Here's a question now:
Who does England use as striking partner with Crouch? Or, do they just go for the draw and crowd the midfield?
Take care all.
Printable View
Here's a question now:
Who does England use as striking partner with Crouch? Or, do they just go for the draw and crowd the midfield?
Take care all.
Answer:
England will probably stumble between the strategies of going for the win and 'safety first' and will make heavy weather of qualifying, giving all their fans yet another heart attack in the process.
The thought of an Arsenal player in Eduardo knocking England out is amusing, but I don't see it happening.
correct:D typical England will just spend the whole game passing the ball around in midfield until they finally find a gap in the defence and score to win 1-0 or they will do the same but concede a late goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
It probably would have been better for russia to draw because at least then England will go for a goal:D
We are so smurfing lucky. I feel sorry for Scotland, they deserved to go through - we don't deserve to go through whatsoever.
On Wednesday I think England will still play two upfront, probably Crouch and Defoe. Personally I'd rather have Darren Bent play, but that's because I'm not a huge fan of Defoe. :jess:
Is it wrong that all of those choices really depress me in one way or another?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Not at all. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by HeathIs it wrong that all of those choices really depress me in one way or another?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Ofcourse, Alan Smith is an option but he's hardly much better -- and I'm a Newcastle fan! He'd probably just get himself sent off for being such a gobby/dirty bastard, anyway.
I was wondering....
Lampard is a good offensive player, but a terrible defensive one (Not a good combo for midfield), so why not try him at striker with Crouch? That would also free up the central midfield spot for Barry to play alongside Gerrard.
Take care all.
He'd be no good trying to get behind the defenders, he wouldn't be able to get any deflections to score off.
Also, Francis Jeffers is more of an option than Alan Smith, and Paul can tell you exactly what I think about him!
Dan thinks Francis Jeffers is in the world's top 1,000,000,000, that's how high he rates him! I think he overrates him myself, and is just biased because he's an Ipswich lover but there we are.Yes; Peter Crouch is the best striker England have at international level, Rooney and Owen inclusive. But he plays for Liverpool so I guess he loses 50 points for that!Quote:
Originally Posted by Heath
It's not the club thing at all, to be honest; Crouch could play for Everton for all I care. I'm just not a fan of Crouch. He gets a lot of goals but a lot of the time it never ceases to amaze me that he does get them because his performances generally don't impress me. I'd rather have Rooney and/or Owen up front, to be honest. Of the lot I'd take Crouch over Bent or Defoe, but I wouldn't name him in my starting XI.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
I'd go with Crouch (or Heskey) and Owen myself. Rooney as impact sub.
That sounds decent enough to me. Which must be gracious of me, considering you've got Liverpool players past and present as well Wayne 'Once a Blue, Always a Blue' Rooney :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
But to be honest, I don't really care who a player plays for as long as they'll play decently for England.
Bet I hate Owen more than you hate Rooney!
£25 million and a much improved Everton as a result? I'm only disappointed we didn't get more for him. Though that doesn't stop me insulting him if he scores against/moans about/turns up at Everton.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Pshaw. I like all of Owen, Rooney and Crouch. I think they're all good players. How often have Owen and Rooney played alongside each other and how many times have each of them scored while that has happened? It'd be interesting to know. I think they work incredibly well together. Crouch to me is much better as an impact sub. He's proven this in the past and it's much more likely that England will go for corners nearer the end of the game, where Rooney is ineffective and Crouch is highly effective.
Of course, we all know it'll end up with Crouch coming on after 30 minutes anyway since one of Rooney and Owen will end up injured.
Owen is/was a magnificant player, but these days he's like a china doll, whereas Rooney is yet to even reach his peak and its scary.
Still, done smurf all for England ;)
I watched the northern ireland match the other night in the pub and apparently the pitch was waterlogged, you could tell, it looked like they were kicking about a lead balloon, bloody shocking. Still won though.
That's 100% true you know. God I hate that man!Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
nt
Personally i would go for a 4 - 5 - 1,
Robinson
Richards - Campbell - Lescott - Cole
Beckham - Gerrard - Barry - Lampard - Cole
Crouch
Also, i would not have underused Carragher so he would be available instead of Lescott
Blimey 2-0. England need a comeback! Not that I care if they manage it or not XD
:mad2:Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
I can't believe this.
Edit: It's level! smurfing yes!!!
Edit 2: Heartbreaking. :(
"Say something Mark, say something." "I can't."
We can't qualify for the euros for a game we invented. Bye bye Steve McClaren. Who next?
Well, that went well.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame.
We need a scapegoat. No, Steve McClaren is too obvious a target. I want to blame Noel Edmonds for all of this. Him and Mr. Blobby. Let's see if we can't get them lynched!
Croatia, we love you. We do, we really really do.
On the downside, NI knocked out too.
Bye Bye England.
And Russia only beat Andorra 1-0, how on earth did you get knocked out by this team?!
Big changes needed it seems
I'm quite disappointed, what a shame :(
I blame Scott Carson. To be honest, he's the rubbish goalkeeper I've ever seen. I couldn't believe what he has done. If England had a better goalkeeper, we would of have won easily.
At least I hope there will be a better England team in the future. I'm sure they will be considering about that option.
Maybe it wasn't Steve McClaren fault because he actually thought that Scott Carson will do a great job tonight, unfortunately that didn't work out so well.
I thought that Carson would have been a better choice than James or Robinson tonight. But then again I thought Clattenburg would be a good referee for the derby too xD
I don't think Carson is a bad keeper, but playing such an inexperienced player in such a huge match borders on the insane.
