THE ENGLISH NATIONAL TEAM

ENGLAND

http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/56585F06-0124-4F5F-86AC-D94BDE444E03/54468/England_vNIre_L.jpg


http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/540F334C-86D3-4212-974E-CB5598C86FC9/15575/EnglandCrest_Redcorner.gif
World Cup 2006 Thread



World Cup Squad
(changes can be made till 24 hours before the 1st game - incase one of the 23 gets injuried and is not able to take part in the competition)

http://www.thefa.com/England/Senior...Cup_numbers.htm

Goalkeepers

#1 Paul Robinson
#13 David James
#22 Scott Carson

Defenders
#2 Gary Neville
#3 Ashley Cole
#5 Rio Ferdinand
#6 John Terry
#12 Sol Campbell
#14 Wayne Bridge
#15 Jamie Carragher

Midfielders
#4 Steven Gerrard
#7 David Beckham
#8 Frank Lampard
#11 Joe Cole
#16 Owen Hargreaves
#17 Jermaine Jenas
#18 Michael Carrick
#19 Aaron Lennon
#20 Stewart Downing

Strikers
#9 Wayne Rooney
#10 Michael Owen
#21 Peter Crouch
#23 Theo Walcott

5 Standby Players

Ben Foster
Michael Dawson
Phil Neville
Jermain Defoe
Andrew Johnson


***
Schedule

10 June
England v Paraguay
Frankfurt
2pm

15 June
England v Trin. & Tob.
Nuremberg
5pm

20 June
Sweden v England
Cologne
8pm





FIFA Affiliation: 1905 www.fifa.com

UEFA Affiliation: 1954 www.uefa.com

the Football Association: the FA www.thefa.com

Founded: 1863

History: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/History

Headquarter: 25 Soho Square Londo, GB London W1D 4FA

Stadiums:
2006 Old Trafford (75’000), Manchester
2007 Wembley (90’000), London www.wembleystadium.com

Website: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam

Englandfans: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Englandfans

Cheers To Seven8 For The Help & to BenBeckham for the squad list http://www.soccergaming.tv/images/icons/icon14.gif

Yea so we should after all we are The World Cup Winners Elect :hump:

i think the only teams in the world that could beat england are brazil, argentina, italy, spain but if we play to our full potential none of them can beat us !

You guys do have a very good team and i enjoy watching them. England plays a fast paced game full of non stop action and they can do great things when they are playing at full potential

You fail time after time after time yet you still think you're shoe-ins for every tournament you enter. The reality is your performance levels in major tournaments are on a par with the likes of Denmark.

Before you all retort, Scotland are sh*t. But a funny sh*t.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040713/040713_beckham_hmed_2p.hmedium.jpg

england is god of football.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040713/040713_beckham_hmed_2p.hmedium.jpg

ahaha a Dutch fan making fun of other players taking penaltys :crazyboy: :rofl:

Every year: England will win X-Cup, and then they choke. Hell, sometimes they don't even qualify.

ahaha a Dutch fan making fun of other players taking penaltys :crazyboy: :rofl:http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40318000/jpg/_40318705_goal.jpg

ahaha a Dutch fan making fun of other players taking penaltys :crazyboy: :rofl:

Hahaha :funny:


England will make it to the Semi's in Germany

Every year: England will win X-Cup, and then they choke. Hell, sometimes they don't even qualify.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/afp/20020621/i/1074405431.jpg

the germans should cheat you out of the cup blatantly


fVCK u south korea aaarrrgggg!!


anyway yea you do have a good chance
but the biggets tounaments are for the underdogs for a while now
who the hell thought greece was gonna take the trofy eh!!

anyways
i wanna see c.rep (even without pavel, yes) OR itay VS. england
it'll be without a doubt a great match for my eyes

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/afp/20020621/i/1074405431.jpg

Yes, they cheated.

But the difference: USA doesn't think they're better than Brazil.

Oh yea, USA and England have played 4 times. Only one of the matches mattered. Final score? England 0, USA 1. :)

Yes, they cheated.

But the difference: USA doesn't think they're better than Brazil.

Oh yea, USA and England have played 4 times. Only one of the matches mattered. Final score? England 0, USA 1. :)

at least we dont make movies about us winning 1 lousy game :ewan:

not cheating now is it, the guy did what he needed to keep it out of the goal, and got away with it, now get over it (H)

at least we dont make movies about us winning 1 lousy game :ewan:



Because you didn't win that game, we did :).

Because you didn't win that game, we did :).

I suppose it makes sense, that was the biggest game USA have ever played, wait a second, no its not, those tough central american teams and carribbean teams are so tought. Come on jaimaca and haiti, or how bout trinidad and tobago. :boohoo:

Callum, how are you english again?

You have american parents, and live in Florida (a bush stonghold).

Hell, I'm more English than you, and I'm Irish.

the germans should cheat you out of the cup blatantly


fVCK u south korea aaarrrgggg!!


anyway yea you do have a good chance
but the biggets tounaments are for the underdogs for a while now
who the hell thought greece was gonna take the trofy eh!!

anyways
i wanna see c.rep (even without pavel, yes) OR itay VS. england
it'll be without a doubt a great match for my eyes
shutup West Indies.

God(s) hate you. salvation is your hope, and I don't think you'll be getting it if you post crap that includes grammar like "trofy" and misuse of the capitalized words.

Callum, how are you english again?

You have american parents, and live in Florida (a bush stonghold).

Hell, I'm more English than you, and I'm Irish.
He is such a Floridiot.

hey man,
may i not have a passion
or is that illegal in the land of king ganor or whatever the *** that says

On the bright side Callum, being a floridiot, United is now your local side.

British fans are so busy whining that they forget how the stole the world cup in 1966.

http://www.sergiosardone.com/images/Hurst.jpg

Callum, how are you english again?

You have american parents, and live in Florida (a bush stonghold).

Hell, I'm more English than you, and I'm Irish.


my parents are english you dumbass (Y)

and was born in raunds, england.

raunds, england = Jacksonville, Florida

raunds, england = Jacksonville, Florida

LOL!

i think the only teams in the world that could beat england are brazil, argentina, italy, spain but if we play to our full potential none of them can beat us !

Hahahahaha!

Reading English papers before a big tournament is always so much fun. They get everyone hyped up and the english people honestly believe they've got a real chance.

Leave Florida alone. :(

British fans are so busy whining that they forget how the stole the world cup in 1966.

http://www.sergiosardone.com/images/Hurst.jpg

Yeah, we stole the cup. One of our subs dressed as a Russian linesman :rolleyes:

raunds, england = Jacksonville, Florida

I see you can resort to childish ways. well done. :nape:

British fans are so busy whining that they forget how the stole the world cup in 1966.

http://www.sergiosardone.com/images/Hurst.jpg

I wasn't aware there was a "British" football team. Don't you mean ENGLAND?

but the biggets tounaments are for the underdogs for a while now

This theory favours England, doesn't it?

so we won 2-1 today richardson looked really good though

I miss the Umbro Cup.

Remember in 2002 i think, when Australia beat the poms 3-1, oh damn that was good, giving it to the mother country (H)!!!

Can anybody post a link for Beckham's goal a couple of months ago, I think it's his latest one for the England NT

Hahahahaha!

Reading English papers before a big tournament is always so much fun. They get everyone hyped up and the english people honestly believe they've got a real chance.

I think we do have a fair chance if everyone plays Wel:
Robinson

G.Neville???? Rio Ferdinand/Sol campbell, John Terry :Bow: Ashley Cole

Beckham?? LAMPARD!!!! GERRARD!!! j.cole(shud b wright-phillips though)

Owen(who!!)

Rooney(could win it on his own 4 us lol):Bow:

so we have about 7/8 world class players on ther day, and if we did get far it wud be down to the defense the midfield and Rooney

Although the brazilian strike force is outrageous!
Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Robinho, Oliverra, Kaka etc...

I don't wana face them untill if we get to the final.

Argentina? Wtf Mickey. I think in a big competition everyone who makes it is a contender.
Italy if they score first you can go ahead and turn the TV off. we know it will end up 1-0 but they are hungry for gold.
Holland seems to be pretty good producing talents...They lack glory though
Brazil is Brazil
Argentina is too weak deffensively.
Germany ... well no matter how bad they are they still good enough to win big tournaments..2002 is proof of their luck and resiliance is to be admired.

Engerland..if they dont win these time they'll never do...Clas players and an already established group.

we can play this system by next world cup :

------------------------------robinson------------------------------------

---------Terry-----------------rio-----------------Sol-----------------------
--------------------------Carrick------------------------------------

--Beckham------------Gerrard----Lampard---------------Richardson/j.cole

---------------------------Rooney-------------------------------------------
-----------------------------Owen-----------------------------------

With england's squad, they have a pretty good chance of taking home silverware...or goldware lol

England Vs Denmark today Preictions ??

England 3, Denmark 0

Im pretty sure Defoe will tally, so ill go with him doing a double at 2-0

we can play this system by next world cup :

------------------------------robinson------------------------------------

---------Terry-----------------rio-----------------Sol-----------------------
--------------------------Carrick------------------------------------

--Beckham------------Gerrard----Lampard---------------Richardson/j.cole

---------------------------Rooney-------------------------------------------
-----------------------------Owen-----------------------------------
Ashley Cole wont be pushed out of the England squad just like that. I admit, having 3 CBs is an enticing prospect when England is blessed with three of the worlds best, but leaving Cole out, and assuming Carrick will be ready for 2006 is pretty unrealistic

I'd prefer something more like:

------------------------------robinson------------------------------------

---------Terry-----------------rio-----------------Ash Cole-----------------------

Gaz Nev-------------------------------------------------------------Bridge/Konchesky(?)

-----------------------------Phil Nev/Carrick--------------------------------------

----------------------Lampard---------------Gerrard------------------------------

-------------------------------Rooney--------------------------------------------

--------------------------------Owen---------------------------------------------


I know it looks like i've got Ashley Cole as a Centre Back, but he'd be more of just a "back" which would give us some raw pace in our back line aswell as playing with Rio and Terry would be good. I've put him as a CB in that, but just think of him as more of just a defensive player, he'd also be able to get forward if he wanted with Phil Nev/Carrick covering him.

And as we've always had a problem with a Left Midfielder... lets not have one at all! i think having Gaz Nev and Bridge* (if he gets fit and plays regularly) as Wing Backs which would give us the width, and also with Terry, Rio, Cole and Phil Nev/Carrick behind them (accompanied by Gerrard alot) then there defensive duties wouldn't be too intense enough to wear them out quickly.

