― David Nolan (David N.), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)
England will play a lot better against France altho a heavy defeat does seem more likely now
― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:31 (twenty-one years ago)
― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:35 (twenty-one years ago)
A tough tackler, strong, excellent passing abilty, 100 % commitment.
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)
i missed the game tonight. my feeling, the last while, is that lampard must play (and i think it would work better if he played alongside butt rather than scholes). i also think he should have brought barry with the squad, to have one proper left midfielder if needs be.
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:51 (twenty-one years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:54 (twenty-one years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 22:55 (twenty-one years ago)
― David Nolan (David N.), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:05 (twenty-one years ago)
― David Nolan (David N.), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 23:08 (twenty-one years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:27 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:30 (twenty years ago)
Eriksson's big mistake with regard to the midfield was not bringing in Parker and Barry as any more than minor players much sooner. Parker can be the long-term successor to Nicky Butt, I think, and Barry solves the left-sided problem but has been persistently ignored.
On the current squad available, I'd go with Butt (who is rusty, I know) at the base of the diamond and Lampard in place of Scholes, who on the basis of last night shouldn't be in the first team at all. Gerrard was good last night until it all fell apart and fantastic for the first half hour or so, and Beckham is undroppable obviously.
I am far from convinced by Kieron Dyer.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:32 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:35 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:42 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:44 (twenty years ago)
i got in from the pub to find that meg had not watched the match live and was therefore about to watch the highlights, so i had to sit throguh the bludy thing again...
the japanese goal consisted of 12 passes, of which 9 or 10 were one touch stuff, marvellous.
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:46 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:48 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:50 (twenty years ago)
Except better than Tony Adams, and younger, and less ugly, and not a Gooner.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 07:55 (twenty years ago)
― David Nolan (David N.), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:01 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:03 (twenty years ago)
― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:05 (twenty years ago)
and Sean derry dor England? he's got about as much chance as I have
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:10 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:13 (twenty years ago)
― David Nolan (David N.), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:17 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:23 (twenty years ago)
Scholes came to prominence with being an attacking midfielder - he became the guy playing behind the striker when Fergie had to play one striker as he couldn't rely on Veron to defend.
Undroppability - shades of Shearer in 2000. Matt OTM re Parker and Barry. And why does Ugo Ehiogu never get a look in (Ehiogu = Steve bruce of the laet 90s).
Cole caught out again I see; one left side solution is cole and bridge. Bridge is a better defender and Cole is better going forward.
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:24 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:26 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:27 (twenty years ago)
i would dispute this also as tho COle seems to do it more often, Bridge tends to be more effective (see a certain Champions League quarter-final second leg)
Scholesy had a shocker - seemed afraid/unable to shoot and gave the ball away too much. I see the attraction of 5 in midfield, but feel that Rooney just behind Owen will create something.
I feel that Joe Cole could be special if given a chance, maybe this will depend on how Rooney goes. I think Sven is reluctant though.
Dyer is a cocky, overrated, lazy shitebag and can f- off.
Forget the Bridge/A. Cole double act.
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:29 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:35 (twenty years ago)
Dyer didn't get a chance really last night, I don't think he's as bad as the good doctor suggests.
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:37 (twenty years ago)
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:53 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:55 (twenty years ago)
Lovely equalising goal.
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:05 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:07 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:09 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:10 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:12 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:13 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:16 (twenty years ago)
there were quite a few japanese people in our pub too.
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:18 (twenty years ago)
The long balls might work as a diagonal thingy to cut out the France midfield. I thought I saw Beckham and Gerard do this last night. I think if you do this you have to get runners from midfield to come onto the next pass. Lampard poss? Long balls does not mean HIGH balls, hence the height of Owen and Rooney is irrelevant.
We don't seem to try and play it OVER the defence any more do we? Maybe Owen has lost pace, or the injuries have made him lose confidence to really stretch himself?
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:26 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:35 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:37 (twenty years ago)
Sorry I missed you at the weekend btw. Your mate's samba band was good! And seeing a Brazil team at the Park was amazing. And seeing my hero Tony Kellow in the flesh again after all these years was the best bit of all.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:43 (twenty years ago)
(i would, but it seems a little rude :))
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:46 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:49 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:50 (twenty years ago)
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:52 (twenty years ago)
(i realise this is an exaggeration, but not by much)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:56 (twenty years ago)
rooney played a beautiful pass for owen to fluff up last night. that's about all he did though. i don't think he's all that good in a striker's position.
what's happened to good strikers in england?
