World Cup becuse there is no-one who plays the game with more passion & determination or who can rally a side when things aren't going well / to plan.
well i've just seen the goal of the tournament
argentina's 2nd. great build up started on the half way line on the left flank. 24 passes later, in the back of the net!!
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 01:59 PM
As Keith says those corn beef eaters looking pretty damned awesome. :shock:
well i've just seen the goal of the tournament
argentina's 2nd. great build up started on the half way line on the left flank. 24 passes later, in the back of the net!!
Amazing, starting to worry about these argies now...
Leonardo is a bit gutted in the pundit room isnt he? :lol:
5-0 and still 5 mins plus injury time to go...... :shock:
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 02:52 PM
No denying they are good, but dear me the opposition were poor. Looking good for England, looks like the Argies have peaked too soon! :wink: :P
The Basket
16-06-06, 03:02 PM
After watching the Argies...
Will England win the world cup?
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 03:12 PM
You know we English folks get mighty excited about young Wayne,and rightly so. But if Lionel Messi gets a real run in the Argie team you will be left in awe. I have the benefit of seeing a lot of him with being based over here.
Most of you will have taken a dim view of him and blamed him for Del Horno getting sent off in the Champions League game(Chelsea Vs Barca, funny that because he never played for Chelsea after that incident and has now been sold...shows you who Mourinho thought was at fault there!)
This little Messi guy believe me is some player. He is like the little urchin when you have a kick about with in the street and you just cannot get the ball off him. So much talent.
After watching the Argies...
Will England win the world cup?
you seem determined to put england down at any opportunity!
bring em on. to be the best you gotta beat the rest. i'd still fancy our chances against them yes. S&M defended poorly, we'd be alright i reckon.
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 03:18 PM
I agree entirely with Keith and assure you that Argentina would not relish playing England one bit. Many of the Latin sides are very nervous of our commitment levels. :wink:
The Basket
16-06-06, 03:33 PM
After watching the Argies...
Will England win the world cup?
you seem determined to put england down at any opportunity!
Nope...I just watch them play.
inevitable
16-06-06, 03:46 PM
[quote=keithd]terry butcher on radio 5 this morning suggested leaving lampard out, putting carrick in as a holding player and leaving gerrard to run free...... food for thought that.....
. . . IMHO the job should have been given to Gerrard before this World Cup becuse there is no-one who plays the game with more passion & determination or who can rally a side when things aren't going well / to plan.
John Terry for El Capitano. Leave Becks in the team but he's a chit captain.
Peter Henry
16-06-06, 10:46 PM
The cream begins to float to the top. Holland ease their way through. The Sol drinkers found it hard work against Angola so that group is not over yet!
Don't count Spain out either, let themselves down in tournaments but their day will come 8)
philipMac
17-06-06, 03:42 AM
Is anyone else reading the guardian minute by minute?
73 min "Do you think you could at least pretend the game is a little interesting?" sighs Tom Coote. "It’s not like I’d know the difference." OK. Odonkor in no way picks the ball up down the right, runs forward for a bit, then falls over his own feet. No, in fact, he cuts inside, does two Cruyff turns past three Polish defenders, scampers past two other men a la Maradona 86, dummies the keeper like Pele 70, traps the ball on the line, bends down and heads it in. It's disallowed for lacking verisimilitude.
63 min Rooney sends Ashley Cole down the left with a reasonable pass which, if the tone of Clive Tyldsley's voice is anything to go by, is slightly better than the one Pele gave to Carlos Alberto in the 1970 final. Meanwahile Chris Bond's after a favour: "My work firewall has blocked Betfair. Can anybody tell me the odds on Alex Ferguson having a heart attack in the next 30mins?"
And we're off again! No changes at half-time. Carragher immediately swings a ball into the box from the right; it's cleared with ease. Now, are England the worst team in the World Cup? “Only if you don’t consider the US a team, which is a valid stance after that hurting the Czechs put on us,” says Greg Urquhart.
Dry stuff. Makes me smile though.
3 men sent off in one game? Admitedly the Italian one was a blatant elbow and deserved a red. Didn't see the USA fouls to comment whether they deserved to be sent off.