I'd personally drop Beckham now really, he's a good driver of the team and carry us forward but i personally think with this formation it'd be more beneficial to leave him out.

* i added Konchesky there as i reckon that he'll get better and better at West Ham now and he could develop into a decent player.

---------------Robinson---------------

Gaz--------Rio--------John----------Ash

---------------Gerrard------------------

------Beckham----------Joe Cole--------

--------------Lampard------------------

--------------------Rooney-------------

--------------Defoe------------------

I expect it will be something along the lines of this crappy formation..

Prediction:- 2-1 England

i can't really seeing Defoe performing that well, i can see him being one of those players that's awesome for club, but poor for country, like Andy Cole.

There will always be cynics, but when was the last time a team like Italy, Argentina won the world cup? Aren't they always touted as favorites too? :rolleyes:

Face it, this England team is top class and I'm backing them to win the World Cup. They didn't have a player like Rooney in 2002, and back then Lampard amongst other players weren't as good as they are now, this England team is like a fine wine, they get better as time goes by. If I was Sven, I'd play a hybrid 3-5-2 formation instead of trying to force a 4-4-2 which has an unbalanced midfield, no good left winger etc.

---------------------Robinson-------------

-------------Rio----------------Terry--------
----------------------King------------------
--Neville-----------------------------------Cole

-----------Beckham--Gerrard--Lampard-----

------------------Rooney------------------

------------------Owen/Defoe

I honestly believe this is the best for England. In Rio and Terry, you have two, stone cold, calm, solid defenders, one a serious threat on set pieces. With Neville and Cole, you have 2 fullbacks overlapping, putting balls into the area when neccessary. Beckham can get involved in central midfield, while deviating the to right wing if he wants. Lampard and Gerrard run the midfield, and dont have to worry too much about defensive work because King will play up to the half way line, and try to snuff out any counter attacking threats. Rooney will be given the free role to roam and create so a left winger isn't needed that badly, while Owen up front waits for chances to come his way.

There will always be cynics, but when was the last time a team like Italy, Argentina won the world cup? Aren't they always touted as favorites too? :rolleyes:

Ignore them, they're dumbarses. They probably think their country will have a good chance at winning the WC aswell, pfft....Holland. :funny:

---------------------Robinson----------------
-----------------------------------------------
-------------Ferdinand----------Terry--------
--Neville--------------------------------------
------------------------------------------Cole-
----------------------Carrick-------------------
----------------------------------------------
--------Beckham------------------Gerrard-------
----------------------------------------------
--------------------Lampard--------------------
-----------------------------------------------
---------- Owen-------------Rooney----------

hopefully thats are World Cup team.

Cole, bombin down the left, Carrick the holdin midfield player, and lots off goals with Rooney, Owen, Lamps, and Stevie G

There will always be cynics, but when was the last time a team like Italy, Argentina won the world cup? Aren't they always touted as favorites too? :rolleyes:

Face it, this England team is top class and I'm backing them to win the World Cup.

Exactly my thoughts !

IMO that would be my World Cup XI, Squad (barring injuries,suspensions or a yet to be found "diamond" player)
(What is a diamond player ? I don't know but mean by it, somebody who's not an England International yet but will have a great season and lots of talent - like Rooney was one)

GK: Robinson, Green, ?

D: G.Neville, King, Terry, Campbell, Ferdinand, A.Cole, P.Neville

M: Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J.Cole, Wright-Phillips, Carrick, Jenas, Richardson, Dyer

F: Rooney, Owen, Defoe, Smith

so atm only 1 spot is free, and that's the 3rd Goalie.


Captains: IMO Becks has done enough to lead the lions, otherwise any those would make good captains aswell: Gerrard, Lampard, Owen, Terry, Campbell & G. Neville.

BTW I like your "5"-3-2 formation

Rommedahl. :rockman:

2-0

Glen Johnson is crap...and well, David James :|

3-0 :rolleyes:

The sooner Sven goes...the better. I don't know what he tell his players at HT, but it just doesn't work.

Good grief....Demark 3 Engerland 0

"A night of humilation for a team that are threatening to win the World Cup" :chew:

:|

My god, might a disaster on this level actually cost Sven his job? I cant wait to see the PR campaign by the FA to play this one down

England are ****

Sven, as I've said before, is such a pathetic sap. He knows nothing about playing this team to their full potential. Beckham as captain, you're avin a larf, Steven Gerrard or Lampard needs to lead this team, not him plain and simple. And James, what the hell is he still doing in this team? Kirkland and Robinson are the future of England.

Sven should go... never was that good...


and this is awful...

Dear Sven

Thanks for all the memories now please f4ck off.

England are ****

England would actually be a great side if they had a good manager.


But with Sven, well, it's a waste to be honest. It'll probably be a while until England gets a squad of players like this.

exactly... enough of this nonsense

Dear God, what is Johnson doing in the England squad? Infact, what is he doing at Chelsea? :| :rolleyes:

We all know James is :sb9: aswell as G. Johnson...

WTF has Hargreaves done to be included in the England Squad at all ?!

but guys, don't forget, a friendly is not a qualifier and a totall diffrent matter, still we should not get "hammered" by the danes.

I'd better start training :dragan: to get into the World Cup Squad :p

Good finish
3-1 Rooney

Owen... :boohoo:

I'm only reading the ticker.

Becks Cross / Rooney Goal :rockman:

Slowsilver what's it with Owen :boohoo: ? What has he done or not done ?

Owen mis-controlled the ball, twice when there was nobody round him.



Pathetic

4-1

FT

Sven is horrible. Remember when he brought on Phil Neville against Portugal. Phil Neville then proceeded to trip over himself, allowing Rui Costa to score that fabulous goal.

You guys need a manager with balls. Sven is a woman.

Don't you just love it, Robinson conceded none, James conceded 4. (H)

Sven is horrible. Remember when he brought on Phil Neville against Portugal. Phil Neville then proceeded to trip over himself, allowing Rui Costa to score that fabulous goal.

You guys need manager with balls. Sven is a woman.
Exactly, he does everything to appease the media, what a beeyotch. Doubt the corrupt Farce Association will do anything aobut it though.

Exactly, he does everything to appease the media, what a beeyotch. Doubt the corrupt Farce Association will do anything aobut it though.

It's sad to see England, with all it's quality players, play like shiit cause of a pansy coach.

4-1 :D(H)!!!

No wonder we pissin lost, David James!!!!!!!!!! :kader:

Congrats to the Danes !

Btw Who was "at fault" for the England Goals ?

Can anybody please post highlights or at least Becks cross to Rooney and his goal ?

Allardyce for England Coach! :clapwap: :clapwap: :mrpimp: :mrpimp: (Y)

2054: GOAL. Denmark 4-1 England
Denmark's three-goal advantage is restored by Soren Larsen, who toe-pokes his shot beyond the despairing James.

2049: GOAL. Denmark 3-1 England
Wayne Rooney pulls a goal back for England, slotting the ball low into the corner from the right-hand side of the box.

2028: GOAL. Denmark 3-0 England
Michael Gravgaard is credited with Denmark's third goal but it appears as though Steven Gerrard put through his own net, while trying to clear a corner.

2025: GOAL. Denmark 2-0 England
England are undone again after Claus Jensen's cross pinballs to Tomasson, who has an easy task to slot in from close range.

2022: GOAL. Denmark 1-0 England
Denmark take the lead after David James rushes out of his goal but is rounded by Jon Dahl Tomasson, who crosses for Dennis Rommedahl to tap in to an empty net.

So basicly if Robinson Gaz & Terry are out - England s*cks defensivly wise ?

well at least Rooney scored.

So basicly if Robinson Gaz & Terry are out - England s*cks defensivly wise ?


Basically, yes.

High&Lowlights anyone :) ?

After the US Tour I'd have loved it to see Carrick getting a bit action in midfield - instead he plays :rolleyes: Hargreves .

and why do we play a "grandpa" like James in goal instead of giving the younger ones some minutes/expirience ?

Hargreaves, James, Johnson - bye bye and never come back please !

WHAT THE F UCK i go to sleep and wake up to find sven has a broomstick up his ass again !!!!
wtf was that that is the worst performance i can think of england in a while

No problem with the first half at all.......none at all......But the second half when Sven played the misfits............laughable.Still if this means goodbye to James,Hargreaves and well,Johnson still needs time to improve.....then this loss was worth it.Surely now Sven will admit that James is a joke........i'm gonna forget the second half even happened and think only of the first 45 minutes.Nice to see Rooney score though,and he also kept his cool when provoked,so thats a plus.

What the...?
Just saw now on eurosport.com, that england got completely dominated by a Denmark in risk of not qualifying...O_O

I wanna see that first goal, looks like D.James made crap again. I am sure that if David James hasn't done that, the game wouldn't go like this. And I always said, and I keep saying...D.James is just "gaffes". Reminds me of Portugal's Ricardo sometimes...makes a great game...the next games does sh*t.

With Gerrard, Owen, Rooney, Beckham, Terry...and lose 4-1? Not saying Denmark plays crap, cause they are a good team (showed it on Euro 2004). But with those players, England has to do better.

the solid players were taken off at half time so this is down to the misfits....James/Johnson and Hargreaves.They spread a feeling of uncertainty through the rest of the team.Still no more James so its not all bad.I quite enjoyed it really.....I think its really big of us to let Denmark win so big, to boost their confidence before they have to play Turkey in the qualifiers.............. :)

You fail time after time after time yet you still think you're shoe-ins for every tournament you enter. The reality is your performance levels in major tournaments are on a par with the likes of Denmark.


Scrap that, I clearly insulted Denmark there! :D:D:D

well as long as they aint on a par with bonnie scootland huh?............... :funny:

Too true Pete, Denmark only beat us 2-0 :-)

Calamity James is Back! To make matters worse he put on Owen Hargreaves :rolleyes:

Allardyce for England Coach! :clapwap: :clapwap: :mrpimp: :mrpimp: (Y)
What about LeGuien? I know it might rub many an Englishman the wrong way having a Frenchman coach the NT, but the guy was good, said he was moving to a new club, and then I never heard about him signing anywhere.

Anyway, if I can take two things from this match:
1. Its clear that Johnson is not an international calibre defender, but while he has put the odd solid performance in for Chelsea, its clear the guy just doesnt have the requisite defensive ability to be a rightback. I was hoping before Wright-Phillips was signed that he would be used in a few meaningless games as a fourth winger, as he is very dangerous going forward, but that wasnt to be, and for England he would be wasted in such a position.

