Football Season 09-10/2010 World Cup Thread

[Syncratic]

What I don't get is when the once tried and tested method of the sweper system worked back in 1990, we went back to the boring long ball game and have done f*** all since. Lampard is w*** also. He's too greedy and f*** up 90% of his shots. It's like he has an egg whist instead of an expensive football boot.

[Drico One]

In my view, there are two problems with England. One is technical, the other is cultural - and you could argue that one is a consequence of the other. England hasn't produced a world class XI since 1970. England are incapable of retaining the ball. The Algerians were technically superior tonight - and that's not saying much given their sloppiness. Even exposure to world class foreigners in the domestic league has not brought this fundamental problem to the forefront of coaching.

The second problem is cultural. People look to the relative success of Premier League clubs in Europe (and it is relative, only three wins since 1999 in a period of ferocious wealth and financial advantage) and see it as English success when frankly it is largely due to the foreign players providing the creative spark and clever technique that English players are often bereft of. English players bring the necessary courage and spirit, but the genuinely creative stars of the Premier League have more often than not been foreign (Cantona, Bergkamp, Zola, Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.).

This gives the impression to the plebs that the likes of Lampard, Terry, and Gerrard are world stars when they have never been major players in international tournaments (with only their fellow countrymen for team-mates). These guys are praised to high heaven for two solid years on the back of their club careers and live like Caligula, feted as world beating superstars with multi-million pound contracts. Then, they have to go to represent their country and justify their status - and they find that they can't. They cannot live up to the myth. People are shocked, for some strange satellite dish-shaped reason, Richard. It's not about winning for these guys - just being seen to have done enough to justify their domestic status and stay onboard the gravy train.

England will qualify from their group - it's one of the weakest in the tournament. But they're fooling only the foolish, Martin, and will be knocked out by the first team they meet that matches their spirit and exceeds their technique.

Drico.

[Undertaker]

In my view, there are two problems with England. One is technical, the other is cultural - and you could argue that one is a consequence of the other. England hasn't produced a world class XI since 1970.

Have to disagree with that. The 1990 side was world class or very close to being so. It depends on what you compare it to. It was a fantastic side that had players peaking all at the same time.

England are incapable of retaining the ball. The Algerians were technically superior tonight - and that's not saying much given their sloppiness. Even exposure to world class foreigners in the domestic league has not brought this fundamental problem to the forefront of coaching

Very true. I've said it for ages but the people that matter cannot see it it. Fat Frank scores 12 penalties a season and a hat-trick against Wigan, which seems a good enough achievement to be first on the team sheet every single match. Lampard is the main problem because he's useless. Carrick could play but Joe Cole must. These two are technically better than most of the squad. Not superstars but they are good on the ball.

The formation isn't the problem either. For some reason, some pundits are starting to think it is. Personally, England should have gone 3-5-2 ages ago but you can't change it now. It still doesn't excuse the team selection though. Without doubt, Capello is putting Lampard in and then fitting players around him. He needs to pick his best attacking midfielder alongside his best holding midfielder. Lampard is neither, unless you play three in the middle. I think thats obvious but what do armchair fans know?

The second problem is cultural. People look to the relative success of Premier League clubs in Europe (and it is relative, only three wins since 1999 in a period of ferocious wealth and financial advantage) and see it as English success when frankly it is largely due to the foreign players providing the creative spark and clever technique that English players are often bereft of. English players bring the necessary courage and spirit, but the genuinely creative stars of the Premier League have more often than not been foreign (Cantona, Bergkamp, Zola, Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.).

This gives the impression to the plebs that the likes of Lampard, Terry, and Gerrard are world stars when they have never been major players in international tournaments (with only their fellow countrymen for team-mates). These guys are praised to high heaven for two solid years on the back of their club careers and live like Caligula, feted as world beating superstars with multi-million pound contracts. Then, they have to go to represent their country and justify their status - and they find that they can't. They cannot live up to the myth. People are shocked, for some strange satellite dish-shaped reason, Richard. It's not about winning for these guys - just being seen to have done enough to justify their domestic status and stay onboard the gravy train.

A bit harsh on Gerrard. He was probably the main reason Liverpool were so sucessful for a few years under Benitez. Gerrard is a top player IMO. Most clubs would take him.

I think Englands main problems are square pegs etc and bottle. You say above about England players having courage. I have to disagree with that. This lot have very little. The goal v USA and the signs the Algeria game wasn't going to plan, showed everyone that the players panic. They try to force games. There is no plan B either. They don't know what the next player is thinking. Penalties is another example and the embarressment of not wanting the ball. Players like Lampard cannot wait to get rid of it and will just smack it anywhere.

England will qualify from their group - it's one of the weakest in the tournament. But they're fooling only the foolish, Martin, and will be knocked out by the first team they meet that matches their spirit and exceeds their technique.

Drico.

