England World Cup discussion [Archive] - Page 4

sligoman

06/06/2006, 1:13 AM

This is the start of it now:rolleyes:...
---------------------------------
Some 200 hooligans ordered to hand over their passports by May 30 have failed to do so, the British Home Office announced.

The order was given to stop known troublemakers heading to Germany for the World Cup but even though several have ignored the order, a spokesperson for the Home Office said there was nothing to suggest those hooligans would be able to arrive in Germany.

"No banning order subjects travelled to Portugal for the 2004 (European Championships) tournament and there is no expectation banned individuals will be able to travel to Germany," said the spokesperson.

Read more... (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05062006/323/200-hooligans-resist-banning-order.html)

the 12 th man

06/06/2006, 9:35 AM

I'd have thought the German Police would be on top of this and be prepared for any trouble makers at the finals.Hopefully the expected flashpoints can be anticipated and Policed accordingly.

Stuttgart88

06/06/2006, 9:49 AM

Paraphrasing the English sports pages this week:

It's only a matter of time, victory is certain.

Our swashbuckling heroes will be too strong for our third world opposition.

Our most potent stars are on their game and are certain to be remembered among the world's greats. It's their destiny.

Then:

Ooops. Where did that defeat come from? And what happened our star player's ankle? IT'S ALL GONE WRONG!

Yep, it's happened already. Except it was in the cricket! England took a commanding lead early on & the papers were saying that Kevin Pietersen will be as good as Viv Richards. In the second innings Pietersen made a negligible score & Muralitharan took 8 wickets for only 50-something runs for Sri Lanka to win resoundingly. And Andrew Flintoff is injured now.

My colleague in work says that Murali is a cheat.

Hopefully a precedent has been set!

superfrank

06/06/2006, 10:01 AM

Look lads you know the rules. ONE thread for English football discussion. Please don't make ny job any harder when it's going to be a lot busier round here.

geysir

07/06/2006, 12:24 AM

Anyone remember the Argentina England game from France�98. The camera closely panned the Engerland supporters, on their feet in the 2nd half, in full voice and there right in the middle of them was Mick Jagger.

drinkfeckarse

07/06/2006, 1:52 PM

My colleague in work says that Murali is a cheat.

The fact that the powers that be have ruled his technique as legal would suggest that your colleague would be wrong Stuttgart, is he English by any chance ;) :D

DmanDmythDledge

08/06/2006, 12:47 PM

Ericcson says that Rooney's injury has fully healed and is only lacking match fitness.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5059286.stm

I don't think a player of Rooney's ability will have a problem regaining match fitness. Remember against Fenerbache on his debut for Man Utd- hadn't played in 2/3 months and scored a hat-trick.

Also Gerrard at 50/50- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5058442.stm

Stuttgart88

08/06/2006, 1:06 PM

Rooney was fully fit against Northern Ireland too :)

Stuttgart88

08/06/2006, 1:17 PM

Andreas Isaksson, Sweden's goalie, is to miss their first game with concussion after a shot hit him on the head in training. In rugby it'd be a mandatory 3 week absence. Rami Shabaan - remember him? - to deputise against T&T.

Everything's going England's way...

R�iteoir

08/06/2006, 1:45 PM

Not to mention the whole �Mars/Believe� ad campaign over here.

There was talk of Irn-Bru changing their product name during the World Cup to "Nae Danger" :D

drinkfeckarse

08/06/2006, 2:33 PM

There was talk of Irn-Bru changing their product name during the World Cup to "Nae Danger" :D

That's actually a brilliant marketing idea if it's true, it would be awesome if that ever happened :D

tricky_colour

08/06/2006, 10:23 PM

Look lads you know the rules. ONE thread for English football discussion. Please don't make ny job any harder when it's going to be a lot busier round here.

It could be a very big thread by the end of the competition, it already has
170 posts and a ball has not even been kicked yet!!
Once threads go beyond a certain length they just become unmanageable
IMO.
I have seen threads on other forums which have over 5000 posts (they had
to be split into "thread part 1" "thread part 2" etc..
In the end it becomes a total mess, trying to follow what really are seperate threads
becomes impossible!! You end of with hundreds of seperate topics being discussed
at the same time, a complete nightmare to follow!!

eirebhoy

10/06/2006, 3:44 PM

Another poor performance by England with Gerrard and Lampard in the centre of a 4-4-2. Will Sven ever learn?

they won the match on a freekick which Stuttgart88 has talked about so much. :)

Pat O' Banton

10/06/2006, 4:28 PM

...who of ye exiles will be supporting England?

No chance comrade, don't see why we should either, I've heard alot about this 'well we support you when you play.' Really do they? Well...
a) I don't care
b) didn't notice too much support when they were acting the goat around Dublin and smashing up Lansdowne Road
c) the support that they give is at best patronising; aren't little Ireland doing well - which leads to point a.