2. Paul Robinson should be England's number one keeper, without question. Why he would use james is just as obtuse as using someone as unremarkable and average as Owen Hargreaves in place of a developing international for whose talent the sky is the limit. Oh wait...

By the way, I read a quick 606 comment that said something like "Its clear that Sven needs to decide between Lampard and Gerrard". Was either of them unusually bad/out of place?

Bah, that was pathetic. If the FA doesnt fire him now, then Im pretty sure the job is his for life.

lol, no doubt he's a great coach... but most English footy fans would probably rather not qualify than see a Frenchman in charge :)
Would be funny for sure.

:fool:
Heh, yah, so I figured: still, I think the guy has to be on his way out, and the lure of coaching England must be something very few club managers would pass up. The question is, who could actually get this squad to perform to the level it should. Most English managers in the game today are fairly unremarkable, so I think another foreigner would be the way to go, but to get a really good coach, the FA would probably have to do like Australia did with Hiddink and let someone part time between club and country....though I dont think the FA would ever be so desperate as to resort to that.

they wont fire him this close to a world cup.Anyway lets keep this is context.This was a meaningless FRIENDLY.All our friendlies are crap games because we never keep the same team on the pitch for both halves,whereas the opposition do.It is entirely meaningless as everyone knows.The English media will make a meal of it but to be honest i couldn't give a s.h.i.t about it.The whole point of playing friendlies is to take a look at players and systems and combinations of certain players,so as to evaluate said players and player combinations.The problem with all National teams when they play a friendly with England is that they always gotta treat it like a WC final.Why?Because a teams progress is measured on how well they can do against England Nobody likes to lose a game but i shouldn't think the players or Sven are that cut up about it.In the scheme of things it really means f.u.c.k all.How some dumbasses even think this is a blip to Englands World Cup campaign shows how dumb their asses are.Denmark have beaten us 3 times.All in friendlies,never in competition.The last time we played them in a serious game we whupped them 3-0,in the WC 2002.sure its nice for the Danes but in competition it just aint gonna happen........... :ewan:

'I wasn't fully prepared', admits keeper James (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=339608&cc=3436)

'I wasn't fully prepared,' he revealed.

'Because I knew I wasn't going to start, for once I didn't do my starting preparations.

:o i can't believe a professional keeper said that

'I wasn't fully prepared', admits keeper James (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=339608&cc=3436)



:o i can't believe a professional keeper said that
Haha, another one of those James' excuses.


Can't believe that wanker Brian complained and ridiculed on Smith's decision to play in the United reserve game, this game is crap, useless and was ridiculously **** for england, United's reserve game looked more important than this friendly.

I don't post much in this section, and I'm not going to comment on the England-Denmark game. I just found some interesting news, from an Argentine newspaper and I thought I'd share because I haven't seen it reported anywhere else.

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/08/17/um/m-1035408.htm


La Selección disputará un partido amistoso contra Inglaterra en Zurich, Suiza, el 12 de noviembre, según informó hoy la AFA.

La organización del amistoso quedó definida hoy con la firma del contrato correspondiente. De todos modos, en el acuerdo se contempló la posibilidad de sustituir al seleccionado inglés por otro elenco europeo en caso de que, en la fecha prevista, el conjunto británico no estuviera clasificado para Alemania 2006.


The story says Argentina has agreed to play a friendly against England on the 12th of November in Zurich, Switzerland. The game is contingent on England's qualification to the WC. Should England not be qualified by the date of the game, another opponent will fill in for them.

Cool so Heinze and possible Gaz, Becks, Rooney and Smith are coming :) to Switzerland - in that case I'm going to attend the game no matter what.

ETA:

I just got a mail stating that if England has NOT to go to the play offs they'll play a friendly on the 12th Nov - no opposition has been selected....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4161934.stm

Oh Dear

LOLzer....too funny.


Only one logical conclusion from all this, man.



MAKE ROOM FOR PENNANT!




Zoot, zoot, zoot!

Great that James had a bad game - last time he did that for England, he followed it up with a stunning performance for CITY! (H)

He isn't a bad keeper, it just seems that he lacks some consistency for England, but then outside of Cech and van Der Saar I can't think of any keeper in the premier league who is safe hands...

the rooney goal and the lowlights please ?

I don't like David James. He didn't perform well in the big stage (EURO 2004). Eriksson should drop him the next time England play in a friendly match.

If just seen the goals....

WTF is James doing (yet again :rolleyes: )
He looks poor for the 1st, 2nd and 4th goal - the 3rd was more a fault of the defenders/midfielders

He's definetly a starter in my Worst Ever England 11!

---

Thankfully the next games are just some days ahead now - and I'm still positive we can win both those games - aslong as their ir Robinson in goal and not James of corse

England's problem has always beed and will continue to be: Sven.
He's NOT good.

Cap Pennant, please.

hmm according to the press association on thefa.com Gerrard maybe will miss the 2 upcoming qualifiers.

Who'd you play in his place ?

I'd go for Carrick or P. Neville as holding midfield players.

Jesus, calling up Phil Neville is taking a step back. Thats the same logic that keeps Owen Hargreaves coming back to the NT. Carrick has been quite decent for England, good for Tottenham, and he is still learning. One day I think that guy is gonna be a star. Pennant is looking damned impressive too: a more adventurous coach than Sven probably wouldve called him up by now

Hasnt James pleaded for one more chance at the starting job? Man, thats just sad....

well i think that calling up Phil is good, he's playing regular football now and he's as versatile as Hargreaves but better with far more experience.

Jesus, calling up Phil Neville is taking a step back. Thats the same logic that keeps Owen Hargreaves coming back to the NT. Carrick has been quite decent for England, good for Tottenham, and he is still learning. One day I think that guy is gonna be a star. Pennant is looking damned impressive too: a more adventurous coach than Sven probably wouldve called him up by now

Hasnt James pleaded for one more chance at the starting job? Man, thats just sad....

Dazman is right about Phil.

He played fantastic in Everton's defeat against ManUtd, got plenty of caps, expirience and he''s versatile (RB, LB or DM)

as for James - WTF does he think!

IMO Robo is the clear number one and since his move to spurs he really improved. We should give the 2nd "gk spot" to young ones like Green, Cirkland - because how are they going to get expirience... when the granpa is keeping them out of the squad?

BTW it's nice to see "some posting action" in this thread.

phil neville, god no :nape:

carrick (Y) great player, got to watch him play vs USA and for tottenham lately, should be fantastic later on.

I remember rading an article on Soccernet stating how England should use a 3-5-2 and I agreed with it.

--------------Robinson---------------
-------Carragher-Terry-Ferdinand-----
SWP-Beckham-Lampard-Gerrard-A.Cole
------------------Rooney------------
------------Owen--------------------

It puts Beckham in CM where he want's to be and includes three great CB's. I think that Carragher is much better then Campbell after last season. There's still Woodgate and the rest. You could also use Hargreaves as a DM and Lampard as the LCM if Gerrard get's injured which he often does. Obviously though, Sven is unwilling to experiment. He's honestly the worst manager the country's had. McLaren would be a better choice and he hasn't even ever won anything. I honestly don't think they'll win the WC if it's up to Sven so the side has to rely on player talent. Exciting to watch though.

Phil Neville the midfield player is nothing like Phil Neville the defender.As a midfield player he is solid,determined and fights for everything, and his range of passing is excellent,and he is experienced.When Fergie moved him to midfield he became a completely different player.I wouldn't mind Phil being included ,as long as its not as a full back.

as for the worst England manager..........you gotta go some to be worse than Graham Taylor or Glenn Hoddle.......Give the job back to Venables....... :rockman:

I remember rading an article on Soccernet stating how England should use a 3-5-2 and I agreed with it.

--------------Robinson---------------
-------Carragher-Terry-Ferdinand-----
SWP-Beckham-Lampard-Gerrard-A.Cole
------------------Rooney------------
------------Owen--------------------

It puts Beckham in CM where he want's to be and includes three great CB's. I think that Carragher is much better then Campbell after last season. There's still Woodgate and the rest. You could also use Hargreaves as a DM and Lampard as the LCM if Gerrard get's injured which he often does. Obviously though, Sven is unwilling to experiment. He's honestly the worst manager the country's had. McLaren would be a better choice and he hasn't even ever won anything. I honestly don't think they'll win the WC if it's up to Sven so the side has to rely on player talent. Exciting to watch though.

i really like gary neville but that formation is probably the best

I don't think that that 3-5-2 would work at all. As for Steve MacLaren not having won anything, he actually won the Carling Cup in 2004, that same won that Chelsea won the next year.

defoe would be wonderful to come off the bench and play for us.

I remember reading, in the sunday telegraph not some rag, that McLaren was the obvious choice for the FA once Sven is out of contract/leaves/is forced out. In my opinion they could do alot worse, but the problem with English managers is that they are just unremarkable. If the FA were willing to give the job to a timid guy who hadn't really achieved much before he was appointed, then I think maybe chasing a big foreign manager wouldnt be too crazy. I think given what he managed to achieve with Korea (dodgy calls aside, their run was tremendous in 2002) Hiddink wouldve been a guy to look at, before Australia scooped him up.

Anyway, about Beckham back in the centre of park, I think that if he is thriving for Madrid out on the right then its in England's best intrests, as well as Madrid's, not to make him switch for the odd international. The 3-5-2 isnt that crazy, considering the wealth England have at CB, but in my mind Neville the Elder and Cole are too rich in skill and talent to be left out of the team.

I know its something of a hybrid solution, but Joe Cole has to be the best answer at the moment for the leftside. What I would like to see, though, would be more of a 4-3-1-2 which allows Either Lampard or Gerrard, preferrably Lampard, to sit behind the strikers in support, and hopefully with a primarily defensive CM behind him, give a bit of balance to the midfield.