Well done to the Americans for getting a point with 9 men. =D>
the_runt69
17-06-06, 11:03 PM
Blows the italian group wide open, after 2 games any of the 4 teams can qualify
H
philipMac
18-06-06, 04:06 AM
Blows the italian group wide open, after 2 games any of the 4 teams can qualify
H
Big time.
Ghana would have beaten every team they played against today. Italy valiantly tried to lose the match against the US, even slipping in a goal for them. Seriously, that match was like the twilight zone. And the Czechs were run ragged. Crazy stuff.
Have to drive out to Queens tomorow, pick up a new SV for my mate, and be back in time for Australia's shock upset against Brasil. :wink:
carelesschucca
18-06-06, 08:42 PM
France!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
games not finished but :lol:
Quiff Wichard
18-06-06, 08:48 PM
france--- GET OUT !!!!
come onnn
UlsterSV
18-06-06, 08:53 PM
France, au revoir :smt039
Argies are the best side so far.
Peter Henry
18-06-06, 09:29 PM
Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait, ni le mal
Tout ça m'est bien égal
Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
C'est payé, balayé, oublié
Je me fous du passé
I take you guys don't feel that France can get a win against Togo then? :?
carelesschucca
18-06-06, 10:22 PM
The way its going they won't be playing TOGO (they're on strike - TOGO that is)
Disappointed to see Australia lose to Brasil 2-0. Should have been a bit closer, maybe even drawn if some chances were capitalised on, cough* Kewell * cough.
Ah well, only have to draw against Croatia to move to next round.
Peter Henry
19-06-06, 06:49 AM
Australia did not deserve to be 2-0 losers yesterday to my mind. The score flatters Brazil greatly. :?
Filipe M.
19-06-06, 09:24 AM
And there I go again...
PORTUGAL :D
only one team has impressed me so far, thats argentina. they duffed up a team that hadn't been beaten in 11 games 6 nil. spain did well, but played an ageing ukraine team made up of one star player!
bit harsh on spain i agree, i will reserve full judgement until they've played their second game today.
Peter Henry
19-06-06, 06:51 PM
ESPAÑA.......VIVA!
Let's hope they don't come unstuck tonight against the camel sh+ggers! :roll:
philipMac
19-06-06, 07:34 PM
ESPAÑA.......VIVA!
Let's hope they don't come unstuck tonight against the camel sh+ggers! :roll:
Easy there cowboy :wink:
I dont think there is much chance of that.
Just by the by, how hilarious would it be if Italy failed to qualify for the second world cup in a row?
What makes it all the better is my boss, and tons of the lab are Eye-ties.
I like to go to the matches, and ask them to change chanel to the Mens game whenever they do a close up of any of the Italian players.
And then ask them if floor gymnastics is a prerequisite for entry to the Italian team.
Ah yes. The stoney silences. Good times.
hehe well they're currently 1-0 down.... oooops :lol:
philipMac
19-06-06, 07:40 PM
Jesus. You're right and all.
I heard that the problem with the Spanish team is that they hate each other. For instance the favourite team of most Basques is 'whichever team playing against the Spanish'.
Which is sort of a problem, I would imagine.
Luckily for us, we have one, nice cohesive team. Well. You know... two. But, two cohesive ones.
Peter Henry
19-06-06, 08:03 PM
Phil...That has always been a problem with the Spanish team..Catalans,Vascos,Andaluzes...they just have never got the "Us" thing. They are looking very prone to pace at the back which is not like them, but are doing evcerything right upfront apart from score up to now....it's a game of two halves.....
philipMac
19-06-06, 08:12 PM
Phil...That has always been a problem with the Spanish team..Catalans,Vascos,Andaluzes...they just have never got the "Us" thing. They are looking very prone to pace at the back which is not like them, but are doing evcerything right upfront apart from score up to now....it's a game of two halves.....
I still predict a win for Spain.
Peter Henry
19-06-06, 08:58 PM
Sing along..
A por ellos...olé
a por ellos olé 8)
We have Maradona acting as a pundit on TV and he is absolutely gushing about the performance of Xabi Alonso!