And I really do hate the nasty arrogant attitude that they have towards the Scots, Welsh and Irish that you have to support us, Why? no one thinks twice that the Dutch or Austrians don't like the Germans or that that the Baltic coutries don't like Russia, so why exactly why do other countries have to like Ingerland, I can't think of much that they have done to deserve our support.

So its gotta be the Ivory Coast far me.

DmanDmythDledge

10/06/2006, 6:10 PM

England just about dserved victory today based on their first half performance. I've always said that Ericcson is England's main liability and that was proved again in this game. Joe Cole was England's best player and he was taken off for Owen Hargreaves of all players. Negative tactics will not win the World Cup for England.

Poor Student

10/06/2006, 6:14 PM

A very underwhelming performance from England today. As the game drew on they sat back more and more and failed to engage Paraguay. Paraguay were very blunt up front though. On that form England won't be winning anything. You'd barely have noticed Owen was playing.

As an aside, they had some English fan in a bar on Slovenian TV. They got him to say something small in Slovenian and then he just comes out with "Argentina...YOU'RE GONNA WIN NUFFIN! STEVE, YOU'RE A C(UNT!", leaving a very baffled reporter.

eirebhoy

10/06/2006, 6:34 PM

I don't think it was England that changed in the 2nd half, it was Paraguay. Their plan in the first half seemed to be long balls up to the strikers and it wasn't working. In the 2nd half they got the ball down and played a bit and most teams that do that against England will succeed. With Lampard in central midfield they might aswell be up against 10 men when they have the ball as Lampard will let you run by him. ;)

Poor Student

10/06/2006, 6:38 PM

I missed the first twenty minutes but you're right about that. They played a lot of fruitless long balls which made no sense. That's food and drink for Ferdinand and Terry and their strikers are not tall. But I think England stood off them too which is a typical trait of Eriksson's England. England also seemed to be bereft of any real guile or ingenuity.

shakermaker1982

10/06/2006, 6:41 PM

If ING ER LAND win the world cup I will be truly amazed. They were played off the park in the 2nd half. Like Germany it seems England seems suspect at the back. Top strikers will have a field day against both.

My God Lineker/Hansen/Shearer and Wright were as annoying as usual on the BBC. All very smug at half time but soon changed their tune haha

Metrostars

10/06/2006, 7:12 PM

TBH I only saw the first hour of the game before I had to head out to coach my kid's team so here are my thoughts.

2 problems with England.

1: Lampard=Gerrard. They essentially fulfill the same role on the field. So many times, I saw a big gap between the defense and the midfield when the defense had the ball. Thus the defense launched the ball up to Crouch all the time. The need someone to go back and receive the ball and begin the build up in play forward. Noone was doing that. Roy Keane used to do that for United and Ireland.

2. Lack of Strikers. So if Owen goes down who to bring on? Bringing Walcott is a luxury you can afford to so if you have 3 other healthy forwards. But they only have Owen and Crouch for now until Rooney gets fit.

eirebhoy

10/06/2006, 7:32 PM

If ING ER LAND win the world cup I will be truly amazed. They were played off the park in the 2nd half. Like Germany it seems England seems suspect at the back.
I thought they looked fine at the back and didn't give Paraguay any clear cut chances. It was how easily that Paraguay were allowed so far up the pitch that's the problem.

CraftyToePoke

10/06/2006, 10:04 PM

I thought they looked fine at the back and didn't give Paraguay any clear cut chances. It was how easily that Paraguay were allowed so far up the pitch that's the problem.

yeah, if they give a more accomplished attacking side that much ball on the edge of their own third, they will get done goodo before too long, and what about Mr Stuttgart88's set piece prediction then??

stuttgart......STUTTGART!! are you there?? whats gonna happen next then?? i want to hurt ladbrookes badly you see, ;) :cool:

DmanDmythDledge

11/06/2006, 1:50 AM

England played well in the first half- Crouch was winning plenty of balls in the air and was given plenty of support from Lampard and Cole, also Owen was making good runs. However, in the second half Owen was taken off and the midfield didn't press forward as much. They still insisted on playing the ball to Crouch so that when he won the headers there was nobody there to take possession of the ball, so Paraguay got the ball and moved forward with it. This proves that England have no plan B and this could cost them dearly.

geysir

11/06/2006, 11:36 AM

I didn't watch the game, but it sounds like a familiar story for a SGE England team, fail to add a second, fall back, replace a striker with a midfielder, conceeding possesion and space and this is against an injury riddled Paraguay. Would changing the midfield radically alter that chronic mindset?

