England V Germany

[Insomnia]

Just kicked off the night, anyone checking it out?

Thought Walcott would of least made it on the subs bench!

Lehmann in goal for Germany, can only be good for his confidence.. Hope there is plenty action anyway peeps!

[Numeric]

Fatty has just scored

[Numeric]

1-1 now

[Numeric]

1-2 Germany now, what a ping that was...

[Insomnia]

Entertaining first half it has to be said!

Owen should of really leveled before half time though....

[french_og]

Lack of sharpness for Owen but the minutes should do him good. Glad Robinson is off.

[kai]

Typical England definately.


Played well for first 20 minutes then took foot off gas and game died off as we let the hun back in.


Still should have won if we'd buried our chances - if Owen had been fit think he'd have bagged a couple last night.


Thought Richards was outstanding - pains me to say it but prob done enough to go first choice ahead of Neville. Joe Cole looked good, as did Wrighty's son, and personally thought Smithy did a good job upfront - tabloids will say he looked out of his depth as didn't seem to do much, but if other players had timed runs better or taken chances he created they'd be hailing his linkup play and saying his little touches can unlock a defence.

Was thinking about what I reckon Englands best team is through game - reckon 4-3-2-1 is the way to go with Hargreaves holding so Gerrard and Lampard can push on, and Joe Cole n Rooney playing behind Owen with licence to roam. Till Rooney's fit again Smithy could fill that spot. Then Richards and Cashly charging down the flanks to give us width.

Whats other people reckon?

[french_og]

Nah stick to the basics, it only confuses out players with anything other than 4-4-2.

I would have Joe Cole Left, Gerrard and Hargreaves in the centre and Beckham right. Owen and who ever else up front. Croach only misses one game through suspension.

[kai]

You say that but core of the team playing that system now at club level anyway - Rooney, Ferdinand, Terry, J. Cole, Lampard, A. Cole, Hargreaves - so maybe wouldn't be such a problem now. Least would mean we can use the strengths of both Lampard and Gerrard at same time by adding Hargreaves in there to cover for them.



As for Crouch - just dont think he's good enough - yeah he has a good goal scoring record at international level but all his goals have come in a few games against, to be frank, shit teams. Would have him in squad as his height gives an extra option but wouldn't build an attack round him.

[Numeric]

Smithy did well there's no question about that, Richards is good but he's no Nev...

[Will]

Are you his boyfriend? You're the only one who thinks so!

I'd drop Lampard, he's shit and anyone could have scored his goal - Lehmann looked suspect once again, shouldn't have been beaten at his near post. Hopefully he's either got his mistakes out his sytem or Wenger will drop him.

I'd drop Ashley Cole too because he's an utter cunt... I only bothered watching the first half, but is it me or was Beckham shit? Even his free kicks were shit which are usually his saving grace and SWP's been playing really well lately so him for Beckham...

Owen Rooney/Ashton
Cole Gerrard Carrick SWP
Bridge Terry Woodgate Richards
James

[xes]

Invisible Horse!!

[french_og]

yeah Beckham crossing was crap last night but it looked like he was carrying that ankle bigtime. He should of stayed in USA and rested it as we know what he can do.

As for Wright phillips ahead of Beckham that the biggest joke i have ever heard.

[Numeric]

word is that Maclaren is planning to 'axe' some of the big names including Robinson, Carrick, Rio and Smith!! why the f**k he's chose to pick on Smith is beyond me...

guess he'll be calling them back in a few months time as he did with Becks and James...

Maclaren is a complete t**t, and has no clue whatsoever...

[french_og]

Smith didn't do anything wrong, his touch and passing was good but he didn't get enough of the ball. After the 1st 25 mins Englands passing got longer and longer and Smith is hardly a big target man.

Smith has a similar problem to Carragher in that he is very versatile and his versatility means he never gets settled into one position.

[Will]

yeah Beckham crossing was crap last night but it looked like he was carrying that ankle bigtime. He should of stayed in USA and rested it as we know what he can do.

As for Wright phillips ahead of Beckham that the biggest joke i have ever heard.

We all know you fancy Beckham, just like Neville, but he was shit, whereas SWP had a good game from what I heard and has played really well lately - his crossing has been better than Beckham's, plus he has pace and can go past people - I'd say it was an obvious move to give SWP a chance!

[french_og]

Where did you get Neville from??? Can't stand him. Much prefer Richards at rightback.

Wright Phillips did ok when he came beat a couple of players but hardly set the stadim alight and yeah has done ok for Chelsea this season but has to do a lot more before he should be starting for England.

Beckham showed in the recent qualifiers and game vs Brazil what he all about.

[kai]

WTF!!! Guy aint got a clue! Can see the case for Robinson, and maybe even for Carrick as his performances for England hven't been same as for Utd, and Hargreaves better partner for Lamps and Gerrard, but Rio???? Thats just nonsence!

As for Smith - he was one of our most effective weapons against Germany for me, though noting in the end came of his little flicks etc, so why drop him now?

All he needs is a goalscorer alongside him and he can fill the rolr Sheringham did for Shearer, or Beardsley did for Linekar (though in a different way) - trouble is forwards like that are alwazys susceptible to criticism over their lack of goals - but if ya have someone alongside who can get on the end of the chances then whats the problem. And if Owen cant do that anymore then surely he's the one who should be dropped.

[french_og]

Think Owen can definately do it if he can get back fit and injury free. He still gets in those positions but he has hardly played in a year. We have a massive problem in England with the lack of striking options and with the amount of Foreigners in the English game we will have problems producing them.

[Will]

Was that the game that finished 5-4? I caught a bit of that, can't believe he was playing so soon if that was live...