England vs Russia (formerly England vs Estonia)

[Andre the Giant]

Well we're only 4 days away from that time when everyone here has the same favourite team. I think that everyone is viewing this game as a walk for England. Just have to be sure to avoid a stunning draw or something. Here's my choice for starting XI:

Robinson
Richards Ferdinand Terry Cole
SWP Gerrard Barry Cole
Rooney Owen

I like starting Gerrard over Lampard simply because of match fitness. But if we can open up a good sized lead, we should bring Frank in for Stevie to give him some time. I'd also like to see Peter Crouch factor in there somehow.

Has Sol Campbell been activated for the game? If so, I'd like to see him come in for JT if we can bust a big lead open.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

If its going to be such a walk why on earth would you risk Terry?

[Andre the Giant]

Because I'm not sure who our backups are. Carragher still has the soother in his mouth and I just read that Campbell pulled out of training today.

I guess thebetter choice would be to rest him for Russia. But I'm still impressed with the fact that he really wants to play this one.

I really think he's the toughest guy on the team.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

He has to say he wants to play hes the captain, if he said anything less he'd get linched but his fitness isnt the real issue, sure he has an injury and the less risk with any injury the better but more to the point hes on a yellow which means your risking loosing him in two ways against supposed nothing opposition with a tougher match next.

Sure Campbell and Brown are doubts but replacements can be called in and hell players can be moved about how about bring in a fullback and move Richards into the centre?

[Andre the Giant]

I guess in this game we could do that. We could probably even go with 3 guys back there against Estonia in all honesty and overload the M or get 3rd guy up front.

Did JT pick up the yellow against Israel or Russia? If it was Israel, he should have just got that yellow against Russia when the game was in the bag kind of like what Kuyt did in the first leg against PSV last year.

-kev

[storm4]

I guess in this game we could do that. We could probably even go with 3 guys back there against Estonia in all honesty and overload the M or get 3rd guy up front.

Did JT pick up the yellow against Israel or Russia? If it was Israel, he should have just got that yellow against Russia when the game was in the bag kind of like what Kuyt did in the first leg against PSV last year.

-kev
Kev, how come you never come to the wrestling forum anymore? Anyway, it's obvious that England will run away with this one. Still, maybe Estonia will make it interesting.

[Wildchild]

Has Sol Campbell been activated for the game? If so, I'd like to see him come in for JT if we can bust a big lead open.

Hahaha, "activated". My first thought was, no lie, "wtfrobot" :link:

I agree with your team for the most part, although I wouldn't risk Terry. If he WANTS to play, great. It shows he's committed. But Russia will be the more difficult game, and options are available to replace him.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

Kev, how come you never come to the wrestling forum anymore? Anyway, it's obvious that England will run away with this one. Still, maybe Estonia will make it interesting.
England should have ran away with several games and have made hard work of them so its far from for gone

[Andre the Giant]

Why don't I post in wrestling anymore? That should change, I'm going to bookmark it. Had some great chats in there didn't we, lol?

What formation does everyone else think we should utilize here?

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

442 its the only one that has been tried and ever succeeded

[Acid Ammo]

Actually I agree with 4-4-2.

------------Green-------------
Richards-Lescott-Taylor-Shorey
Bentley---Nolan-Barry--Downing
----------Owen-Defoe----------

It's time for revolution. I'd seriously start no-one from the big four. And I'm absoultely SURE this team would beat a top-four-only team, which have shown for a long time now that it has no chemestry.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I like the theory but the team would definitely work better with a few top 4 players integrated

[Andre the Giant]

You are nuts going with that team. It's an attempt to avoid our big names. Seriously, I recognize all the names, but there's no way we could ever go with that team.

I'm changing mine to Campbell in for Terry. You talked me into it.

I can't believe suggesting keeping Wayne Rooney out. lol, on MSN or GW, you'll never learn to show the lad the respect he deserves.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

My eleven if fit:

Robinson
Neville - Richards - Ferdinand - Cole
Bentley - Gerrard - Barry - Cole
Rooney - Owen

[Andre the Giant]

Was Gary activated???

-kev

[Demikain]

Actually I agree with 4-4-2.

------------Green-------------
Richards-Lescott-Taylor-Shorey
Bentley---Nolan-Barry--Downing
----------Owen-Defoe----------

It's time for revolution. I'd seriously start no-one from the big four. And I'm absoultely SURE this team would beat a top-four-only team, which have shown for a long time now that it has no chemestry.
This team would probably have even less chemistry since it's probably never existed. Why would you replace Terry and Ferdinand? They do their job just fine, most of the problems with England are with attacking. Not sure why you'd put Defoe over Rooney either, he's incredibly average.