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:56 (twenty years ago)
There's no way he should be picked ahead of Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard, Butt, Hargreaves or even Parker.
OF all the players in all the world, Frank Lampard is the one who went up most in my estimation this season.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:56 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 09:58 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:05 (twenty years ago)
Okay Zidane, Viera, Pires, Henry, Trezeguet & co. are quite scay on a good day, but their first team also includes a "fuckin' lazy nigger" as a central defender and Fabien Barthez on goal. Surely that stands for something?
― Pingu, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:05 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:06 (twenty years ago)
provided he doesn't get tackled by barthez there.
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:09 (twenty years ago)
― Pingu, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:12 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:13 (twenty years ago)
― Pingu, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:16 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 10:19 (twenty years ago)
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:11 (twenty years ago)
― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:14 (twenty years ago)
Joe Wickshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/images/eastenders/characters/joe_w/char_joewicks.jpg
vs
Joe Colehttp://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39406000/jpg/_39406465_cole2_203x270.jpg
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:15 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:15 (twenty years ago)
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:16 (twenty years ago)
PS Tim, I shall pass on your appreciation to Billy & the samba boys (& girls)!
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:18 (twenty years ago)
35 league appearances this season (18 starts): 1 goal and 3 assists. If (as you seem to be suggesting) his usefulness is in or near the penalty box, he should be being more productive than that. He manages just over one shot on goal every other game he plays. (One shot on goal per start, if you prefer).
I know stats don't give the full story but for all his undoubted ball skills, he's nowhere near effective enough as an attacker and he's certainly not a defensive midfielder. Maybe he needs a chance to prove himself at an international level but he needs to shine at club level first.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:20 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:25 (twenty years ago)
Thing is, Scholes is certainly lacking form at present but he's your actual real proven quality international class attacking midfielder. Maybe JC will be in two years' time but he'd need to have been a shining star this year to deserve a chance in the actual tournament. He wasn't.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:28 (twenty years ago)
― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:29 (twenty years ago)
If this is true, it makes the captain's job very important - if Sven can't motivate the players (and I don't think that's his strength), Becks has to. He's fine for the job, and I think he'll have little trouble getting everyone up for France.
I would fear this team playing against France: Viera and Makalele (I'm picking my French team here, I don't know who will actually play) can dominate the centre, while Zidane and Pires can tear us apart. Thing is, I'm not sure that some change like Butt for Scholes or Lampard will really make much difference to that.
I hope with Rooney it's a motivation thing too - that great performance against Turkey is looking some distance away, after last night and a pretty dismal league season - so maybe he can cut it when we need everyone on top form. If this doesn't materialise, we can replace him with Butt, giving the other four midfielders more licence to attack.
I'd play Bridge instead of Cole at left back, because I think he makes fewer positional errors in defence, and I don't think his attacking play is much less effective.
As for Joe Cole, I like him but largely agree with Tim; except that I think back to that quarter against Brazil when we looked so devoid of ideas, and I would be quite pleased to have someone like him on the bench in reserve for such a desperate need. I don't think I'd ever start him, though. (A comparison of stats with prime period Le Tiss would be interesting - he was talked of as a fancy luxury player and never got a serious chance for England, but his stats showed how effective he was.)
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:29 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:29 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:32 (twenty years ago)
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:33 (twenty years ago)
Jay-Z as sub would be even better.
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:41 (twenty years ago)
WRT to France, whoever plays upfront, Heskey, Owen, Rooney, whoever, just has to give it a fucking go, which Rooney showed little evidence of doing last night. If you run at Silvestre and Desailly you'll eventually get somewhere and Barthez is far from watertight. Stopping the rest of the team from playing is the problem.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:42 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:42 (twenty years ago)
(x-post)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:43 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:43 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:46 (twenty years ago)
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:47 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:47 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:48 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:48 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:49 (twenty years ago)
― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:50 (twenty years ago)
Chris OTM again.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:51 (twenty years ago)
who else has inspired so much disagreement?
― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:52 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:52 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:53 (twenty years ago)
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:54 (twenty years ago)
Gareth - Joe Cole, surely?
