The England National team thread

[Help?]

England winning 1-0 at Half-time. England scored two goals, but one of them dissalowed for offside, although both of them were offside. Owen was like 3-4 meters behind the last defender before heading the ball of the crossbard, for Jenas to get the rebound. Oh well. England started the first 20 min really strong and controlled the game, but the last 25, it's been mostly Belarus. Too bad Gleb brothers are not playing, would have been interesting to see them against England.


Lennon was killing our defense in the first 20 min, but then we started doubling up on him and everybody from England faded away. The guy is fast, damn.

 

[becksfranksteve]

yeah lennons looked pretty good. hargreaves too except for that bad pass at the end of the half

 

[Help?]

Well Belarus won 2-1 in the end!

Second half started with Green coming in for James and 5 minutes into the half, he made a bad goalkick, injuried himself and gave the ball straight to Kutuzov, who without even looking up to see that Green was on the ground, took a shot and scored. Unlucky for England.

They started playing a little better after that, but still the only creative player was Lennon again, not much even from Joe Cole who came later on. Walcott played 30 minutes, but did nothing totally. Defoe came on for like 15 min and was much much more dangerous. I have no idea what Ericksson was thinking chosing Theo over Defoe, Walcott just didn't know where to go and where to be. The ref also missed a blatant handball in the area committed by Belarus, while England conceeded a goal, at the time when they were 1 man up.

Overall, bad performance from England's first team back ups, they gave too much space, time and very bad passes given away, too many of them. Lennon was great though, will be awesome for England, once Beckham's gone. Fast, skillful, good cross, pass, just everything, only needs a little experience.

 

[scottish_carson]

England better hope there are no more injuries otherwise they are in for a hiding.

Fed up of hearing about Wayne Rooney's foot now, there are more important stories than this. But here's a thought:

Why risk the guy's career? Ok it's an extreme, but consider this. If Sven sends him not fully fit, there is a risk that he could seriously damage his foot and not be the same player again. I think England are an OK side, but they can't win this World Cup, other teams are just better so why risk a phenonomal talent for a bit of faith and hope?

So what would you choose?

 

[BenBeckham]

poor game, poor ref, poor goals, poor sportsmanship etc


+ Lennon was the only positive thing and rightly so.

Why risk the guy's career?

Because of a metarsal ?!

Are you out of your mind - it's not the hip, knee, ligaments etc - it's a f*cking bone - it will heal - he won't risk his career either way. Usually bones heal without a problem with young people + it's not the same metarsel he broke in Portugal 04 - in the really worstcase the injury could break up and delay his rehab for some weeks but it's certainly not threatening his career.

 

[pede54]

Well I thought all Lennon did was run fast, win a couple of free kicks, get a man sent off and make a couple of passes. I thought his final ball needs a hell of a lot of work. Five years away from being anywhere near as good as Beckham.

Walcott did OK, had the nerve to run at the defence anyway.Had a couple of good shots too. He's got a good attitude thats for sure. Looked like he wasn't scared of anyone.

Shame about Green. He now misses the world cup because of aggravating a hernia problem.

The result wasn't important. This was purely a game to see how individuals would perform. It wasn't to judge the team as a unit at all. So job done. Now we have at least a slight idea what those fringe players can do.

 

[tracertong]

Well I thought all Lennon did was run fast, win a couple of free kicks, get a man sent off and make a couple of passes. I thought his final ball needs a hell of a lot of work. Five years away from being anywhere near as good as Beckham.

Walcott did OK, had the nerve to run at the defence anyway.Had a couple of good shots too. He's got a good attitude thats for sure. Looked like he wasn't scared of anyone.

Shame about Green. He now misses the world cup because of aggravating a hernia problem.

The result wasn't important. This was purely a game to see how individuals would perform. It wasn't to judge the team as a unit at all. So job done. Now we have at least a slight idea what those fringe players can do.

I agree with everything you said. I never thought I would say that.

 

[pede54]

Ben...I think the Belarussian goalscorer looked a little embarrassed after he scored to be honest. I dont think he realised that Green was hurt. It happened a little too fast for him to realise anything was wrong. I think Belarus were a little cynical at times but it wasn't important really. I think it was good that the fringe players had a tough team facing them. There will be plenty of that treatment in Germany. Plenty of bad refs out there too.