3-1 Have it!
philipMac
19-06-06, 09:05 PM
Told ya. :wink:
UlsterSV
19-06-06, 09:10 PM
We have Maradona acting as a pundit on TV and he is absolutely gushing about the performance of Xabi Alonso!
ITV commentator Jonathan Pearce has retired to his dressing room and is listening to his own commentary on the match, and gushing over how flamboyantly he pronounced the Spaniards' names :roll: :toss:
Have to say though, Martin O'Neill is great on the BBC. Yet another Ulsterman who knows what's what 8)
philipMac
19-06-06, 09:21 PM
Rank Amatuer.
You wanna hear the Yank comentators with the Italian side. Its like a bad Sopranos episode.
And, they basically just dont even attempt with the Arabic/African teams. "Durka Durka passes the ball to Durka, and, OHH, BLATANT HEADING OF THE BALL REFF.... what?... what do you mean its allowed... oh, right"
The Basket
19-06-06, 10:23 PM
The Spanish was a little cold starting today.
Still won though...the Tunisian goalkeeper should get his new SEAT tomorrow for his winning performance for Spain.
Peter Henry
19-06-06, 11:29 PM
That Spanish team is one of the youngest in the tournament and this could be an altogether different competition for España.
The knobs here though think they have won the thing already! Bloody cars running around blasting horns for hours!
That age difference could be key because so many of the other fancied teams have many of their stars well past their sell by date.
Got to tell you,(much as I normally cannot stand the little pr*ck) Maradona now he is off the powder, comes across as quite a bright fella and is very good as a pundit. He spoke to Cesc Fabregas who he was very impressed with and the young spaniard was completely over awed by Diego's gushing praise!
spain did alright. could be a measure of their new found positivity, in previous competitions they may well have capitulated and lost the game.
keithd see's them as a geniune threat. FACT.
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 07:33 AM
Keith....I hang more on your football punditry than the amateurs like Venables and Andy Gray! keep up the good work sir. :wink:
thank you peter!
i'm generally at a loss when it comes to motorbike talk, but football i can talk for ingerlund :D
and don't rule out holland just yet. they've been quietly efficient. i've been impressed so far
and don't rule out holland just yet. they've been quietly efficient. i've been impressed so far
I think they will do OK i was watching one of their games and thought they were ok
UlsterSV
20-06-06, 01:55 PM
Germans now. Look forward to seeing them. Trying to think though who hosted the football on ITV before Gabby Logan. Anyone know? Women + football = [-X They should poach Des back from Channel 4. He's wasted on Countdown.
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 03:11 PM
Remind me peeps,(calling our in house pundit himself Keithd) how does this work then?
If England win tonight against the blonde sauna dwellers, they play the host nation next, but avoid Argentina until the final.Is that correct?
Before Ulster starts,yes it pays to be positive. :wink:
Or am I getting confused with how it might pan out for Spain?
I know noffink,I fwom Barthelona. 8)
assuming we win our group and argentina win theirs...and bearing in mind germany are 3-0 up and therfore going to top their group....
we will then play equador in the last 16
IF we win that we'll play mexico(grp d) or portugal(grp d)/holland (still assuming argentina win their group c)
therefore yes we'll not play argentina til the final.
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 03:30 PM
Good man Keith...You should be on a World Cup phone in mate,yer talents are wasted on this limited audience. :wink:
carelesschucca
20-06-06, 05:03 PM
YOU WONDER WHY THE SCOTS HATE ENGLAND???
Did you know that it was stated during the Germany V Equador game that England now have Equador in the next round???
When did that happen???
If you loose to Sweden tonight and they win the group and get Equador...
Makes my blood boil!!! Even made me want to support Henrik and his pals...
COME ON SWEDEN!!!
:rant:
carelesschucca
20-06-06, 05:04 PM
If England win tonight against the blonde sauna dwellers, they play the host nation next, but avoid Argentina until the final.Is that correct?
no if they win they'll play Equador, but they've already won tonight and their next game IS Equador
UlsterSV
20-06-06, 05:15 PM
Carelesschucca,
They're just **** scared of getting the Germans because they know getting knocked out in the last 16 is not a successful World Cup campaign!