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:54 (twenty years ago)
xxpost
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:55 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:55 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:55 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:55 (twenty years ago)
with heskey, its about what he is now
surely fowlers merits werent as disputed as this, the pros and antis didnt seem so, ...forceful
― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:56 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 11:57 (twenty years ago)
1) Any defence featuring Silvestre at its heart is weak as Kaliber. Ditto Fabby.
2) The French midfield is good going forward, but lacks bite.
3) European teams really don't like it up 'em - big lad with back to goal is v useful. He'll gets freeekicks aplenty for starters.
When oh when oh when will people stop wanking over the bloody French team. They are good, but not that good. They are eminently beatable - remember your cliches - there are no easy games in international football, and this applies to France too.
Others observations - Scholes on form is a nailed on certain starter, but hasn't been on form really, and even less so for England - his england performances of late have been full of bad decision making, poor tackling and generally being very unscholes like - move lose their flow and pace when he gets involved, whereas Gerrard's interventions are exhilierating and pacey and must frighten the feck out of any team we might play. Also, beckham and neville have a superb understanding on the right - we missed that in the World Cup, and we now have Gerrard off the back of his best ever season. Why are we so down on ourselves? We've got the best fucking team I can remember us taking to a tournament for ages - the previous lots have been good squads who could maybe do something - we've now got a team that should do something, and they're all fit. C'mon!
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:01 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:03 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:04 (twenty years ago)
Scholes should never, ever, EVER be allowed to tackle. He is rubbish at it. He just cannot do it. He shouldn't really be in a position to do it.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:05 (twenty years ago)
and I think a midfield with Vieira in it can't be accused of lacking bite. agree on other points though
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:05 (twenty years ago)
The reason he got frozen out of the England team is that performance against (I think) Albania.
And leave Joe Cole alone people or I will fucking kill you with a axe.
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:08 (twenty years ago)
So, best record as coach, best squad, all fit, some teething troubles, get em ironed out, others teams not prepared thinking england weak, bish bosh, england win, closely followed by end of history.
x-post - I think there's a style to the way Scholes and Beckham tackle (ie, they're shite at it and not only don't get the ball but also get booked often too). Scholes can't tackle, but when he fells his performance slipping, he'll run and run to get the ball and do something right, but will increase his headless chickenness and thus render us a man down.
Though to be fair, it was amazing in how many of the chances england had, you could see Scholes had found good space in the box and wasn't used...
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:08 (twenty years ago)
This notion of him scaring French defenders is odd. His first touch isn't good enough to scare most premiership defenders.
The stats are not great for J. Cole, but this showboating thing is really overstated. He can get PAST defenders, for goodness sake. The last player to be able to do that for England = Gazza? I've seen Cole play several times this year and he's always looked good. He makes defenders unsure whether to back-pedal or dive-in and this often takes them out of the game. Don't forget, Ranieri didn't really give him a run - if only Sven would have confidence in him as a game breaker for the last 30 mins or even a start instead of.....Beckham, I reckon he'd do really well.
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:09 (twenty years ago)
Only three teams can win Euro 2004
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:09 (twenty years ago)
France are v good.
Heskey is fucking shit (he's not gonna bully anybody) but we may not have anybody better.
beckham is no leader, the captaincy should be given to gerrard, but it won't be.
massive x-post
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:10 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:11 (twenty years ago)
Looking good + rub stats = flattering to deceive. If he's that good then he'll come through but he needs to convert the going past people into creating actual chances. I'll shut up now.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:11 (twenty years ago)
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:12 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:14 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:15 (twenty years ago)
Errrrrr, kof kof Chris'utt'n, kof kof. England have ALWAYS been like Germany.
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:17 (twenty years ago)
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:18 (twenty years ago)
- Joe Cole could be the new gazza, but gazza knew when to give and when to go with it - Cole doesn't. Gazza made space and then someone had to come and close him down making new space - Gazza always played the ball at the moment of maximum opportunity. Cole's got talent in spades, but is lacking in football intelligence.
Steve - your desire to have the kantian team-in-itself (as opposed to the way we actually know it - through ludic tournaments) means that you have a blind spot - France are good but had a duff tournament. And lo, what's-a-coming? A tournament! So their good-news is a potential; their ability to not be able to transfer their paper quality to grass is known. The end result is that england win.
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:19 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:19 (twenty years ago)
And anyway, I think I'm the only Liverpool fan on this thread.
and good good call on Chris Sutton
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:20 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:21 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:21 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:21 (twenty years ago)
I'm going to find out where you live and put a poo through your letterboxes.