I dunno. I doubt anyone would fancy playing England because if they do play, they can beat anyone. Croatia, for example, are a fantasically technically gifted side and England rolled them over 4-1 and 5-1. If England play the correct line up, they still could go very well. Although if they do balls it up, i certainly wont be losing any sleep.

[skyhigh]

In all the years England have been competing in the big two competitions, they've got to one final and one semi final. Hardly the stuff that suggests they're a big competition team is it?

[GalataPSB]

Oh dear.....

I didn't know Algeria has a football team..(Just kidding)

Hahahahahahahaha...

[Patrick Bateman]

Well whichever doofus was commenting last night thought it was strange that Algeria had so many French-born players in their side. Yes, because England have never selected players of Afro-Caribbean descent, have they? (and let's not forget that Rooney is Irish although he'd probably struggle to get in our side ahead of Doyle at the moment )

btw, does anybody find that advert with all the various 'faces' from England's past like legendary ex-Southampton supremo Clive Woodward in it pretty sick? Win it for Bobby. *silence* Oh please f*** off. Bobby Robson received as much opprobrium from the English press as any England manager, and if they hadn't got two jammy penalties against Cameroon he'd have been remembered as a radish by now. Win it for Fred West. *silence*

[Kris]

In all the years England have been competing in the big two competitions, they've got to one final and one semi final. Hardly the stuff that suggests they're a big competition team is it?

Two semi-finals - 1990 and 1996. Expectations can be too high on occasions but in fairness, England are usually there or thereabouts; in Sven's reign they reached the quarter-finals three competitions in a row and only lost on penalties in two of them.

I know England fans and the media spontaneously combust with hysteria following a poor performance but you can't blame them after last night. It was fifth-rate and, being a Southend fan, I'm used to watching drivel week in, week out.

Capello has disappointed me in the two games so far. He's fallen into the same trap as previous managers of playing players out of position simply to accommodate them. When he took over as manager he gave the impression of being ruthless in his team selection but that hasn't been the case. Gerrard out on the left is ridiculous, not helped by the fact that he never stays there and clogs up the middle of the park; and his snubbing of Joe Cole is baffling. I can only assume that he's been awful in training, or distracted by his imminent move elsewhere.

The ball retention issue is an interesting one. As Syncratic and Dave mentioned, it's no surprise to me that their best periods were in 1990 and in 1998 under Glenn Hoddle when they largely played 3-5-2, which allowed players a better freedom of movement and into pockets that 4-4-2 rarely allows, especially in the predictable way that England use it. Unfortunately, these days 3-5-2 is a system that can be easily dismantled due to full-backs being fantastic athletes and linking up with a wide midfielder to create a two-on-one situation. So the solution to me is to play a 4-2-3-1 system with two orthodox wide men, Gerrard supporting Rooney, and two central midfielders with the capabitiy of sitting deeper and breaking forward when the situation allows. That should create a better balance and allow the team to play with a bit more freedom. But then what do I know...

[Undertaker]

I didn't know Algeria has a football team..(Just kidding)

Hahahahahahahaha...

Yep, they have a side. They were good enough to qualify for the World Cup. Who's group are Turkey in?

[jaytrance]

I hate the fereree!

[Patrick Bateman]

I haven't seen Kewell for ages. Is he still playing in Turkey? Jesus, he looked an amazing player when he was at Leeds. What happened to him?

[Undertaker]

Good game at the moment. When you get two sides that aren't the best and they just go hammer and tongs at each other, they are always entertaining.

Brett Emerton must be about 75.

[Patrick Bateman]

It's Brazil-Ivory Coast tomorrow evening - that's the one I'm really looking forward to. I can't wait for the three games-a-day phase to be over to be honest; I'm meant to be working and I can't stop myself from watching all the games.

ha ha Anelka's been sent home. Now all we need is for a lion to eat Henry and I'll be happy.

[Undertaker]

Le sulk at it again. He's not even a good player. France are a disgrace. Obviously they can't see past their over inflated ego's how much a World Cup means to people back home and those who spend thousands travelling. Even playing on the worlds biggest stage doesn't matter to them. They should be suspended from Euro 2010.

[jaytrance]

I haven't seen Kewell for ages. Is he still playing in Turkey? Jesus, he looked an amazing player when he was at Leeds. What happened to him?

He's got some kind of disease and can only 5-10 years at most

[jaytrance]

It's Brazil-Ivory Coast tomorrow evening - that's the one I'm really looking forward to. I can't wait for the three games-a-day phase to be over to be honest; I'm meant to be working and I can't stop myself from watching all the games.

ha ha Anelka's been sent home. Now all we need is for a lion to eat Henry and I'll be happy.

Here's the reason for Anelka's Leave.He insulted Domenech with Fxxx you, SOB！
http://www.fdesouche.com/121450-va-te-f ... ls-de-pute