The Basket
20-06-06, 05:22 PM
Germany have been very good against lacklustre competition.
They have scored the goals and got the wins in a positive manner...look like a well oiled unit too.
Still don't think they have the goods to beat a full-on side though...and that includes England. Play your best against the best I say :wink:
I would rather play the Germans and see what this World Cup is really about.
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 05:27 PM
From what I have seen this is a young German side that in typical Arian style is more function over style. Never going to thrill you but just the same can do a lot of damage to many a team. Dont forget they have that extra 20% in the tank from the frankfurter chewing home fans. :wink:
Supervox
20-06-06, 09:08 PM
So much for England 'raising their game' against 'better' opposition !!
Jesus Christ !! Possession passing was diabolical - no shape or intent - just passing for the sake of it (compare it with the Argies !!)
England's Goals :-
Joe Cole - a good 'un - slight question mark over the keepers positioning though - he should have done better.
Stevie Gerrard - did what was needed.
Sweden's Goals :- (don't know names - sorry :oops: )
(1) To allow a player to creep in front of you at a corner is a schoolboy error, NOT one that Beckham should be making - well taken header though all the same.
(2) WTF happened ??? !! :shock: The last time I saw a goal THAT soft it was scored by my nephew's Under 11 team !!
All in all another pretty p*ss poor performance :(
I think if (& the way they are playing it's a very big if) England manage to beat Ecuador (& if the other games follow a reasonable pattern with no upsets) then the following game would be against Holland - NOT A CHANCE IN HELL of winning if they don't improve every aspect of their game dramatically !!
Yep, the defending on the last goal was atrocious. Someone should have picked up on Mellburg(sp?) and Larsson. A Cole and Campbell were the closest to them.
Am more worried about the injury Owen has picked up and Ferdinand going off as well.
The Basket
20-06-06, 09:17 PM
England got the result.
Supervox
20-06-06, 09:19 PM
England got the result.
Yeah - a DRAW !!
WOW !!
Just making the point that I don't see us going much further in the competition unless we play a damned sight better !!
The Basket
20-06-06, 09:23 PM
One must remember that England have played 3 poor games and still comes top of the group.
There is an old saying...'better to be lucky than good'...
What about Owen? Is that right that he's only had SIX hours football this YEAR? :shock: He might be good when he's fit...but he's obviously a medical liability...about time he gave up I think or he'll be a cripple before his next birthday. Give someone else a chance. :roll:
Just my opinion! :lol:
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 09:37 PM
Of course you knew I would pop along to give an alternative view right? :P
What a great edge of the seat game! I thoroughly enjoyed it and after Gerrard popped up to knock that superb header in I thought that was it! But again you see a good side thwarted by,(let's be honest) nothing more than a workman like side)
But hey guys take it all the way back to 1968 and England have had some damn good teams over those years and we still have not beaten the Swedes. There really is no rhyme or reason to it at all. In fact it is quite baffling.
Terrible basic defending errors let the Swedes in which I feel sure will be worked on big time before the German game,so let's not panic.
Joe Cole was sublime in the first half but England did not push it home in the second. However to all those that malign the guy I want to say this, overall on the 90 minutes Owen Hargreaves was easilly our best player. He was cracking, doing all the graft,making the tackles and never wasting posession with a sloppy pass. the guy was excellent.
Italy had a player like him called Franco Baresi and France had Deschamps, every good team needs what Eric Cantona calls a "hod carrier" so get offf his back and give credit where it is due.
Very worrisome over Michael and Wayne's tetchiness was all down to frustration, He was dead on his feet but all the better for it.
BTW...the last time England headed their group they became champions and on the way to winning that group people were slagging them off saying they were crap. Do not give up on them just yet. :wink:
Yeah, Owen isn't what he used to be but I still rate him over Crouch and Walcott. England now have a real striker problem if they didn't before. At least England have some good goal scoring midfielders.
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 09:47 PM
You know being an ex pat it really ****es me when people who obviously don't have any great interest in football,jump straight in and slag England off at the slightest opportunity.
