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The Trouble With England (National team)
- Thread starter MikeyM
- Start date
I thought Walcott was awesome in the first half, especially in the opening 20 minutes. But he faded away in the 2nd half, mostly due to Glen Johnson playing in a more advanced position.
I thought Glen looked decent enough to play against Croatia, but we all know how vulnerable he could be in defense.
The two Coles were brilliant, Lamps was finding it hard to attack due to Andorra's bus, had to play in a deeper role, but his delivery from set pieces was decent.
Rooney clearly needs someone to partner him up front, I think Crouch should be played alongside him. They'll cause more trouble with Joey and Walcott supporting them against Croatia, Downing looked lost.
I thought Glen looked decent enough to play against Croatia, but we all know how vulnerable he could be in defense.
The two Coles were brilliant, Lamps was finding it hard to attack due to Andorra's bus, had to play in a deeper role, but his delivery from set pieces was decent.
Rooney clearly needs someone to partner him up front, I think Crouch should be played alongside him. They'll cause more trouble with Joey and Walcott supporting them against Croatia, Downing looked lost.
England weren't convincing. Walcott played well and so did Joe Cole when he came on. Lampard was practically invisible and surely it's time to drop him once Gerrard and Hargreaves are fit (or play Gerrard with Barry)
Rooney looked isolated, I'm stunned that Gabriel Abonlahor hasn't made the squad - his pace would cause problems for anyone.
We'll have to be more clinical against Croatia, they're going to be a much sterner test.
Rooney looked isolated, I'm stunned that Gabriel Abonlahor hasn't made the squad - his pace would cause problems for anyone.
We'll have to be more clinical against Croatia, they're going to be a much sterner test.
PaPaGeorGeo, I think Walcott would be a great sub for sure when, as you say, the opposition begin to afford us a little more space as the game goes on, but why not start him and play him for the entire 90 minutes?
I don't know if Theo has actually completed that many games playing 90 minutes, but I think he could handle that don't you? Does he burn himself out during a game? I wish I knew more about him regarding his stamina, because I now have no doubts at all about his speed, skills and his eye for a good pass.
It was a shame that Andorra parked the bus for Theo's time on the pitch, because then all his hard work and tenacity, might have resulted in a couple of goals at least. Very impressed with him.
Mikey, man you sure on a downer this month
I was convinced by Englands performance I have to say. Of course you have to take into consideration that this is a new squad with a brand new coach, and everything that situation brings with it.
The boys played positive, attacking and assured football that was more than adequate considering that the squad has probably altogether trained , less than our clubs get to train in a week.
Sure a couple of players were a little ineffective at times like Downing for one, but if you can't see or appreciate the important contribution that Lampard and Rooney made to the game, then I'm never gonna have anything to say that will convince you mate.
The boys were being instructed constantly from Capello on the touchline, so obviously the squad were still adapting to Fabio's way even as the match was being played.
This was his first competitive game mate, from which I spotted very few negatives, because believe me man, I was looking for and expecting negatives as we all were. All in all I was happy, because this team looked so different to what has gone in the recent past. We need to be positive and leave all that negative sh!t behind us though. That's done and over.
In the past, the England team has generally relied upon certain important individuals, not only hitting form in time for International games, but being able to maintain that form and play out of their skins.
Fabio obviously favours that it's the overall team performance that is more important. The sum of it's parts yeah? Rather than feeling let down because Rooney (as an example), didn't burst through their defence and blast one into the net. It would have been nice to see that sure, and he would have deserved a goal because I thought Rooney's contribution was immense against Andorra.
There was a distinct team ethic going on against Andorra, and I was pleased to see that.
Don't forget that it was in Fabio's and the players minds, that the Croatia game on Wednesday will be the harder of these 2 games, and with the games being so close together, I think that needed to be taken into consideration by Fabio and the players too.
I think it would only be fair to give Fabio some time. He's not been in charge long enough to form any sort of opinion about his style or tactics. It's much too early.
I don't know if Theo has actually completed that many games playing 90 minutes, but I think he could handle that don't you? Does he burn himself out during a game? I wish I knew more about him regarding his stamina, because I now have no doubts at all about his speed, skills and his eye for a good pass.
It was a shame that Andorra parked the bus for Theo's time on the pitch, because then all his hard work and tenacity, might have resulted in a couple of goals at least. Very impressed with him.
Mikey, man you sure on a downer this month
I was convinced by Englands performance I have to say. Of course you have to take into consideration that this is a new squad with a brand new coach, and everything that situation brings with it.
The boys played positive, attacking and assured football that was more than adequate considering that the squad has probably altogether trained , less than our clubs get to train in a week.
