SpurSince57
Well-Known Member
- Jan 20, 2006
- 45,213
- 8,229
Coopello magic. Just-a like-a that.
England V Croatia
- Thread starter carrickature
- Start date
spurslenny
I hate football
- Nov 24, 2006
- 7,545
- 6,539
...isa very nice!!
senseispab
Active Member
- Feb 16, 2006
- 904
- 137
I'd have picked Heskey over Defoe too.
I think Carlton Cole is the guy vying for Heskey's spot.
robbiesavagehasbreasts
dinkin' flicka!
- May 23, 2007
- 2,689
- 69
It's nice to have players like Lennon and Defoe, who are on fire for club and country.
It was certainly not happening same time last year.
It was certainly not happening same time last year.
leffe186
Well-Known Member
- Sep 2, 2004
- 5,363
- 1,827
Now you really are looking for miracles.
milkman
Banned
- Oct 3, 2005
- 12,150
- 3
and build up their confidence.
Rocksuperstar
Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
- 53,423
- 67,157
The best bit about tonight's result, for me, was that our entire midfield showed itself as solid and confident. Gerrard, Lampard & Lennon did an absolute number on the Croats and, if they can keep that up, it'll give our oppo a real problem on who to mark out of the game.
In the past we've often been stuck with the problem of only having one on form midfielder at a time (and considering how fond of delivering from deep our wingers have been for the national side in the past) which has meant the oppo have only really had to concern themselves with the key player. With three on form and rampaging midfielders we will put god knows what fear up sides like Argentina, who's defence is looking rickety, or Germany's relatively young/transitional squad.
Whether we can put that to good effect against the biggest nations is yet to be seen, but it bodes well for the time being :up:
In the past we've often been stuck with the problem of only having one on form midfielder at a time (and considering how fond of delivering from deep our wingers have been for the national side in the past) which has meant the oppo have only really had to concern themselves with the key player. With three on form and rampaging midfielders we will put god knows what fear up sides like Argentina, who's defence is looking rickety, or Germany's relatively young/transitional squad.
Whether we can put that to good effect against the biggest nations is yet to be seen, but it bodes well for the time being :up:
bomberH
Well-Known Member
- Jun 4, 2005
- 28,472
- 168,312
Well done England. Couple of things:
Johnson isn't good enough for an international fullback. Ashley Cole is (unfortunately) what Johnson should be aspiring to. He's halfway there in that he's very good going forward. Cole can defend though, whereas Johnson's pretty average and will get found out against good wingers. Even Babel did him twice last month and he's been shit for ages.
The defence played well as a whole, Gerrard & Lampard proved once again they can play together (and then some) with the right manager, Lennon was ace, especially first half. Heskey did ok but is pretty rubbish for a striker. Defoe to start next time, i reckon Capello will definitely start him to see how he does.
Beckham is an absolute must for the WC, we don't have anyone else who can offer what he has and it showed as soon as he came on. A couple of perfect long passes. Ironically enough, if Becks had played alongside Heskey, i'm sure Heskey would be putting a few more away. Capello obviously likes the long ball up to Heskey and who better than Beckham? Perfect for last half hour sub after Lennon has scored a hatrick in 60 mins.
Johnson isn't good enough for an international fullback. Ashley Cole is (unfortunately) what Johnson should be aspiring to. He's halfway there in that he's very good going forward. Cole can defend though, whereas Johnson's pretty average and will get found out against good wingers. Even Babel did him twice last month and he's been shit for ages.
The defence played well as a whole, Gerrard & Lampard proved once again they can play together (and then some) with the right manager, Lennon was ace, especially first half. Heskey did ok but is pretty rubbish for a striker. Defoe to start next time, i reckon Capello will definitely start him to see how he does.
Beckham is an absolute must for the WC, we don't have anyone else who can offer what he has and it showed as soon as he came on. A couple of perfect long passes. Ironically enough, if Becks had played alongside Heskey, i'm sure Heskey would be putting a few more away. Capello obviously likes the long ball up to Heskey and who better than Beckham? Perfect for last half hour sub after Lennon has scored a hatrick in 60 mins.
babel won't make it to next years world cup with the form that elia is in right now.
with van nistelrooy reported to be on the way back for the dutch nt there won't be enough place for all three of robben, elia and babel.
one will be left out and on this form it's babel.
with van nistelrooy reported to be on the way back for the dutch nt there won't be enough place for all three of robben, elia and babel.
one will be left out and on this form it's babel.
- May 21, 2004
- 25,468
- 2,409
- Admin
- #133
I was chatting to a mate about how today's press is pretty much saying England are good for winning the World Cup which we were disagreeing with on the basis that this qualifying league has been poor.
England's friendly matches against France, Spain and Holland during this qualifying period have ended in two losses and a draw and they are England's peers.
England's friendly matches against France, Spain and Holland during this qualifying period have ended in two losses and a draw and they are England's peers.
Chris12345
LADdam Hussein
- Jan 15, 2005
- 11,908
- 31
Friendlies don't count for shit!
- May 21, 2004
- 25,468
- 2,409
- Admin
- #135
Try teling the players chosen for the starting eleven that, and then try telling the opposition playing against England that! They may be billed friendlies but there are invisible points to be scored with a result, not least the old confidence exercise.
Chris12345
LADdam Hussein
- Jan 15, 2005
- 11,908
- 31
Errrr... have you ever watched a friendly?
Might as well rename them 'Injury avoidance practice' or something :lol:
Might as well rename them 'Injury avoidance practice' or something :lol:
Rocksuperstar
Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
- 53,423
- 67,157
Be fair, no-one's watched a friendly for years, it's the visual equivalent of Kenny G. It's lift-music football. It's something that's on in the background, occasionally you pause to see if anythings changed, realise it's the same yawn inducing drone, so carry on with your day or evening doing something better.
Adam
Active Member
- Feb 23, 2004
- 2,556
- 82
We also beat Germany in a friendly and are a lot, lot better than Holland and France.
The only team that are without a doubt better than us are Spain, but we all know that they (like us) have a tendancy to mess up when it counts, barring last summer's masterclass.
With Capello breathing down their necks, the players have been made to realise what international football is all about and i honestly believe we have a great chance of getting the job done next year-thank god i booked my flights yesterday though as it looks like an absolute scramble for seats at the minute!
The only team that are without a doubt better than us are Spain, but we all know that they (like us) have a tendancy to mess up when it counts, barring last summer's masterclass.
With Capello breathing down their necks, the players have been made to realise what international football is all about and i honestly believe we have a great chance of getting the job done next year-thank god i booked my flights yesterday though as it looks like an absolute scramble for seats at the minute!
spursandbarca
Well-Known Member
- Jul 18, 2008
- 3,972
- 446
and brazil.
spain and brazil are the favourites we are 1 step behind. the 23 spain have is better than the 23 has.
spain and brazil are the favourites we are 1 step behind. the 23 spain have is better than the 23 has.
Adam
Active Member
- Feb 23, 2004
- 2,556
- 82
I dont see Brazil being a better side than us-Gilberto, Melo and Elano havent had to face anyone playing at a high tempo yet and ive got a feeling that they will get found out by a team that move the ball quickly.
They obviously have some fantastic players like Kaka etc, but if we came up against them, i think we'd be able to play through their midfield fairly easily as well as nullifying their threat in the air which is a place they get a lot of their goals from
They obviously have some fantastic players like Kaka etc, but if we came up against them, i think we'd be able to play through their midfield fairly easily as well as nullifying their threat in the air which is a place they get a lot of their goals from