Ok so they did not steam roll the Swedes,hello was that ever going to happen ...but sorry Supervox on this occasion I think you are way out of line.
Compare it with the Argies! FFS they trounced an abysmal team 6-0 and now they are the only team able to play this game? B*llox...they have not played anyone yet!
You think they would have 6 nilled Sweden do you? If so then you really are dreaming!
(Dont take any of this to heart Super....I know football is not your speciailst suject! :wink: )
p.s. Super..Sweden are not a better team they are of the ilk of the well known spoilers like Switzerland and to a degree Germany who can soak all you have and hit you with the sucker punch. England have not been asked to raise their game yet by the task set them. That will come when they face a team that really wants to play as opposed to one that simply wants to stop them playing. There is a difference.
carelesschucca
20-06-06, 09:54 PM
It wasn't just for the goals though the defence WAS Crap... There was one off the bar, one off the line, not to mention the goals... Not very impressive, anything at a set piece and England were all over the place...
As for Owen It looks as if thats his world cup over B4 he even started...
Sweden were crap as well mind you Ljungberg did one thing the whole match... Over all a pretty poor game...
Only highlight was Joe Coles goal, looked slightly miss hit mind you :wink: I do think the keeper could have done better for it mind you, use your feet instead of just throwing yourself at it, but hey you can't take it away from Joe Cole...
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 10:23 PM
It's great when you get one of our Scottish cousins passing on the football expertise that comes as natural as wearing a girlie skirt in check. :P :P
*Ôops wash my mouth out....Tartan!* :)
we were rubbish, but work payed for all the drink so i am pished.....goodnight
p.s. why is supportin england such pain, they can't ever win comfortably it has to be such pain....why is that...or are we just crap wit delusions of grandure?
Peter Henry
20-06-06, 11:01 PM
Jenni...But where is the pleasure without the pain? Hang on tight, this roller coaster ride aint over yet! :wink:
The Basket
20-06-06, 11:20 PM
England are through and have a fairly easy game to play.
Now that is the only thing...the group games are now so yesterday. :D
What worries me now is that with Owen looking like he's finished for the rest of the World Cup, Walcott is going to be thrown into the lions den with very little preparation. I know Owen himself played brilliantly for England at the same age, but he'd been playing regular first team football for Liverpool. Walcott has never played for the Arsenal first team I believe.
I can understand why Erikson put Stevie G on last night. His mere presence on the pitch is enough to change a game..............we see that all the time with Liverpool..............and sure enough he did the goods, but I really wish Walcott had had at least 30 minutes of the game to get his hand in.
defending poor - 2 x goals to set pieces. not good.
but
we're through, top of the group. at the start of the competion we'd have taken 2 wins and a draw wouldn't we? of course we would.
we haven't played the stylish football we'd all like to see, but its ok as soon as we get knocked out you can all bleat and bitch and moan to our hearts content.
equador will be a toughie for sure, but i see no reason why we can't send them home
Peter Henry
21-06-06, 08:21 AM
Cloggies against the corn beef eaters tonight. On the face of it the game of the tournament so far,but as it is in the qualifying section is it likely to be something of a damp squib? :?
OK so we are through to the next round but...
Lampard - WTF some of his passes leave alot to be desired
Joe Cole - worked damn hard last night
Stevie G - at least we can rely on him
Owen Hargreaves - send him home
Peter Henry
21-06-06, 08:32 AM
Tara wrote:
Owen Hargreaves - send him home :shock:
If you were watching the same game as me last night Tara, you can only mean that in jest surely? He was the most committed and consistant England player for the full 90 minutes. I thought he was excellent.
Winning tackles, interceptions and very good distribution of the ball? A very good display considering his first run out for England was 2 years ago.
Incidentally one British newspaper rated Hargreaves performance as 8 out of 10 along with Joe Cole.
Quote from those ratings:
MAGNIFICENT show in his first start for two years. Followed his job description, he won tackles, moved the ball on and added security to the team. Hard to leave him out now.
Unless of course there was a whole lot that I missed? :?
Not joking at all Peter I do not rate him one bit one match aint gonna win the world cup we shall see what happens
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