Nothing in their recent matches against Montenegro, Spain or Sweden particularly worried me. They would be favourites no doubt but we are better off getting them than Germany or Russia. Would prefer Italy in that pot, but failing that, England are the next best option.
[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557223]It hurts to say this but let's face it - we wouldn't be able to deal with England man, anyone who thinks they wouldn't beat us 9 times out of 10 is being blindly patriotic. If the England squad was a club team they would be in the Champions League spots and we would be around 15th. A heavy defeat to them would be harder to take than anyone else so it's a big no no for me.[/QUOTE
disagree, how many times to England under perform in tournaments?
EC2000 - Lost to an average Protugal team and Romania
WC2002 - Draws with Sweden and Nigeria
EC2004 - Lost to France, out on Peno's to Portugal (not their worst tournament)
WC2006 - Struggled to beat Paraguay and T&T (T&T had chances in that game to get something), out to Portugal on peno's again
EC2008 - DNQ
WC2010 - Draws with USA and Algeria, 1-0 win against Slovenia and hammered by Germany
So where have they ever whacked a team? We have proven ourselves very good defensively under Trap, we have been getting better and better. We have a very good record against England, all the pressure would be on them again, they don't do pressure good. Bring it on.....
[QUOTE=Polster;1557239]Our record against England 20 years ago means absolutely nothing, unless you've got a time machine out back and can bring Townsend, Lawrenson, Whelan, Aldridge etc back from their pomp.
Many of these English players have proven to be some of the best players in Europe in the Champions League - if they actually click as a team for once they will get very far. And they have extremely talented young players.
A probable English starting XI:
Hart
Richards
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole
Lennon
Wilshere
Parker
Young
Lampard
Bent
That team would wipe the floor with us, sadly. I would love to say we realistically have a good chance of a positive result against England, but l can't.
[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557253]Your missing the point, England have always been one of the favourites in these tournaments, but nearly always bottle it. They did have one of the best sides in 1990 and we outplayed them.
How would you rate the Algerian and USA teams man for man that England could not beat in the last WC?
We got Poland, Germany and Greece in the draw dress rehearsal. Would take that all day.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
[QUOTE=Polster;1557259]Fair enough there, plus the Algerian and even maybe the USA team is weaker than ours now.
But I don't go along with wanting to draw England on the assumption they will choke again...that's just silly. Capello is a very good coach, who knows, he might get it right this time around and instill the confidence in them to play to their potential. This English team could easily reach a semi final, possibly a final if the draw falls kindly for them. Spain or Germany would eventually do them though.
You say the best in Champions league....and give these as your example...
Hart - Top keeper yes, city going out though, and still prefer Shay
Richards - Don't play champions league, Zabalete does
Terry - Well past his best
Ferdinand - Even further past his best
Cole - past his best
Lennon - Hit and miss
Wilshere - Injured
Parker - Don't play champions league, best English player at moment
Young - Good player
Lampard - well past best
Bent - Never a champions league player
City probably out of CL, Chelsea maybe to, Utd under pressure, Arsenal ok but full of non english...
Games are not won on paper, its out on the pitch, who wants it most, 11 against 11, and when it comes to major tournaments that has been proven. If top team don't perform you get a Greece or Denmark becoming champions.
[QUOTE=Jaysus;1557264]Man, we should be living for days like that..we probably wont be winning these tournaments, not at the moment anyway, so lets have a shot at glory, play the old enemy and if we lose, so what, but if we win, we have another legendary day to celebrate.
We could the ideal group, struggle to 4 points and still go out.
I'm all for romance, in football terms of course.
Keep the faith.
God I cant wait for the Euros. This Euro 2012, will be the most competitive and highest standard Euros since it became 16 teams. To think if we are perceived as the weakest team at the tournament, then we are the best, weakest team ever to play in any international tournament. When the seedings for the Euros were made the top 12 teams in Europe took 12 of the 14 spots on offer. Denmark who sat immediately outside the top 14 took the 13th spot and we effectively replaced Serbia as the 14th team. This is definately the most competive Euros in ages, all the big guns are there, and of course the boys in green. Wish I could just fast foward 6 months.
Jeez, I just turned on the box there and they showed a group
Spain
Germany
Portugal
Rep Of Ireland
Then they said oh that would be the worst possible scenario. Nearly had a mini heart attack....
"Jacques Santini...will be greeted in every dugout of the country by "one-nil, one-nil" - Clive Tyldsley, 89th minute of France-England June 13, 2004.
"Ooooohhhh Nooooooo" Bobby Robson 91st minute.
Just left work... the nerves are kicking In.
Although I was thinking a while back that Holland are untouchable, I'm actually beginning to think a well set out side could do a job on them. I'd relish the challenge - and occasion - of playing the Dutch.
Spain would be too painful to watch. 90% Spanish possession.
"Jacques Santini...will be greeted in every dugout of the country by "one-nil, one-nil" - Clive Tyldsley, 89th minute of France-England June 13, 2004.
"Ooooohhhh Nooooooo" Bobby Robson 91st minute.
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