England V Russia

[Leeloks]

Heskey's a target man first. Was always number one on Beckham's team sheet, but not many others. And so bloody variable.

History would suggest he can't do what he did on Saturday again this week, I think the Russian defence will make sure.

And what do you know of the Russian back 4,5 or even 3? I would guess very little. Heskey is an experienced player, and with Owens movement i'm sure they'll cause problems. Its not just about pace and physical presence.

For the last time football is about putting a good TEAM together not individual players. Look at Greece that year, no-one would have given them a chance to win a major football tournament but they did.

The same team should start because they played well and should continue to play, unless injuries persist.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Sven believed that On Saturday McClaren picked the best TEAM over individual players. And we played cracking for it

Yeah right. As if Steve McClaren picked that team because he wanted to and not because of injuries.

You're making it sound like he's somehow not shit or something.

 

[Balbi]

Burn Me Now

 

[London_Calling]

Yeah, get a grip Balbi FFS.

Starting a sentence with "Sven believed" and then talking up Steve McClamity . . . that way lies madnes!

 

[London_Calling]

And what do you know of the Russian back 4,5 or even 3? I would guess very little.

I've already said not a lot. But I do know Heskey.

Fwiw, I do know two important words 'Guus' and 'Hiddink'.


I stand by it, Heskey's not the right man for this job tonight.

 

[xenon]

Still Heskey and owen though. It's like 2001 all over again.

 

[E.J.]

Still Heskey and owen though. It's like 2001 all over again.

Yep for the moment at least. The much derided Emile Heskey sets up England's best poacher a certain Michael Owen to score his second goal of the game. 2-0 i thought that this match so far would have been a tighter game, since it's Russia. Not long to go before half-time.

 

[Slow Hands]

Still Heskey and owen though. It's like 2001 all over again.

I really, really, really don't want to speak too soon...

but it so is!

 

[xenon]

Yep good stuff so far. Well couple of hairy moments at the back, including that handball goal.

 

[brixtonvilla]

See it's half time and no fucker's complaining!

Best we've played in a long time, I think. Talent down both wings, Barry's running things well in midfield, Ickle Mikey Owen's scoring. All good so far!

 

[Wilf]

What's not to like about this game:

- Feller called Jerk Off playing

- Ingerland 2-0 up

- started with a classic Partridge-Motsonism: "The referees called Hansen. He's a fireman. He's developing a reputation for putting out fires with a flurry of red and yellow cards" Class, pure class.

 

[xenon]

aint that the truth. Been a while where there's not been anything to panic / moan about.

 

[Augie March]

Blimey. Finally looking the world class team we've always threatned to be and that's without Rooney or Becks!

*gets hopes up*

 

[xenon]

Can't remember the last time England won a competative game 3 nil. Dainmark 2002 possibly.

 

[Wilf]

Can't remember the last time England won a competative game 3 nil. Dainmark 2002 possibly.

Thats four 3-0 on the run according to Motson

 

[JTG]

Can't remember the last time England won a competative game 3 nil. Dainmark 2002 possibly.

I think it may have been Israel last Saturday

But I'm prepared to be proved wrong

 

[Leeloks]

I've already said not a lot. But I do know Heskey.

Fwiw, I do know two important words 'Guus' and 'Hiddink'.


I stand by it, Heskey's not the right man for this job tonight.

Ok, have you any other words of wisdom? Glad you aint running the side!

He had a good game again alongside every other player.

 

[Leeloks]

I think, as suggested above, we'll stumble in. One good thing about having half the team out for Saturday is the newer lads coming in will perhaps put more effort in than the prima donnas who have their eyes on champion league more then England. We clearly have talent in abundance but the attitude isn't right for country.
Hope Owen plays, all those slagging him on here and now he is back and half firing. Wait and see if he gets fully fit.

<smug>

 

[maximilian ping]

Gareth Barry, blimey. Can't believe a Villa player is now a serious contender in the England team. Fucking brilliant

 

[MooChild]

Lets hope that this puts st lampard's england career back a bit. Gerrard and Barry oyea

 

[Gingerman]

Amazing what a few good results can do,3 weeks ago when Germany won it was all doom and gloom,I wonder if the tabloids will use the McClown phrase again in the future.

 

[Kanda]

Can't remember the last time England won a competative game 3 nil. Dainmark 2002 possibly.

Where were you on Saturday?

 

[Gingerman]

Let the wankfest begin

 

[Leeloks]

Gareth Barry was immense and was my MOM. Owens goals proved beyond doubt that he is still one of the best strikers in the world. He MUST keep the same side and i think this is the best thing that has happened to the national side in years, you know why?
Because every player has to fight for a place now, even golden boy Rooney is not guaranteed to start.

 

[aylee]

I can't remember an England team looking so comfortable from front to back against decent opposition since we hammered Holland 4-1 in Euro 1996.

I'm dead proud of Gareth Barry .... we've been singing "Barry for England" for ages and he showed that he has true international quality. Nothing flash, just broke up lots of attacks, marked the Russians' playmaker out of the game, and passed reliably and with variety. He combines superbly with Gerrard, whose broken toe was not in evidence. Owen seems to be compensating for his loss of pace with a wily positional sense and retains his lethal goalscoring instinct. Heskey was a pain in the butt to the Russian defence, who couldn't handle his strength in the air. The defence looked mostly solid as well.

I feel much more confident about qualifying now .... we should beat Estonia easily and if we can get a point in Russia, we may even not need a result against Croatia in the last game.

 

[magneze]

Good performance, althought some lapses at the beginning of the second half which would have cost us against Brazil or someone like that.

I've always rated Barry, never understood why he wasn't in the squad before. Although I was thinking left wing, he looks superb in the centre.

Got to keep this team now, it's looking very strong, even if we have the rest of the squad back. Rooney could be super sub.

 

[Leeloks]

althought some lapses at the beginning of the second half which would have cost us against Brazil or someone like that.

No team, even Brazil, totally dominates from start to finish though, especially at this level. Every team has a spell that you have to ride especially 2-0 up in the first half. You just know they'll come at you as they need to get back in it after a roasting by the manager at half time.

 

[William of Walworth]

Just got back ,.. I've been, erm 'out'

I missed most of this game, but of what I've seen ...

FUCKING BRILLIANT!!!!

(first visit to the footy forum simce Oxford failed in the Conference playoffs )

'MOAR LATER!!!'

 

[ChrisFilter]

I stand by it, Heskey's not the right man for this job tonight.

Further proof you're a bit of a cock then

Boy did good again...

 

[London_Calling]

Further proof you're a bit of a cock then

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