As much as I don't like second-choice Stevie Mac and will probably not enjoy the awful football we'll play it's time to get behind the team, as we MUST qualify.
Originally posted by ScouseTiger: if Stevie G gets injured through Mac playing him if he's not ready, he should be sacked!!!!!
I'm a little concerned. Remember how players would walk over broken glass to play for the national team. I wonder if they aren't because they don't want to be associated with potential failure. Our defence looks good so we shouldn't let any goals in. But do we have the right players to break down the eleven man Israeli defence? Hopefully an early goal will do it. Michael Owen to do his famous brush past a defender and fall to the floor routine..... Hopefully.
Worshipping the teapot 4711. The greatest threat we all face is not being able to get cheap car insurance. Will anyone ever be able to help?
Here's hoping (and we should) win/qualify.. but if by chance we don't, i hope people aim their fingers at the players themselves too.. not just in the direction of Mac.. sure he plays his part and has to answer to it, but the players themselves have so far been quite a let down.
----------------------------- Manchester United Double Winners 2007/2008
I am blaming it on the manager if we don't get the result. Recalling Heskey is the last straw for me. The players should bare some of the brunt but most of my ire will be saved for him.
I notice he has said there were three ways to get past a team over around and through and they are practising over and around so they use all their options. I must have been watching a different England because I thought over had been done to the exclusion of everything else in the last few games especially under pressure. Practising going through would be a step in the right direction instead of pumping up the long ball to a midget.
I still hope we go through but it may do us some good to remember what its like not to qualify, there are too many people that have not really experienced it or have just forgotten and were far to dismissive of the previous managers achievements.
Originally posted by zeds: I still look at him and think how on earth is he England manager?
No plan B. The FA allowed the gutter press to hound out Sven. The gutter press stopped Big Phil, who would have been an improvement, in his tracks. The rest is History.
Worshipping the teapot 4711. The greatest threat we all face is not being able to get cheap car insurance. Will anyone ever be able to help?
Hargreaves out so I'm guessing the team will be, Robinson, Cole, Terry, Rio, Richard, Cole, Carrick, Gerrard, SWP, Owen and Pesky sorry Heksy. Still should be enough to beat Israel.
Originally posted by Scorpion: Odd that only Chelsea players can score for England lol, Terry V Brazil, Lampard v Germany and now SWP
Owen and Richards aren't Chelsea. Anyway, thought England played well today though I feel they played no better than they did against Germany. Barry really surprised me, he looked very accomplished. Thought Israel are awful though. Russia will be tougher but still aren't exactly brilliant.
Oh and may I be the first to say that Richards is over-rated, yes great going forward but left us expoesed at the back against better opposition it may well be a problem. Watch this space..
Originally posted by zeds: Oh and may I be the first to say that Richards is over-rated, yes great going forward but left us expoesed at the back against better opposition it may well be a problem. Watch this space..
I was thinking the same but willing to think maybe they were his instructions to go forward. Hope he is more defensive against Russia.
I thought Heskey did well though once again not threatening the goal himself. Was particularly impressed with Barry again which will probably mean he will be dropped like the last time.
Originally posted by Scorpion: Odd that only Chelsea players can score for England lol, Terry V Brazil, Lampard v Germany and now SWP
Owen and Richards aren't Chelsea. Anyway, thought England played well today though I feel they played no better than they did against Germany. Barry really surprised me, he looked very accomplished. Thought Israel are awful though. Russia will be tougher but still aren't exactly brilliant.
and if u had looked when i posted it , at the time only SWP had scored lol
if we play like that against russia wont be tougher game, they wont all sit back and defend like israel, i expect same score wednesday if he sticks with same team
Originally posted by purechillout: if we play like that against russia wont be tougher game, they wont all sit back and defend like israel, i expect same score wednesday if he sticks with same team
Looking forward to it.
Worshipping the teapot 4711. The greatest threat we all face is not being able to get cheap car insurance. Will anyone ever be able to help?
I'm expecting a closer game, but far more because of the physicality, rather than skill. I'll say a low (to -ish) scoring game, with a single goal in it. Broken up by free kicks, bookings and treatment for non-existent injuries.
The past is history...The future a mystery. This moment is a gift...That's why it's the present.
Originally posted by Scorpion: Odd that only Chelsea players can score for England lol, Terry V Brazil, Lampard v Germany and now SWP
Owen and Richards aren't Chelsea. Anyway, thought England played well today though I feel they played no better than they did against Germany. Barry really surprised me, he looked very accomplished. Thought Israel are awful though. Russia will be tougher but still aren't exactly brilliant.
and if u had looked when i posted it , at the time only SWP had scored lol
Originally posted by CupraR04: I'm expecting a closer game, but far more because of the physicality, rather than skill. I'll say a low (to -ish) scoring game, with a single goal in it. Broken up by free kicks, bookings and treatment for non-existent injuries.
Hoping for an early goal a draw suits the russians so the longer it goes on the more fraught it will get and vulnerable to counter attack football.
