England last night.............

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Totally agree with the lady. I campaigned for Gerard to be made captain but the consesus went with the chest thumping John Terry. He is not the kind of inspiration that is needed at international level, whereas Steven most certainly is.

The sooner Lampard is relieved of his duties with the England team the better, his limitations and lack of work rate are glaring at that level.

how about giving terry a bit of credit for his defending skills?

you want a captain to be heard, you want a captain to be seen to be in amongst it, if you want to call it chest thumping then thats your choice, but he's better than you imply

Keith..I dont deny his defending skills for one moment, however in my view an inspirational figure in the modern game he is not. He is a complete throwback to the "kick em in the air" days.

All you have to do is compare the kind of players that "top" international sides give the distinction of Captain to?

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

He is a complete throwback to the "kick em in the air" days

Nowt wrong with that; my sort of central defender in the the Jack "I'd have chinned him" Charlton mould

He is balanced perfectly by the skillful Rio Ferdinand.

I'm with Tim Wilky about clubs buying players to stop 'em playing for the opposition, and Shaun Wright-Phillips is a case in point. Downing played the last two matches because he's had more Premiership outings than SW-P this season.

Interesting that Theo scored for the U21s (or was it U19s?) this week and that the "junior" teams did well.

I realise that there's a bit of Chelsea-bashing in the above text. I'd like to temper that by saying that Steve McClaren could learn from Mr Mourinho and play a 4-3-3 formation.

firstly you say

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Keith..I dont deny his defending skills for one moment,

yet then you say

Originally Posted by mr henry

He is a complete throwback to the "kick em in the air" days.

which is it to be sir?

Originally Posted by Jabba

I realise that there's a bit of Chelsea-bashing in the above text. I'd like to temper that by saying that Steve McClaren could learn from Mr Mourinho and play a 4-3-3 formation.

I seem to recall England tried a 4-3-3 at the world cup, with Becks as a winger (whose bright idea was that?)

Anyway, the display last night was pretty abject. They certainly missed Gerrard who, whilst he doesn't always turn it on for internationals, plays a damn sight better and creates more chances than anyone else on the team.

Plus, what happened to Carrick? I saw him singing the national anthem at the start and then he seemed to disappear for 90 minutes

*Ahem* Let's not forget about the six counties, my English friends. Another three points makes seven out of a possible nine since the unexplainable Iceland defeat. Things are looking good! Just hope they remember how to play like this in March! C'mon Norn Iron!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by UlsterSV

Let's not forget about the six counties, my English friends.

How could we forget? You leave us no alternative, Ulster*





*another post brought to you by SingAlongaJabba

I'm liking your work, Jabba

Originally Posted by Jabba

He is balanced perfectly by the skillful Rio Ferdinand.

For a moment Jabba I thought you were serious....

.

Originally Posted by Jelster

For a moment Jabba I thought you were serious....

I wondered who'd be the first to spot that

Of course, it's plainly obvious that they don't compliment each other at all