DmanDmythDledge

11/06/2006, 11:39 PM

Looks like Rooney will feature against T&T. Not really surprised since England lacked a cutting edge against Paraguay.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5069582.stm

stojkovic

12/06/2006, 1:05 AM

Spain could leave out Morientes.
France could leave out Guily.

They could afford to as they have other fit on form strikers.

England (the self confessed best league in the world) bring two un-fit strikers, a beanpole and a 17 year old who hasnt played for Arsenal reserves yet (Stokesy has played first team and is not in Irelands squad).

England claim to have the best defence, do me a favour, not fit to lace Ayala's cocktails. Terry is exposed without Makelele in front and Carvalho or Gallas beside him. Ashley should be better and I wont mention the other two stockings Rio and Neville.

England claim to have the best midfield. Ha. Riquelme can't run and he's better than the lot put together. If you can't pass a ball, forget about it.

At the moment Ivory Coast and Mexico would beat England.

Rooneys return would solve one problem but not all three. Quarter Finals at best.

osgood was good

12/06/2006, 3:05 AM

I thought England were appauling , and im not just having a dig here . Against a poor team they should have completely controlled the game and put at least 3 past them . England are missing a dictator in midfield . A player that can run the show , control the game and dictate to those around him and keep the ball. Playing deep in your own half , just one nil up against any opposition is asking for trouble so you have to question the manager there . I was gob smacked when he took off Owen and saw who he replaced him with . Then playing hopeful balls up to Rodney Trotter in the hope he knocks it down to somebody . Yeah , like who ?? Shearer was absolutely spot on when he commented , why not bring Walcott on , jesus at least give the lad a go , after all , having him sitting on the bench while struggling to get players into the box is laughable . The guy has pace .To say he's too young is crap , Sven is a gutless , hasnt got the balls to stick his neck out and make a brave decision .
Watching England yesterday was like watching grass grow , no flair about their game , no skill , no imagination or ideas , cant keep the ball , slow , overated and usless. At half time we had to endure the BBC England love - in , with messers Shearer, Wright and Hansen . Wright talks absolute b******s most of the time and yesterday he excelled himself by saying England were comfortable , playing well , had full control of the game and expected to win the game comfortably .

If i were an England fan id worry . Id say the top sides in the competition were saying , ''Jesus i hope we draw that lot in the next round'' .

Stuttgart88

12/06/2006, 12:19 PM

yeah, if they give a more accomplished attacking side that much ball on the edge of their own third, they will get done goodo before too long, and what about Mr Stuttgart88's set piece prediction then??

stuttgart......STUTTGART!! are you there?? whats gonna happen next then?? i want to hurt ladbrookes badly you see, ;) :cool:

What's going to happen next?

Well, England win with an og, and so far the only two upsets of the tournament both benefit England. They play crap and yet everything falls into place for them. But I'm paranoid.

I was genuinely anxious that England could win the tournament but that was until seeing the second half & also seeing the other games. Even Angola had better passers of the ball & a better tempo. Heat or no heat, their ball retention is still shocking. I don't care how well regarded their midfield is as individuals, they have no cohesion whatsoever.

Ashley Cole looked way off form, Robinson nervous and did you notice how often they fluffed their clearances near the end? Michael Owen (knob) is said to be livid at being subbed. Who does he think he is?

Joe Cole is lauded in many quarters (rightly) but the reality is that every other decent country has somebody at least as good.

They still look very limited: only threat is from set pieces, shots from distance or long balls. In the latter stages I'd expect the better defences to cope better with these threats. Also, like in 2002 when Denmark parctically beat themselves before they met Brazil, I'm not sure how well prepared England will be if they face a sudden increase in the standard of opponent.

I still think they can win it but now feel far more comfortable that they won't. The game "abroad" is just far more accomplished than in these parts.

But they will always have the ability to get goals from set pieces & from midfield and are also difficult to score against. With a bit of luck on their side this combination can go a long way. Being the first team in the last 16 will be a big psycholical boost for them.

keenanboy

15/06/2006, 6:49 PM

Who's to blame for yet another terrible performance by a team that fluffed its lines again? Ericsson? The players? Or media hype and pressure?

The Stars

15/06/2006, 6:53 PM

all of the above....

thejollyrodger

15/06/2006, 7:01 PM

England are going to lose and lose badly some time.. I cant wait to see it

Even Cork City would have beaten England there today

spaceghost

15/06/2006, 7:22 PM

i can see the germans drawing with ecuador. they'd relish the thoughts of facing der englanders.

keenanboy

15/06/2006, 7:50 PM

Thats right if the Germans draw with Ecuador the South Americans win the group on goal difference. And Ecuador looked fairly lively today, albeit against Costa Rica, but a draw against Germany is not unrealistic.

