England v Austria

[dawsey]

Well this is the first game I have watched of this seasons internationals.
What a load of rubbish .
How can a "team" of highly paid footballers put on such a sad show I don't know.At the moment,England are a million miles from winning the World Cup.
Playing like today,they wouldn't make the second stage.

OK my view of todays dross
Started so so and just got worse. Only one brightish thing to come out of it was the fact that Charlton's Luke Young had a pretty good game and is a worthy replacement for injured G Neville.
Other than that,the referee was hopeless.Missed a clearcut penalty when Owen was upended and carded Beckham for an innocent challenge
Poor Peter Crouch won't be an international football player while he has a hole in his a$$. Not entirely blameless though he had no support. Terry looked shaky,Owen was anonymous, Gerrard was really poor and can't show his L'pool form for England and Carragher is no left sided player.

What has become of England as a major player in the international league?

Don't blame Sven the butterfly for everything,although his substitutions baffle me. Crouch has a stinker yet Defoe is kept on the bench??.

No wonder I prefer Rugby Union but I dont hold my breath about England this season either.

Oh the result, 1 - 0 to England

[Sirgezza]

Terrible result - I had them down as 2-0 in the footie comp

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by gez

Terrible result - I had them down as 2-0 in the footie comp

I was even more optimistic 3-0

[steve@thaib]

Originally Posted by gez

Terrible result - I had them down as 2-0 in the footie comp

Me too Gez. Beckham's red card was a joke, I think they may even argue that but would be wise to let it go and have the guy get on with his suspension now that England have qualified.

Dawsey is spot on, England are woefully average just now and it is a puzzle. No doubt we will see a wave of optimism sweep the country as usual come the finals, the team will set off at massive expense amid a frenzy of media attention, and then fall over when the first serious questions are asked.

I reckon that Sven has done his job now and is no longer the man to get the best out of this group of players. Special teams need special coaches, are you listening Jose?

[Allybabba22]

Its funny how different eyes see different games, I thought England did ok, They won which is the main thing and while they were down to 10men.

I think Gerrard and Crouch played well, Some really nice touch's from Crouch, held the ball up well and also link up with owen pretty well I would say, Only for Beckham got in his way, He would have scored aswell so think its harsh saying he had a bad game especially after there was pretty much no service after Beckham got his marching orders unjustly.

Now Gerrard, The critism he gets is extremely harsh, He played very well in that game especially with the shackles on, Obviously you cannot compare his perfomances with how he plays for Liverpool because he plays where he is best there, As an attacking midfielder, In the England team his true talents are being sacrafised for the benefit of Lampard who is a pretty similar player without the defensive part of Gerrard's game, So how can he put in the same performances.

It is Sven's fault, He needs to open his eyes and see that both of these players are too similar to play together, And he should have the balls to drop one of them and play a better player in the holding role like Carrick or even Parker, Luckly for him maybe Gerrards injury will give him the chance to do that in the next game and I bet they play better, Not because Gerrards not playing but because he will have the right players playing in the right position's.

Another thing Beckham should not be Captian, It should be given too someone like a Gerrard or a Terry who would inspire the English players a lot more than Beckham does on and off the pitch for all the right reasons.

[steve@thaib]

John Terry for me Ally, though I would say Gerrard as well. Beckham should play wide right and fcuking lump it, and I don't think Crouch will get a look in if Rooney and Owen are both fit.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

John Terry for me Ally, though I would say Gerrard as well. Beckham should play wide right and fcuking lump it, and I don't think Crouch will get a look in if Rooney and Owen are both fit.

John Terry for me as well He has done a great job at Chelsea as captain and if anything his performances are better than last season.Gerrard also has a good case, but I'd rather he concentrated on his own game without worrying about being captain

I'm not sure Beckham deserves a regular spot,he is certainly better out wide on the right,but Sven loves him

Peter Crouch isnt fit to lace the boots of Owen,Rooney,Defoe,Alan Smith and any number of other players. He just isn't international class,sorry Ally thats how I see him. A good honest club player and nothing more.No wonder Cisse cant wait to get out of Anfield if Crouch is considered a better player.When is the guy going to score a goal

[Allybabba22]

Originally Posted by dawsey

Peter Crouch isnt fit to lace the boots of Owen,Rooney,Defoe,Alan Smith and any number of other players. He just isn't international class,sorry Ally thats how I see him. A good honest club player and nothing more.No wonder Cisse cant wait to get out of Anfield if Crouch is considered a better player.When is the guy going to score a goal

Its funny he scored more goals last season than all the players mentioned above, And the thing is Dawsey I watch him play every week and maybe see something that you dont, Dont get me wrong when Liverpool bought him I thought fu*k no what are we doing, But he has proved me wrong so far, All he needs now is a goal, And he will be flying.