England -v- Croatia

[joey55]

Luka Modric is a star. He isn't Croatia's captain though, Niko Kovac is.

As I am of Croatian descent and due to the fact that we have already qualified, I really couldn't care less about the fixture. Though it would be awesome to win at Wembley.

Yes, I got confused as my German isn't fluent and I watched him playing on German TV. They described him as the Croation Captian, but were probably reffering to Zagreb (the team who he was playing for against Bremen).

 

[carlito]

apparently chealski have offered 3.5m down payment for first refusal on him

 

[joey55]

apparently chealski have offered 3.5m down payment for first refusal on him

During the summer when Arsenal bought Eduardo, it was claimed they had done a similar thing. I never believe this first refusal thing anyway. It seems ridiculous that a club would pay to have the right to match another clubs offer.

 

[carlito]

During the summer when Arsenal bought Eduardo, it was claimed they had done a similar thing. I never believe this first refusal thing anyway. It seems ridiculous that a club would pay to have the right to match another clubs offer.

i totally agree , and it could be all shitebut this is chelsea were talking about.

just a side note would it be better us not finishing top of the group seeing as though in the top seeds there is austria , switzerland and greece .

 

[tony0379]

the most important game in recent history

 

[Dibby]

C'mon Northern Ireland!

Oops wrong thread.


Wait! There is no Norn Iron thread! Racists. :roll:

*creates thread*

 

[joey55]

the most important game in recent history

They said that about the Russia game. So basically it's the most important game, since the last game.

 

[Shanks]

This game sums McClaren up.
Moaning about strikers and playing one striker up front on his own on home turf.
Disgraceful if you ask me.

Could you ever imagine brazil or the Argies to do that...

Its gonna be the same thing next summer, playing too defensive and boring and we might scrape through the group stages.

I won't even be watching on wednesday.

 

[thejames]

As long as Lescott doesn't play, I think we have a chance. Part of me wishes we had to win the game - we all know what's likely to happen when a draw is good enough...

 

[SpurSince57]

This game sums McClaren up.
Moaning about strikers and playing one striker up front on his own on home turf.
Disgraceful if you ask me.

Could you ever imagine brazil or the Argies to do that...

Its gonna be the same thing next summer, playing too defensive and boring and we might scrape through the group stages.

I won't even be watching on wednesday.

There was an interesting titbit in the Grauniad about the Argies' formation against Bolivia on Saturday, a 4-2-1-3 with Mascherano and Cambiasso in front of the back four, Riquelme linking play in front of them, and a front line of Messi, Aguero and Tevez. No chance of anything like that with McClown. I know we don't perhaps have players of that quality, but I could certainly see Barry and Hargreaves in the Cambiasso-Mascherano roles with Lampard or Carrick (or Beckham) in front of them.

 

[LSUY]

Gordon Bennett. Messing about with the formation didn't work the last time we played Croatia so why is he doing it again!?!

I've been against McClaren's appointment from day one and this further shows why he isn't good enough for the job.

Maybe it's best we don't make Euro 2008. If we can't beat Macedonia then how the hell are we going to beat the likes of Holland, Italy, etc.? McClaren should just save us the embarrassment and step down. I'm sure the tea lady can pick a team that can manage to score more than 3 against Andorra.

 

[SpurSince57]

I think the trouble with McClown is that he's a very good assistant—he wouldn't have lasted five minutes at United if he hadn't been—but just couldn't make the step up. Let's face it, he was hardly a roaring success at Boro, who had a pretty decent squad. Brian Kidd was the same.

 

[theShiznit]

Robbo to be Dropped after training ground errors

worrying Robbo developments

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2213896,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=5

 

[Shanks]

I really don't know if its worrying about Robbo, apart from the fact he is our keeper.
Carson played well, granted he didn't have much to do in a silly friendly but he looked comfortable with his handling, which is one area Robbo needs to improve.

It might not work, Carson might crumble, I'd prefer to go with experienced in a tough game.

I would like us to go out and play to win though, give the fans something to get excited about rather than a defensive formation.

 

[BoringOldFan]

When is the team announced? Is it today?

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

When is the team announced? Is it today?

I bloody hope not. That's one thing that I've never understood about International footie - why nations let the media know their line up and formations sometimes days before kick off :? Surely that just gives the opposition more time to prepare and combat the said tactic.

 

[Bonjour]

They'll fluff it.

Bunch of fluffers.

 

[BoringOldFan]

I bloody hope not. That's one thing that I've never understood about International footie - why nations let the media know their line up and formations sometimes days before kick off :? Surely that just gives the opposition more time to prepare and combat the said tactic.

Thought not. But I'm on hols near Los Angeles and it's 11.10am and Sky Sports (on Fox Soccer Channel) said that the team would be announced at 6.30pm UK time today - that's 40 minutes ago.

I see The Guardian has said that Carson has got the nod ahead of Robbo. Not sucha bad move. If we win there's plenty of time for Robbo to show some form ahead of the finals. If we don't - Carson will get the blame :wink:.

 

[kishman]

At 18:30 GMT McLaren was going to announce his team to the England players. Not to the public. We find out tomorrow, who's playing and who's not?

 

[Wellspurs]

BBC seem to think one up front, Carson in goal... Our lads should be fresh on Sunday.
The only reason I want England to qualify is so we can have a few good nights down the pub next summer.