Sure a couple of players were a little ineffective at times like Downing for one, but if you can't see or appreciate the important contribution that Lampard and Rooney made to the game, then I'm never gonna have anything to say that will convince you mate.
The boys were being instructed constantly from Capello on the touchline, so obviously the squad were still adapting to Fabio's way even as the match was being played.
This was his first competitive game mate, from which I spotted very few negatives, because believe me man, I was looking for and expecting negatives as we all were. All in all I was happy, because this team looked so different to what has gone in the recent past. We need to be positive and leave all that negative sh!t behind us though. That's done and over.
In the past, the England team has generally relied upon certain important individuals, not only hitting form in time for International games, but being able to maintain that form and play out of their skins.
Fabio obviously favours that it's the overall team performance that is more important. The sum of it's parts yeah? Rather than feeling let down because Rooney (as an example), didn't burst through their defence and blast one into the net. It would have been nice to see that sure, and he would have deserved a goal because I thought Rooney's contribution was immense against Andorra.
There was a distinct team ethic going on against Andorra, and I was pleased to see that.
Don't forget that it was in Fabio's and the players minds, that the Croatia game on Wednesday will be the harder of these 2 games, and with the games being so close together, I think that needed to be taken into consideration by Fabio and the players too.
I think it would only be fair to give Fabio some time. He's not been in charge long enough to form any sort of opinion about his style or tactics. It's much too early.
pede54;2569776 said:Mikey, man you sure on a downer this month
I was convinced by Englands performance I have to say. Of course you have to take into consideration that this is a new squad with a brand new coach, and everything that situation brings with it.
This was his first competitive game mate, from which I spotted very few negatives, because believe me man, I was looking for and expecting negatives as we all were. All in all I was happy, because this team looked so different to what has gone in the recent past. We need to be positive and leave all that negative sh!t behind us though. That's done and over.
There was a distinct team ethic going on against Andorra, and I was pleased to see that.
Don't forget that it was in Fabio's and the players minds, that the Croatia game on Wednesday will be the harder of these 2 games, and with the games being so close together, I think that needed to be taken into consideration by Fabio and the players too.
I think it would only be fair to give Fabio some time. He's not been in charge long enough to form any sort of opinion about his style or tactics. It's much too early.
Firstly yeah I do seem to have been a bit attack minded recently - Speaking with passion is sometimes not wise (as my City comments perhaps indicated - I made a hash of getting my point across)
I agree the acid test is Croatia, I expect Joe Cole to start on the left and Walcott to remain on the right. Hopefully Rio will be back to re-enforce the defence (Croatia will cause us more problems on Wednesday)
The Rooney question is a sticky one, he runs his nuts off every game - yet a lot of his work is done away from where he can really hurt a team (namely in the "hole" behind a main striker) Do you sacrifice his industry for the team in order to concentrate his skills in the final third? That's one of the reasons I'm surprised that Gabby Agbonlahor hasn't made the full squad yet - those two together would be frightening.
As I've said before, it's intensely frustrating because England do have the talent individually. Hopefully as you said, Capello will finally get them to play collectively.
Well I used to rant and rave a lot myself mate, but I've learned to resist posting any comments on anything emotive until I've had a nice cuppa tea, smoke something 
,let the red mist pass and then, when I'm calmer and thought a little more about the given subject, post my comments. Some issues do get the blood flowing though and thats natural, so no need to apologise for getting somewhat irate sometimes.
One thing that came out of the Andorra game was the issue of Fabio repeatedly telling Wazza and Joe to stay forward more, rather than to keep dropping deep to help out. Fabio doesn't want the forwards to drop back, but I guess old habits die hard.
With a few more games under the belt, I would expect that to improve. Rooney has a natural tendancy to want to run all over the place, and I think Fabio is telling him that he doesn't need to do that, and to let the midfield do their job, and for Rooney to do his best work in the final 3rd.
As it is with everyone dropping back, the midfield gets so tight for space that players become somewhat indecisive and mistakes are made. With the midfield players we have, I think Fabio feels that it isn't neccersary for the forwards to drop back to help out all the time. It's not something we are used to I know, but I do like the sound of it. Less congestion and more space to play with.
Gabby Agbonlahor played for the under 21's last week. I think he's more than ready for the full squad, but Psycho needs him at the moment for the under 21's. I think thats the only reason he hasn't moved up yet. He'll get his chance pretty soon I would think.
,let the red mist pass and then, when I'm calmer and thought a little more about the given subject, post my comments. Some issues do get the blood flowing though and thats natural, so no need to apologise for getting somewhat irate sometimes.One thing that came out of the Andorra game was the issue of Fabio repeatedly telling Wazza and Joe to stay forward more, rather than to keep dropping deep to help out. Fabio doesn't want the forwards to drop back, but I guess old habits die hard.