This was pretty much exactly what I was going to say. Carson is not to blame for the loss. The whole team were absolutely disgraceful, his performance wasn't the only bad one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Extremely disappointing, more so because i watched it with a scot, at least they lost with pride intact.
Absolutely shocking first half. Carson totally at fault for first goal and should have done better for second. However, he is not a bad keeper. I would have gone for Robinsons experience but the keeper was not the crucial factor.
England stood off in midfield way too much, we gave Croatia too much time and space on the ball. This is where i think Maclaren went wrong and why i think he should resign/be sacked. If we had closed down more in the first half we would have got the result we needed IMO.
Good fightback at the start of second half and i have changed my mind about 4-5-1 for England. We were much better after switching to 4-4-2. Penalty was embarrasing as it was the weakest of fouls, but it was a penalty, he tugged his shirt. Beckhams cross and Crouch's finish were both first rate
After Croatia scored again i pretty much gave up hope.
Too few Manchester United players. In fact, a complete lack. Best player on the pitch was Beckham, and, well, you know where he played for most of his career.
What. Best (England) player on the pitch was Peter Crouch, followed by Joe Cole.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
what the hell was Gerrard doing today? I'm disappointed in my husband-to-be. :(
To be fair, Crouch was pretty good and possibly better. But Beckham made the difference in a big way. But Cole? Nah.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticWhat. Best (England) player on the pitch was Peter Crouch, followed by Joe Cole.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Yeah, despite my dislike of Crouch I'd agree with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticWhat. Best (England) player on the pitch was Peter Crouch, followed by Joe Cole.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Eh, I never really considered the experience thing to be honest. On paper I'd prefer Carson because he's generally impressed me with all his performances that I've seen.
I thought he was one of England's best players in the first half, but after the break he just went to pieces.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
He did some quality things in the first half, yeah. In the second half he made me sad. SAD. :(
Don't be sad ^_^ England will be so much better next time! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Jess
I am sad because I said to Lampshade England would lose 3-1 and it was so close. :(
Oh, you too :pQuote:
Originally Posted by DK
This is quite dramatic, McClaren just got sacked right after the game :eek:
Hmmm, I wonder who the next manager might be.
:(Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
Well, McClaren has gone. Who's next? Supposedly the ex-Real Madrid boss has expressed an interest and Mourinho has pre-emptively said no. Martin O'Neill wouldn't be bad. I was disappointed he didn't get the job to begin with.
Harry 'Gammy Eye' Redknapp.
Should be: someone like Martin O'Neill or Fabio Capello (or anyone in that vein)
Should not be: Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce (who thankfully has ruled himself out it seems), Alan Shearer
I'm telling you his gammy eye is the key to victory. No opposition player will be able to concentrate with him staring at them!
That was a shocking result. Three soft goals. Forget Carson, Englands defending was terrible!
Definitely. Beckham for ages was over-rated, but for some reason there was a backlash and he's now under-rated. He WAS Englands best player of the game. Crouch played a stormer in the second half because... BECKHAM WAS PLAYING! McClaren was as thick as a post to start Crouch up front on his own without starting Beckham without his delivering ability. A real no-brainer, and because of it, Becks can pretty much kiss his international career goodbye.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoBTo be fair, Crouch was pretty good and possibly better. But Beckham made the difference in a big way. But Cole? Nah.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticWhat. Best (England) player on the pitch was Peter Crouch, followed by Joe Cole.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
Cyclops for the win. If Redknapp gets the job he'll give the England team a good kick up the rear end and bring them to work as a team. Besides, he's English, seems like a genuine guy, and he likes attacking football, therefore the post should suit him down to the ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
xDDDDDDDDDDDDDD That is classic.
David Moyes is a :skull::skull::skull::skull: manager and is nothing compared to Rafael Benitez how dare he make such a mockery of a wonderful and great man! :irked: :frust: :nonono: :mad: :mad2: :assortedangrylookingsmileys:
But seriously Rafa you legend. :lol:
jesus smurfing christ. I can't believe how poor we are.
edit: 2-0 to Liverpool.
Please boys, please play football. :kaobeg:
edit 2: Finally, I can see Milner warming up. A glimmer of hope! xD
Never heard fans boo so much in response to a substitution before.
Oh dear. I can't believe how poor we were today. Big Sam isn't to blame - where was the passion from the players?
However, I'm absolutely disgusted with the Geordies! Everybody was happy to see Milner coming on, but unhappy with N'Zogbia coming off. Why? He was awful today.
The Geordies singing "You don't know you what you're doing," to Big Sam really annoyed me. Give him a chance. We can't expect to beat a team like Liverpool, who are unbeaten this season. We've only lost two games at home, and we're 11th in the table, yet the fans are calling for Sam to be axed already. GIVE HIM A smurfING CHANCE. He can't work magic. He's only 5 months into his tenure. We're doing so much better then we have in recent seasons. Grrrrr! I'm so angry. :mad2:
Apparently Newcastle fans have been singing Big Sam for England all through the match.
Any manager that takes the job of England manager is looking for trouble.
30 minutes into both matches. Bolton 1, United 0. City 1, Reading 0.
Oh city, you've got me singing the blues.
If it's any consolation, Sunderland are doing worse. 3-0 down to Everton just before half time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Edit: Looks like I spoke too soon. 3-1 in injury time.