I agree that McClaren shouldn't be afraid to try out people who haven't really had a chance before, but I can't see that team working any better than the team he has now.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

Was Gary activated???

-kev
Try his bro

[Crazy Jamie]

Actually I agree with 4-4-2.

------------Green-------------
Richards-Lescott-Taylor-Shorey
Bentley---Nolan-Barry--Downing
----------Owen-Defoe----------

It's time for revolution. I'd seriously start no-one from the big four. And I'm absoultely SURE this team would beat a top-four-only team, which have shown for a long time now that it has no chemestry.
Whilst changes to the England team are generally too slow in coming, I think that this is too radical. It's more change for the sake of it than logical change.

---------Robinson------------
Richards-Lescott-Ferdinand-Cole
Bentley--Gerrard-Barry----Young
--------Rooney-Owen---------

No need to risk Terry, and Lescott is a good candidate to try in his place. I'd favour Young over Cole because I feel he's far more natural in the position and could put in a real performance.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I really want to see Bentley play, you can say all you like about his U21 behaviour but his form has been superb for some time now and hes as close as we'll get to another Beckham for a long time

[Acid Ammo]

I think it's crystal clear a top-four team will never work. I know it seems radical but I see a 180 degrees revolution the only way to glory for the English team.

[Vamp]

I agree with Jamie's selection, except Robinson of course.

[Andre the Giant]

I think it's crystal clear a top-four team will never work. I know it seems radical but I see a 180 degrees revolution the only way to glory for the English team.

Doesn't mean you just slap **** together and hope it works, lol. You still need your mega-stars in there because they are who will make the ultimate difference.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I dont think you need megastars but if they can play as a member of a team then you prefer them, take Englands central midfield, the main culprits over the last few years have been Gerrard, Lampard, Hargreaves, Carrick and a little further back Scholes all as Acid says megastars, however put in a real team player like Barry next to a megastar and so far so good.

[Crazy Jamie]

I agree with Jamie's selection, except Robinson of course.I think Robinson should be dropped as well, but when I made that team my mind was preoccupied and I couldn't muster the mental strength to ruffle through the list of alternatives and pick the best one, so I put him in as the easy option.

Ironically, I wouldn't be surprised if McClaren does the same.

[Partizan]

Actually I agree with 4-4-2.

------------Green-------------
Richards-Lescott-Taylor-Shorey
Bentley---Nolan-Barry--Downing
----------Owen-Defoe----------

It's time for revolution. I'd seriously start no-one from the big four. And I'm absoultely SURE this team would beat a top-four-only team, which have shown for a long time now that it has no chemestry.

There are so many flaws in your formation:

- Owen and Defoe need a creative striker/target man alongside them to work to their advantage. No need to start both of them

- Nolan is a vastly overrated player. When fit, other players like Jenas, Sidwell, Barton and Parker would be better choices.

- Bentley and Downing's best attributes are at crossing balls into the box, but what's the point when you have two midgets waiting at the end of them?

- That team has never played together and it will take a while for them to gel. And time is running short for England to qualify, there can't be any room for mistake. You have to stick with most of your best players at this stage, it's not wise to experiment

[Andre the Giant]

I'm not saying we need all megastars, but we need at least some. Because if you have no difference makers out there, you'll have plenty of nice play, but absolutely no results. Not to mention that team has zero chemistry together.

Benching guys that have done well for us too makes zero sense, ie Ferdinand.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I dont think the issue in that team is diference makers, the full midfield is capable of goals I just think they would lack any chemistry

[Xu Huang]

I think it's crystal clear a top-four team will never work. I know it seems radical but I see a 180 degrees revolution the only way to glory for the English team.

I take it that you had your head in the ground for the last two games then. There's absolutely no need to change an England team that's in great form at the moment, except with those enforced by injuries (Rooney in for Heskey).

I would also be tempted to put Ashley Cole on the bench as I don't think he's in good form at the moment, but every other English left back seems to be playing just as poorly if not more so.

[Jesus.]

You're all blindingly not taking into account that England has failed to live up to its reported potential for the last years. This team has shown it will never play to its full potential, and my opinion on why that is is that the rivalry between the top clubs is just so overwhelming that it will never work. I think that this is the reason we've seen so many monumental failures in the English team, including the biggest of them all: Lampard and Gerrard not being able to work together.

If you take the teams of the players Acid Ammo suggested: West Ham, Man City, Everton, Newcastle, Reading, Blackburn, Bolton, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Tottenham. The biggest rivalry in there is maybe Bolton and Man City and that is not even their fiercest. Without this pressure of playing with your rivals on your own team, the chemestry would flow very well and easier, and I definetly think this team would do better.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I'd say Blackburn-Bolton or Spurs-West Ham would be bigger rivalries

[Jesus.]

