England 6-0 Jamaica.

Well looks like not even worth travelling to the land of big sausages(oooh err) then? After this rout of a leading footballing power. The World Cup has got England's name on it I tell yer! I can feel it in me water.

Peter Crouch might have got 3 but a good game for Joe Cole and Michael Owen and Frank Lampard the team did good - although my heart stopped when he stuck on calamity James

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt... *runs away and hides*

What a great day, i went to the game this afternoon and it was thoroughly enjoyable, seeing 6 goals, a clean sheet, the teams nice slick passing and the gorgeous sunshine (and an entirely different seat to my usual old trafford slot)

Only downside is peter crouch's awful celebration, comedy once, foolish twice im glad he didnt do it for the 3rd goal, would be very cocky after missing the pengy.

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

After this rout of a leading footballing power.

Am i missing something here?

Dont get me wrong we played very well, but the jamaicans were absolute calamity, you cant expect a team that has been good enough to qualify for the finals (not the group stage) to be so unorganised.

You still see some of the frailties showing (although thankfully they are fading).

Joe cole played very well, although i dont believe lampard had the greatest of games, he faded after his 1st goal, which meant most of the match he was ineffective.

Wayne Bridge played well, very quick and enjoyed getting forward, as did ashley cole before he came off.

All in all, i think we are starting to gel, could possibly do with one more friendly before the big kick off, but we are getting there.

Bring on paraguay!

I reckon that's the starting line up sorted, other than Gery Neville back for the rather unlucky (in view) Jamie Carragher, who's been playing top stuff for the last two seasons. Should be picked ahead of Rio IMHO.

Hopefully, Messrs A Cole, Terry and Beckham's "knocks" were minor

If Crouch keeps scoring they won't be able to accommodate Mr Rooney even if fit.

Can't wait for next week

I think PH's post was served with a little pinch of sarcasm...

Anyway, I thought England was crap. If you lot win the World Cup, I'll eat my Northern Ireland shirt. The team has to be a team. There's no consistency. His constant changing of the lineup doesn't allow for stability, or a definite style of play. I mean, one match before the start of the WC and you're debating what formation to play?? That should have been set in stone 6, or even 12 months ago. As well as a consistent starting 11. I'm totally unconvinced the team has any chance of beating the likes of Brazil, the Argies, the Germans, or even Italy. If you get to the semis, you'll be doing bloody well. IMO.

I think Norn Iron has a better chance of winning the World Cup!









Good luck anyway chaps

Originally Posted by UlsterSV

I think PH's post was served with a little pinch of sarcasm...

No change there then...

Originally Posted by UlsterSV

Anyway, I thought England was crap. If you lot win the World Cup, I'll eat my Northern Ireland shirt. The team has to be a team. There's no consistency. His constant changing of the lineup doesn't allow for stability, or a definite style of play. I mean, one match before the start of the WC and you're debating what formation to play?? That should have been set in stone 6, or even 12 months ago. As well as a consistent starting 11. I'm totally unconvinced the team has any chance of beating the likes of Brazil, the Argies, the Germans, or even Italy. If you get to the semis, you'll be doing bloody well. IMO.

Have you considered that:

1) He actually already knew what formation he was going to play, was confident it would work, but has played with other formations in case somebody gets injured ?

2) Has looked at other formations to see how they'll work if he has to change tactics

3) A consistent starting 11 ?? This is football, players get injured and you have to shuffle the pack from time to time.

Originally Posted by UlsterSV

I think Norn Iron has a better chance of winning the World Cup!

Yeah OK, you will keep taking the pills won't you

Plus points...
Campbell looked good and strong.
Owen is looking sharper
Beckham's set pieces are getting better every game
Hargreaves didn't come on

Worries....
I'm still not convinced 100% about Joe Cole..... No doubt he "can" be an asset to the team, but he often trys to go round one player too many when a simpler, more effective pass will do.
Ferdinand made a major **** up in the opening minutes and had to dive in and rectify the situation
Can Crouch do it against top defenders
Hargreaves is still on the bench

.

YEAH MAN

Jelster,

Re the starting 11. Of course players get injured but you have to have your basic 11 and then work from there. Not bundle together 11 players one match (or for one half, as is often the case), then field an entirely different team the next. The team that beat Jamaica today...how many times have those players played at least 70 minutes together with the same formation and the same basic tactics? Not that there was even any consitency in the final match before the WC. Still chopping and changing and not giving the starting 11 enough time to settle in. Trying out the substitutes is no good unless the starting 11 are bedded in. Obviously these things change slightly game to game but there has to be a foundation there to work on.

It frustrates me because you have so many good players but they're being wasted. They're players that have the ability to win a World Cup, but sadly never will. I can't wait to see Sven booted out. Maybe then the England team will relise its potential and finally win something. And then you can bang on about that for 40 years because '66 is getting rather tiring

And WTF am I doing debating the English football team at this time of the morning on an internet forum?????

Well I reckon, apart from one, maybe two injured players he has his starting line up. They started the first half this evening. Subs were made to protect players who picked up slight knocks & strains, which was a good strategy IMO. He has his foundation of 16 (11 and 5 subs), which includes Rooney & Nevile.

I too get frustrated when he changes 8 players at half time in friendly, I reckon you need to see how "possibles" will play with the rest of the 1st team, not with 8 other players.

Originally Posted by UlsterSV

And WTF am I doing debating the English football team at this time of the morning on an internet forum?????

A bike forum at that..... But just remember, you have to be in it to win it