Oh, please. The Newcastle fans were singing "You don't know what you're doing," right in Sam Allardyce's face. That's hardly wanting him to take the England manager job.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimsour
In my opinion, Big Sam should have been England Manager ahead of McClaren, but I'm happy to have him at St James', those Newcastle fans who aren't calling for him to be axed are happy to have him and wouldn't want him to leave.
edit: Big Sam has ruled himself out of the England job, anyway. :jess:
Ofcourse, seeing Sunderland lose is a wonderful thing. Come on Everton!Quote:
Originally Posted by HeathIf it's any consolation, Sunderland are doing worse. 3-0 down to Everton just before half time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Edit: Looks like I spoke too soon. 3-1 in injury time.
Plus, Everton winning will be helping out my Hit the Bar from Ladbrokes! :jess:
Arnold Schwarzenegger should take his job and see what happens :)
The more I see of Carrick, the less I like him. He seems like he just lost all enthusiasm for the game this season. Bring on Anderson already. :( Or Fletcher. Hell, bring on O'Shea.
Bolton, honestly?
Atleast losing to Liverpool isn't that embarrassing. Even though Paul is mocking me via text. ;___;
Please Bolton dont let it get away from you. Makes up for my lot trailing Peterborough 6 - 0 :(
Oh, get in! Come on Everton. I'm very pleased with this result. It looks like the scousers are smurfing over the north east teams today.
Take that, Keano. :jess:
edit: 6-1. Loving it!
7-0 now.Quote:
Originally Posted by blim
Yeah, the really bad thing is that it's not so much Bolton being amazing as it is United being really, really... dead. Until Anderson came on around the 60th minute we've had nothing happening at all. I'm hoping Carrick comes off for Fletcher, really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
EDIT: Even Giggs is gifting Bolton the ball.
Jesus smurfing Christ we're smurfed :( Walcott joins the crew on the injury bench. It's so unfunny I'm laughing.
Everton 6 - 1 Sunderland
And ten minutes to go. <3
At least your team know how to get a goal. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Resha
7-1 to Everton. Oh my god, this makes me happy in so many ways.
I now love Everton. :heart:
Two :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoBAt least your team know how to get a goal. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Resha
But this is Wigan, and a win was somewhat expected -- it's pretty demoralising to some effect that it took them this long! And at many points in the game Wigan seriously threatened. If Walcott's injury is serious, we really are smurfed, thinking ahead-wise. No van Persie for Sevilla, no Walcott (potentially), no Gilberto for how long? And Hleb. aughghg
And a big hurray for Everton, although a part of me wishes it weren't Sunderland. I did like their success story with Keano at the helm :sad:
Nah, once you have Fabregas back you'll be sailing.
EDIT: O'Shea on for... Brown? What the hell? We've so far substituted two defenders and we still have Hargreaves, Carrick AND O'Shea on. This is weird.
Arsenal fans have no idea about injuries. Try having basically your whole team out injured, as we did last season.
Van Persie is back soon, and Gilberto and Walcott were only starting occasionally anyway. Fair play about Hleb, though. :jess:
edit: seriously though, Everton to win EVERYTHING from now on. What legends! Unless they're playing Newcastle! :aimkiss:
i think they're point was "smurf off and manage england its a lost cause anyway" ;) although honestly big sam's been better than some of your past managers.Quote:
Originally Posted by JessOh, please. The Newcastle fans were singing "You don't know what you're doing," right in Sam Allardyce's face. That's hardly wanting him to take the England manager job.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimsour
In my opinion, Big Sam should have been England Manager ahead of McClaren, but I'm happy to have him at St James', those Newcastle fans who aren't calling for him to be axed are happy to have him and wouldn't want him to leave.
edit: Big Sam has ruled himself out of the England job, anyway. :jess:
gutted for sunderland, 7-1, know how it feels this season to be 6 down.
And Flamini and Diaby :p I just don't think Wenger has a lot of options. It'd be so much better to be able to be flexible. van Persie will be back soon, though, after Sevilla if not before; and we have Eduardo around. Our defence needs to get itself slightly sorted. They seem confused.
Arsenal will be fine. I'm just hoping a fair few people are out for when we play you. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Resha
Although, after today I don't have much hope. We were god awful. xDDD
D.A.D.D.Y D.I.C.K
city 2 reading 1.
Unlucky for Wigan, that would of been i really good point for them but Arsenal are just keeping going.
What a :skull::skull::skull::skull:ty day. :skull::skull::skull::skull: for Man U, :skull::skull::skull::skull: for Sunderland & :skull::skull::skull::skull: for my fantasy team. That isn't helped by the fact that the other big 3 teams won. :mad:
We got the win at least, but with three away games in a row next up in the league (and Newcastle always play well against us when at St James Park, no matter how rubbish they've been beforehand!) we need to be more convincing in December, which is full of tough fixtures for us. Hence I was glad Man Utd gave us a bit of breathing room today, we might need it before too long :) - hurry back Van Persie!
Chelsea and Liverpool are lurking nearby too, I hope we can still be top by 1st January 2008 anyway. I might even start to believe a little then if we are XD
Beating a small team like Newcastle 3-0 away just isn't good enough. We should be scoring 7 or 8 against them. Rafa out.
Also Sunderland: What the hell was that? Everton, of all teams?
Merseyside 10-1 North East.
:kaobeg:
The European draw forthe 2010 World Cup qualifying:
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia
Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro
Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
Group winners all go through. The eight best runners-up are paired up in play-offs to decide the remaining four places. The worst runner-up gets nothing :D
England got off quite lightly there I think ;)
Woo. Croatia again. Good group for Northern Ireland, I think they could get out of that one. Not a bad draw for Scotland either. Even still, England should've been a top seed and would've avoided someone like Croatia altogether. Thank goodness they got Croatia and not someone like France or Germany.
