England V Russia

[Balbi]

There’s no point. Whatever is said in the post-match studio discussion becomes gospel, never mind that not a one of them has been near a managerial position in their lives.

This sudden adulation of Heskey has exactly the same kind of sheep-led-by-populist-media MO that saw McClaren appointed, and all the other bizarre judgments that have characterised the England team for over a decade.

As ever, it’s plain nuts, but everyone goes along with it.


Fwiw, I just noticed Russia are 24th in the FIFA ranking - 24th and with a couple of key players missing.

"I'm the only person who's right, like....ever and anyone who disagrees with me is just a skysports SHEEPLE"

 

[Ned Pointsman]

If England don't have a hold up striker - and Rooney drops too deep to be that man - then the midfield are trying to do it instead. Then the wingers come in to fill the gap and leave the fullbacks exposed, the striker is then pulled out of position trying to fill the gaps and there's no ball retention.

They've got Crouch, who can actually score and defend from the front, though as we've learned he is victimised by referee's which may be a case for not playing him from the off, when Rooney drops deep it's out of frustration that he's not being pandered too, hopefully that'll continue and the overrated petulant little twat will have to earn his place.

When they were both still at Liverpool owen used to dictate to houllier that he wanted to play with heskey, because at the time baros was miles fucking better and he was putting owen in the shade, I often wonder where baros would be now, if not for that. Probably still at lyon, but you never know.

Last night and Saturday, the midfield pair played in midfield properly. Not covering for the lack of someone to hold the ball in the final third. They released the wingers, and looked for the ball to the player who was playing their position, and not filling out. They could get the ball to Heskey who would hold it for a winger or a return pass, Owen got to whir his little legs around finding space as the defence were worried about the athletic power of Heskey.

You can't discount the fact lampard wasn't playing so easily, one was staying and one was going, rather than one was playing as a striker and the other was doing the work.

We must have watched different games because all I saw was heskey heading it in the vague direction of the box every time, think he picked it up once on the left, no awareness of what was actually going on nor has he ever had any.

When England play Rooney, the ball always goes through him - he's the pinch point of the squad, and if he's not playing right then we look bloody awful. With a team of players who are all as equally involved in buildup and creativity, we play well even if one player has a mare.

We agree on that, definitely.

There’s no point. Whatever is said in the post-match studio discussion becomes gospel, never mind that not a one of them has been near a managerial position in their lives.

This sudden adulation of Heskey has exactly the same kind of sheep-led-by-populist-media MO that saw McClaren appointed, and all the other bizarre judgments that have characterised the England team for over a decade.

As ever, it’s plain nuts, but everyone goes along with it.

See also - SWP and his bizarre inability to beat the first man on Saturday, good goal but all round he was poor, wasn't particularly good last night either, flatters to deceive.

"He can make this position his own Mark."
"Fuck off John you senile old twat."

 

[Rosco]

Surely it must be the end of Beckhams international career though.

Maybe, maybe not. Hes definetly not needed for 90 mins or even 45 of any England match but as a sub to sit next to Rooney and Crouch that would be sensible. We've never had such great subs. Though when and why Beckham will be put on the field is anyones guess. How does a manager predict a long range freekick coming up!?

 

[tarannau]

There’s no point. Whatever is said in the post-match studio discussion becomes gospel, never mind that not a one of them has been near a managerial position in their lives.

This sudden adulation of Heskey has exactly the same kind of sheep-led-by-populist-media MO that saw McClaren appointed, and all the other bizarre judgments that have characterised the England team for over a decade.

Fwiw, I just noticed Russia are 24th in the FIFA ranking - 24th and with a couple of key players missing.

What the hell are you on about? 'Sudden adulation of Heskey' and people treating post match discussion as 'gospel' indeed. Christ, I've seen some mealy mouthed nonsense from people trying to obfuscate their stupidity, but this really takes the biscuit. I thought Heskey played pretty well all in all, little more or less FWIW.

Christ, if you're going to make such duff predictions then at least have the nuts to hold your hand up and admit that you made a mistake, not reel out the biggest honking pile of airy-fairy nonsense I've seen in a long time. Love the attitude as well; positioning yourself as the fiercely independent free thinking mind amongst sheep-like fans fooled by the mainstream media. Whereas, in fact, you're just another numpty who slagged off Heskey and wrongly claimed that he'd be a failure in the Russia game.

 

[Leeloks]

Funny that when we play well and win people still find some way of destroying that win. Maybe its an English thing, some people just love seeing others fail eg. England football.

