Zidane's Headbutt Discussion and also some stuff on that FIFA World Cup 2006 thing

[Jess]

Edit: YESSSSSSSS STEVIE G YOU ARE THE SEXIEST MAN IN THE WHOLE WORLD

Agreed. I can't believe we conceded another goal after being handed that beauty by Gerrard.

I feel terrible for Owen, the poor injury ridden soul - Hopefully it won't be that bad.

We really do need to improve dramastically if we want to get anywhere in this tournament. For example - Lampard. Pur-leaaase, stop being so goal hungry and play skillfully. Joe Cole has been amazing, and I think that Rooney did well today considering he's been out - there were little glimpses of his talent.

I hope Sven gets a swift kick to the face for bringing Walcott instead of Defoe.

[Psychotic]

I hope Sven gets a swift kick to the face for bringing Walcott instead of <s>Defoe</s> Ashton.

Mind you, I'd take "One goal in sixteen internationals" Defoe over Jenas.

But seriously, what the crap was the point in taking Walcott as part of a group of 4 strikers, when one was injured and the other had just returned from injury? Especially as Sven seems to have realised, after watching him train, that he isn't good enough for international football, and refuses to use him.

[tomamar04]

Isn't it obvious what Sven has to do wfor the knockout stages?

Play Gerrard and Rooney up front with Becks, Lampard, Hargreaves and Cole in midfield. Hargreaves was one of our only decent performances last night.

[Loony BoB]

But seriously, what the crap was the point in taking Walcott as part of a group of 4 strikers, when one was injured and the other had just returned from injury? Especially as Sven seems to have realised, after watching him train, that he isn't good enough for international football, and refuses to use him.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - because he can't lose. I mean, the English already hate him. So if it doesn't pay off, they keep saying the same old thing about him. If it does, suddenly, Sven will be considered a genius.

Of course, that's only if he plays him.

EDIT: And I agree that Gerrard up front is a great prospect. He's done better there than other strikers have lately. Assuming England don't get another injury, the playing XIV should be...

Gerrard, Rooney, Crouch for strikers.
Lampard, J Cole, Beckham, Lennon, Hargreaves for midfield.
A Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Neville, Carragher (Campbell should Neville stay injured).
Robinson for keeper.

Those fourteen should still give England a <s>great</s> decent chance of victory.

Right now I can't pick between Hargreaves and Carrick. I normally would say Carrick, but he hasn't had much gametime, and Hargreaves did everything right in the last game. Actually, yeah, I'd say Hargreaves. No reason to replace someone if they are indeed doing everything right.

[DK]

There we go, the offical word on Owen's Knee, ruptured his Cruciate ligament in the knee. He's out for a long time. Poor scouser.

[Loony BoB]

How much did FA insure him for? I wonder if Newcastle will get any money out of this. I know the maximum is something like £20m, although I don't know if they'd shell out that much unless the guy died.

EDIT: Things looking good for a Neville return, though. Should be okay for the semis if England get through.

[Doomie]

I think 5 months was the final verdict.

[Russielloyd]

How much did FA insure him for? I wonder if Newcastle will get any money out of this. I know the maximum is something like £20m, although I don't know if they'd shell out that much unless the guy died.

EDIT: Things looking good for a Neville return, though. Should be okay for the semis if England get through.

Insurance doesn't pay out unless is career is ended normally, but seeing as he's going to be for about 5-6 months, i think the F.A will pay his wages for those 5 to 6 months, which would be about 2.4 million.

[Resha]

I'll take back every horrible, nasty thing I said about the poor man if only he miraculously heals well. Injury after injury, and he hadn't even had a chance to return to form properly. (Will he play after this? :/ Ever?)

[q=DELUDED!!!!]5) Does anyone not like Larsson? I don't think it's possible to not like the guy. I don't know anyone that doesn't, and I know a lot of Rangers fans, too.[/q]
I loathe Larsson! He's a dreadful man and I was very sad when he scored.

Eriksson's put everyone in such a lose-lose situation; Walcott doesn't get to play, and England have to rely heavily on Rooney (just back from injury) and Crouch. What the hell was the point of bringing him if he's not going to use him? Why not Dean Ashton or Darren Bent, both of whom played brilliantly during the season and are experienced lolol? If Eriksson undermines Walcott's confidence and blights his youthful expectations and ruins his chances of performing well at Arsenal...

Mexico 1 -- 2 Portugal at the moment, and Mexico are looking considerably threatening yet, because much like Ingerland, Portugal are having muchas difficulty dealing with the set-pieces. Every single Mexican corner has looking threatening so far, and if it weren't for some awesome Ricardo saves, Mexico could well be level or ahead.

I can't wait for the Argentina -- Holland game.

[Shoden]

This injury is pretty serious, up to 6 months out of action, goodbye intertoto cup. It's mostly the midfielders that score the goals anyway, put Gerrard up front, give it a wizz. The Sweden match was a perfect oppurtunity to test out Walcott and experiment with formations, wasted oppurtunity. Argentina vs Holland is going to be one hell of a match.

[Russielloyd]

This injury is pretty serious, up to 6 months out of action, goodbye intertoto cup.

You just took that off ITV didn't you?

[Shoden]

Yahoo actually. The FA says it will leave it it up to Newcastle to take care of the recovery and Fat freddy says it's still too early to determine how long he will be out for. One paper says 6 months, other news say 5, some say undetermined.

[Russielloyd]

So you just happened to post it, straight after it was said on ITV?

Coincidence.

[Polaris]

If the fame doesn't raise in portuguese football players we'll even defeat brazil!

[Loony BoB]

If the fame doesn't raise in portuguese football players we'll even defeat brazil!

I'm not sure I understand that sentence, sorry.

Portugal lacking without the help of those that are currently carded.

EDIT: Perez sent off for a second yellow in the game. For diving! I like that they actually card people for diving these days.