We have frigging Italy?! :sad:
In Asia, South Korea are in the same group as North Korea. A nice powder-keg game there XD
Greece have a relatively weak group thankfully :)
Given how crap England are against the Eastern Bloc teams and the fact that Croatia kicked their asses twice this campaign, that group is going to be more troublesome than you might think at a glance. Should still qualify, of course, but with our team you can never be certain.
So Derby have sacked their manager. That's five Premiership sackings this season by my count (Mourinho, Jol, Hutchings, Lee, Davies). Obviously Bruce left Birmingham too and some seemed to think he wasn't going to last long with their new owner. Rumours abound about Benitez, Southgate and Allardyce as well. Managerial all-change season or something?
If Big Sam gets the sack I will be as mad as a bug. :mad2:
god bless the end of the international break.
McLeish just broke the heart of millions of his own countrymen. No pride or honour in business these days. Bleh. Gutted and disgusted, really. =/
Hmm...I'm getting a little concerned now with us. We've had a few poor performances this month (both CL games, Wigan on Saturday) and it's culminated in tonight. Sevilla have been poor lately, we should have done better.
I can't help but feel that some cracks have started to show, and we need to get back to form fast or we'll founder badly in December with all the hard games we have.
That and the fact we've probably gone and arsed up our CL chances now, we'll probably wind up with Barca or something in the next round! Smooth move guys!
On a more positive way of looking at it, better to get this sort of thing out of our system tonight and hopefully be back to form on Saturday against Villa. Hopefully it won't mean a loss of momentum in the long run. And I guess we are going to have to face a decent team in the CL at some point anyway if we want to get far. Just wish it wasn't in the last 16!
Hey, no worries! You get to play a completely off-form Newcastle on the 5th. :grumble:
But Newcastle always magically become a good team when they play us at St James Park!
BBC NEWS | UK | Redknapp held in football inquiry
might harm Redknapps chances a wee bit, although IF Mourinho is interested after all then give him the job NOW
:mad2: @ Newcastle throwing away a lead and losing 3-1.
Test Number 1 for December - passed :)
Six more to go. Good start to the month for us anyway.
Everyone will be expecting us to beat Newcastle on Wednesday, I have a bad feeling about this, I know what happens when everyone queues up to say Arsenal are going to win a game... :(
God help us if we end up as the start of Sam Allardyce's resurrection!
Come on City what the smurf was that, 1 - 1 against Wigan?
If Arsenal start the end of Sam Allardyce's career I'll be absolutely thrilled.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Everton were awful today and were lucky to get a point. Better improve in order to beat Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday. Though a draw will ensure we progress to the knock-out stages of the UEFA Cup.
If Sam Allardyce gets the sack it will be a SHAMBLE.
EDIT: WHAT THE smurf? Sky sports news: If Sam loses the game against Arsenal on Wednesday then Shearer for the job as Newcastle manager. Please don't ruin Alan's managerial career so early on.
Been shiet Away all season really, not so unexpected.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimsour
Dan. Two words.
Titus Bramble.
Aye! But Wigan?!
Aha o_O From what I saw we played quite-o crap in the second half. Brilliant first half, though, so does it balance out? :ponder: But I'm still really rather happy we came away with a win x_x
Top half the table is looking really quite tight at the moment and I can't say I'm particularly thrilled by where Everton are. Injuries at the start of the season and games we really shouldn't have lost have taken their toll. Too early to start worrying about us not finishing in the top 7 again, but it'll certainly be more difficult now than last season.
How's life in mid table mediocrity? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
I think I'm used to it by now. :(
It would suck if we lost to Bolton. Thank god we thrashed 'em! I'd hate to be a fan of a team that lost to Bolton.
Euro 2008 draw:
Group A:
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey
Group B:
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland
Group C:
Holland
Italy
Romania
France
Group D:
Greece
Sweden
Spain
Russia
Group C - ouch! XD
If you want two dark horses, I'd say Croatia and Switzerland. Nice opening game between Switzerland and Czech Republic too.
I think 'ouch' is the best possible word to describe group C xD Gonna be some good games in that group if nothing else.
Wow. We aren't playing awfully. :jess:
Yeah, you're not playing too bad. Cracking goal by Adebayour though.
EDIT: Wow, i didnt realise Newcastle were aware the objective was to score!!
Obviously I would have liked a win but Newcastle aren't as bad as recent form has suggested so I'm not too down-hearted about this tonight. We need some players back clearly. Four points clear for now at least.
Thankyou Newcastle. :)
EDIT: And if Derby continue present form then this weekend will be good. :D
So long as Middlesbrough maintain present form too, I'll be happy ;)
Haha, I don't know where the hell I got the idea that Pompy were playing you lot from.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
We're playing them on Boxing Day I think, not looking forward to that one at all. If we havn't lost by then, place some bets on that being the day.
Excellent result tonight though in typical Everton fashion it took ages to wrap up again we dominated almost entirely. Zenit were really unlucky to have a player sent off for what didn't look like a handball, so a bit of me was happy that we didn't score from the resulting penalty. Everton win the group!
Wow. I haven't heard St James that loud (well, that loud when not booing) in a long time. I also haven't seen us perform that well in quite a while either. Very happy with the result, however it would have been so much better to end Arsenals unbeaten run. ;)
Well if somehow we're still unbeaten by the end of January you can have another go at the Emirates! ;)
Thank smurf for that. Lots of pressure lifted off Sam's shoulders, although I don't really understand why he had so much pressure anyway as we were 11th anyway, which is better than we've done with any other recent manager.
