England v Poland

[peppery]

It was a better performance, but that was only England at 75%. We had no Ashley Cole bombing it down the wing, Rooney was good but no where near his Euro 2004 best. If Gerrard and Lampard can get an understanding in midfield, it would be one of the best partnerships in the world.

We have so much potential its frightening. Ericsson unfortuantely isn't the man to unlock it.

 

[Good Intentions]

Really dull? I didn't think so. I knew the result already, but still watched the match in full, and thought we played some good, entertaining stuff.

Up until England picked up the game at the very end, a trick they have been spectacularily bad at lately, 'knowing the result' meant the 1-1 draw some people predicted.

Poland were shaky at the flanks of their defense the entire game (and crowding the center of the penalty box), and with the quality of wingers England have it's disgusting how little they ran up the wings. Their last goal (a real beauty, with just enough good luck) might have been started with a great long-ball, but it was beautiful short-ball play which made it, and that was about the sum total of impressive short-ball play I saw the entire game.