Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Modic is better than a lot of England's players.Yeah, superior team. That's why the finished level with Israel on points, and produced very shit performances throughout their entire campaign. Probably why, at times, they relied on Israel and Andorra winning.
-AC
you do realise you just come across as bias.
ok, so modric is better than a lot of England players, that's 1... any others you think are better? i'd say in almost every position except left midfield and goalkeeper, England have better players.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Eduardo, Kovac bros, there's another guy I can't pronounce.-AC
the Kovac brothers are both well into the 30's... i'd possibly concede the point that Niko is better than Barry/Hargreaves in his prime, but not anymore.
As for Robert, seriously think he's better than Terry, Ferdinand or Richards?
Originally posted by Discos
I just seems stupid for an under presure manager to throw a rookie in goals who has yet to have a competetive game for his country.
W-what's your point?
Originally posted by Discos
I'm also kinda not totally happy that england haven't qualified...and thats because of the actual coverage of the Euros.
Same here, as stated earlier.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
He's not ever going to be as good as he once was, is my point.His peak is gone.
-AC
he's just not progressed from that 16yr old wonderkid he was...
Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Not a better team, though.
Croatia have such an old team, it'd be hard for any team to gel like they have... The Croatia players have played together for years, a lot of them are well into their 30, hundreds of caps in that team.
Well you have to give credit to Croatia for not just "turning up". A lot of teams who had already qualified played a lot of "B team" players in their final game(s). But Croatia wanted to win and did in style.
You have also to give England a bit of credit for coming back to 2:2, thats a hard feat especially when you´re playing a 30 year old system.
I personally don´t think its the players who are the problem, its the system. There´s no one two´s, triangular play or quick pass attacks. They rely on set pieces and long balls up front.
And you don´t give a new goalkeeper his debut in such an important game, you do that in friendly´s and build him up, this sort of game requires experience. And in such a game where all you need is a draw you play a defensive midfielder like Heargraves not a bunch of attacking midfielders who keep loosing the ball.
How the hell did Lampard get "man of the match"? that totally baffles me, Luka Modrić was clearly the best player on the pitch.
Just hope they get a manager who can bring in more creativity, build on the youth and actually produce a team which can compete.
it was a major error by mclaren to select carson for the game. he has no big game expereience and it was obvious he was a bag of nerves.
Playing anything other than 4-4-2 was a gamble too, crouch upfront on his own just wasnt working. England played a lot better as soon as it went back to 4-4-2.
I personally believe England would of won if carson hadn't of made that howler. It effected everybody.
But there can be no complaints. Thats football.
Originally posted by Bicnarok
Well you have to give credit to Croatia for not just "turning up". A lot of teams who had already qualified played a lot of "B team" players in their final game(s). But Croatia wanted to win and did in style.You have also to give England a bit of credit for coming back to 2:2, thats a hard feat especially when you´re playing a 30 year old system.
I personally don´t think its the players who are the problem, its the system. There´s no one two´s, triangular play or quick pass attacks. They rely on set pieces and long balls up front.
And you don´t give a new goalkeeper his debut in such an important game, you do that in friendly´s and build him up, this sort of game requires experience. And in such a game where all you need is a draw you play a defensive midfielder like Heargraves not a bunch of attacking midfielders who keep loosing the ball.
How the hell did Lampard get "man of the match"? that totally baffles me, Luka Modrić was clearly the best player on the pitch.
Just hope they get a manager who can bring in more creativity, build on the youth and actually produce a team which can compete.
I'll give them credit for that five seconds of inspiration that lead to the goal. Not the penalty.
-AC
Originally posted by Bicnarok
Well you have to give credit to Croatia for not just "turning up". A lot of teams who had already qualified played a lot of "B team" players in their final game(s). But Croatia wanted to win and did in style.[/b]
Yup they knew they already qualified, I have 2 opinions on why they fielded such a good team to give England a really good go. 1 maybe being the FIFA rankings, Croatia are always aiming to be near the top (think they were 3rd at one point).
2nd reason (and the real reason)....both the players and staff wanted to win at the "home of football" and show the media and everyone else that they are a great team. If I had a chance to play at Wembley against England I would make sure I was playing at the top of my game to impress as the chance may only come once in a lifetime.
Originally posted by Bicnarok
And you don´t give a new goalkeeper his debut in such an important game, you do that in friendly´s and build him up, this sort of game requires experience. And in such a game where all you need is a draw you play a defensive midfielder like Heargraves not a bunch of attacking midfielders who keep loosing the ball.
yup I made that point last night about the amateur keeper giving a start. England's goalkeeper troubles seem to be getting worse and worse, so mistakes and so much blame - Mclaren must have lost a bet to start him.
Barry was supposed to be the defensive midfielder as Hargreaves came back from injury a little too quick and was lacking fitness of course. Hargreaves (I assume) was meant to come on as a substitute but as you all know that could not happen as Attacking players needed to be brought on.
Originally posted by Bicnarok
How the hell did Lampard get "man of the match"? that totally baffles me, Luka Modri was clearly the best player on the pitch.
ALOT of Croatian players were good man of the match candidates but as usual it is the home team who have a man of the match, out of the england players to have man of the match I would say Crouch.
Yo AC whats up my man? quick question for ya....are you English? Its not often I get a great TRUTHFUL opinion from English people when it comes to football.