Bring on Fulham next week. I'm going to the match at Craven Cottage which will be my 3rd time seeing Newcastle play and I've yet to see them score a goal. If I don't see us score then heads will roll! :jess:
psh.. english teams.. stealing all good dutch players.. just like spain.. buncha *grumbels*
What a great time for our run of great form to come to a grinding halt! We're a one-man team alright, and I aint talking about Stevie G. Nando stop being injured! :(
Also, Rafa, maybe away to Reading wasn't the best game to give a 19 year old kid his full Premiership debut at centre back. Oh well, at least he's English!
What a dreadful, dreadful place the North-East is.
Oh dear oh dear, Arsenal. Middlesbrough?
Edit: No more unbeaten teams!
For god's sake Arsenal, how the hell are we going to avoid getting beaten by the likes of Portsmouth and Everton away at the end of the month, when you mess up against one of the four worst teams in the league! (who couldn't hit a barn door before today)
Not happy right now, really not happy. The thought of a Man Utd v Chelsea two horse title race (aka Tossers v Tossers) is too depressing to contemplate. Fabregas and Van Persie, recover quickly...
I don't mind if Arsenal want to give Everton three points again like last season. I was quite content with our 4 points against Liverpool and Arsenal last season. Table looks a bit nicer from Everton's perspective but got quite a few horrid games coming up (Arsenal and Man Utd). Held Chelsea to a draw away so with some luck I'm sure we can fend off Arsenal for at least a point.
I just noticed that you laid Cardiff and Swansea by the wayside when you wrote 'English Football Thread' as the title. I herein refuse to post.
English as in 'the game which had it's rules originated within England'. Also 'the English league system' which, I believe, Cardiff belong to. So if Cardiff want to get involved with the English league system rather than the Wales league system then they're simply English clubs based in Wales.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
But yeah, it's that or we call it "The Soccer Thread" but that's dumb. And I'm a New Zealander who has grown up calling it soccer. :p
If the name is changed to 'The Soccer Thread', I will personally hurt the person responsible. I'm sure I'm not the only one, either. :jess:
It is with a heavy heart that I let this blatant racism slip in the name of Leon Britton.
Everton are through to the semi-final of the Carling Cup and to the next round of the UEFA Cup. I would like some silverware this season.
I've never understood what Welsh sides are doing in the English League anyway, it doesn't bother me too much until they recieve different treatment from English clubs (because they are under the Welsh FA when some English clubs got fined for their disciplinary records it did not apply to Welsh clubs, how is that fair?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
It's best to simply ignore the South of Wales. BBC Wales doesn't acknowledge that North Wales exists so I simply believe Cardiff, Swansea, etc is all a myth. Football teams included.Quote:
Originally Posted by blimI've never understood what Welsh sides are doing in the English League anyway, it doesn't bother me too much until they recieve different treatment from English clubs (because they are under the Welsh FA when some English clubs got fined for their disciplinary records it did not apply to Welsh clubs, how is that fair?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
Thats a shame i like walking in N Wales, does this mean i cant go there anymore?
EDIT Wahey Terry Butcher has left Brentford by "mutual consent", heres hoping we can find a manager who can turn a squad of inept players into a decent team for free!
Mr. Bennett for the win! I love Heroes.
Three Lions sucks, Forza HRVATSKA we did beat you twice in the euro-qualification. See ya in the World cup qualifier, will be a pleasure to beat you arrogant people again
Anyway, I think Drogheda United is the best team on the british islands
Wow, if Capello wins England the World Cup in 2010, he receives 17 million!
But the question is, will he last that long...?
Of course he will. If he can't help England, then they're officially a lost cause anyway. Firing him would probably result in a bigger payout than McClaren got, too, so you don't wanna do that. You're still paying off two managers if I remember rightly. But yeah, if Capello fails to reach the World Cup I'd still keep him until Euro 2012. He's just too good to pass up.
TEVEZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz:kaosleep:
It would suck if we lost to Liverpool. Thank god we eased past 'em! I'd hate to be a fan of a team that lost to Liverpool.
EDIT: Will this be the last time we see an unchanged side from Rafa? :p
EDIT: Ideal situation... Almunia makes two more saves, injures himself in the process. Substituted. Hleb scores and sets up lots of other chances for rest of the game, and outplays everyone on the pitch. All in vain, as Chelsea score two late equalisers just after he's substituted. Almunia: 10 points (2 bonus) and Hleb: 12 points (3 bonus). Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea. United top the table but I get craploads of fantasy football points. Come on, you football Gods...
EDIT: Screw you Van Persie! Robbed me of a Hleb assist just before Hleb got subbed. At least Hleb can keep his clean sheet point. And even if Arsenal overtake United, at least Almunia's done me well.
Well...I'm not really a fan of a team that has lost to Liverpool either, so y'know. :monster:
And yeah, you beat us, but that doesn't change the fact that you're a big bunch of stinky boy kissers. :cool:
Yes, Arsenal won a gritty game which was scrappy for the whole ninety minutes. We could of capitalized on many easy opportunities, it just proved that Van Persie, Hleb and Fabz were pretty rusty after their injuries. The defense kept Chelsea at bay, and at the end of the day we got the 3 points. Good result for the Gunners!
However, would of been nice if Liverpool drew or won against the Red Devils, but I guess they weren't good enough. Oh well...
Good win today, thanks to Cech for choosing this game to make a rare bad mistake. We needed that after last weekend especially. I'm still worried about our next few games though, we'll need to keep winning at this rate to keep Man Utd at bay.