With a few more games under the belt, I would expect that to improve. Rooney has a natural tendancy to want to run all over the place, and I think Fabio is telling him that he doesn't need to do that, and to let the midfield do their job, and for Rooney to do his best work in the final 3rd.
As it is with everyone dropping back, the midfield gets so tight for space that players become somewhat indecisive and mistakes are made. With the midfield players we have, I think Fabio feels that it isn't neccersary for the forwards to drop back to help out all the time. It's not something we are used to I know, but I do like the sound of it. Less congestion and more space to play with.
Gabby Agbonlahor played for the under 21's last week. I think he's more than ready for the full squad, but Psycho needs him at the moment for the under 21's. I think thats the only reason he hasn't moved up yet. He'll get his chance pretty soon I would think.
PaPaGeorGeo
Fan Favourite
pede54;2569776 said:
I don't think he's developed the consistency to his game to be a starter yet, not just for England either. I don't him to have a couple of bad games for England and then get slated by the English Press. At the moment he is developing nicely and his confidence is high. If hes coming off the bench there would be less media expectation.
He hasn't finished 90 minutes very often for tactical reasons. Unless we are more than 2 goals up Arsene likes to put a more defensive player on the pitch nothing to do with his stamina.
Thats me worrying as an Arsenal fan and not caring about England. I guess though if hes the best Right Midfielder/Winger you have at the moment then he should be starting but dont get too frustrated when he gets caught in possession or his final ball/decision is the wrong one.
arsenal_boi
Reserve Team
the english national team is still trying to hold on to the past english players, time to get rid of the old and bring in the new, start the young stars, if you're good enough you're old enough...
i'm sure a youngster more hungry for success would do alot better then lampard or beckham, it's not like england are that short on talented youngsters.
----------------------James
Richards--------Terry---------Ferdinand---------Cole
---------------Gerrard----------Barry
--Walcott-------------------------------------J.Cole/Agbonlahor
-----------------------Bentley
-----------------------Rooney
A bit different but, how many defences in the world could deal with the pace of Jcole. AshCole, Walcott, Agbonlahor and rooney, especially when bentley and gerrard can deliver such good service. And i think bentley as CAM would be good. Barry is also a type of player who could offer the defence a shield.
i'm sure a youngster more hungry for success would do alot better then lampard or beckham, it's not like england are that short on talented youngsters.
----------------------James
Richards--------Terry---------Ferdinand---------Cole
---------------Gerrard----------Barry
--Walcott-------------------------------------J.Cole/Agbonlahor
-----------------------Bentley
-----------------------Rooney
A bit different but, how many defences in the world could deal with the pace of Jcole. AshCole, Walcott, Agbonlahor and rooney, especially when bentley and gerrard can deliver such good service. And i think bentley as CAM would be good. Barry is also a type of player who could offer the defence a shield.
MaestroZidane
YELLOW CARD: Untrustworthy
a hat trick for theo... Not bad at all. Great pick over beckham indeed
Johnny_Big
Starting XI
Talk about trouble around here, you just hammered an old "ghost".
The Trouble With England????
Not a lot at the moment
Croatia 1-England 4.
What can I say? We were class tonight. We tore them to shreds for 93 minutes. Well maybe 90 minutes, because I do believe Croatia did have the ball for a few minutes of the game.
Their captain was sent off for a vicious elbow that split Joe Coles head open, although by that time the Croatians had lost the plot anyway, and were hacking down anything in a white shirt. Not impressed with that at all. Very nasty.
Theo did well and grabbed a hat trick. The team played as a team to a man, and I have to say this, Wes Brown was awesome tonight. Yes, I do believe he has what it takes.
No negatives. All positives IMO.
Fantastic fu<king result to build on.
Not a lot at the moment
Croatia 1-England 4.
What can I say? We were class tonight. We tore them to shreds for 93 minutes. Well maybe 90 minutes, because I do believe Croatia did have the ball for a few minutes of the game.
Their captain was sent off for a vicious elbow that split Joe Coles head open, although by that time the Croatians had lost the plot anyway, and were hacking down anything in a white shirt. Not impressed with that at all. Very nasty.
Theo did well and grabbed a hat trick. The team played as a team to a man, and I have to say this, Wes Brown was awesome tonight. Yes, I do believe he has what it takes.
No negatives. All positives IMO.
Fantastic fu<king result to build on.
Farewell, forum... I know you won't miss me.
And just wtf is your problem BangDieSau?
Back on topic, Walcott had a monster performance, Rooney was involved in every goal, Great team performance. As mentioned above, no negatives, just positives. I wonder if its got anything to do with the fact that we were playing away?
