WP England

[Tom]

Originally posted by mank!
As for Rooney, despite being a brilliant player I'm still not convinced he should be in the squad. He's not even playing full games very often in the premiership yet, hopefully next season David Moyes will give him more chances and that will make his inclusion in the England squad even more valid. I'm not denying the boys talent here, I just think he's been thrown in the international scene far too early, before he's had chance to establish himself in the premiership. I imagine he'll go on to great things, but let him prove himself domestically first.

I think he proved himself worthy tonight, no matter how lacking in experience he is.

I also disagree with critics of Jame's performance, he made some brilliant saves, and the England defense was pretty solid.

 

[mank!]

Originally posted by Miles_Binck
I agree mank, Cole will be first choice for the forseeable future, but we still need to sort out the "problematic" left side of midfield position. I think I'd give Gareth Barry a tryout in one of the friendlies in August (iirc), or maybe even Alan Thompson of Celtic.

There's just a lack of left sided players, my team has been searching for one in vain all season because we simply lack width. I've not seen Alan Thompson play (probably have but not noticed much) but I agree about Barry, he may be decent enough on the left side. Has Sven ever tried Joe Cole out there with any luck? I can't remember.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

Originally posted by mank!
He made some good reflex saves, he was alert and made some good decisions. He did however come out when he shouldn't have twice, and got away with it with a combination of luck and more luck. I still don't see why you're being so harsh on him though.

Because against a great team those mistakes would have been punished. James has always been shit on crosses and coming out and on a number of occasions you could see Sol was annoyed with James' antics, you need a rock solid dependable keeper at the back, not some clown.

Also his habit of giving a palm slap to anyone who does well in defense clearly isn't the way to stamp his authority on the defence; something that defenders thrive on.

 

[mank!]

Originally posted by Scooba Da Bass
Because against a great team those mistakes would have been punished. James has always been shit on crosses and coming out and on a number of occasions you could see Sol was annoyed with James' antics, you need a rock solid dependable keeper at the back, not some clown.

Also his habit of giving a palm slap to anyone who does well in defense clearly isn't the way to stamp his authority on the defence; something that defenders thrive on.

How are Turkey not a great team? They were semi-finallists in the World Cup and are ranked above England in the FIFA World Rankings. I agree, James isn't a world class keeper but he did pretty well tonight and was deserving of a 7/10 rating in my opinion. James' biggest problem is his lack of confidence, which shines through in set pieces - especially corners.

Remember, Seaman isn't so hot with crosses either.

 

[Miles_Binck]

I think that Sven played Joe Cole on the left side in one or both of the World Cup warmup games last year and he got mixed reviews for his performances

I think the next two friendlies coming up against South Africa and Serbia & Montenegro should be used to bring in some of the fringe players (Paul Robinson, Mills, Joe Cole, Lampard, Gareth Barry, Danny Murphy) and give them a decent chance ready for Slovakia on the 11th of June.

 

[mank!]

I agree that we need to give these fringe players a chance, but we also need to prepare ourselves fully. This is what friendlies should [arguably] be used for.

 

[Miles_Binck]

we (Sven) also need to find a replacement for Beckham as he will miss the next qualifier due to the booking he recieved.

I think either Murphy should be used on the left (and Gerrard on the right with Scholes & Butt in the middle) or maybe Barry on the left with the same combination in the centre & right side

 

[bigfoot]

I thought England didn't play particularly well tonight, some good individual performances from the likes of Gerrard and Rooney but Beckham was well off his game and I don't think he will be missed against Slovakia. Turkey sucked a lot and were it not for the goalie they might well have lost 3 or 4 nil, they choked big time.

As for the left hand side of midfield, I'd like to see Ashley Cole or Gareth Barry playing there, it means sacrificing Butt or alternatively Scholes (Gerrard has to stay) but would balance the team out a lot better than it currently is with Gerrard / Dyer / whoever playing out there and always having to cut inside to play the ball. Liverpool have the same problem with the lack of a decent left-sided midfielder, hopefully something we will correct by signing Duff in the summer.

 

[mank!]

The whole world needs Giggs, basically.

 

[Clowneh!]

Originally posted by mank!
As for Rooney, despite being a brilliant player I'm still not convinced he should be in the squad.

if he plays for england like that every game, then i see no reason not to include him, the bastard made things happen. like at the end of the first half, and happily they picked up the second half as they left for the break

 

[Embattle]

It was a good game, shame about the morons causing trouble before the game.

 

[xane]

Originally posted by Miles_Binck
Richard Wright, Russell Hoult, Chris Kirkland (when he is back from his injury)

What about Stuart Taylor, excellent with under-21s and now Arsenal's 2nd ?

 

[xane]

Originally posted by mank!
review

Good review there, I agree with you about James, he made saves when it counted (but then I'm a West Ham fan).

Neville was actually quite good, considering his mistakes in past England matches, he did a few excellent runs, I'd actually give him 8/10 (and choke on it), I think Beckham was getting in his way most of the time.