I don't think Chelsea or even Liverpool are out of it by any means, they just can afford less mistakes now. But Chelsea are very tough to beat and Liverpool...well you never know what you're going to get with Liverpool and Benitez's tactics. The French rugby union team is less unpredictable sometimes!
Up to sixth and twelve games unbeaten too. Can't complain. Tough game next though (Man Utd away) but I think if we can go to Stamford Bridge and get a point with a bit of luck we could get the same at Old Trafford.
Liverpool definitely don't need any more signings. Benetiz needs to learn not to add, add, add to the squad, and learn to let his players gel with the teammates they have at present. He should settle with the group of players he has at the moment, let Babel start a few more games, and boom! Liverpool will be back in the title race in no time. Their starting to cooperate a lot better as a team, seeing as Fernando Torres has secured the main striker spot.
Man Utd don't really need that traditional number 9 who Big Alex has been searching for, I think the Teves - Rooney connection will only get better for now on, but it will hinder Arsenal, especially when you think of the Red Devil's golden defense.
Arsenal need to buy a new right midfielder in the upcoming transfer window, Eboue is ruining our fluent play while the counter attack takes place, he doesn't have that end product playing in the position he does. We'll never win the Premiership with him on the right, we need a natural and technically adept player to feature on the right, maybe we can shift Hleb back there - Van Persie can play just behind Adebayor, Walcott can leap on now and again for some experience along with Bendtler. But just in case of another injury crisis for Vanz, we really need to purchase a new Attacking Right Midfielder.
I didn't do this on Saturday? Dammit.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to see Newcastle win away. Hey! :jess:
Chi-ching! United now have four decent strikers. :) I think. Okay, he plays for Angola and aparrently gets 25 goals per season in the Angolan league. I have no idea how good that means he is. Now I can officially join the bandwagon of fans moaning about the African Nations Cup though!
Hello, Manucho Gonçalves.
Bloody Africa thinking it's so big with it's bloody tournaments every two bloody years that take away bloody decent players like Yakubu, Yobo, Pienaar and Anichebe with it's bloody tournament that Nigeria and South bloody Africa are competing in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
I wish we could have gotten Inter (who usually implode in Europe) rather than Milan (who play above themselves in Europe). We'll give it our best shot though.
Phew, too close today, thanks to Almunia for saving us. But if we can eke out results when playing badly occasionally I'm OK with that. A lot of improvement is needed against Portsmouth and Everton however.
That was close. :sweat:
Bit disappointed not to get a point from the game which it sounds like we deserved, but I can't say I expected us to get much from the game. Quite disappointed that United have beat us twice courtesy of late goals. Onward and upward again, I hope. Here's hoping we can reach 14 matches unbeaten next!
I have a general question:
As an outside to English Football, (An American, in case you don't know), I am curious about one thing that I keep reading: Aren't midfielders supposed to play defense? I get that strikers rarely play great defense, but part of a midfielders job is to control the ball and stop it from penetrating into the their own defense. I've watched Kaka and C. Ronaldo a lot and they are Superior, SUPERIOR offensive players, operating on a level very few can, yet they are weak at defense and seem to not make much of an effort there. Shouldn't that count against them when judging overall talent? I get that goals from midfield are hard to come by, but all offense and no defense and you basically have Frank Lampard, so why are they considered the best players in the world if there is a huge weakness in their game?
To give an example: Michael Jordan is considered the BEST basketball player of all time not just because of his offense, but because he could lock you down defensively like few can and that rare combo made him the best. Likewise Wayne Gretzky in hockey is the BEST not just because of his offense, but becuase he was maybe one of the best help defenders ever, though slight, he would find ways to deflect shots and to poke the puck at just the right moment to prevent shots on goal, in essence, a good team defender. Willie Mays in baseball is another example of an legendary player on both offense and defense.
It just seems to me that in a two-way sport, where the player plays both offense and defense, that in order for them to be getting the accolades that are put on both Kaka and Ronaldo (Best Ever, etc), they should be at least adequate on defense, yet they just aren't.
Thoughts?
Take care all.
It's because midfield is, ultimately, one of the most versatile places on the pitch. Of course midfielders do try and prevent the ball from getting into their own halves, but some midfielders are specifically geered much more towards attacking like you said. However there are specific 'defensive midfield' players who act a go-between between the defence and the midfield such as Lee Carsley at Everton. I think the thing is that players like Ronaldo and the like are considered the best in their position is because a goal scoring midfielder with flair is much more fun to watch and impressive than a no thrills but gets the job done holding or defensive midfielder. Obviously midfielders do chip in in defence when needs be though.
Yeah, Heath is right. If you employ a defensive midfielder solely for the purpose of aiding the defence, then why would you want to have your attacking midfielders defend as well?
There's also the matter of what the manager wants a player to do. For example, Ronaldo may be a midfielder, but when we are defending, you'll find that he is often basically given the role of a striker while one of Rooney or Tevez will drop back. This is because if there is any way that the ball should be taken away from the opposition, you want your fastest men far up the pitch so you can quickly get the ball to them and they can then quickly take the ball past the opposition defence and get a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. If there are two players, all the better - two-on-one!
Having said that, Ronaldo does get the ball off opposition - he's just basically a 100% attacking player, so even when defending, he'll not do what most defenders do - that is, boot the ball away from the defender or slide in with a hard tackle to, well, boot the ball away from the defender. Instead, he'll prefer to steal the ball through quick footwork, and then you'll find that he still won't boot it up to the other end of the pitch - he'd prefer to keep the ball until he can either get a goal, make a cross or pass it to another United player. Even if there are three players right around him, he'll probably back himself to get it past them or else get fouled while trying. But yeah, he refuses to simply give away the ball, I've noticed that much, he'll just keep it to United players. After all, if the opposition don't have the ball, they can't score a goal. :)
The best defence is offence.