Something like:
------------Robinson------------ (never James, ever again)
----Nev---Terry---Rio---Cole----
-Beckham---Gerrard----JCole----
-----------Lamps-------------
----------Owen----Rooney

But of course, all that is contingent upon Joe Cole getting time enough at the wing position to be internationally fit, and on Lampard recovering last seasons form. I hate to ice Carrick and SWP out just like that, but despite all his failings, Beckham is at the moment a must for the team just leadership wise. Would be kind of intresting, though, to see him left out for Sweep just once, and the armband given the Lampard or Gerrard, if only to see how England do

Anyway, its all food for thought, but as Seven8 said, this thread is really buzzing with good debate. Great to see :ewan:

Something like:
------------Robinson------------ (never James, ever again)
----Nev---Terry---Rio---Cole----
-Beckham---Gerrard----JCole----
-----------Lamps-------------
----------Owen----Rooney


That can very easily work for us, I mean the back 5 are set, all great players, and yes james get tae f*ck out. The midfield would work with becks on the right, j cole on left, and gerrard being the sort of holding player, because he is very aggressive and fights for ever ball, and if he were to release, lampard could come back and help seeing as they both play very similar and can score at will but also put that crucial tackle in. Owen and rooney, enough said, they are both deadly and shouldnt have a problem scoring. As for subs, SWP can come in for beckham and give him a break if he isnt working out, gerrard to be captain, and if owen or rooney are having an off day, defoe is the man to come in and do the job. Also Carrick would be an ideal DM if gerrard or lampard, god forbid, get injured or suspended. Also Ledley King is always there and ready. Looking forward to WC, hopefully erikkson doesnt f*ck us over, and do the right things.

England needs a holding midfielder, playing Gerrard in that position wastes his talents. Its just a shame England has so few quality DM. Other than Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, I cant think of any above average ball winners at your disposal. (im actually going through EPL club rosters and I cant find any quality DM's.) But holy crap, your league seriously has WAY TOO MUCH foreigners, even the smaller clubs like Fulham, Blackburn, Boro, Tottenham. This is gonna catch up to you guys quickly. People are getting excited about Englands chances, but if you continue to use Gerrard as your DM, than i see problems.

I think Englands strongest possible lineup would be:

:::::::::::::::: Owen ::::: Rooney :::::::::::::::::::::
::: A.Cole :::: Lampard :: Gerrard ::::: Becks/SWP ::::
::::::::::::::::::::: P.Neville / Butt ::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::: Carra ::::: Terry :::: Rio :::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::: Robinson :::::::::::::::::::::::::

Hargreaves should be the DM if you use one. You're right, Gerrard would be wasted as a DM. He can win the ball over but here's the problem. He's so used to blasting the ball and trying to single handedly win the game with Liverpool that he's not exactly the best passer around.

--------------Robinson---------------
-------Carragher-Terry-Ferdinand-----
P Neville/Hargreaves
------Beckham-Lampard-Gerrard------
------------------Rooney------------
------------Owen--------------------

Problem with that though is that there isn't much width but worth a try. I doubt that Sven will change the formation because he's too stubborn on the classic 4-4-2. I think that the 4-4-4 was the reason that Scholes retired. Being played as a LM wasn't that thrilling to him.

The issue with Gerrard and his talents being wasted is that he and Lampard are in very similar roles for both of their clubs, and one would essentially have to break with that and become a two way guy in order to keep the whole midfield balanced. Personally, I would think Lampard would be best suited to playing the two way role, but the main problem is that the two are too talented to put either on the bench, yet with them both on the field, there can be no natural leftsider, and no true CDM.

But Callum has got it right: if one guy is going to be the chosen one for the holding role, it has to be Carrick. Neville, Hargreaves and Butt may all be solid, but I think if Carrick can be given the role for the next year in friendlies and qualifiers, and, hopefully, grow into it, he could be right at home backing up the midfield when Germany rolls around. By that time, I think he will be a distinctly better option than any of the other candidates.

If this is the richness of the debate on the midfield, the debate on Centerbacks will be a sight to behold (6)

Edit:Bull****, Gerrard can play the defensive mid position if he's told too... he can DEFINITELY win balls. Forget the CL final already? And Mikey, if you don't like Gerrard there.... two words: Scott Parker. And in a few years... Michael Carrick.
Man, how did I forget about Parker? Its been a long time since he has been capped for England with that injury from this last year, but he and Carrick are options I would definately look too over Hargreaves, Neville or Butt.


Then again, it is Sven

Bull****, Gerrard can play the defensive mid position if he's told too... he can DEFINITELY win balls. Forget the CL final already? And Mikey, if you don't like Gerrard there.... two words: Scott Parker. And in a few years... Michael Carrick.

carrick has a good long shot, he had a few crackers for tottenham. Scott parker! (6) Good idea, Sven hopefully notices all of this. :jambo:

Formations and 3-5-2
I do not know a single team who plays succsessfull with a 3 man backline & with all those world class defenders it would be a crime IMO not to play 4 at the back (afterall it’s a big strength of our team)

4-4-2 Diamond or 4-4-2 (classy) or an adaptable 4-3-3

GK:
Robinson is the #1 England Keeper atm
Kirkland, Green and others (not old ones) should get 2nd,3rd place.

Defenders:
My candidates (what a nice problem to have! Alltough I would’t like to pick the CB starters)

G. Neville - experience, the link up with Becks and his commanding all speak for him
Terry – what a defender, and what a goalscorer, hopefully as good for England as for Chelski
Campbell – if he can get over his injury problems, his experience is a huge bonus for us
Ferdinand – looked a bit out of sorts in the last games, he’s a class player with a sh*t attitude
King – was amazing during Euro04, could even play DM
Carragher – Fantastic for Liverpool last year, needs to transfer his game to the national team.
A.Cole – the best left back we have, like Rio had a bit a “shaky” form

*Woodgate – if fit and his old form, what made him one of the best center backs
*Bridge – faces a fight for his spot at Chelsea, is versatile, could play with Ashley on the left side in LB & LM
*P. Neville the left full back role holds a bad memory for him, but he played there before plenty of times, his experience and versatility (RB, DM, LB) will help too.

Becks & the England Thread

Anyway, about Beckham back in the centre of park, I think that if he is thriving for Madrid out on the right then its in England's best intrests, as well as Madrid's, not to make him switch for the odd international.

Anyway, its all food for thought, but as Seven8 said, this thread is really buzzing with good debate. Great to see :ewan:

Becks plays like the ManUtd-Class-Becks on the right, his best position is there. Just look how good he got again for RM when they put him on the right wing?!

Anyone up for a “1st” page like in the club team threads ?
Should do one for “BecksFrankSteve” to Edit the 1st post ?

England needs a holding midfielder…

Totally Agree!

DM – my candidates

Gerrad (dind’t do bad there , he would need to “sacrifice" him for the team and stay in that position)
Carrick (impressed me big time during the US Tour and from what I saw from Spurs)
Butt (if he rediscovers his old form)
P.Neville (if he plays like when Everton played against ManUtd or he replaced Keane vs Arsenal)
Parker - don’t know if he’s a holding midfield player, but if he’s good, we could try him.

Surprise Candidate *Alan Smith* - Depending on how he does for ManUtd, he’d be an excellent choice + we even would have an additional striker if needed.

As for Hargreaves – he does not belong in the England Team IMO, everytime he’s on for England = aliby passes, no real push forward, no good link up – in short it’s not the same player as for Bayern.

Other Midfielders
Becks, Lampard, J.Cole, Richardson and SWP would be onboard

Strikers
Rooney & Owen are set if fit, no matter how many games they did/do play
Defoe is my 3rd choice and the 4th would go to either

Crouch - his height makes him valuable, but let’s see how he does for Liverpool first.
Smith - every team needs characters like him, full of pride-dedictation-passion
A. Johnson – I’m not a fan of him but Sven is...
Bent - too inexpirienced at top level

Players who I’d leave out of any future Team
James – too old, too error prone, to less “making match winning saves”
G. Johnson – good going forward, otherwise poor.
Hargreves - see above


+ IN ORDER FOR ENGLAND TO BE SUCCSESSFULL WE NEED TO PLAY ON AFTER A 1-0 LEAD, not to defend that for the rest of the game a la Sven...

Now I hope for lots of debates, disscussions etc

Formations and 3-5-2Ferdinand – looked a bit out of sorts in the last games, he’s a class player with a sh*t attitude

You'll do anything to find a way of bashing Ferdinand, wont ya? :rolleyes:

Englands answer to the holding mid.





LOVEJOY. (6)
http://www.ltlf.co.uk/features/tim_lovejoy.jpg

I hate the way Sven allways has Phill + Hargreaves in his squad they are utter b******.
and they are always the first substitues :nape: :rolleyes: . Name 1 time when they have a had a good game 4 England. Remember the game against portugal, he had j.cole and dyer on bench and didnt use them instead brought on these 2 clowns and we all know wat happened there.

i swear hargreaves and p.neville have photographs of sven doin bad thiings and if they aint in the squad they will release them to the press hahaha

Never live up to our expectations. Which isnt hard as our expectations are quite high

to BecksFrankSteve: for the first post:


ENGLAND Road to World Cup 2006 Thread
http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/540F334C-86D3-4212-974E-CB5598C86FC9/15575/EnglandCrest_Redcorner.gif


FIFA Affiliation: 1905 www.fifa.com

UEFA Affiliation: 1954 www.uefa.com

the Football Association: the FA www.thefa.com

Founded: 1863

History: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/History

Headquarter: 25 Soho Square Londo, GB London W1D 4FA

Stadiums:
2005 Old Trafford (68’000), Manchester
2006 Wembley (90’000), London www.wembleystadium.com

Website: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam

Englandfans: www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Englandfans

Cheers m8 i just did it but i cant find a good team picture

hmm what about this one for a start? (it's kinda hard to find "big ones" with the team)

http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/56585F06-0124-4F5F-86AC-D94BDE444E03/54468/England_vNIre_L.jpg


info to Old Trafford (don't know if we wanna add that)
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/Eng_Wales_Venue_OldTrafford.htm

hmm what about this one for a start? (it's kinda hard to find "big ones" with the team)

http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/56585F06-0124-4F5F-86AC-D94BDE444E03/54468/England_vNIre_L.jpg


info to Old Trafford (don't know if we wanna add that)
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/Eng_Wales_Venue_OldTrafford.htm
That, in my opinion, should be the basic starting 11 every time (Y)

i am definately going to put that pic its perfect it dosen't have david james !!!

i am definately going to put that pic its perfect it dosen't have david james !!!

:rofl:

seriously now, it's a pic from the England-N.Ireland Qualifier and I like that line up very much, alltough I'd love to see Sol Campbell back - but with Terry, Rio I'm more than happy aswell.

B*llocks ! :kader:

Gaz is injuried (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4182254.stm)

either P. Neville, Brown, King, Terry, Campbell to play @ RB then

please no G. Johnson !

wat about Jamie "da kid" Carragher

you're right I forgot him.

btw for all those of you who'd like to see a 3-X-X formation this could be a chance - altough I highly doubt Sven will change his system.

I'm biased as a "class of 92 fan" but I'd go for Phil as Garys backup, he played there before and knows how to play together with Becks from the United days.