Chris Sutton? Am I awake?
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:21 (twenty years ago)
I'm irked by the way that when a player gets injured, people worry on about that, and forget that he did nowt before he was injured.
Well done, though, Japan.
― the bluefox, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:22 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:24 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:24 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:27 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:27 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:28 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:29 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:29 (twenty years ago)
Replace: Scoles with Lampard, as attacking midfielderplay Beckham: Wide Right Midfield ..for crossing abilityCentral Midfield Guvnor: GerrardPlay Bridge: Wide Left Midfield
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:29 (twenty years ago)
Oh! I've forgotten about him again! That's better.
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:30 (twenty years ago)
English defence was terrible last night though.
― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:31 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:32 (twenty years ago)
If you're going to play a proper holding midfielder then out of the current squad go for Butt, or even (cue irrepressible hilarity) Phil Neville, who should never play fullback again.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:33 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:33 (twenty years ago)
xxxpost
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:33 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:35 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:35 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:36 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:36 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:37 (twenty years ago)
they had pretty much NOTHING to do in the first half lest we forget
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:37 (twenty years ago)
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:39 (twenty years ago)
France are crap = Spurs are a TINY club
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:39 (twenty years ago)
― the bellefox, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:40 (twenty years ago)
THis could be true but I think England could lose to virtually every other team in the tournament too
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:40 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:40 (twenty years ago)
What the badger's arse are you talking about, Julio?
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:41 (twenty years ago)
Dadaismus remember, England are actually very very difficult to actually BEAT (as opposed to outplay but only draw with or whatever), as statistics blah blah
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:42 (twenty years ago)
― Ricardo (RickyT), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:43 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:43 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:43 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:44 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:45 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:47 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:47 (twenty years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:48 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:48 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:49 (twenty years ago)
The shrieks were coming from the match officials
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:50 (twenty years ago)
this has only happened once, and they deserved to win it on account of playing better than anyone else for the majority of the tournament (yeh yeh Italy better in the final BOLLOCKS WHO CARES)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:52 (twenty years ago)
Blah blah
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:52 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:54 (twenty years ago)
''they really need to get rid of that rule that says the world cup holders win the euro championships automatically''
[no knowledge] pity brazil are not entering this year [/no knowledge]
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:57 (twenty years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:57 (twenty years ago)
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 12:59 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:01 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:01 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:02 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:08 (twenty years ago)
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:09 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:10 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:11 (twenty years ago)
xpost
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:11 (twenty years ago)
Didn't get too far this time, though :)
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:13 (twenty years ago)
We've been seeing it ever since ........ for 38 years
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:15 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:15 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:15 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:26 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:32 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:33 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:47 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:51 (twenty years ago)
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
― the bluefox, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 13:59 (twenty years ago)
well ain't most of this thread mostly about that, eh?
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:00 (twenty years ago)
why are you worried PF?
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:01 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:01 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:02 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:04 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:10 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:16 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:19 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:23 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:29 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:32 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:33 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:47 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:48 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:48 (twenty years ago)
...also i'd guess they'd take the pool table out of commission for such a big game.
actually, thinking about it, would the b&m even be open on a sunday...
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:49 (twenty years ago)
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:50 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:51 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:52 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:53 (twenty years ago)
http://www.l-m-c.org.uk/LMCframeset2.html
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:56 (twenty years ago)
― chris (chris), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 15:03 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 15:12 (twenty years ago)
2. The Bull & Mouth is good, as footy pubs go.
3. My wedding will never happen.
4. My funeral, on the other hand: etc.
5. I do have ITV, and even watch it, sometimes.
6. I have never seen Top Gear.
7. I have not listened to the top 40 in years, but I still like the idea of doing so.
8. The reason I was going to miss England - France was that I had booked an aeroplane flight that clashed with it. This worried me a lot. The reaction from you lads confirms that I was right to be worried, and to try to do something about it.
9. I just did something about it. I am flying the next day. That is £15 that England have cost me already.
10. Tim H is quite correct: this is a game to watch at home. Pubs are really for games that you can't watch at home, which is most games. Some games you can watch at football grounds, I suppose, but that's a different story.
I am looking forward to watching this game at home, with some bottles of ale, and thinking: - And I changed my flight for *this*?