Still, every team will generally be able to get themselves into a position where nine of their players can be used in defence. For United, there are two players who I prefer to see attacking than defending. Ronaldo and Scholes. Ronaldo because he's so dangerous on the break, and Scholes because, er, he can't tackle without getting a card.
The best defence is eleven men behind the ball. Remember Reading on the opening day of the season? :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
To be fair to them, I think that was 10 men...
Blimey, what a cracker between Chelsea and Aston Villa. And Cashley Cole sent off. So whatever happens to Arsenal today at least something good came out of it.
Let's never mention yesterday ever again.
Chelsea v Villa a few days ago, now it's Tottenham v Reading that's providing all the insanity. I just hope Arsenal don't lose now (we've lost the last two seasons at Goodison Park, argh) or I won't be watching MOTD tonight to see the highlights of the Spurs game XD
with half hour left you should have lots to look forward to, esp with Man U having lost.
EDIT: Also, sympathies to the family and friends of Phil O'Donnell (Motherwell Captain) who collapsed and died towards the end of their 5-3 win today.
Yes, it's very sad to see another footballer die, it's so odd that we've had a few in the last few months :(
But on the Arsenal front, top going into 2008 (though we are playing New Year's Day, so it may not be for long into 2008 XD). We still look to have problems, especially playing away, but considering what the outlook was back in July or August (who was it here who said we'd be overtaken by the likes of Newcastle now?), I am happy with how it's going at the halfway point.
Indeed. Perhaps someone should look into the training practices of modern footballers.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Also, I will say it. I was wrong with what I said about Arsenal at the start of the season. Still think they're a bunch of fancy dans who deserve a good old fashioned kicking, though. ;)
And I will say again I do believe there's still a lot to play for for Liverpool and Chelsea in the league, it only takes a few games to change things.
Even with Chelsea's offside winner today!
Poasting to acknowledge the Swans' giant win over Leeds with 10 men today
Actually, can we never mention today again?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
West Ham deserved to win. Having said that, Everton did too. I can't believe so many of the decisions that went Arsenal's way today. But eh, I guess we all get those games.
Gutted to lose the lead but I'm sure by the end of January we'll be back up there, unless something pretty bad happens.
Everton deserved to win?! Come off it, a team whose defence in the second-half made Santa Claus look stingy (as one paper put it) didn't deserve anything out of that game. They had us on the ropes at half-time and it was very bad defensive mistakes on their part rather than any dodgy decisions that scuppered Everton. I know the scoreline was flattering but still...a 4-1 win can be flattering, indeed. But I don't think I've ever heard of a 4-1 win where the losing team deserved to win!
Sorry for the cliche but we showed character yesterday in the second-half to come back.
What I can take out of that game as it is is a wry grin about the supposed 'long ball' tactics of Everton that we actually out-played Arsenal's midfield yesterday and forced them to adopt long ball tactics in the second half.
But for a handball goal (I didn't see anything wrong with it initially but when I saw replays it was clearer) and an uncharacteristic blunder by Yobo, I think Everton could have won that game. At 3-1 I think Arsenal took the wind out of our sails and clearly one side was more confident than the other after that. I think the 4-1 scoreline flatters Arsenal in all honesty.
Everton's results against the supposed 'big four' are, in my opinion, what prevents us from breaking into the top four again. We've managed one point of fifteen against them (from a 1-1 draw with Chelsea). However when I remember that we deserved something out of the derby, we were only narrowly beaten by Man Utd both times and that we more than matched Arsenal in the first half of yesterdays game, I can't really complain.
I think it's winning games that they really shouldn't that set the truly top sides apart from their competitors.
Also, Liverpool "held" by Man City? Well I'm more than satisfied with a draw so whatever, Orange UK Home Page and BBC Ceefax!
I told you we would scrounge a draw.
Although, that gullible hag Pooja had one of her friends tell her we beat you 4-0 and just IM'd me all excited and got my hopes up for nothing, the daft bint. Never mind, I had a dream we lost 1-0 so it's still all good.
I love that I am single-handedly responsible for her hating Liverpool. :laugh:
It's alright. The time Everton beat Liverpool 3-0 at least one friend of mine mislead me into thinking we'd lost 3-1. I can't remember if Paul was party to that, but I'm sure he wouldn't have minded taking part.
LOL NAYSMITH if memory serves.
We were robbed! :(
You're half the reason for me not liking them anymore! The other half being Rafa Benitez. He's so annoying. He emulates all the bad parts of Jose Mourinho without any of the good stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
If it wasn't for Fernando Torres, the world would be a horrible place.
It was so nice for us to get a confidence boosting away win, we were lucky to get such an easy team to beat and get ourselves back into the groove :) I wish we could play Newcastle every week! :kiss:
My 2008 football predictions:
Man Utd to win the Premiership (as much as it pains me to say it)
Real Madrid to win the European Cup (and Baptista to score in the final to annoy all us Arsenal fans)
The FA Cup final to be hideously boring
France to win Euro 2008 (yes, I do remember what group they're in)
As you can see in my signature i'm a big football fan, Fc København (Copenhagen) is who i'm supporting - I'm a big fan and goes to all their games.:)
In the english league i have always been a chelsea supporter but i hate the new manager.