$Leon$

15/06/2006, 7:54 PM

They came very close to loosing the game. T&T seemed to be the only side making any sort of chances. The english were very lucky to get the 3pts. To be honest I think they would have been lucky with 0-0, T&T deserved to win 1-0.
The english actually believe they have a chance of winning the World Cup.
They have some great players but they don't seem to be able to play together.

the 12 th man

15/06/2006, 7:58 PM

Football definitely won't be going home on the evidence we've seen so far.

strangeirish

15/06/2006, 8:22 PM

Terry was solid, Gerrard invisible again, even though, he scored. England missed a lot of chances, with T&T coming close maybe three times. Shocking display from the English again. Not looking too hot for the 2nd round.

stojkovic

15/06/2006, 8:50 PM

The over-hyped Premiership.

Question

How many English players played for Liverpool and Arsenal in the last two CL Finals. There's your answer.

Hence Sven brings a player who hasnt played in Arsenals reserves and a clearly unfit Owen. If you were Defoe, Bent, Johnson or any other English striker - how would you feel right now.

Look at the talent on the bench of Brasil, Italy, Argentina and Spain. Then look at England.

Paraguay, Sweden, Trinidad and England is without doubt the worst group thats ever been assembled at any World Cup EVER.

Come on Ecuador.

the 12 th man

15/06/2006, 9:11 PM

Very interesting betting on Betfair for the England v Sweden game as the draw is the fav.Could be interesting as they'll both know what they have to do to get ther opponent they "fancy" in the next round.It could be that both Teams will not want to win this game:eek:

shakermaker1982

15/06/2006, 9:12 PM

Dreadful as usual and I cannot wait till they meet a big side who gives em a hammering. What the pundits and press don't realise is that even with a fit Rooney the ING GER LAND got beat by Northern Ireland!!!

Owen is not fit, match sharp and doesn't look interested. Gerrard and Lampard were w**k as usual, Crouch is Crouch. I was pleading for Sven to keep him on, he did...... but Rodney Trotter somehow managed to try and head the ball and it went it.

DmanDmythDledge

15/06/2006, 9:40 PM

Ericcson has to be the one to blame. Such a talented group of players struggling to beat Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago is unvelievable. His continues to get his tactics wrong. The midfield has no real shape with Gerrard and Lampard playing together in CM. It IS possible for both to play together but Ericcson has not found the way to do that. Wenger found a way for Vieira and Petit to play together at Arsenal, so it's proven that similar minded players can play alongside each other.

Owen is not fit enough to be playing. He is a confidence player and when he's in a bad run of form, he stays in it. He is one of the best goalscorers in the world but he just isn't fit.

ollie

15/06/2006, 10:06 PM

it was gas watching the lads back at the studio get the daggers out after the game.bad performance, bad group(how are they always poxed to get the easiest group)

eirebhoy

15/06/2006, 10:36 PM

Are England the only team in the world cup that play 5 attacking players (Crouch, Owen, Beckham, Cole, Lampard)?

If you look at some of the teams in this world cup and the players they have playing as defensive midfielders:

Brazil: Ze Roberto and Emerson
Argentina: Cambiasso and Mascherano
Holland: Cocu and van Bommel
Spain: Xavi and Alonso
Italy: Gattuso/De Rossi, Pirlo/Perotta
France: Makelele and Vieira
...
England: Gerrard

Take Ze Roberto out of the Brazil team and replace him with Juninho or take Cambiasso out of the Argentina team and replace him with Aimar. Then you'd have a team as unbalanced as England's. Sven really is clueless.

The Stars

15/06/2006, 10:52 PM

once again they think they will win it after beating a cricket country...just about.

gustavo

15/06/2006, 11:09 PM

Shouldnt this be in the England Discussion Thread?

jockser

16/06/2006, 12:25 AM

Shouldnt this be in the England Discussion Thread?
exactly

Stuttgart88

16/06/2006, 7:42 AM

Awful display by England. Long aimless balls going straight into touch or over the goal line all day.

They're about the only team so far who can't move the ball around at any kind of tempo.

That said, bringing Lennon on was a good move as it injected some movement and stretched T&T a bit.

But, due largely to my paranoia, I still think that this feels a bit like Rugby WC 2003. England overcame poor performances & some scares (Wales, W. Samoa) and sheer determination & an expert ball striker / set piece deliverer won the tournament.

England will be hard to score against & I'd always bet on them to get a goal.

Several "stars" are just not performing at all: Ashley Cole, Robinson, Owen, Lampard.

And although a 0-0 would have had great comedy value, a draw would have almost guaranteed a last 16 place yesterday anyway.

Going to England vs Sweden on Tuesday.

Give me joy in my heart Henrik Larsson...