*Official* English Football Season 2012-13

[Ikki]

Why couldn't Gerrard have done it?

I don't think he has the legs anymore. He's still very fit and still has a burst of speed but post-injuries doesn't have the same speed in changing direction - especially running with pace. Right now he is doing brilliantly playing that holding midfield role for us and if England can replicate a system which keeps him doing that they have a shot.

Some don't rate Parker, but I do. I think a midfield of Parker-Gerrard-Wilshire can not only keep the ball but will have high-work rate with 2 of them very capable of creating for the front players, and chipping in with the odd goal.

[grecian]

Yeah Brazil not been the 'proper' Brazil since 1982.

From what I understand they were a shambles going into 2002, really struggled in qualyfying so we will see what they can come up with in 2014.

An interesting point, I think they've become more pragmatic since the great team of '82 lost, so I kind of understand the misery of us creaky ones. 94 was just average. Yet I never got the slagging off of the '02 side, three or four great players, will generally do it for you any WC.

[GingerFurball]

Brazil in 2002 were very, very good. I never understood the criticism they got.

[grecian]

Brazil in 2002 were very, very good. I never understood the criticism they got.

Me neither, in England it was partly because the press had turned against Sven, so they had to say losing narrowly against a good Brazil side in conditions much more suited to them, was a horribly bad thing.

[sledger]

Yeah Brazil not been the 'proper' Brazil since 1982.

From what I understand they were a shambles going into 2002, really struggled in qualyfying so we will see what they can come up with in 2014.

Yeah, I seem to remember the 2002 qualifying campaign was an absolute debacle, so much so that they nearly missed out on qualification. I think they had 4 different managers during that period too.

It's a strange one, because I remember their team at the time was severely disjointed throughout qualification, and they lacked a striker. Perhaps they were fortunate that Ronaldo regained fitness from his nasty injury just in time for the start of the tournament, and that he was incredibly great.

[sledger]

I also seem to remember that the strange incident involving an ancient Romario throwing a chicken at a supporter occurred around that time also...

[marc71178]

Must admit I didn't watch the game (need Silvio Berlusconi-strength viagra to get it up for friendlies now), but aren't Brazil ranked at the all time low in the FIFA top of the pops?

18th, I think I read. Obviously being the host nation and not having to qualify for the WC must be a factor, but the same would've been true after they won in 94 and they didn't drop so low.

Yeah but in 1994 they had the benefit of a WC win in their recent history which helps keep the rankings up. I think a long succession of friendlies, often without all the full strength team leading to sub-par performances, is the main reason for the fall.

[grecian]

Sorry for the link to the Scum, but John ****ing Barnes

[The Sean]

Sorry for the link to the Scum, but John ****ing Barnes

I might be missing something, but why does an initiative celebrating the English FA contain Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish footballers?

[wpdavid]

I might be missing something, but why does an initiative celebrating the English FA contain Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish footballers?

I suppose it's because of the FA's role in domestic football as well as the national side. Although by that reckoning they should also include Ricky Villa and Eric Cantona.

[wpdavid]

Sorry for the link to the Scum, but John ****ing Barnes

Viv Anderson would have been a more relevant pick if they wanted to tick that particular box. That being said, maybe Barnes is there as the last decent left sided midfielder/forward that we've had. Arguably the only one since I've been watching the game.

[grecian]

Viv Anderson would have been a more relevant pick if they wanted to tick that particular box. That being said, maybe Barnes is there as the last decent left sided midfielder/forward that we've had. Arguably the only one since I've been watching the game.

Nah Barnes was just average, decent is massively overselling for his many caps when he was totally anonymous. Should have put Giggs in there plus many others, if they're doing Taffs. Let alnoe all the great wingers from the past, for Scotland and England.

Keegan another poor pick, would select, Lineker, Hurst, Dalglish, Dean, Rush, Mortenson and plenty others over him. Billy Wright should be in there somewhere too. Not sure about Robbo either, I liked him, but think there's been better for the Home Countries.

[wpdavid]

Nah Barnes was just average, decent is massively overselling for his many caps when he was totally anonymous. Should have put Giggs in there plus many others, if they're doing Taffs. Let alnoe all the great wingers from the past, for Scotland and England.

Keegan another poor pick, would select, Lineker, Hurst, Dalglish, Dean, Rush, Mortenson and plenty others over him. Billy Wright should be in there somewhere too. Not sure about Robbo either, I liked him, but think there's been better for the Home Countries.

All true. Finney would have been my all-time pick on the left wing - he could play either side, couldn't he?


EDIT
And there's no full backs at all in the side. Not that I'm sure who our ATGs would be in those positions.

[grecian]

All true. Finney would have been my all-time pick on the left wing - he could play either side, couldn't he?


EDIT
And there's no full backs at all in the side. Not that I'm sure who our ATGs would be in those positions.

I think both Matthews and Finney could play on the left, and by all accounts Finney would have been better in an overcoat, to paraphrase Shankly.

[The Sean]

All true. Finney would have been my all-time pick on the left wing - he could play either side, couldn't he?


EDIT
And there's no full backs at all in the side. Not that I'm sure who our ATGs would be in those positions.

Yeah Finney was two footed - played mainly on the left because Matthews (who wasn't) played on the right. He became a deep-lying centre-forward in later years too I believe.

As for full backs, off the top of my head I'm thinking Cashley, Pearce, the Neviller, Sansom, Neal, Wilson, Cohen, Armfield, Byrne, Gemmell, McGrain. Probably a bunch of others I've forgotten too. Some great players there but probably lacking the glamour, charisma or popularity to have their own postage stamps.