Hey Bobby, how about you just wear a man U shirt on the telecasts. I mean obviously that's your team...Maybe you and J. St-Louis could get a good deal on shirts and buy them together,he could be lady boy ronaldo and you could be rooney...
I don't think Bobby is a United fan at all. All the paranoid, sour, blame throwing Scousers are starting to panic and point fingers. Silly little Red fans. He He... -- said in my best condescending United voice.
Nice penalty shout out there, ref. A bit worried about the resultant russian hooliganism that's been known to follow their losses?
Yeah, I know it's wrong (perhaps Xenophobic) to suggest outside influences, bribery, all of that. Bottom line, England couldn't score (or stop) a second goal.
Still, if you were a ref, in Russia, part of the game that eliminates the home side from Euro 2008 qualifying, in front of 85k strong, it wouldn't take a bribe to give a positive call to said home side.
Well thats it for England. All Russia has to do is win out against Israel and Andorra. Rather of seen England in and Italy or France out but it looks like the Scots really shot themselves also in the foot. Euro 2008 with 0 British teams. Wonder when the last time that happened.
No matter what happened in Georgia Scotland was facing Italy needing to get some sort of result. If there was a game they could afford to lose it was this one. Having said that SCotland's performance was terrible.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on October 17th at 12:31 PM.
You are right Bobby, but one thing is to play for a draw at home another is to have to go all out for a win against probably the best defensive and counter attacking team in the world.
USA is playing fairly well. Edu from Toronto FC is impressing.
Georgia beat Scotland fair and square. Scotland seemed to be playing for the draw at the beginning.
England will have to hope for a miracle. I guess now the campaign for Mourinho to take over England will begin.
Last edited by gabemar on October 17th at 12:25 PM.
Good point Bobby but Gabemar is still right. The win would of gone a long way for cushion considering Frances last game is away to Ukraine and you never know. A win today would of put France in a position where they would have to win on their last day also.
england will not win anything, this was a game they needed 5 in midfield and , gerrard is not a good central midfilder , he is all drive and going forward and does not contro the game as xavi, cesc, alonso and now l can understand why benitez is not happy with him in the middle
Bobby's right. To me what's the difference between having to beat an Italian team needing a draw or having to draw an Italian team needing a win. The difference is negligible.
Yes the Avram Grant-Roman connection now looms large over England, boy they will really hate Chelsea if it looks like Israel lay down in that match.
I can't beleive you guys! Just because Grant is from Israel you think Israel will lie over for Mother Russia? What makes you think Grant has that kind of influence?
Do you not know that politically speaking Russia is not doing Israel any favors by its dealings with Iran? Which by the way Iran doesn't even recognize the Holocost, or ####s and lesbians for that matter.
So I actually think Israel will be chanting "F.C.K. the only think missing is U" to Russia. This might be Russia's banana skin, what will happen to the actual banana is up for debate...
Anyways, I do not forsee Israel doing Russia any favors.
Englands loss today could be the end for McClaren. I could see them bringing in mourinho, capello or lippi for the Croatia game, just to make sure we win that game. That way if they win at least all is done that could qualify them while waiting to see how Russia fairs from their games.
Capello even had mentioned that he wanted to coach a national side. And he has several times mentioned he would like to coach in England. Maybe he will follow in Sven's footsteps.
Yes, rico. It's weird. I can't remember if he was used as a sub in their last game. If he hasn't, then I think he migh still be injured. I guess we'll have to see what happens this weekend.
So when can we start talking about the Merseyside derby? Stevie G was only concerned about that this week....
By the way, what did everyone think about the US/Neutral game? The kids can play!
While although I think Arena was a better manager tactically, Bradley is a far better manager when it comes to finding new and young talent. Still a lot of fun to watch this young team try to make something of themselves for 2010!
Last edited by LetsGoBuffalo on October 17th at 4:50 PM.