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 16:35 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 16:47 (twenty years ago)
There was an article in one of the broadsheets today about England's midfield last night which stated that all 4 of the starters are unable to tackle.Scholes - commits fouls or slides off the pitch.Beckham - thinks he can tackle but cannot.Gerrard - has a tendency to go over the ball recklessly.Lampard - barely even bothers.Nicky Butt, for all that he is not as gifted as any of these, can at least tackle. Not as well as Roy Keane - who terrifies opponents with his tackling when hes on form and fit - but better than all those four.So can Scott Parker. and maybe Owen Hargreaves. And Phil Neville. But Viera is a great tackler, he'll be tapping ankles all match when they play France. Makelele is not too bad either in that department.My point : a solid team needs at least one midfielder who can tackle.
― David Nolan (David N.), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 21:41 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 3 June 2004 07:36 (twenty years ago)
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 3 June 2004 07:40 (twenty years ago)
Your most memorable sport-watching experiences, talk about them here
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 3 June 2004 07:42 (twenty years ago)
(in other words, i'll interact my own goddam fannydangle, provided the remote control funkshions at least half-decently)
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Thursday, 3 June 2004 07:48 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 5 June 2004 16:08 (twenty years ago)
But this was Iceland, not France....
And what is it with Darius Vassell? Never looks any better than not bad for Villa, but put him in an England shirt and hes Ronaldo.
Oh yeah, and we made Holland look really ordinary tonight too...
― David Nolan (David N.), Saturday, 5 June 2004 22:59 (twenty years ago)
Ledley King was so huge though. Apart from when he almost popped it into his own net.
Yes, Iceland aren't France, but come on, IAN WALKER?!! You're just mocking them now, Sven.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 5 June 2004 23:05 (twenty years ago)
― ..., Sunday, 6 June 2004 00:15 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 6 June 2004 12:20 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 6 June 2004 12:22 (twenty years ago)
I think Latvia might have been watching and feeling a bit hopeful.
― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 6 June 2004 12:31 (twenty years ago)
UHUH??
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Sunday, 6 June 2004 12:48 (twenty years ago)
And, despite the maroon-and-whites' many other deficiencies, Pahars and Verkapovskis have most definitely got pace. Even if Pahars can't really shoot straight.
― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 6 June 2004 14:03 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 6 June 2004 14:04 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 6 June 2004 14:05 (twenty years ago)
When did England last hit 6? I thought Luxembourg was 0-3 and 5-0?
I thought that the last time we hit that many might have been vs San Marino.
― the junefox, Sunday, 6 June 2004 14:06 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 6 June 2004 14:18 (twenty years ago)
Mostly I was there because I wanted to go to the old Wembley before they knocked it down.
― Tim (Tim), Monday, 7 June 2004 07:51 (twenty years ago)
"Only Joe Cole failed. With each superfluous trick the midfielder is adding more dead ends to the labyrinth in which his talent is trapped. There was a slight helplessness to Eriksson's smile when the subject cropped up and since he cannot afford to concentrate on Cole it may be Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea, who determines what becomes of him."
― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 08:24 (twenty years ago)
And he missed that absolute sitter, it was terrible.
― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 08:32 (twenty years ago)
― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 08:37 (twenty years ago)
― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 08:41 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 09:51 (twenty years ago)
which is a bit more hopeful than the news was this morning, which was basically "no terry for france game"...
― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 09:52 (twenty years ago)
One does feel that footballers have to earn their flash-signifiers though. Like, you pitch up at a 3rd division game and see someone playing with white/silver/electric blue boots and think: you'd better be pretty good to justify *them*, sunshine. Why shouldn't a clogger wear white boots if he likes them? But we know he shouldn't.
― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 09:57 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 10:01 (twenty years ago)
I like Cole OK; I hope we buy him.
I liked McCarra's lines too - powerful.
― the bluefox, Tuesday, 8 June 2004 10:12 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 10:59 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:29 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:29 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:32 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:35 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:43 (twenty years ago)
Man U family fun day 1994 - Dion Dublin, Scholes, and Alex Stepney
― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:47 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:48 (twenty years ago)
― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:49 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:49 (twenty years ago)
Gilberto Silva - mandolinNolberto Solano - trumpet
Any more?