Ferdinand and Campbell were a bit sparse, but they both played well and kept cool, remember Ferdinand more or less set up the goal and Campbell got a lot of chances with headers.

The Beckham corners were clearly set pieces to Campbell, not really his fault if they failed to pull it off, that's down to the manager, but Beckham _has_ improved on corners and free kicks.

The Owen rating is too harsh, he has replaced Shearer as the main focus of the opposition defence and although he may not contribute much in terms of ball play, he is certainly working the defence around for other strikers to get in. The Turks were having a go at him all night and eventually did get him limping off, but not a squeak out of him, I think he plays a more valuable role in the team than many realize, not only for his ball skills.

 

[Panda On Smack]

Whether James is shite or not he made a great save from a header, it was quality. And Clowneh i saw Owen dive, it was hilarious. He fucked up the volley, went for a second go missed again and then dived in style.

The following have probably been said but im just agreeing:

Owen was pretty crap all game.
Beckham couldnt cross to save his life, good penalty though
Rooney was the daddy.
Beckham blowing kisses was neato as was Gerrad's celebration after the final whistle in some Turkish guys face.

\o/

 

[gremlin]

Originally posted by bigfoot
I thought England didn't play particularly well tonight

I disagree..

Turkey sucked a lot and were it not for the goalie they might well have lost 3 or 4 nil, they choked big time.

Turkey started out strong - and in the 1st half pretty much dominated posession. The reason they 'choked' towards the end was simply because England were loading on the pressure. Pushing forward more and getting more chances on goal.

Besides, *cough* Lithuania? Heh.

Beckham had an off game, his crosses were all over the place. James did well imho - yeah fair enough he does give the odd heart-attack when he comes out but this'll be fixed with more international experience (he's still a bloody good reaction goalie imho). Rooney was class (come on Houlier, you know you want to tempt him over ).

 

[xane]

Sports Forum FFS !!!

 

[~YuckFou~]

Originally posted by xane
Sports Forum FFS !!!

....but football isn't a sport, it's a business.

Business Forum FFS !!!

 

[(Shovel)]

James got off lucky with those crosses. What made me laugh is that after that great reflex save, every instance after a dodgy moment showed a replay of that save instead of what had just happened...

I get this image of his playing for a 3rd division team in years to come and still that replay comes up after every goalmouth incident..

 

[Lester]

Re: Beckham.

His passing and long balls were not very good and although I think he's a bit of a thick ponce he at least 'appears' to be committed. Something a few of the others could try and emulate.

Paul Robinson for goalie!!1 (Until Leeds sell him - at which point he becomes a shit cunt)

 

[~Lazarus~]

its a pity that, although England have a decent football team (and yes - that was painful to admit), their supporters must be considered the scum of the earth. Not the die hard Football Fans, but the mindless thugs who do not support football, just chase violence.

When a high number of folk are over fighting in Iraq on a "proper" war, all these mindless idiots can do is behave worse than schoolboys

 

[Gumbo]

On the subject of friendlys, I would like to see the next couple treated as if they are full blown qualifiers, without this mickey mouse swapping of the entire team at half time. It's a tactic that blatently doesn't work, and a couple of good wins under the first teams belt would do wonders going into the next few important competitive matches.

I do wonder how many of the players in friendlys only come because Sven promises their managers that they'll only do 45 minutes, and he won't get angry if they are less than commited in tackles etc... Otherwise these players would come down with mysterious ankle injurys ruling them out.

It just annoys me is all....

 

[leggy]

England have a pool decent players. As a team (considering those players) they are distinctly average.

Now Scotland.....


oh forget it.

 

[mank!]

Originally posted by leggy
England have a pool decent players. As a team (considering those players) they are distinctly average.

Now Scotland.....


oh forget it.

Scotland need to call up David Duke. He'd do wonders for you lot!

 

[Miles_Binck]

Originally posted by Panda On Smack
Owen was pretty crap all game.

[Liverpool Fan]
Owen got a knee in the lower back/hip from Rustu after 5mins both he and Sven said he should have come off at half time rather than playing on longer. A "Dead Back" can take days to recover from
[/Liverpool Fan]


and

Originally posted by xane
Sports Forum FFS !!!

 

[old.UKTwister]

Well, our fans helped us win part of the game aswell

 

[mank!]

What? By attacking Alpay?

I can't look at Alpay without thinking he's Morrissey

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by ~Lazarus~
its a pity that, although England have a decent football team (and yes - that was painful to admit), their supporters must be considered the scum of the earth. Not the die hard Football Fans, but the mindless thugs who do not support football, just chase violence.

Thats a bit silly really, England fans are nothing compared to the Germans, or Scandanavians.

 

[hoggsboss]

cudicini for england

 

[gremlin]

Originally posted by Tom[SHOTTEH]
Thats a bit silly really, England fans are nothing compared to the Germans, or Scandanavians.

Or the Italians tbh.

 

[leggy]

Originally posted by Tom[SHOTTEH]
Thats a bit silly really, England fans are nothing compared to the Germans, or Scandanavians.

Aye .. dream on.