England v Croatia and other Internationals 9 September 2009

[Agger the Dagger]

What about the Spain game?

Our players come through?

[Shaggy]

It's ****ing annoying to hear pundits eulogising about Capello for his lack of emotion when England score, for his scowl and being a hard taskmaster.

This is the very same thing they all routinely lambast Benitez for. ****ing unbelievable.

[Nicey]

for they are cunts

[Agger the Dagger]

..and when Johnson improves his defensive game it will be because of Capello, not Benitez.

**** em, bring on the league.

I'm off to buy the Revolver Album

[wiw]

I'm seriously starting to think Clive Tyldesley is Craig_H

Agree on the Capello/Benitez thing Shags, ****ing typical though really. England looked good tonight you've gotta say, as gash as Croatia were

[Shaggy]

England looked very very good. Capello is some manager and is doing a brilliant job.

[Ben_Itez]

I found it extremely annoying every time Heskey missed a chance or didnt score the camera immediately panned to Defoe. FFS they offer completely different things to the team and apart from being offside a gazillion times Heskey was mainly excellent tonight. England were playing well but all the commentators could go on about was Johnson and the Heskey/Defoe situation.

Ever think that Defoe scores so many goals from the bench as he's well suited to this role when the games opened up? Heskey offers a pivot for the attack, brutalises and occupies defenders and presses excellently, all attributes that Defoe is pretty poor at. When England have won 8 on the trot, especially as they've been so atrocious over the past couple of years, the pundits should shut the **** up and praise England and Capello rather than trying to pick fault all the time.

[fah-q]

England looked very very good. Capello is some manager and is doing a brilliant job.

It's because we teach you how to play football properly

[Shaggy]

..and when Johnson improves his defensive game it will be because of Capello, not Benitez.

**** em, bring on the league.

I'm off to buy the Revolver Album

I thought Johnson did very well defensively. Okay he was beaten by the winger but - like goals scored from corners - that happens all the time, but because it's the received-wisdom-in-vogue at the minute, they harp on about Johnson's perceived inadequacies.

The 'penalty claim' against Johnson and the crap spouted by Tyldsley and Beglin was pathetic. They said Johnson was wrong side. WTF. Johnson's man was the other fella (beyond the far post) but he left him having seen Upson (or was it Terry?) lose the Croat and got back to win a vital header.

He won possession back several times, won some good headers and read the game very well.

Obviously his attacking play was ace, and that was seriously good wing play for Stevie's 2nd header.

[red g]

pissed me off how quickly they forget johnsons great cross to set up the goal, as soon as they let that defender in they were lambasting him

[wiw]

Their goal was offside anyway

[Reece]

I found it extremely annoying every time Heskey missed a chance or didnt score the camera immediately panned to Defoe. FFS they offer completely different things to the team and apart from being offside a gazillion times Heskey was mainly excellent tonight. England were playing well but all the commentators could go on about was Johnson and the Heskey/Defoe situation.

I'm usually a (semi) supporter of Heskey and can see what he brings to the team, but I though all England's good play tonight completely bypassed him.

[Shaggy]

I felt sorry for Heskey tonight. I know what he offers and why he gets picked, but for a so-called striker his finishing is beyond woeful. Seriously...how can a centre-forward be so inept at putting the ball in the net?!?!? That first one that he blasted straight at the keeper was dire.

[Ben_Itez]

Oh yeah his finishing was woeful tonight but he offers a completely different option to Defoe. I think perhaps a Carlton Cole or a similiar player could play the same role but IMO if Defoe started the ball would be coming back at England a lot quicker and we'd surrender possession a lot more.

Just annoys me how the pundits seem to think they know better than a vastly experienced and successful manager, with a 100% qualifying record. Dont get me started on the Johnson bashing.......it now seems to be accepted wisdom that an opposing winger is not allowed to get a cross in, under any circumstances, and if they do then the full back is at fault and could have done better

[red g]

Oh yeah his finishing was woeful tonight but he offers a completely different option to Defoe. I think perhaps a Carlton Cole or a similiar player could play the same role but IMO if Defoe started the ball would be coming back at England a lot quicker and we'd surrender possession a lot more.

Just annoys me how the pundits seem to think they know better than a vastly experienced and successful manager, with a 100% qualifying record. Dont get me started on the Johnson bashing.......it now seems to be accepted wisdom that an opposing winger is not allowed to get a cross in, under any circumstances, and if they do then the full back is at fault and could have done better :crackoff: