Group C (England, Algeria, Slovenia, USA! USA! USA!)

[Norbs]

I know no one has played well but the one shot he had yesterday aside Lampard has done nothing in the two games. Gerrard did more in the 10-15mins he was playing in the middle yesterday than Lampard did all game!

Gerrard needs to play in the centre of the park (be that in midfield or off the striker) so he can influence the game.

Despite the number of wingers that are available they have all been poor Milner, Lennon and Wright-Phillips have all been poor. And the most noticable thing Rooney has done is have a go at the fans, that's been the only thing he's done worth repeating.

History dictates that both Lampard and Gerrard play their best football in the middle of the park. Lampard, unlike Gerrard, doesn't have the ability to play anywhere else and so in order to accommodate both, Gerrard has to play on the right. Chelsea fans would argue that the reason that Lampard's in the middle is because he's better, we know that that's not correct.

Capello doesn't seem to have the balls to drop Lampard and so we end up with a weakened side. Silly really

[Kenneth]

History dictates that both Lampard and Gerrard play their best football in the middle of the park. Lampard, unlike Gerrard, doesn't have the ability to play anywhere else and so in order to accommodate both, Gerrard has to play on the right. Chelsea fans would argue that the reason that Lampard's in the middle is because he's better, we know that that's not correct.

Capello doesn't seem to have the balls to drop Lampard and so we end up with a weakened side. Silly really

If he did actually play on the right rather than the left, it would be a slight improvement. It's got to be one of lampard or Barry now. Anything else and fabio can **** off.

[Exiled_red]

If he did actually play on the right rather than the left, it would be a slight improvement. It's got to be one of lampard or Barry now. Anything else and fabio can **** off.

If he sticks with 4-4-2 he has to go with Gerrard and Barry in centre mid, Lampard and Gerrard doesn't work. If he wants to stick with both he has to go 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1

[ronanm]

What a shambles. Ireland beat Algeria 3-0 comfortably a few weeks back and I thought England would do the same. Anytime the ball was in the English half the England team seemed to sh1t themselves. Their attack looks so disjointed. The ITV commentary was absolutely disgusting too. Real S*n type coverage. In Ireland, if the team loses everyone (the media in particular with the exception of Eamon Dunphy from RTE) gets behind the team. England look like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. They should get out of the group and maybe move up a gear for the next round. Hard to believe these guys are getting £60k a week. Capello seemed to be at a loss as to why the players aren't performing - not good.

Peter Crouch should start for a start. In the CL for Liverpool, teams always struggled to deal with him as they are not used to defending against freaks. Unleash him in the WC.

[Craig_H]

England fan interviewed in South Africa:

"England seem to lack faith in themselves, they need belief"

Yes, maybe booing them will help retrieve that belief

[Craig_H]

Statement on the FA website:

England forward apologises for comments made after Algeria game.
The Football Association today issued the following statement from England forward Wayne Rooney further to comments he made as he was leaving the pitch at the end of the game with Algeria which was featured on television:

Wayne Rooney said: "I am as passionate about the England team as anyone. Last night, on reflection I said things in the heat of the moment that came out of frustration of both our performance and the result.

"The most important thing now is to regroup be positive and work towards winning the game on Wednesday. To do this the players will need the support of the fans more than ever.

"For my part I apologise for any offence caused by my actions at the end of the game."

[Fernandinho]

all thats left to do now is for some Slovenian to rile him up and England will be down to 10 men that would be fun to watch

[Pablo]

Too many multisyllabic words in there too have came out of his mouth, but it was obvious what he said was born out of frustration.

[Craig_H]

Too many multisyllabic words in there too have came out of his mouth, but it was obvious what he said was born out of frustration.

[Mostar]

The England team visited a local orphanage today. "its good to put a smile on the faces of those who have no hope and are constantly struggling" said Jamal Umboto, age 6.

[MrsB]

England fan interviewed in South Africa:

"England seem to lack faith in themselves, they need belief"

Yes, maybe booing them will help retrieve that belief

Perhaps he didn't boo them?

[Craig_H]

Clearly i wasnt meaning it specifically to him.

[Charly]

from the other thread that no one goes on... Can we not have one England thread?



I cant understand what anyone sees in Heskey.

The guy is simply awful. I would take 10 Dirk Kuyts over this guy,

I the argumentis he works hard. The problem is he runs around like a headless chicken. He is almost never in a good position to receive the ball on the break. He always runs away from goal when we win possesion. Its like he is afraid to get in a position where he may be required to take a shot. Either that or he is just plain stupid, and does not understand where to run. And when he gets it to feet. he runs away from goal, so he can whack the ball ahainst a player to try and win a corner.

Its so unfair that Rooney is getting stick for playing badly, when it Heskey who is dropping off, and you would expect him to try and link play, but Heskey may get his head to the ball, but almost never find anyone else with his flickons.

I remember he had one really good season for us, where he seemed to be happy to get the ball, and run at defenders. AFter that he turned in to one of the biggest piles of **** I have ever seen. Slow and lazy, until around the sixty minute mark, when he would start limping shortly before subsitution.

It comes to something when Peter Crouch is more likey to run at defenders than Heskey.

I think it is time to either try Crouch alongside Rooney, and drop Fat Fwank. Or go 4-5-1 with Gerrard in behind Rooney. Lampshade has had his time, and been an abject failure.

The other thing would be to go five at the back. For some reason our fullbacks are better at running and crossing than our wingers. CAnt work that one out.

I am not sure Rooneys best position is leading the line or not, but you need players behind him to feed him the ball (okay, maybe "feed" is the wrong word - it would explain his shape though).

[Kenneth]

from the other thread that no one goes on... Can we not have one England thread?



I cant understand what anyone sees in Heskey.

The guy is simply awful. I would take 10 Dirk Kuyts over this guy,

I the argumentis he works hard. The problem is he runs around like a headless chicken. He is almost never in a good position to receive the ball on the break. He always runs away from goal when we win possesion. Its like he is afraid to get in a position where he may be required to take a shot. Either that or he is just plain stupid, and does not understand where to run. And when he gets it to feet. he runs away from goal, so he can whack the ball ahainst a player to try and win a corner.

Its so unfair that Rooney is getting stick for playing badly, when it Heskey who is dropping off, and you would expect him to try and link play, but Heskey may get his head to the ball, but almost never find anyone else with his flickons.

I remember he had one really good season for us, where he seemed to be happy to get the ball, and run at defenders. AFter that he turned in to one of the biggest piles of **** I have ever seen. Slow and lazy, until around the sixty minute mark, when he would start limping shortly before subsitution.

It comes to something when Peter Crouch is more likey to run at defenders than Heskey.

I think it is time to either try Crouch alongside Rooney, and drop Fat Fwank. Or go 4-5-1 with Gerrard in behind Rooney. Lampshade has had his time, and been an abject failure.

The other thing would be to go five at the back. For some reason our fullbacks are better at running and crossing than our wingers. CAnt work that one out.

I am not sure Rooneys best position is leading the line or not, but you need players behind him to feed him the ball (okay, maybe "feed" is the wrong word - it would explain his shape though).

Fair enough about Heskey, but he did alright in qualification.

[Shaggy]

The big England game on Wednesday kicks off at 3pm....nightmare for anyone stuck in an office or whatever. What are people's plans? Half a day? 'Work from home'? Wag it?