The WORLD CUP thread

Brilliant informed debate Keith. Thanks.
Can you name a better English defensive midfielder?

Originally Posted by Conrad Poons

Brilliant informed debate Keith. Thanks.
Can you name a better English defensive midfielder?

oh for gods sake! you dont like people who laugh at you? ah never mind eh.

carrick, hargreaves, ledley king, jenas(altho probably more attacking but i'd put him ahead of parker), phil neville, anthony gardner, i think i'll stop there.

its a game of opinions, people won't always agree with you.

Don't mind people disagreeing at all, just wanted your opinion instead of a row of 'smileys'.

Take out those who are injured (I'd play King if fit) and those who aren't defensive midfielders from your list and who have you got left? Carrick is the closest but having watched him for 4 seasons I know he doesn't tackle anywhere near well enough to do the 'Makelele' role at International level. Great passer though.
Of course, playing an out and out defensive midfielder would mean dropping one of Beckham, Gerrard or Lampard. With Sven picking his best individuals ahead of his best team, that isn't going to happen.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by jenni

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?

Yup... Sum it up in 2 words, "England expects". There's a bit of a presumption of success, it seems like when you lose you're shocked, but when you win? You don't seem to enjoy it as much, because it's taken for granted. There's an awful lot of England fans that'll be destroyed if you guys don't take home the trophy, but even getting into the next stage is a fair achievement, getting further should be a cause for celebration.

Try our approach- we expect to be last at absolutely everything, so when we even qualify it's a national celebration.

I do agree with Northwind to some extent there are people who blow England's expectations to ridiculous levels. Much of that is down to pure ignorance of the football world in general. Like that old chestnut of the Premier League being the best in the world? Total nonsense.

There is though in balance absolutely nothing wrong with being whole heartedly behind your national team,but do that with an acceptance of their limitations. If that was done some of the vicious criticism of individual players might be less harsh? That can only be done by having a reasonable knowledge of the talent available to other countries and not by showing a passing interest and assuming an expert stance for 2 weeks every 4 years.

Being realistic will prevent much of the angst...try selecting any England squad member and slotting them in to say the Brazil team? Argentina? Holland? there aren't many are there? That sums it up really.

England for the quarter finals is a good result in my opinion. Anything beyond that is an exciting bonus.

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

England for the quarter finals is a good result in my opinion. Anything beyond that is an exciting bonus.

Spot on. Last 8 is about Englands true level in World football.

Owen out then.

I would go for 5 in midfield and Rooney up front on his own.

This will give Stevie G the freedom he needs.

Originally Posted by The Basket

Owen out then.

I would go for 5 in midfield and Rooney up front on his own.

This will give Stevie G the freedom he needs.

bit harsh on crouch and its for this reason i don't think he'll do that.

i'd say its an excellent idea tho

stevie G is not happy in that role he is in now..
play him free-
give him his legs..

it is frustrating to see... as an ex "quite good" footballer-I can see he aint happy - I would be .!! you can see it- he is out of position...



give the gerrard a free role and watch him run the park

Not to sure whether playing with 1 unfit forward will proove fruitful. Rooney hasn't exactly looked 100% thus far and England don't really look like they're troubling the net with 2 up front players.