It could be, less boo-boys, less pressure for the players.
Back on topic, Walcott had a monster performance, Rooney was involved in every goal, Great team performance. As mentioned above, no negatives, just positives. I wonder if its got anything to do with the fact that we were playing away?
It could be, less boo-boys, less pressure for the players.
I don't know what to think of that game. Not to knock Croatia they been doing good better then us and a whole bunch of teams but we finally beat the team we should be beating anyway. We clearly did well but you expect that playing Croatia when there a man down or any team for that fact.
Still we were playing better, just about, even when they had a full squad. Our players started to look how they play when playing for there clubs, which is a big positive.
Brown again proved why he should be playing. I think he always would have done if not for his injuries in the past.
so... were defiantly doing better but I'll wait till the next game before I start building any big hope.
Still we were playing better, just about, even when they had a full squad. Our players started to look how they play when playing for there clubs, which is a big positive.
Brown again proved why he should be playing. I think he always would have done if not for his injuries in the past.
so... were defiantly doing better but I'll wait till the next game before I start building any big hope.
pede54;2570471 said:The Trouble With England????
Not a lot at the moment
Croatia 1-England 4.
What can I say? We were class tonight. We tore them to shreds for 93 minutes. Well maybe 90 minutes, because I do believe Croatia did have the ball for a few minutes of the game.
Their captain was sent off for a vicious elbow that split Joe Coles head open, although by that time the Croatians had lost the plot anyway, and were hacking down anything in a white shirt. Not impressed with that at all. Very nasty.
Theo did well and grabbed a hat trick. The team played as a team to a man, and I have to say this, Wes Brown was awesome tonight. Yes, I do believe he has what it takes.
No negatives. All positives IMO.
Fantastic fu<king result to build on.
No I agree, tremendous performance, we played like we knew England could. Just need to keep it up now. Walcott was brilliant, Rooney was pulling the strings and Heskey didn't look out of place either.
I feared the worst when Cole took a couple of steps and fell - did you see the stitches on his head? Croatia were clearly getting frustrated, and Walcott terrified them.
On this performance, it seems Capello may just be the remedy to the England condition. Wouldn't it be nice to qualify well for a change!
What a huge difference a REAL coach makes to a squad huh?
Fabio wrong footed Bilic last night and confounded him for the whole game. Surely nobody apart from the Croatians, was expecting a McClaren type performance from the boys. This is Fabio Capello in charge now and thats the difference.
This was the first defeat in a competitive game for Croatia, at home, ever, and I have to say that last night's humiliation for the Croatians couldn't have come against a more deserving team, after all the mouth we had to endure after McClaren threw away 2 games against them in the Euro qualifiers.
Ade, we were all over them long before the sending off. By that time they were incapable of competing with us on a football level, so they resorted to the age old tactic of violence. If the ref would have been better, Croatia would of had more than one thug sent off. The ref was not up to this game at all.
Karma. Dont you just love it?
The FA have reported the Croatian racist chanting towards Emile and Ashley, to Fifa. Although because it happened to England players, Fifa probably will not care too much. Maybe they will surprise us, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Fabio wrong footed Bilic last night and confounded him for the whole game. Surely nobody apart from the Croatians, was expecting a McClaren type performance from the boys. This is Fabio Capello in charge now and thats the difference.
This was the first defeat in a competitive game for Croatia, at home, ever, and I have to say that last night's humiliation for the Croatians couldn't have come against a more deserving team, after all the mouth we had to endure after McClaren threw away 2 games against them in the Euro qualifiers.
Ade, we were all over them long before the sending off. By that time they were incapable of competing with us on a football level, so they resorted to the age old tactic of violence. If the ref would have been better, Croatia would of had more than one thug sent off. The ref was not up to this game at all.
Karma. Dont you just love it?
The FA have reported the Croatian racist chanting towards Emile and Ashley, to Fifa. Although because it happened to England players, Fifa probably will not care too much. Maybe they will surprise us, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Sevillista
Starting XI
England wins one match and suddenly they're better than the European champs? European champs who are undefeated in 37 matches? Please.BangDieSau;2570475 said:
Obviously I'm biased, but I strongly believe Spain have the best side in the world right now. We proved that we are the best in Europe, and Argentina and Brazil are reeling right now.
Ubik Valis
Croatian Viking
pede54;2570762 said:
Oh God, not again? There's nothing I'd rather do than to shoot those hooligans in the fu*king face with an oversawed shotgun.
I've heard that Bilic and co. were a bit too cocky leading up to the game, so well done England for teaching our boys a little lesson in manners.
I'm glad it happened so early in the qualifying stage, hopefully there's plenty of time and space for improvement.