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:52 (twenty years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:52 (twenty years ago)
― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 11:54 (twenty years ago)
― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 12:01 (twenty years ago)
― the bluefox, Tuesday, 8 June 2004 14:50 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 14:57 (twenty years ago)
― David N (David N.), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 20:07 (twenty years ago)
― David N (David N.), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 21:01 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 8 June 2004 21:04 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 9 June 2004 01:33 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:00 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:23 (twenty years ago)
Haha, either that or the stage is set for Joe Cole after all.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:27 (twenty years ago)
― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:28 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:29 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:31 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:40 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:40 (twenty years ago)
― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:42 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:49 (twenty years ago)
lightening quickconfidenttakes the opposition ona good crossernot afraid to shoot outside the box
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:51 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:52 (twenty years ago)
questions:
how motivated by his disappointing engerland form may this have been, or is it solely to preserve his physical fitness for longer?
was he irked at being played on the left, and may it have played a part?
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:53 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:54 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:55 (twenty years ago)
he did score a cracker against Liverpool, but hey, even Stephan Henchoz scores one every now and again
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:56 (twenty years ago)
bless the little ginger nut, eases Sven's selection headache somewhat
whenever great footballers from other countries were questioned about who the danger men from England were it always seemed to be Scholes's name that came up first, funny.
― the neurotic awakening of s (blueski), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:58 (twenty years ago)
― ___ (___), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:58 (twenty years ago)
when pompey play 3-5-2 - Matty can get forward - he has scored some superb goals for Pompey.
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:58 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:59 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:59 (twenty years ago)
i would've said yeh but he was so prolific at euro2004 that it seems daft to play him anywhere else now - the new first choice striker for England, ahead of Owen
― the neurotic awakening of s (blueski), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 13:59 (twenty years ago)
Scholes retiring should be good for one thing - see if Beckham likes it in the middle, and put Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right.
― ___ (___), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:01 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:02 (twenty years ago)
BlackburnSpursMan CityEverton
all who have had England players in recent times.
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:03 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:04 (twenty years ago)
rooney and owen still the main strike pairing. the mediocre cover strikers - vassel and heskey - should be replaced with better, younger cover strikers - carlton cole, stead, defoe, smith - all worth a look.
beckham should stay on the right. him and wright-phillips may fight it out for that position. there is plenty competition for the central positions. left side? any other suggestions? return to the diamond?
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:04 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:05 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:06 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:07 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:08 (twenty years ago)
ken - agreed smith is not brilliant. still prob better than vassel though. defoe is *certainly* better than both.
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:08 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:09 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:10 (twenty years ago)
Speaking as a City fan, the only player we've had in recent times has been David James, and that is by effect of buying the England goalkeeper.
SWeeP was excellent last season. He needs to get his crossing sorted a little, but he is an incredible prospect, and his low centre of gravity helps him cause all sorts of problems.
Left midfielders I don't know of any. I know we need one at club level, and there are very few (that lad at Notts Forest is a natural left midfielder isn't he?).
In my slightly bias way, I would pick SWP above Beckham, though that is hardly surprising.
― ___ (___), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:11 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:14 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:14 (twenty years ago)
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:15 (twenty years ago)
― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:17 (twenty years ago)
― ___ (___), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:18 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:19 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:21 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:25 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:27 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:29 (twenty years ago)
― Porkpie (porkpie), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:31 (twenty years ago)
― ___ (___), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:32 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:32 (twenty years ago)
heskey and alan smith as centre-backs. switch beckham to left back and bring in matt taylor on the right. owen and rooney on the right and left wings respectively. play portsmouth's steve stone in the centre of midfield, alongside shaun derry. the rest of the team picks itself - luke chadwick and seth johnston up front
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:33 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 14:40 (twenty years ago)
Pompey signal their intention to buy Michael Carrick from West Ham !
Pompey Offer Club Record Bid For West Ham Ace Portsmouth FC - The Official Site 15:16http://www.pompeyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10396~547441,00.html
Pompey confirm Carrick bidhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/3532332.stm
― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 15:26 (twenty years ago)
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 16:18 (twenty years ago)
― the neurotic awakening of s (blueski), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 16:23 (twenty years ago)
― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 16:42 (twenty years ago)
― the neurotic awakening of s (blueski), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 17:03 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 17:11 (twenty years ago)
london fancy a kick about again FAKA?
let your feet do the talking kids. i'm playing left wing despite being prolific
― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 09:26 (twenty years ago)
England players always get picked on their all-round game, rather than their necessary ability to play to the team's strengths.