Actually, can we never mention today again?Quote:
Originally Posted by HeathActually, can we never mention today again?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Why the hell we even have Gravesen back I don't know. I know a lot of Evertonians saw Gravesen as a panic-loan after the Fernandes deal didn't come off and it certainly seems that way. I never really rated Gravesen and it was only during his last season with us that he started to play well really. Each time I've seen him this season (against AZ Alkmaar and listening to the commentary today) all he seems to do is either argue with Lee Carsley or bugger things up; neither of which I think are that constructive.
I can understand why Moyes played the team he did today and I think I probably wouldn't done the same thing with us playing Chelsea on Tuesday. I don't see why on earth that squad couldn't have easily beaten an Oldham side with a fair few injuries that are mid-table in League One. However, I don't see why Moyes rested Howard when there wasn't much need to, really. I think Moyes underestimated Oldham but really, it was a disappointing performance by the team. Well done to Oldham and good luck to them, but Everton better get a decent result at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday or else today'll hurt even more. Oh, and against Man City next Saturday but I'm sure that my presence at that game will make all the difference.
I wasn't too bothered with our previous two defeats because it was Arsenal and Manchester United, but Oldham isn't really a team you associate as being of a similar quality.
Yeah, my fellow Gunner has a point. It might very well be Man Utd who nick the title this season, as horrid as it is to admit. They look too strong at the moment.
I'm a Man Utd fan! I'm so rooting for em to jack this season title :D
Arsenal vs Stoke or Newcastle in the next round of the FA cup. smurfing typical.
Ginger Sam, hold your line on Anelka please!
And if you do win the replay we have you again in the league at home a few days later!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Ginger Sam got fired a while ago, sir!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
Ah, Newcastle vs Arsenal. Whoever wins, I get to taunt me some EoFFers in this here thread. :excited:
I know, that's a really tough draw. I don't envy Stoke having to play Arsenal in the next round.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
If Newcastle keep performing like they are it'll be Arsenal vs Stoke. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Frig, oh yes!Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticGinger Sam got fired a while ago, sir!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocket Edge
Absolute bastards.
Hey Jess I'm applying for the Newcastle job. I'm wondering if you'll be my assistant manager if I get it. Just let me know. Also, I need a first team coach, a reserve coach and a goalkeeping coach, so if any of you guys are interested in that then I'd be happy to take you on.
I'm thinking all I need to do is buy a couple of obscure and crap foreign centre backs for £12m a pop and finish 14th for a nice £5m termination bonus.
I'd rather you than Shearer, Paul. I don't want them to destroy his managerial career so early on. :kaobeg:
I kinda just want one of those raincoats with my initials on it.
I'll make you one. :heart:
Awesome! I think Blue Peter had an episode telling you how to this one time. Anyway, if you had such a coat you could lend it to Joe Cole OR Jamie Carragher and nobody would know it wasn't theirs!
Isn't that now the 9th manager in the Premiership to go this season? Almost half the original number! I'm no fan of Allardyce but Newcastle are mad and this whole booting managers out business is getting ridiculous.
EDIT: Oh no, Spurs almost beat us! Oh wait it was in the League Cup...
Well so long as Chelsea or Everton beat them in the final I'm not too bothered if they go through now XD
Tell me about it. Fair enough, the current owners didn't employ him themselves but he is a good manager. Yeah, he hasn't done very well so far but he wasn't doing an awful job. Sacking him half way through the season is now going to see us struggle for a fair bit whilst a new manager is employed and so on. If we end up with smurfing Steve McClaren as our manager.... :nonono:Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
I really hope we beat Chelsea. Not just so we can win the cup, but I was rather disgusted by the actions of some of their players yesterday and moreso by a really arrogant post made on their website which, among other things, alleged that Everton played like a League One side yesterday. Tossers. But yeah, support Everton against London, everyone!Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Also Allardyce getting sacked? Lovely. :D
Oh my god, I didn't even consider that. That would only be slightly less beautiful than Graeme Souness coming back to ruin everything again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Graeme Souness. What an outstanding candidate for joke of the decade.Quote:
Originally Posted by DKOh my god, I didn't even consider that. That would only be slightly less beautiful than Graeme Souness coming back to ruin everything again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
Can someone predict whether Rafael Benitez gets the sack or not? :confused:
You read posts/articles on other teams' websites?Quote:
Originally Posted by HeathI really hope we beat Chelsea. Not just so we can win the cup, but I was rather disgusted by the actions of some of their players yesterday and moreso by a really arrogant post made on their website which, among other things, alleged that Everton played like a League One side yesterday. Tossers. But yeah, support Everton against London, everyone!Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
Also Allardyce getting sacked? Lovely. :D
I think the position is more-so cursed than anything else. Just like your national team's post.Quote:
Originally Posted by JessThere is nothing left to ruin. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by DKOh my god, I didn't even consider that. That would only be slightly less beautiful than Graeme Souness coming back to ruin everything again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jess
I predict that if he gets the sack I will sob. I think if it does happen, it'll be at the end of the season, not January.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serapy
The Chelsea website is fantastic reading. It's like reading press releases from North Korea or Iran. Glorious Chelsea defies the decadent west, and our magnicifent armies will march across the Premiership to slaughter the infidels. Chelsea may have been robbed, 1-0, but rest assured this was because the referee was corrupt, and disallowed seven legitimate and beautiful Chelsea goals! In Chelsea's official records the result of this game shall be stated as 10-0, as this would have been the true score had the FA not conspired against us because they fear us. HAIL COMRADE ABRAMOVICH! HAIL!Quote:
Originally Posted by BoB