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

[dww]

He most certainly is. Unless you stopped watching five minutes into the USA game. He has done nothing since then.

We have to make it work with the players we have, and unless Heskey brings out the best in other players, which is the argument that is used. Undirtunately, I have seen no evidence of this, as all of the players around Heskey have been ****. In fact, what qualities does Heskey possess? He works hard? I disagree. I dont even think he works hard. He runs around a lot, but thats not the same thing.

I don't think it's Heskeys fault but I do agree that if others are not performing then there is little point in him playing - his job is to enhance the contributions of Rooney, Gerrard et al - if none of them are even getting into good areas then that won't happen.

In a footballing context what would you classify as hard work by the way. Heskey was helping in defense and getting up to be our most advanced player repeatedly. I think that, in most people's book, would count.

The blame from my point of view rests with Lampard for a lack of control and invention in the middle and Gerrard and Rooney for not getting into good areas in attack often enough.

In both games Heskey and Rooney both came far too deep and did more defensive work than was healthy for the team. I'd be tempted to play Rooney as a lone striker purely to convince him to stay in the opposition half more and to get in the box more frequently. That said he has looked like he is carrying an injury to me - he certainly hasn't been flying into the 50:50s as he usually does.

[Kenneth]

Matthew Upson to start against Slovenia.

West Ham United's Matthew Upson will partner John Terry in central defence for England in their crucial final group game against Slovenia.

England are without the injured Ledley King and suspended Jamie Carragher for Wednesday's game, so coach Fabio Capello has turned to Upson.

The 31-year-old was a key member of the side during World Cup qualification.

England need a win to secure their place in the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.



Sensible choice.

[McDermotX]

Think Capello would rather bring in someone to replace Terry after yesterday's attempted coup.
****ing name dropper

[Shaggy]

I've just been to the park with my lad and for the first time in ages I bought a paper. Sat and read The Mirror while he ran amok.

**** me those England players are a right set of prima-donnas.

"They are deeply unhappy with the regime..."

****ing get over yourselves you pathetic ****s!

According to that paper, the nine players 'leading the revolt' were Terry, Gerrard, Carra, Crouch, James, Johnson, Lampard, Rooney & Lennon. I'm glad Capello ****ed them off and told them who was in charge. The whole thing is a joke.

[Reece]

Assuming that's actually true, as Lampard has categorically denied that any of them are "unhappy with the regime".

Not that it would be like the media to stir ****.

[Shaggy]

Assuming that's actually true, as Lampard has categorically denied that any of them are "unhappy with the regime".

Not that it would be like the media to stir ****.

Of course.

But Lampard's hardly gonna say they're unhappy.

Something is clearly afoot I reckon. Terry's press conference yesterday spoke volumes as did David James' extremely terse interview the other day.

[Reece]

Yep it seems by no means perfect, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the media are greatly exaggerating it all.

[Neil Young]

Of course.

But Lampard's hardly gonna say they're unhappy.

Something is clearly afoot I reckon. Terry's press conference yesterday spoke volumes as did David James' extremely terse interview the other day.

There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear.

FWIW

[McDermotX]

Something is clearly afoot I reckon. Terry's press conference yesterday spoke volumes.....

I mean we Irish are sitting back laughing at the French situation, but that Terry thing yesterday is every bit as indicative of trouble brewing.
For what it's worth, I think England will win and go through, mainly due to Slovenia bottling it, but that'll be it for them.

[PTP]

what a mental week of football - most of it's been covered in my absence so don't want to go over too much again but england, quite simply have bottled it.

The players and the manager.

I thought against algeria capello looked lost.

I wanted to see a bit of bottle and adventure. - it was obvious something wasn't right or working - i understand that at half time you might want to give them an ear bashing and then say 10 mins to see what happens - but god knows why 10 mins in to the second half he didn't change it or try something different - why not go 4-3-3 with rooney joe cole and crouch and then gerrard barry and lampard in middle - or anything - just something differen a plan b.

Funnily it reminded me a lot of liverpool last season.

Something has to change though. either the a 4-3-3 variant as mentioned above or a 4-5-1 with gerrard and rooney up top and cole coming in.

I have booked wednesday off, so will watching it the pub

[Craig_H]

They're ****ing tools.

The whole qualification campagin, Capello was hailed as the messiah and they all loved him.

Now they've played **** in two games, and he's become their enemy?

****s.

[Shaggy]

They're ****ing tools.

The whole qualification campagin, Capello was hailed as the messiah and they all loved him.

Now they've played **** in two games, and he's become their enemy?

****s.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

What A horrible b****** that Terry is.
Did anyone listen to talksport around 10:30 this morning?Terry should be kicked out of the national team after this world cup.

[Mattshark]

They're ****ing tools.

The whole qualification campagin, Capello was hailed as the messiah and they all loved him.

Now they've played **** in two games, and he's become their enemy?

****s.

[Bender]

West Ham defender Matthew Upson will start England's crucial final World Cup group game against Slovenia in South Africa on Wednesday.