Carragher deserves more of a chance on that team then any one else who isn't on it regularly because he performed terrific last year. If Ferdinand doesn't recover his form, then Carragher is the choice.

I'm not saying that the 4-4-2 is bad, but it's time for a change or experiment. That Denmark game would've been perfect to try 3-x-x

Guys, is it your hobby to bash Hargreaves for no reason at all?

Terry doubtful for England (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=302333&CPID=4&CLID=&lid=2&title=Terry+'doubtful'+for+England&channel=football_home) :nape:

with Sol, G.Neville, King out probably it's gonna be P.Neville/Brown (surely not G. Johnson) at RB and Carragher at CB with Rio and A.Cole on LB
because I doubt Sven will play anything else than 4 at the back.

as for the Bayern-Owen...

name 1 good thing he did for england...
All I can remember him doing is useless alibi passes in midfield and no accurate positioning or tackling.

with Becks, Gerrard, Lampard, J.Cole more or less set...
SWP and Carrick surely are the closest to be in IMO. Then there's Dyer, Jenas, Richardson, Downing etc but he'll be in the squad again - Sven loves him for some reason.

At least Carragher gets a start :-)

Sven "confirms" a 4-man backline (http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/Eng_Sven_WontHappenAgain.htm)

As long as Wes Brown aint in it thats fine by me.He is the most crap player ever to get England duty.

With Ferdinand and Terry in the back and with the option of King from the Spurs i think his door is closed. He is not that bad though.

i think that Wes Brown would be a decent cover for Gaz Neville at RB, i dont think he's good enough as a CB for England, but he's a decent experienced RB and he could be capable there for england i reckon.

as long as it's not Glen Johnson at RB i'll be happy

That, in my opinion, should be the basic starting 11 every time (Y)


I would take Gary Neville out of that line up anytime.

Edit: He got injured.

i think that Wes Brown would be a decent cover for Gaz Neville at RB, i dont think he's good enough as a CB for England, but he's a decent experienced RB and he could be capable there for england i reckon.

as long as it's not Glen Johnson at RB i'll be happy

Would he bollocks!

Full backs need to get up the pitch and deliver balls into the box, which if i might add Gary Neville has consistantly done a good job for god knows how long. Somehow i can't see Wes Brown doing that :funny:

Would he bollocks!

Full backs need to get up the pitch and deliver balls into the box, which if i might add Gary Neville has consistantly done a good job for god knows how long. Somehow i can't see Wes Brown doing that :funny:
Actually, Wes Brown has been fantastic at rightback for us lately. At the end of last season, his crosses improved leaps and bounds, he has good pace and strength, he even did some nice one two passes as well as nutmegging some people. He's great at RB.

wes brown is sh1t, and would not fulfill any duties as a RB for england. :nape:

wes brown is sh1t, and would not fulfill any duties as a RB for england. :nape:
What matches have you been watching lately? Wes Brown is vastly improved, and is about 10 times better than Silvestre. It puzzles me that Tweety is constantly started in the team over Brown.

was Sven watching the game today?? Jenas seems to get picked no matter what. Even though he's done nothing in the last 2 years.

Parker was the best Newcastle player out there but is overlooked.

England have no hope of doing well in the World Cup next year if that overpaid **** keeps persisting with this so-called partnership of Lampard and Gerrard, this partnership is non-existent and in my opinion Gerrard is not that good on the International stage. I can't help but feel that Scott Parker is the right man to partner Lampard, but as usual, anyone who can do a better job than the manager's favourites will get overlooked.

I know he hasn't been at Newcastle for long, but Scott Parker is looking more and more like the ideal player I'd have at Manchester United to replace Roy Keane, best man on the pitch at Highbury the other week, and had Manchester United's midfield well looked-after for the majority of todays match, he can only get better. Would anyone be surprised if Chelsea make a ridiculous offer to bring him back to Stamford Bridge to takeover from Makelele in the future?
lol, no doubt he's a great coach... but most English footy fans would probably rather not qualify than see a Frenchman in charge :)
Would be funny for sure.
Change that to Swede. (H)

I would take Gary Neville out of that line up anytime.

Edit: He got injured.


Moron (Y)

Good point shokz!

Not only Parker but you also have Carrick who's also shown what a quality holding player he is yet will be lucky to get a game despite being in the squad.

FFS Sven, you have two of the best holding mid-fielders in the country out there and you still choose Gerrard over them who isn't even a holding mid-fielder!

Don't even get me started on Hargreaves! Why is he there?

Sven really makes no sense at all sometimes, Parker almost singlehandedly broke up all of our attacks in the first half of today's game, I have no idea why he isn't even in the squad, when Jenas, Richardson are there.

It will be a crime if this English team don't make it to the World Cup Final next year, because it is so rich in talent.

I would take Gary Neville out of that line up anytime.

Edit: He got injured.
Its just like Daz said: the only other option for someone as myopic as Sven is Glen Johnson. Given that, and his reliability and experience, id think Neville is more or less untouchable with a 4 man backline

was Sven watching the game today?? Jenas seems to get picked no matter what. Even though he's done nothing in the last 2 years.

Parker was the best Newcastle player out there but is overlooked.

I know he hasn't been at Newcastle for long, but Scott Parker is looking more and more like the ideal player I'd have at Manchester United to replace Roy Keane, best man on the pitch at Highbury the other week, and had Manchester United's midfield well looked-after for the majority of todays match, he can only get better. Would anyone be surprised if Chelsea make a ridiculous offer to bring him back to Stamford Bridge to takeover from Makelele in the future?

Damn right: Jenas was invisible today, and Parker was a mad man in that midfield. He got stuck in, and seems to be Souness's general out there on the pitch. On top of that he is young, and will undoubtedly grow into an excellent international. I have no clue, NONE, why Jose opted to sell him, and loan a waster like Jarosik. Made zero sense.

Anyway, does anyone have the official callups? I saw that Young and Kirkland were replacing Johnson and James in the squad (thanks be to jesus) as well as warnock, but I didnt see the full team: anyone?

Anyway, does anyone have the official callups? I saw that Young and Kirkland were replacing Johnson and James in the squad (thanks be to jesus) as well as warnock, but I didnt see the full team: anyone?

Full squad at the bottom of this page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4190482.stm

Much obliged, sir

He calls up Jenas and Hargreaves but Parker gets skipped over :| Was he even paying attention today?

Squad in full

(injuried, G.Neville, Cambbell, King - Owen suspended for 1st game)

Paul Robinson
Robert Green
Chris Kirkland

John Terry
Rio Ferdinand
Jamie Carragher
Matthew Upson
Stephen Warnock
Phil Neville
Ashley Cole
Luke Young

Jermaine Jenas
David Beckham
Joe Cole
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Michael Carrick
Owen Hargreaves
Kieran Richardson

Darren Bent
Jermain Defoe
Wayne Rooney
Andrew Johnson
Michael Owen

First of all - thank God - G.Johnson & James have been dropped

Parker and Hughes (I think is his name - the young newcastle cb - don't know if he's english trough) were fantastic today as was Rooney.

Why Parker isn't in the Squad I don't have a slightest idea - probably because we got 5 strikers ?

@shokz - hmm yeah Parker really would fit in well, but now he's at another United...

Parker and Hughes (I think is his name - the young newcastle cb - don't know if he's english trough) were fantastic today as was Rooney.

Steven Taylor ;)

thanks for the good name. is he english ?

thanks for the good name. is he english ?

Yep, he's been capped at U21 level.

Bent (Y)

Good call

Who's Luke Young?

And why isn't Trevor Sinclair in that squad? Did he retire. He's been playing well for Man City lately and so has Vasell.

Don't even get me started on Hargreaves! Why is he there?

I told you because he has pictures of sven, and will give them to the press if he isn't picked.. :rofl:
if he is in the world cup squad i dunno wat i will do!! :-puke:

Originally Posted by TOON ARMY
Don't even get me started on Hargreaves! Why is he there?

Couse he plays in a top team who happens to be in the upfront of the Champions League, who happens to have won the same Champions League once and the Bundesliga several times.

He has something a knuckehead like Jenas from those Newcastle scumbags doesn't. It's called experience you teeenager. Plus is ain't a bad option. Check his bayern performances and you'll realise it.

Jeez this place if full of kids.

ok i have never seen him play 4 bayern , except the chelsea game ( where i didnt hear his name mentioned once)
yes he may play 4 a top team, but just because he plays abroad doesn't mean he should be in the england squad automatically. it should be based on performances 4 england not 4 your club.

Look at matt le tissier one of the gr8s for southampton, but just didnt cut it 4 england so never lasted.

he has made a fair few appearances 4 england and been a waste of time in every single one. He is one of those sideways players, the nice easy side pass. and he comes on and thinks he's david beckham taking over all the crosses and freekicks :rolleyes: .
Does anyone remember when he came on and took over a freekick from frank lampard of all people, and it was such a poor kick like a little pass back. i think it was the last wales game.

so ye i wouldnt mind if he performed well for us and was allways in the squad,but the fact is he has been really poor everytime he has played 4 us and is allways one of the subs which winds people up so much, when there is so much quality on the bench!

And don't say this is full of kids , if u come out with stupid comments like
Newcastle scumbags which is the most childish thing iv'e heard allday

Sven cost you a World Cup and the last Euro. He should've been fired already, the man cant keep a lead for his life.

Couse he plays in a top team who happens to be in the upfront of the Champions League, who happens to have won the same Champions League once and the Bundesliga several times.

What the ****? :rolleyes: What you're trying to say is becuase he plays for Bayern that automatically constitutes a place in the England squad despite the quality or form of the player! :rolleyes:

OMG OMG, Wes Brown plays for Manchester United, they've won the champions league and the premiership god knows how many times. He must be called up SVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

Get tae ****, douche bag :ewan:

Hargreaves is an above average squad player, and I have seen him play. I could maybe see him on the end of England's bench when there are injuries, but in terms of young DMs who are in line for a potential holding role, he is at least in third behind both Carrick and Parker in my mind, and its not even close. Like those two, he has time on his side, but unlike those two, he shows none of the potential that they regularly demonstrate.

Can anyone see Carragher as the rightback in Neville's absense. I had never seen him in that role, but I saw a lineup with him in that role floated on another forum, and if he is compotent enough, and can adjust to the wing play, then I'd be all for it, but I guess that presupposes JT will be fully fit for the game (whats the latest on him? Even the official site has f.a. about his knock at spurs :|)

Couse he plays in a top team who happens to be in the upfront of the Champions League, who happens to have won the same Champions League once and the Bundesliga several times.