Living in Australia for a while they seem much more supportive of their sports, maybe its just depressing old England, dunno the answer.

 

[Termite Man]

Because Crouch has consistently scored for England, is proven in the CL only outscored by Kaka last season, whereas johnson hasn't scored since March.

If I had to hazard a guess, like.

But on the evidence of their apperances in the last 2 games the presence of Johnson created more chances for England to score than when crouch was on the pitch .

 

[Leeloks]

I agree with Ned at this point about Crouch. He has scored much more and is a different kind of player. Not really a target man as such which then means he is up against Owen and Rooney in the striking stakes and that he has no chance.

To be fair to Johnson he aint really had many chances.

 

[Notorious J.I.M]

Barry played as a holding midfielder, what has that to do with Jenas or Richardson?

Barry did the job, but so would have Carrick.

Barry's position is playing on the left of a central midfield partnership, holding if Gerrard gets forward (or Reo Coker/Petrov at club level) and getting forward when he can. He made 3 out of the 6 goals in the last 2 games and saved the defence a few times as well, covering more of the pitch than anyone else. To say Carrick could have done the same job is rubbish. Carrick has been effectively replaced at club level by Hargreaves and is now behind both him and Barry at International level. Holding midfield has nothing to do with Jenas or Richardson but they've been in numerous squads whilst Barry was overlooked and were mostly deployed on the 'problem left side' of midfield although both are naturally right footed (see also Dyer, Sinclair and Joe Cole who has finally solved the problem!) Barry was playing left midfield for Villa at this time though and can also take a free kick, a decent penalty and a pinpoint corner using his LEFT foot!

 

[Notorious J.I.M]

Thas has to get him past ah Micah first ah kid.

I'm looking forward to it, at least we won't have to worry about Darius coming back to haunt us again!

 

[tommers]

heheh.

 

[Gmart]

Heskey should play rather than Rooney now. A winning team is a winning team and you don't change that. Plenty of time for him to come on as a substitute in the 67th min.

Andrew Johnson has indeed not had much of a chance yet but he always looks useful, with the ability to pass the ball, which many strikers seem unable (or unwilling) to do!!

 

[London_Calling]

Gmarthews - You speak like the archetypal England football fan.

people still find some way of destroying that win. Maybe its an English thing, some people just love seeing others fail eg. England football.

Yeah right, "destroying that win"; the thread's been about nothing esle, has it.

 

[Leeloks]

Gmarthews - You speak like the archetypal England football fan.





Yeah right, "destroying that win"; the thread's been about nothing esle, has it.

In that respect then, why don't you write how well we played and how much an improvement from the dross we've served up before now. Because i aint seen one post saying that from you, unless you were watching a different game to every other football fan?

I think you are one of those "discuss for discussions sake" kind of posters. You would probably if you could, find another way the Russians could beat us or how Heskey may have not won the header to set Owens first goal up.
You've gotta be wind up merchant of some sort.

 

[ChrisFilter]

You've gotta be wind up merchant of some sort.

This was my thought when he went weird on me for saying Martin Allen had been sacked.

 

[London_Calling]

In that respect then, why don't you write how well we played and how much an improvement from the dross we've served up before now. Because i aint seen one post saying that from you, unless you were watching a different game to every other football fan?

I think you are one of those "discuss for discussions sake" kind of posters. You would probably if you could, find another way the Russians could beat us or how Heskey may have not won the header to set Owens first goal up.
You've gotta be wind up merchant of some sort.

You ask a perfectly reasonbale question of someone - which I'd have been happy to discuss, and then you crap all over yourself.

Do you want to discuss a footbal match or just be another well hard internet warrior ?

 

[tarannau]

Gmarthews - You speak like the archetypal England football fan.

Christ, what an unedifying and snobby idiot you are. I suppose you think you're some kind of special, especially perceptive true fan then, elevated about the sheeple fans like us. The evidence more suggests that you're a flaming plonker who keeps being exposed by his ill-informed and laughably inaccurate views on the game.

Spuds fans eh. If they didn't exist, you'd have to make them up.

 

[stavros]

I still have reservations about Joe Cole. His tendancy to always cut in on his right foot is predictable, and he isn't the quickest. I think naturally he's a rival of Gerrard rather than a left-sided midfielder. Perhaps something to try would be Lennon on the left and SWP staying on the right. Whilst I realise that Lennon is also right-footed, naturally he stays out wide more and won't congest the centre as much. He'll also beat a man and get to the goal line, and isn't totally useless crossing on his left.

