Pre-tournament friendlies

[grecian]

That bloke saying after the John Barnes Brazil goal he pretended to be John Barnes, TBF he'd have been about as effective for England for the next 10 years if he'd played.

*not letting it go*

[GIMH]

Originally Posted by grecian

That bloke saying after the John Barnes Brazil goal he pretended to be John Barnes, TBF he'd have been about as effective for England for the next 10 years if he'd played.

*not letting it go*

Probably a better manager too


*notlettingthatgoeither*

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by GIMH

Probably a better manager too


*notlettingthatgoeither*

John Barnes is just a tragic case of what happens when big clubs don't show patience with obvious managerial geniuses.

[grecian]

If Red Clive says Azzar instead of Hazard one more time I'll cry.

[sledger]

Good finish for the goal, but otherwise I'd say there were a number of fairly ominous signs about the performance today. Clive harped on about how "solid" the team looked, but so many players kept giving up possession in dangerous areas after dwelling on the ball, and it's not like Belgium weren't allowed plenty of opportunities to get into good areas and fashion chances.

Also, if I was one of the top sides looking to splash out on new players, I'd look into the prospect of signing Fellaini before going near Hazard.

[The Sean]

I thought Dembele was bloody impressive too.

[sledger]

Yeah, I thought he was good as well. He's the exact kind of player England seems to be incapable of producing too.

[grecian]

We were awful at the things we're always awful at, we'll be crushed in the euros.

[sledger]

It's strange, I can't recall watching many England matches between the last World Cup and now, but it seems they haven't even come close to ironing out the very basic flaws that dogged them last time round. Namely, they cannot keep the ball and play simple passes. Absolutely no patience/inspiration whilst in possession whatsoever. Don't think there's much there by way of attacking threat either, defence is probably solid enough, but the failure to make sensible use of the ball annoys me so much.

[The Sean]

Originally Posted by sledger

It's strange, I can't recall watching many England matches between the last World Cup and now, but it seems they haven't even come close to ironing out the very basic flaws that dogged them last time round. Namely, they cannot keep the ball and play simple passes. Absolutely no patience/inspiration whilst in possession whatsoever. Don't think there's much there by way of attacking threat either, defence is probably solid enough, but the failure to make sensible use of the ball annoys me so much.

If only there was someone - let's call him M.Carrick, no, Michael C - sitting around who might have been able to help with that.

[wpdavid]

Originally Posted by The Sean

If only there was someone - let's call him M.Carrick, no, Michael C - sitting around who might have been able to help with that.

Would have been nice of him to make himself available.

[grecian]

Originally Posted by wpdavid

Would have been nice of him to make himself available.

Yep, no point going on about him or Scholes, if they can't be arsed to play **** 'em. Not going to myther about either ever again.

Rather have Barton in, at least he'd want to play for us.

Carrick, who I've always defended on Cricketweb, often against Man U fans, is in danger of becoming some kind of world-class player by his absence, when he definitely isn't.

[The Sean]

Originally Posted by wpdavid

Would have been nice of him to make himself available.

Not completely absolving him with my comment TBH - while I have some sympathy for his disillusionment having seen the players (some of whom are breathtakingly moderate) who've been picked ahead of him over and over again for no discernible improvement for the national side, his toys-out-of-pram attitude has backfired on him quite badly here. Had he just sucked it the **** up and stayed on the standby list, then with Lampard and Barry and out and Parker still not totally convincing he'd now be one of England's most important midfielders at the tournament with a genuine opportunity to shine.

[The Sean]

Originally Posted by grecian

Yep, no point going on about him or Scholes, if they can't be arsed to play **** 'em. Not going to myther about either ever again.

Rather have Barton in, at least he'd want to play for us.

Carrick, who I've always defended on Cricketweb, often against Man U fans, is in danger of becoming some kind of world-class player by his absence, when he definitely isn't.

Did Scholesy actually turn down a call-up? I didn't realise that.

Agreed on Carrick not being world class, and **** knows I've criticised him in the past, but I do think he offers something that other English midfielders don't, and he's not been given anywhere near the chances to show it that some others have.

[grecian]

Originally Posted by The Sean

Did Scholesy actually turn down a call-up? I didn't realise that.

Agreed on Carrick not being world class, and **** knows I've criticised him in the past, but I do think he offers something that other English midfielders don't, and he's not been given anywhere near the chances to show it that some others have.

Oh I was talking about his general retirement, Scholes, I can't remember if he'd turned this particular tournament. Oh I'd have Carrick in the team, but it ain't going to make much difference.