He has something a knuckehead like Jenas from those Newcastle scumbags doesn't. It's called experience you teeenager. Plus is ain't a bad option. Check his bayern performances and you'll realise it.

Jeez this place if full of kids.

wtf are you talking about, hargreaves is crap, end of, even bayern supporters admit it, but you probably either dont even watch bayern, or taking that us saying hargreaves is crap is saying bayern are crap, so you go on the defense. He is crap, no denying, so go away.

thank you ^ hargreaves discussion closed

Hargreaves is Canadian anyway. Yeah, I got some Mexican blood in me but you don't see me making myself available for their national team.

Adriano7's post belongs under mine.

wtf are you talking about, hargreaves is crap, end of, even bayern supporters admit it, but you probably either dont even watch bayern, or taking that us saying hargreaves is crap is saying bayern are crap, so you go on the defense. He is crap, no denying, so go away.
He's not crap, he's quite a versatile player and at least better than the likes of Nicky Butt or Phil Neville which doesn't say much but still...

Terry out of qualifiers! (http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/England_JohnTerryOut.htm) :kader:

Damn, now it's not only Gaz, Sol, King missing but Terry aswell...

I'd call up Taylor from Newcastle, at least as a backup if not a starter. he had a fantastic game at the weekend.

He's not crap, he's quite a versatile player and at least better than the likes of Nicky Butt or Phil Neville which doesn't say much but still...

thats a really poor argument , because i feel P.neville is only there because of gary. and Butt aint in the squad anymore, and when he was he was certainly better than hargreves.

Why does all the bayern fans, believe we are havin a go at there team its just 1 canadian tht we english don't feel belongs in the squad ,ok?

Knight replaces Terry (http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/ZatKnight_CalledUp.htm)

as for Saturdays line up I think it will be that one bellow:

---------------Robinson-----------
P.Neville-Ferdinand-Carragher-A.Cole
Beckham--Gerrard*--Lampard--J.Cole
----------Rooney---Defoe----------

*If Gerrard's not fit it will be Carrick and we'll probably play a diamond 4-4-2

but all that's just guessing...

what do you think ?

Luckily for you, the "english Ricardo" (aka David James) is not included...

---------------Robinson-----------
P.Neville-Ferdinand-Carragher-A.Cole
Beckham--Gerrard*--Lampard--J.Cole
----------Rooney---Defoe----------

*If Gerrard's not fit it will be Carrick and we'll probably play a diamond 4-4-2

Even if Gerrard is playable, I think the diamond, with Carrick holding it, would be worth at least a shot. The best thing about that midfield is that each player has a specific role within the offense.

But if Gerrard even hints that he is good to go, its going to be him back in there, and the whole thing will be thrown off balance again...

Becks back in Training / Gerrard still uncertain

Copyright Press Association Ltd. Wednesday, 31 August 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Beckham was back in full training with England on Wednesday as Steven Gerrard continued his recovery programme in a bid to be ready for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Wales.

With John Terry out of the squad through injury and Michael Owen absent to resolve his club future, Beckham and Gerrard were the only two other players who missed Tuesday's initial session.

Beckham was resting a sore foot but he was back in action at Arsenal's London Colney training ground this morning as the countdown to Saturday's game in Cardiff continued.

Gerrard, meanwhile, was working out with physio Gary Lewin, as he did on Tuesday, with Sven-Goran Eriksson remaining hopeful the Liverpool midfielder will be able to face Wales.

Eriksson revealed on Tuesday night: "Steve Gerrard did some good work on Tuesday, not with the other players but with the physio. He will continue that on Wednesday. Hopefully on Thursday, he will train with us. The physio and doctor think he will be ready for Saturday."

Gerrard missed Liverpool's Super Cup tie last Friday against CSKA Moscow due to his calf injury, but is determined to take up his place in central midfield in Cardiff.

He may be joined in the side by Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher, with Terry having withdrawn from the squad with a knee injury sustained at Tottenham last Saturday.

While Fulham's Zat Knight has joined the squad in his place, the Chelsea captain could be ruled out for four to six weeks.

That not only rules him out of the qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland, but already makes him a doubt for the ties in October against Austria and Poland, as well as the Champions League group game at Anfield.

Jermaine Jenas was training with the England squad, but Owen was in the north-east to seal his transfer to St James' Park. Owen, the 25-year-old striker, is suspended for Saturday's game but was expected to join the England squad in time for Thursday's next training session before their journey to Cardiff

England to play 4-5-1 ? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/4199592.stm)

If I get it right, they'd play like that.

---------------Robinson-----------
P.Neville-Ferdinand-Carragher-A.Cole
---------------(no DM)------------
---------------Beckham-----------
---------Gerrard------Lampard-----
WrightPhilipps----------------J.Cole
----------------Rooney------------

Sven changing tactics?

Haha, maybe when pigs fly.....

I think he was under way too much pressure after what happened in Coopenhagen.

England to play 4-5-1 ? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/4199592.stm)

If I get it right, they'd play like that.

---------------Robinson-----------
P.Neville-Ferdinand-Carragher-A.Cole
---------------(no DM)------------
---------------Beckham-----------
---------Gerrard------Lampard-----
WrightPhilipps----------------J.Cole
----------------Rooney------------
You got it virtually dead on:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=341355&cc=5901

Edit: I didnt realize your title was a link. I thought you just guessed the lineup :|
Eriksson to experiment in Cardiff

Sven-Goran Eriksson faces one of the biggest tests of his reign as England coach this weekend as he prepares for a dramatic shift in tactics to face Wales in Cardiff.

Eriksson is poised to choose a key World Cup qualifying tie to embark on a new experiment with his formation, with Wayne Rooney as the lone striker ahead of a five-man midfield in which David Beckham takes centre-stage.

With Michael Owen suspended, Eriksson and his coaching staff have been mulling over a shift in tactics for this game since the 4-1 defeat against Denmark last month exposed England's defensive vulnerability.

Eriksson consulted his senior players, including Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, on Tuesday evening and heard they also favoured a change in Owen's absence.

While there is some frustration that news of the move, which was meant to take the Welsh by surprise, has leaked out, Gerrard's return to full training today at least enabled Eriksson to perfect his new system.

As a result, Jermain Defoe looks set to miss out on the starting line-up, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole instead being selected on the flanks.

Although the duo have so far been only second choices in those positions for Chelsea, Eriksson is looking at bolstering his central midfield with Gerrard, Beckham and Lampard together.

The move would give Beckham the central role which he has craved for so long, while still finding room for the enigmatic Wright-Phillips.

It is, in many ways, a bold move given that Eriksson has only experimented with the system a couple of times before - in friendlies against Holland in 2002 and February 2005 - and has previously been committed to a 4-4-2 formation.

Moreover, he has already admitted that if England suffer another embarrassing defeat, his job could be on the line, while he still needs to counter criticisms of tactical inflexibility. :rolleyes: (how about instead of making it look good for the sake of your job, you just do what works, you secretary sodomizing bastard)

I couldve sworn reading somewhere else that the left side was going to be Joe Cole. Its weak to see Defoe sitting on the bench, but he hasnt exactly wowed in an England shirt yet. The biggest thing to me is cramming the three best midfielders the team has in an out of position, half assed arrangement when a Parker or Carrick could make the thing work.

Oh, and Luke Young is going to start at Rightback: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/4199592.stm

Young would have a hard task containing Gigsi. A big test for him.

For **** sake Sven, Rooney is never a target man, he works best dropping off deep and feeding off another striker.

Why's he experimenting with a new formation in a WC qualifier, isn't that what bloody friendly's are for?

A part of me actually wants the Taffs to beat us so this wanker gets the sack!

SVEN OUT!

Currently it looks like Young will play and that it will be a 4-5-1…

-------------Robinson------------
Young-Carragher-Ferdinand-A.Cole
----------------------------------
-------------Beckham------------
------Lampard-------Gerrard------
-SWP----------------------J.Cole-
--------------Rooney-------------

on theFA.com you can watch one of Becks best goals for free
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/England_BecksGoalvWales.htm

btw: Headline of the day – Quarter Beck by the mirror LMAO :rofl:
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/m2/sep2005/3/2/000851B2-FC14-1317-B03F0C02AC1BF824.jpg

Who are the subs for the game?

Cap Pennant, please.

Downing injured again so he won't be playing although he should have. Oh and you're right, Rooney isn't a target man, he's a forward. That's why I think he'll be played as a forward instead of striker. He'll play between the other teams defence and mifield. He's not very good on headers anyways.

Currently it looks like Young will play and that it will be a 4-5-1…

-------------Robinson------------
Young-Carragher-Ferdinand-A.Cole
----------------------------------
-------------Beckham------------
------Lampard-------Gerrard------
-SWP----------------------J.Cole-
--------------Rooney-------------

Yup, Luke Young will play & Eriksson will use a new 4-5-1 formation.

Should play Defoe

Why not Owen? He is pretty lethal in counter attacking situations, and his international resume is far ritcher than Dofoes'.

Owen is suspended for todays game.

Lads, Supporters and Thread Visitors I'm off to work and the straight to the pub - so I won't be able to publish line ups /last minute news etc

There are plenty of (non-really-important) news on thefa.com / the newspapers so I won't post them. I'm sure it will change after the game.

Hopefully we can bag 3 points today. IMO it will be interesting to see how we play that 4-5-1 if we play it after all.

COME ON ENGLAND !

Yes agree Seven8, it should be a good game, hard for both teams in different ways, im prediciting a 2-0 win for England. It will be interesting also to see Rooney upfront on his own, without support from another striker as he has at club level with Man U.

I just hope it work and he dont end up losing to a team like Wales.

to post some news here

Gerrard/Lampard thumbs up for Becks "quarter beck" role (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=304433&cpid=4&CLID=&lid=2&title=Becks+role+given+approval&channel=football_home)

Becks, A.Cole and another player would be suspended for the next game if they would pick up a yellow card.

Owen is available again

SWP is so fast ! With 4-5-1 formation, scoring the goals from the attacking midfielders are more open rather than Rooney as the finisher, although the formation looks jeopardy to other strikers like Owen & Defoe (assming they're fit) to put in the bench.

The only way to solve this-3-5-2. Rooney needed Owen and the team can't always count on Gerrard or Lampard for goals.