 

[Balbi]

Matthew Taylor would have that left side spot sorted. Downing's just a bit rubbish in comparison

 

[Gmart]

How about Barry on the left then?

 

[g force]

Nah he's better in the middle....doesn't have the pace to go round people. Keep him where he plays for his club and has been doing well.

 

[zaphod22]

The solution is to play Ashley Young on the left then who has 2 pretty good feet. While we're at it, let's have Nigel Reo-Coker as well and maybe Agbonlahor on the right!


*I am of course taking the piss a little*

 

[London_Calling]

I still have reservations about Joe Cole. His tendancy to always cut in on his right foot is predictable, and he isn't the quickest. I think naturally he's a rival of Gerrard rather than a left-sided midfielder. Perhaps something to try would be Lennon on the left and SWP staying on the right. Whilst I realise that Lennon is also right-footed, naturally he stays out wide more and won't congest the centre as much. He'll also beat a man and get to the goal line, and isn't totally useless crossing on his left.

I think Cole's left footed cross has developed enormously since Mourinho acquired so many rightie's. With his bit of guile and (albeit very near-sighted) eye for a through-ball, I do tend to think he's the least worst option. I don't think we can even criticise his wilingness to double up with his full back anymore as he's certianly no worse than the obvious alternatives.

Obviously not got the pace of a proper winger but at least he's of a decent all-round quality. Would seem to make sense as a starter for now,if not always a finisher.

 

[Leeloks]

Do you want to discuss a footbal match or just be another well hard internet warrior ?

Never an internet warrior, i am well hard off the net as well, ha ha. You've got the arse cause i've made you look like one and i know more about football than you. All someone could do is compare our quotes pre-match to this game and its obvious.

I've discussed the football match at length and i have decided (i guess with many others) that you really must be on the wind up. No-one is this ignorant to how well we, and in particular, Heskey played.

Anyway thats it for me on this topic, you waste my hard finger strength. ha ha

 

[Notorious J.I.M]

The solution is to play Ashley Young on the left then who has 2 pretty good feet. While we're at it, let's have Nigel Reo-Coker as well and maybe Agbonlahor on the right!


*I am of course taking the piss a little*

Whilst you are being facetious about Villa's midfield it's undeniable that it's 100% English and Young at least is in the reckoning and deserves his chance. Joe Cole isn't playing regularly for Chelsea and Young is for Villa, this should be a prerequisite for International recognition. If Ashley Young hasn't been the best English winger (after SWP) this season then I don't know who has been. But I guess he doesn't play for a more fashionable side so he'll be left waiting.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I still have reservations about Joe Cole. His tendancy to always cut in on his right foot is predictable, and he isn't the quickest. I think naturally he's a rival of Gerrard rather than a left-sided midfielder. Perhaps something to try would be Lennon on the left and SWP staying on the right. Whilst I realise that Lennon is also right-footed, naturally he stays out wide more and won't congest the centre as much. He'll also beat a man and get to the goal line, and isn't totally useless crossing on his left.

I agree. Joe Cole's a bit of a wasted talent really. He should be creating everything in the middle. But because of the tedious obsession of lampard-gerrard for so long, it's never been tried.

 

[Gmart]

I thought when Phil Neville came on for Gerrard that Barry might move to the Left, while Joe Cole could take over in the middle. But sadly I saw no sign of this

 

[MooChild]

Doesnt matter now, heskey has broke his metatarsal

 

[stavros]

It may sound far-fetched, but is James Milner too ridiculous a suggestion to try on the left? I agree that Cole can play quite well there, but with the two games the most marked positive was the shape and sturdiness of the positioning, and I would say he was a weak link here because he will cut in.

It seems strange that we haven't had a decent left winger since the early 90s, when in Barnes and Waddle we had two.

 

[aylee]

It may sound far-fetched, but is James Milner too ridiculous a suggestion to try on the left? I agree that Cole can play quite well there, but with the two games the most marked positive was the shape and sturdiness of the positioning, and I would say he was a weak link here because he will cut in.

It seems strange that we haven't had a decent left winger since the early 90s, when in Barnes and Waddle we had two.

Milner's a great player, but he's a right-footer .... you really need a left-footer on the left wing. Cole has done well in that role but right-footers are always predictable when playing on the left.

 

[stavros]

I know it may not be the most reliable source, but Wikipedia says "He has the ability to pass and shoot with both feet".