Tracer....I'm doing my best to be sensible this week mate.If it works out, i might try and stay sensible. Its certainly not as stressful as being an argumentative pain in the arse............... :funny:

 

[tracertong]

Tracer....I'm doing my best to be sensible this week mate.If it works out, i might try and stay sensible. Its certainly not as stressful as being an argumentative pain in the arse............... :funny:

Time to put aside our differences and unite behind England.

 

[pede54]

absolutely old sport..........

 

[becksfranksteve]

guys i hope u agree with me that Carrick looked awful out there. if wayne doesnt come back 4 the first game (which i'm sure he wont) we might be better of playing lennon on the left and joe cole in a more forward position or starting crouchinho

 

[Eng4WorldCup]

hes so freakin good!! imagine he got through those two... or even imagine that rocket he shot went in. ohh man i cant wait for not only the world cup but for arsenal next season with him and henry.

 

[SlayerDeuS]

guys i hope u agree with me that Carrick looked awful out there. if wayne doesnt come back 4 the first game (which i'm sure he wont) we might be better of playing lennon on the left and joe cole in a more forward position or starting crouchinho

Carrick was dreadful, he kept on turning the ball over in midfield. Lennon, Walcott or Crouch would be a fantastic choice to start if Rooney is a no go.

 

[scottish_carson]

poor game, poor ref, poor goals, poor sportsmanship etc


+ Lennon was the only positive thing and rightly so.



Because of a metarsal ?!

Are you out of your mind - it's not the hip, knee, ligaments etc - it's a f*cking bone - it will heal - he won't risk his career either way. Usually bones heal without a problem with young people + it's not the same metarsel he broke in Portugal 04 - in the really worstcase the injury could break up and delay his rehab for some weeks but it's certainly not threatening his career.

It can happen, a bone can become so badly damage it won't heal right and it can also have a knock on affect of the muscles around it.

 

[BenBeckham]

It can happen, a bone can become so badly damage it won't heal right and it can also have a knock on affect of the muscles around it.

Where have you heard that crap about a bone getting so badly injuried that it doesn't heal ?!

In order for a similiar thing to happen the patient would need to have a "history" with such things (bad healing) already and his bones healed without a prob the last time.

Ben...I think the Belarussian goalscorer looked a little embarrassed after he scored to be honest. I dont think he realised that Green was hurt. It happened a little too fast for him to realise anything was wrong.

Well at first I shared that view, I thought it was a "reflex" when he scored, but when I watched the replay for a couple of times, it seemed like he had some secs (not many though) to react. Well anyway it wasn't undeserved tbf.

Well I alter my opinion on last nights game.

Players
A.Cole actually had a decent game, as did Sol in my eyes.
Lennon was class even if the "end product" sometimes lacked, still he looks way better than SWP because he's not only got pace, but aswell ballcontrol and can dribble and not just run but that's IMO.
the big one had a decent game - but what I can't understand - why is he so bad at headers ?! he always stretches his leg up instead.
Owen was average, don't know if it was his matchfitness or the lack of passes.
Hargreaves looked shaky and not convincing at all at RB.
Carragher was "solala" sometimes good but sometimes shaky.
Carrick was very very disapointing last night, as was Downing
Jenas had some good runs, but his passing was poor as sometimes his positioning.
Walcott had 2 nice scenes, the longe range shot and when he was "sandwiched" by 2 Belaurs players.
J.Cole was average, but well in the end it seemed like a tactical mess on the field anyway.
Dawson was shaky at the back, but almost scored with a header.


and the Ref and his 2 pals must be really blind not to see one of the clearest handballs I've ever seen.

Looking forward to hopefully good Rooney News and the 2 upcoming games which I'll go and watch live in Manchester.

 

[adj137]

No two ways about it Hargreaves was sh!te, hardly a utility player if he can't play in any other position.
Carrick imo has always been slightly overrated - especially by Hansen and MOTD, he's a decent backup. but thats all.

 

[BenBeckham]

Rooney definetly misses the Groupstage games (as initially thought) - that's what appart from the recent media coverage was expected all along.

scan on 14 June will give the final verdict - keep your fingers crossed

BBC

Sky

the FA

 

[Dreath]

Rooney shouldn't go.

Bring Defoe or Bent in instead.

 

[BenBeckham]

@becksfranksteve UPDATE for Post #1

Ben Foster has been drafted in on the standbylist, Carson takes Green's 3rd Choice GK Place.

the FA article

 

[becksfranksteve]

pardon my ignorance but who the F*** is ben foster lol ! i was expecting chris kirkland maybe




edit...

just read the article didnt know he was the watford keeper so i guess he'll be in the premiership next year