― ___ (___), Wednesday, 4 August 2004 09:34 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 14:25 (twenty years ago)
― teh pow! (blueski), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 14:28 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 14:30 (twenty years ago)
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 16:54 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Friday, 22 October 2004 10:14 (twenty years ago)
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 October 2004 10:36 (twenty years ago)
back of composure/too many aimless long balls giving away possession? no one putting decent (ball winning) tackles in?
― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 18 November 2004 13:22 (twenty years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 18 November 2004 13:26 (twenty years ago)
― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Thursday, 18 November 2004 13:35 (twenty years ago)
The only England moment I saw that was any good whatsoever was Paul Robinson's penalty save. But then I did switch off in a mixture of disgust and disinterest after Matthew Upson was bought on.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 18 November 2004 13:40 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 21:40 (twenty years ago)
And more pertinently, what was the point of picking Johnson and then playing him on the right wing? Complete wasted opportunity.
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 21:48 (twenty years ago)
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)
I liked Hansen saying, in regard to the idea of learning from friendlies "I defy anyone to have learnt anything from that." And Lineker's parting shot "Not exactly a thriller at the Villa. They should have played at Birmingham City - it was absolutely sh...ocking."
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:03 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:04 (twenty years ago)
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:20 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:22 (twenty years ago)
They played alright, with an experienced team.
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:28 (twenty years ago)
― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:30 (twenty years ago)
well, he's getting the oddgame for Forest
― Porkpie (porkpie), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:35 (twenty years ago)
Not sure there was too much 'decent' about the game. The one player I was looking forward to seeing - SWP - made three or four howling errors. The Dutch hit a post and knocked it about in their unruffled way. And that's about all I remember. For much of the first half, I was concentrating on the cricket, anyway, which was stupidly exciting, even on the radio.
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:37 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 22:45 (twenty years ago)
Coming back to kits, I notice that Portugal wore the same kit as Holland last night, albeit with their own badge. Was this a Nike thing? Was it a fatuous publicity stunt, cf Benetton attaching itself to 'causes' in the 80s?
― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Thursday, 10 February 2005 07:36 (twenty years ago)
Pretty much I fear. Or at least, they are pushing it hard and not purely out of the good of their hearts. I am starting to like Gary Neville. And I'm a Liverpool fan!! What's wrong with me?
― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Thursday, 10 February 2005 12:13 (twenty years ago)
It was laughable. England friendlies are just fucking awful. Sack the manager.
― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 10 February 2005 12:20 (twenty years ago)
― zappi (joni), Thursday, 10 February 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)
― zappi (joni), Thursday, 10 February 2005 12:27 (twenty years ago)
― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 13:07 (twenty years ago)
http://www.psisolutions.com/images/metal-magnifying-glass.jpg http://www.omar.ru/home/adv/kettle/kettle-3.jpg
― DJ Mencap0))), Thursday, 10 February 2005 13:19 (twenty years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 6 November 2005 22:36 (nineteen years ago)
― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 6 November 2005 22:43 (nineteen years ago)
Makes Carragher's omission all the more baffling through. Has Sven accepted he's fourth in the pecking order now?
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 6 November 2005 22:49 (nineteen years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 6 November 2005 22:51 (nineteen years ago)
"Carragher has also been ruled out through injury, joining not only Woodgate, but also Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, Chris Kirkland, Owen Hargreaves and Kieron Dyer on the absentee list."
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 6 November 2005 22:55 (nineteen years ago)
i'm guessing sven is going to try out a diamond in this game? beckham right, gerrard left, lampard at the tip and carrick/king/smith(?) at the base?
smith was excellent today, but i don't think that should gloss over the fact that he has looked lost in his new role for the most part. its strange that his midfield conversion has *boosted* his chance of an england squad place, when it hasn't really been a success, and has only really succeeded in taking him away from his proper position.
the fact that sven has picked crouch, despite his poor form, suggests that he will probably stick with him for a while. (i mean, if he's getting in the squad on this form - there isn't really much he can do to *lose* his place between now and the summer, is there?)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 6 November 2005 23:05 (nineteen years ago)
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 6 November 2005 23:14 (nineteen years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 6 November 2005 23:23 (nineteen years ago)
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 6 November 2005 23:25 (nineteen years ago)