With all the brilliant football talents on the English side, I am surprised at how unsuccessful the English have been in international competition. I lay this at the door of the FA, which I believe does not make the players available enough to play or practice for England. Football is a TEAM sport and in order to do well, the TEAM has to gel, which requires experience together. Or so I think. Opinions?
stujones-England gets just as much time as other countries do. The reason is poor choices in management, unrealistic expectations and the fact England doesn't know its best XI.
Start with the first one...Everyone and their grandma knew McClaren was a horrible choice.
The second one...Just because England has the most talented league doesn't mean its nation has the most talented footballers. Its the imports that make the PL the best, not just the English players.
The third....Everyone knows Lampard and Gerrard didn't work yet it took over 3 years for England management to realize this. And their still figuring it out, especially after today's result.
Hi Bobby, Scotland should have put this one away. It was always going to be a difficult game, but we should have done a lot better. The upside to this is that I think its a reality check for the team and players, it will be a good time to re-group and focus on the Italy clash. At least their fate is in their hands, unlike England. So, are you going to Hampden come Nov 17.
I could care less about England, but I don't understand why Lampard is continually criticized for his performances when Gerrard has been poor and ineffective.
To me, the EPL has arguably the most money but when it comes to players and their talent/skill level and tactical awareness, La Liga and Serie A are far better leagues.
I much prefer the latter leagues and think that EPL is the 3rd best (talent wise) league in Europe.
Whilst the England team may have some fine footballers, collectively they are an underwhelming and incessantly overhyped side.
I love the blame game with McClaren as well.
It's always the gaffer's fault.
As far as the Gerrard/Lampard dynamic? From what my friends and family in England have told me today, Gerrard in his current form/position is not the solution.
I am inclined to concur.
Does the FA sack Maclaren now or wait until we are half way through the next set of major qualifiers?
Do we want to progress, if we should scrape into the finals, with Maclaren or have a new coach and give the maximum time available to a new coach?
I can't see us improving one iota while we have amanager whose one big weakness is defence. His Middlesborough teams leaked goals like a sieve and it is creeping into the England team. I say get rid asap and until a new manager can be found leave the 'leaking ship' with Venables.
Gongatore - Class is class and form is temporary. Gerrard and Lampard are both class and neither are showing top form right now. What has become clear is that Gerrard works well with Barry.
Like it or not managers establish and set tactics game by game and if things go wrong it will be the manager who goes. Just ask Jose or Sammy.
It's good to hear that Gerrard isn't going without fault. I've browsed through the BBC board just now now and there are a number of people not pleased with his current NT performances.
There's much to it all than just him, of course.
Oh, for the record, and completely off topic: I can't harbor ill feelings towards Barcelona for long. I love the Messiah. I just hate it when he plays against Atleti! ;)
I can see where this narrative is going.
It's typical and fashionable of English fans to condemn the gaffer and every other possible reason known to man after a loss. That's simply my point.
As far as the class level of Gerrard and Lampard, it's all relative compared to whom.
Atleti- glad to see you are coming over to the bright side, only kidding.
Last edited by gongatore on October 17th at 6:12 PM.
Some interesting news I read today: Zaragoza's Aimar And D'Alessandro almost got into a first during a training session! Apparently it was over something ridiculous.
Did I really pay $25 to watch Gerrard and Co find a way to lose? Allowing myself to get sucked in again is no excuse. "Byad Judgemint. I should haf kvit when I was ahyead." (Rounders)
The same players playing for their clubs find a way to win. I guess the answer is they're not good enough. Oh well, at least the best LB in Europe will get a game this weekend.
Gerrard, best midfielder in Europe? Please give me break ...
I have seen complaints about the lack of practice time for the English team elsewhere. It does seem to me that the USMT has more friendly games AND scheduled practices, and also gets a lot less gaff about calling up players in mid season. Regardless, it IS the responsibility of the coach to see that the team plays together. With regard to the tendency to fire the coach when the team does poorly, I am tempted to quote Leo Durocher (a philosopher not well known to most football fans): I managed good, but they sure played bad! Also, in international play, you can't quite fire the players!
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