OK, three ideas for what we could use for are formation:



---------------------------Robinson-------------------------

Neville----------Ferdinand-------------Terry-----------A. Cole


----------------------------Parker--------------------------


-----------Beckham--------------------------Gerrard---------

---------------------------Lampard--------------------------


-----------------------------------------Rooney-------------

------------------Owen--------------------------------------

Or:


----------------------------Robinson-------------------------

--------Ferdinand-------------Terry-------------------King----


----------------------------Beckham--------------------------

--------------Gerrard-----------------------Lampard---------

---W.Phillips----------------------------------------------A.Cole-


-------------------------------------Rooney-------------------

---------------------Owen--------------------------------------


Or:

----------------------------Robinson-------------------------

--Neville---------Ferdinand------------Terry---------A.Cole---


----------------------------Beckham--------------------------

--------------Gerrard-----------------------Lampard---------

---W.Phillips----------------------------------------------Rooney-


-----------------------------Owen----------------------------



wat do u think?

I'd love to see these line ups

-------------Robinson--------------
G.Neville--Terry-*-Ferdinand--A.Cole

* 2 of those 5 (Terry, Ferdinand, King, Campbell, Woodgate) no Carra IMO he sucks in the England Team unlike his heroics and super form from Liverpool.

if we play that 4-5-1 / 4-3-3

-------------Parker--------------
------Beckham-------Gerrard------
----Rooney------------Richardson-
--------------Owen---------------

alternativly Rooney on the left for Richardson, SWP on the right

4-4-2 Diamond

--------------Parker------------
------Beckham------Gerrard-----
-------------Lampard-----------
--------Owen------Rooney------

put SWP next to Owen and Rooney in Lampards position

4-4-2 Classic

Beckham-Parker-Gerrard-Richardson
---------Owen----Rooney----------


IMO if we play a 4-4-2 in some way SWP is the perfect player to come on for a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 or to add pace. he's good but still lack vital expirience and maturity, but his pace and ball control is amazing.

I put Parker in all my line up's because I think he would add stability to our team and aswell give Becks, Gerrard & Co the freedom to go forward, without having to cover. Alternativly Carrick would be another player aswell for that role.

Richardson is a quality player (matured a lot during 1 year on loan, back at ManUtd, at the U21 and for the Seniors) I'd put him above J.Cole because he's a natural LM/LW, very quick, less a show off pony than J.Cole and actually can cross a ball.

About Lampard - as long as he is in that form low he does only belong on the bench, alternativly he'd could play for Gerrard but IMO both together won't work and I put Gerrard in because he actually can tackle and is a bit more a team player than Lampard.

subs: SWP, Lampard, Defoe, + 3of5*Terry, Ferdinand, Campbell, King, Woodgate - that would make on hell of a subs bench... !

-------------Robinson------------
Young-Carragher-Ferdinand-A.Cole
----------------------------------
-------------Beckham------------
------Lampard-------Gerrard------
-SWP-------------------Rooney--
--------------Owen-------------

according to Soccernet this is how England trained 2night, Owen was used as the spearhead of a 4-3-3 formation in tonight's final practice session at Windsor Park. I actually like this formation mainly cause of the creativity it gives Beckham and Rooney. And allows Gerrard and Lampard to get forward.

The way i see it, what ever system is in place, we can't accommodate both Lampard and Gerrard. As for Beckham, he had a good game in the hold against the Taffs but his inability to tackle will let himself and the team down come next June when we're facing better opposition if Sven decides to stick with this awful 4-5-1. It makes me severely angry that two of the best holding players in the premiership can't get a look in, Parker and Carrick! If that isn't bad enough, Sven's love child Owen Hargreaves is higher up the pecking order than the both of them! :nape:

As for the problem on the left, it's just not going to work with J. Cole i'm afraid. Unfortunately the left
has been a problem since John Barnes retired! Kieran Richardson isn't experienced enough at club level for more than a bit part role in the England squad and Downing's not good enough yet either. Give them a few years to develop and give them run outs for the whole 90 minutes during friendly's, after all that's what friendly's are for. Which if i might add, Sven has severly abused the friendly's into a give away a cap fest. The bloody idiot! I've heard some suggest we play SWP on the left. However the problem with that is right footers have to come back on their right foot to deliver a cross which gives the opposition players an advantage in defending the cross. Also we'd lose SWP's ability to get behind the defence, it would be significantly more difficult for him to do so on the left hand side.

I've heard mutterings for a 4-3-3 system with Rooney playing off Owen on the left and SWP the right. However, in my opinion for this to succeed you need a good target man. Michael Owen plays off the shoulder of the last defender, great manipulator of the offside trap but he cant hold the ball up and he's not the best in the air. If you look at Manchester United for example, they have a perfect target man in Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

At the end of the day, what ever formation we play, they all include their weaknesses and some players will have to miss out. If only we had a manager with the balls to drop a player. I think it's a sad state affairs in this country when the players are selecting the tactics and starting 11.

DROP: David Beckham so you don't have to drop out guys like Cole. But Sven will play Beckham in net if he has to.

Sven dug his hole a long time ago. By giving the captaincy to Beckham, he was playing to the English media. Gerrard would be a much better captain than Beckham, Gerrard could drive a team onwards, Beckham..can't. Beckham is a quiet man who is bossed around by his woman, not fit to captain a side like England. Now, even if he wants to remove David from the captaincy, he can't because if he does, the English media will never leave him alone and obviously he's not man enough to take on the media.

-------------Robinson------------
Young-Carragher-Ferdinand-A.Cole
----------------------------------
-------------Beckham------------
------Lampard-------Gerrard------
-SWP-------------------Rooney--
--------------Owen-------------

according to Soccernet this is how England trained 2night, Owen was used as the spearhead of a 4-3-3 formation in tonight's final practice session at Windsor Park. I actually like this formation mainly cause of the creativity it gives Beckham and Rooney. And allows Gerrard and Lampard to get forward.

the only 2 doubts I have is

The defensive stability – it probably won’t work against Brazil, Argentina, Italy etc

2ndly Rooney could play too deep, when the midfield support is not good, which would take prob our best “weapon” Rooney away.

Agree with you Toon Army
I’d give aswell Parker or Carrick a run out in place of Lamps tonight.
And why Hargreaves is even in the NT let alone above those above mentioned is a miracle to me too and probably most of you.

Yeah Richie lacks international experience, but IMO is better for the left side than J.Cole. About the Friendly run outs, there's nothing to add.

DROP: David Beckham so you don't have to drop out guys like Cole. But Sven will play Beckham in net if he has to.

Drop Becks in order for J.Cole – you’re having a laugh! :rolleyes: You can’t be serious can you?! lmao

Sven dug his hole a long time ago. By giving the captaincy to Beckham, he was playing to the English media. Gerrard would be a much better captain than Beckham, Gerrard could drive a team onwards, Beckham..can't. Beckham is a quiet man who is bossed around by his woman, not fit to captain a side like England. Now, even if he wants to remove David from the captaincy, he can't because if he does, the English media will never leave him alone and obviously he's not man enough to take on the media.

All of G.Neville, Campbell, Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard, would make good captains I’m sure of that

but in the end it’s just a f*cking armband!

And all those players should play & behave like the captain anyway – if they wear the armband or not. :jambo:

Why don't England use Defoe more? that boy is the real thing.

Why don't England use Defoe more? that boy is the real thing.
Perhaps they think that Defoe is too small to play in the one-man-upfront role.

Cap Pennant, please.

You are just jumping on the hysterical media bandwagon to suggest that Beckham is not worth his place in the team,let alone as captain.Beckham ,in case you dont actually watch England games is almost without fail the most hardworking player on the pitch.If you cannot see what he brings to the team then you know nothing about football.
Untouchable ,your arguments are tinted with anti-Beckham flavour anyway.To mention a stupid comment like"he is bossed by his woman" (which he is not by the way),just shows that your opinion and dislike for Beckham is personal and has nothing to do with football.Maybe your'e influenced by the daily mail sports pages,or god forbid ,maybe you listen to what a pratt like Terry Butcher has to say about him.Terry Butcher was an " OK " player,nothing more than that.He is an even worse manager,so his opinions on football mean F all.Just another has been suffering from envy and sour grapes.Now if you were talking about Ferdinand i could understand it.That is one hell of an overated player.
Anyway ,the duty of every Englishman is to support the players that take the field,whatever your personal feelings might be about certain people.There is nobody in English football who can give the England team what Beckham gives overall.Just ask the rest of the players what they think and they will tell you the same thing.And to be honest,those opinions mean more to me than some jumped up pen pusher from fleet street who has never payed a competitive game of football in his life.Or for that matter the opinions of a Beckham hater,because you are in a very small minority........... :)

Nice Pete. Im no big fan of Beckham, but the comical amount of venom spewed his way gets beyond a joke sometimes

Someone said (granted it was a 606 comment) that Beckham was the best player on the pitch against Wales. I didnt see the match, but if they were even close with that comment, then I have to think he has made a complete reovery with the reaquisition of the RM position at Madrid. Notice since he supplainted Figo there, he has been a different player.

Anyway, its 0-0 vs. NI at the half. Im only listening to it on BBC Ulster, but it sounds like England are atrocious :nape: supposedly Rooney looks so out of place on the right side. All I can say is that if Sven cant win it here, he must seriously be considering resigning with the amount of crap he is going to get

Rooney has every right to get pissed off. Erikkson wrecked Paul Scholes - without a doubt the most naturally gifted English player of the last ten years - international career by messing him about and playing him out of position, and will end up doing the same to Rooney unless he builds a team around him. If this finishes 0-0 then I have no doubt that the southern muppets in the media will ignore the result and knock down Rooney. I tell you what, England don't deserve him or Scholes.

Made my ******* day when he rebuffed Beckham and told Ferdinand to **** off, though, oh and that yellow card. (H)

rooney,owen,beckz,lamps and gerrard automatically qualify for 1st team despite their form...

erikkson got no _____ to make changes.

Untouchable ,your arguments are tinted with anti-Beckham flavour anyway.To mention a stupid comment like"he is bossed by his woman" (which he is not by the way),just shows that your opinion and dislike for Beckham is personal and has nothing to do with football.Maybe your'e influenced by the daily mail sports pages,or god forbid ,maybe you listen to what a pratt like Terry Butcher has to say about him.Terry Butcher was an " OK " player,nothing more than that.He is an even worse manager,so his opinions on football mean F all.Just another has been suffering from envy and sour grapes.Now if you were talking about Ferdinand i could understand it.That is one hell of an overated player.

