So... no World Cup thread yet? (also featuring TTLG fantasy world cup game) - by D'Arcy
Shevers on 15/6/2006 at 18:25
Germany's defense was markedly improved over their first game yesterday, although that did seem to take a bit from their attack. I give them a better chance of doing well after the second game. Plus Boruc's showing in the Polish goals means that at least 2 Celts have done something worthwhile in the tournament :sly:
Onto England and I have to say their first match was worse than their second, but that didn't stop them being wholly unimpressive. And as usual, winning anyway :tsktsk:
Hopefully Sweden can give England a run for their money when those two meet, but it is just going to come down to what percentage of their full potential each side reaches. Sweden's match in half an hour should give an indication of whether they will be able to give England a real go.
Headphones on 15/6/2006 at 18:55
england are an enromous bag of spanners and deserve to die
what the fuck was that shit
SD on 15/6/2006 at 19:21
Quote Posted by Headphones
what the fuck was that shit
it was 6 points out of 6
Quote Posted by zacharias
Lennon was impressive, apart from that pretty dismal and you'd have to say this 'best english team for forty years' is absolute guff on this evidence. I'd drop Lampard and you-know-who.
It wasn't a classic, but this isn't ice dancing: you don't get points for style.
And this
is the most talented group of players we have had in 40 years.
Oh, I sure hope that "you-know-who" is Owen, because he was shit again today. Crouch had his poorest game for England, but he did okay, and he scored the crucial goal - you don't drop strikers who are in this kind of goalscoring form (5 in his last 4 internationals).
I agree Lampard has to be dropped because he fucked up chance after chance while Gerrard was forced to sit deep. Gerrard was let off the leash for about five minutes, and look what he did. Gerrard needs to be as high up the park as possible because he is England's best player, but in this formation he is stifled in favour of Fwank.
Eriksson hasn't got the bollocks to drop Lampard though, and this is where England will ultimately fail: a manager scared to pick players on form and ability, building his team around fat pie-scoffing cockney wideboys instead of the best midfielder in the world.
Shevers on 15/6/2006 at 19:39
The great thing is that the next manager is going to do the exact same :cheeky:
And as I say, 6 points out of 6 is a nice thing to put up to defend England, but both performances have been awful and could have easily went the other way - certainly in that last game. Sure, you'd rather be in England's position than have a Sweden who have numerous shots on goal and all the possession but can't get the goal, but really English fans need to pray that they will play properly against the good teams. Face it, Trinidad and Tobago could have beaten you today.
quinch on 15/6/2006 at 20:16
*/bites...
That's a tenuous statement - possession was edging on 70-30% and England missed more chances than T&T did.
zacharias on 15/6/2006 at 20:37
The key word there was 'could'..it looked like being a draw for a long period there.
--
Lamps really looks short on touch and confidence, so i'd say nows gotta be the time to go..as slow as Sven is he must realise his starting lineup isn't really working very well.
I really hope he does drop Lampard and gives Gerrard total freedom cause then whatever happens you'll have no regrets and/or excuses..
Owen hasn't been good and i wouldn't start him either, that's the whole problem with only having 4 strikers (2 of whom are coming back from injury and 1 whom you're afraid to play)..i wouldn't have taken Crouch. That mis-hit volley was comical and i'm afraid for mine, bless him, he simply isn't good enough at this level.
--
Also, i reckon the Italia 90 boys were just as gifted as this current team, but that's another thread.
D'Arcy on 15/6/2006 at 20:46
Quote Posted by zacharias
Also, i reckon the Italia 90 boys were just as gifted as this current team, but that's another thread.
I thought the exact same thing when someone said this was the most talented group in 40 years :)
Shevers on 15/6/2006 at 20:55
Sweden win! Unbelievable, I could see it going exactly like the Sweden vs. Trinidad game :cheeky: I have to imagine they'll give England a good try now, and with both teams having problems to some extent I don't think anyone could deny that a Sweden win (and therefore Sweish-topped group) is an alright possibility. And oh my, more fantasy football points from Larsson's assist.
I also think this match strengthens my opinion that Allback isn't a good enough finisher. So many shots, so few goals from them :nono:
Daveh: :laff: Well done!
pakmannen on 15/6/2006 at 20:57
FUCK YEAH!
I almost cried when SCHAKTMASKIN Ljungberg finally SCORED(!!!)