No pede, my opinions are my own. I'm not influenced by any media, and especially not those sharks you folks call media. But in my opinion, I cannot understand why Sven chose Beckham for captain, I really dont. When you have someone like Gerrard, who is a midfield general, choosing Beckham for captaincy baffles me and I see it as all too perfect for the media. Maybe Sven saw something in him, I will never know.

Who is saying that he doesn't work hard? Who is saying that he isn't talented. He must be one of the best manipulators of the ball in the world. But it's about utilizing the talent you have to the highest level. Players like Gerrard and Lampard need to run a football match to be fully effective. When you make Beckham run the game, you are also in the process taking Gerrard and Lampard out of it. Then when he plays both Lampard and Gerrard in the center and when they dont play half as good as they do for their clubs, he can't understand why it doesn't work?

Beckham would surely work hard if he's captain or not, and by letting Gerrard run the game, you will get a better Gerrard. You can't lose!

And now after chiding me for being biased against Beckham, your bias against Ferdinand/United players kicks into gear. Ferdinand is overrated? For an English fan you have a short memory, considering he was immaculate in the WC2002, almost staving off every Argentina attack, where was big bad John Terry then eh? Fast forward 2003/2004, at Christmas, we're comfortably at the top of the table, cruising in the EPL and the CL, we lost Rio, our whole title challenge collapses, we get knocked out of the CL...please, overrated my behind.

Joe Cole on for Swp who has apparrently been a waste of space, and he already seems to be making an impact...

Made my ******* day when he rebuffed Beckham and told Ferdinand to **** off, though, oh and that yellow card. (H)
Wait, what happened? I heard he was getting testy, but the announcers didnt mention anything about that and I cant see it

Joe Cole on for Swp who has apparrently been a waste of space, and he already seems to be making an impact...
Um no. SWP was getting past NI defenders constantly, he was a constant threat.

Beckham was good in the Azerbaijn and N Ireland game a while ago. I'd rather use SWP there though (even before he got transfered to Chelsea).

I hope NI win

Me too coz then we go top of Group 6 :)

Bring on Ivan Sprole, he's better than anyone England has

Sven is finished

First goal in 20 years by NI against England is it? Wow, the press is going to have a fvcking field day tomorrow

HAHAHAHAHA (H)(H)(H)(H)

NI 1-0 UP (H)!

Offside, you crappy linesman. Goal shouldn't have stood. Pathetic. I hope England lose 5-0 now. :)

EDIT: My mistake, Ferdinand played him onside. Well done Rio. :rolleyes:

yes!!!!!!!!! :)

http://united.no/data/images/gettyimages/2004-2005/stock/healy_d-01.jpg

Owen Hargreaves :| for Frank Lampard. Darren Bent still sits

Um no. SWP was getting past NI defenders constantly, he was a constant threat.
I cannot see the game, hence the qualifier 'apparrently'. The announcers made it seem as if he had pace and was working around defenders, but couldnt get any decent crosses toward the middle

Sven you frickin idiot, waster of talent, hargreaves lover English media ASS KISSER. Countries like ours struggle to find talent, but Sven wastes the talent at his disposal. Well frickin done.

Does anyone know if Carrick and Parker have Trinidadian ancestry? Seeing as Sven doesn't want them.

Sack The Swede!

Put Hargreaves where hes at a level which suits his play too, something thats played on a Sunday morning as everyone roles out of the Pub

Does anyone know if Carrick and Parker have Trinidadian ancestry? Seeing as Sven doesn't want them.

Apparently the fact that they have never been to IKEA has something to do with it

You know, normally, I dont like to act as if I know more than professionals. Thats why I am a nobody, and they are getting paid millions. But in this case, when decisions are just mystifying, when impotent, limp dicked tactics dont work and yet theyre stuck with consistantly, when players who have so much more to offer are iced out of the squad for no apparrent reason, then you have to wonder what ever made this man deserving of the job in the first place.

I suppose I should be happy, since my family is from Armagh, but this is just sad. And on top of that, Henry has scored at Lansdowne :(

Hats off to NI. Truly giant killing: what an upset (C)

This is disgusting... that should be 2-0.
Congrats NI, you deserve it.

Sven, get the **** out.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS :lui:

Northern Ireland 1, England 0 - FT

How did that happen?

How did that happen?

Northern Ireland out played us, simply they grinded out the result but it just shows even N.Ireland, Minnows of internation football have a coach who is more tactially aware than SGE

How did that happen?
Usually the team who wins, put the ball in the back of the net....... :jambo:

Hahaha, if Sven won't get sacked now, he will be there till he dies.

****tin hell

on the game

credit to the N.Irish - they played with what they had and they deservedly won. The Goal was onside, too bad Robo only almost got there (Y)

appart from the Becks freekick and the Owen-bycicly one did we have any good chances ?! no we didn't and that's the main problem IMO

Rooney had a game to forget (thanfully Becks & Co could prevent him from going AWOL) still I hope the media will leave him alone - if not the I hope Becks can help him cope with that since he has been both already the hero and the villian.

Why Rooney gets player on the left wing, not like at United "left striker" or free role baffles me.

Even more so does it that neither Carrick, Parker nor Richardson made the bench and Hargreaves even came on :kader: WTF

Too bad Rooney is suspened for the next game which I'm going to attend.

http://media.putfile.com/massive-bert-on-606

Imagine an England NT version, and that is PRECISELY how the Ingurlish on 606 sound. :D:D:D

"WE'RE MASSIVE, BIG MASSIVE HUGE MASSIVE HUGE COUNTRY!"

If the group table is correct I just saw for a secone then England is (even if the lose the 2 upcoming qualifiers) "qualified" for the play offs...

Austria is 3rd 7 points behind England with 2 games to go...

and if England want to be qualified automaticly they need to win both games - only then they are able to be above the poles

I see a England-Spain in the playoffs :) :(

This is what the team needs to be:

----------------Robinson-----------------
---Neville---Carragher---Terry---Bridge---
-----Gerrard----Lampard----Beckham-----
---SWP-------------------------J.Cole---
----------------Rooney------------------

Subs: Kirkland, Ferdinand, King, Carrick, Downing, Johnson, Defoe

Manager: Alladyce

I dont think we need to worry too much about qualifying,we should make it still....BUT......what i cannot understand for the life of me,is why a manager who is blessed with the mass of talented players that he has,sees fit to play almost everyone of them out of position.Sven castrates Rooney by putting him wide left...WTF?He insisted on playing the impotent 4-5-1 again,in an important qualifier i might add,when its obvious to all that you base the teams tactics around your players strengths and NOT to try to get your world class players to play a system that does not suit them.England made the NI team look like a Sunday league team for the first half.88% possession says it all really.NI were determined to get a 0-0 draw,however many English legs they broke in the process and "parked the bus" in front of goal.Saying that,a great manager would have worked out a plan of action to beat a 10 man defence,but Sven would not budge.So what does he do in the second half?He takes off SWP,who was playing out of his skin,removes both Lampard and Gerrard,and puts on Hargreaves who actually confirmed the fact that he is crap and not good enough once again. Sven brings on Defoe and when its all too late,reverts back to 4-4-2,when the best players for the 4-4-2 system have already been taken from the field.
Now i have to admit to joining the "Sven must go" mob.Any manager that "manages" a team like that just has to go.He shows no passion at all,just stands there biting his nails as we get shafted once again.Thats fine,but when he needs to be positive and decisive,he isn't.The problem is,who could replace him anyway.Mclaren is not England manager material either.If he opposed Sven's tactics and decisions,Sven would have to listen.So i assume Mclaren nods his head in approval and goes along with it all.It all reminds me of the Phil Neal /Graham Taylor scenario.Pathetic.
I cant think of one single manger,who is available at the moment who could do a better job either,but whoever it might be,they can't do a worse job.Peter Taylor maybe? Or bring back Venebles.All i know is that i am sick and tired of watching all that great talent that makes up the England team,being wasted by the use of inept and toothless, systems and tactics.Things had better vastly improve for our last 2 qualifying games.I dont think they can get worse,but if we can get beaten by a team of fairly mediocre players,who Sanchez has got playing like Wimbledon in their heyday,then i think its time to consider a change at the top.Maybe the players were right when they told Sven that 4-5-1 did not suit them.He should have listened to them but he did not.
I read that Terry Butcher (the thick pratt)said that players were out of order telling the manager what system to play.Obviously Butcher would never have done that because he never has known what tactics are for,probably cant even spell the word,but these days players are more intelligent,they think about the game and the team,and it seems that they have more idea what is best for the England team.One thing is for sure Sven sure does not.I actually think that given the dumbass roles the players were given,they all played well.Only the schoolboy defending of Ferdinand,that allowed NI to score,is the only negative that i saw from any of them really.We miss Neville and Terry thats for sure.Becks and SWP were outstanding.We got mugged and thats that....roll on the next game......... :ewan:

Culumn...do you wanna explain the text on your sig please....especially the "bastard to Blacks" part....looks a lot like a BNP sig to me mate......... :kader:

This is what the team needs to be:

----------------Robinson-----------------
---Neville---Carragher---Terry---Bridge---
-----Gerrard----Lampard----Beckham-----
---SWP-------------------------J.Cole---
----------------Rooney------------------

Subs: Kirkland, Ferdinand, King, Carrick, Downing, Johnson, Defoe

Manager: Alladyce

wayne bridge over a cole?

carragher over ferdinand?

No Owen?

your formation sucks.

Just like his sig.......... :kader:

fire Sven end of story

Usually the team who wins, put the ball in the back of the net....... :jambo:

Liverpool fans would disagree. :read:

Robinson

G Neville
Campbell
Terry
A Cole

Pennant
Beckham
Lampard
Gerrard
Downing

Defoe

Manager: Steve Bruce

Robinson

G Neville
Campbell
Terry
A Cole

Pennant
Beckham
Lampard
Gerrard
Downing

Defoe

Manager: Steve Bruce
Hey, if you're gonna leave key United players out of the England team, leave out Neville too.

Robinson

G. Neville
Ferdinand
Terry
A. Cole

Wright Phillips
Beckham
Gerrard
J. Cole

Rooney

Owen

Manager: Steve McClaren

Hey, if you're gonna leave key United players out of the England team, leave out Neville too.

Scholes retired, Ferdinand gave up a goal to northern ireland, and Smith is dogcrap.

I rate Defoe higher than Rooney.

It seems to me that Englands recent form shocks y'all, common, even the most dumb person knows that England is overhyped. I remember a couple of months ago, there where dumb talks of England winning the wold cup. Puleeseeee. Argenina, Brazil, Ukraine, Holland will cane England like prositutes.