That really only confirms my point, as these are no GREAT rivalries.

[Andre the Giant]

Hey guys,

Kinda fell out of the loop of the convos here. Exam yesterday. Anyways, I'm about to head out to the Anglo Club to catch the game. I noticed that Torres tore a muscle in training. Anyone else think Rafa is going to absolutely flip over this?

Anyways, I'm predicting a 4-0 victory for the Three Lions.

-kev

[Powerslave]

I noticed that Torres tore a muscle in training. Anyone else think Rafa is going to absolutely flip over this?

he has? god damn it. we really need him for the derby too.

anyway, as for the England game, hopefully Barry will retain his place, as he was pretty much the best player in the last 2 games. we should definitely win. it will either be a comfortable 3-4 goal win, or the usual laboured performance against a week team with the odd goal deciding it.

Richards down with head injury already, P. Neville warming up :mad:

[Acid Ammo]

Half time, England leads 3-0 and are playing like sh*t. Match analysis at half follows:

Goals:
Wright-Phillips 11': Richards great assist, Shaun takes a lucky shot, it goes between the defender's legs and then between Mart Poom's legs. Lucky lucky goal.

Rooney 32': Joe cole assists a lucky strike by Rooney, the shot hits the defender and kills off Poom. Lucky lucky goal.

Rahn (OG) 33': Ashley Cole's cross is headed by a Estonia player, and perfectly so, the ball whistles off the post and goes in, no chance for Poom, except it was an own goal. Lucky lucky goal.

English Players:
Paul Robinson - haven't played yet, can't comment.
Micah Richards - man of the match so far, has been playing superbly, with movement and flair.
Sol Campbell - didn't touch the ball yet.
Rio Ferdinand - cleared Piiroja's cross and not much else.
Ashley Cole - did nothing but cross to Rahn's header.
Shaun Wright-Phillips - not his best match, but he's playing all right, all though he's made a few mistakes.
Steven Gerrard - worst English player on pitch, appeared on attack twice and made two mistakes on those occasions; he's missing bad passes and interfering with England's attack: when Richards crossed to Owen, Gerrard intercepted like he was a DM.
Gareth Barry - playing a safe match, making accurate passes, nothing spectacular.
Joe Cole - invisble man on pitch, has not touched the ball, except to cross to Rooney's goal; definetly not a good match for him.
Michael Owen - missed two sitters, but was ruled offside on both; not playing very well.
Wayne Rooney - not appearing enough, got a lucky goal and that's it, really.

Match: England is failing to create good chances and is only three nil up because it's f*cking Estonia. They need to get it sorted out.

[JoetheShow]

Not exactly on topic...

but what the hell has gotten into Scotland? The national team is ripping people's heads off and Rangers and Celtic have been good in the CL as well. I don't think Scottish football (lol) is as bad as people have been telling me.

[Andre the Giant]

Hey Joe,

You know if that happened over here, there'd be steroids tossed into the debate like no tomorrow.

As for England, I was happy with the performance overall. Great to see Rooney play well again. I think that we didn't really come out firing in the second half at all. Lescott looked nothing short of bad though. We really have to hope that JT is ready for Wednesday although Campbell did well.

Any word on Ashley Cole?

-kev

[The Outlaw]

Half time, England leads 3-0 and are playing like sh*t. Match analysis at half follows:

Goals:
Wright-Phillips 11': Richards great assist, Shaun takes a lucky shot, it goes between the defender's legs and then between Mart Poom's legs. Lucky lucky goal.

Rooney 32': Joe cole assists a lucky strike by Rooney, the shot hits the defender and kills off Poom. Lucky lucky goal.

Rahn (OG) 33': Ashley Cole's cross is headed by a Estonia player, and perfectly so, the ball whistles off the post and goes in, no chance for Poom, except it was an own goal. Lucky lucky goal.

English Players:
Paul Robinson - haven't played yet, can't comment.
Micah Richards - man of the match so far, has been playing superbly, with movement and flair.
Sol Campbell - didn't touch the ball yet.
Rio Ferdinand - cleared Piiroja's cross and not much else.
Ashley Cole - did nothing but cross to Rahn's header.
Shaun Wright-Phillips - not his best match, but he's playing all right, all though he's made a few mistakes.
Steven Gerrard - worst English player on pitch, appeared on attack twice and made two mistakes on those occasions; he's missing bad passes and interfering with England's attack: when Richards crossed to Owen, Gerrard intercepted like he was a DM.
Gareth Barry - playing a safe match, making accurate passes, nothing spectacular.
Joe Cole - invisble man on pitch, has not touched the ball, except to cross to Rooney's goal; definetly not a good match for him.
Michael Owen - missed two sitters, but was ruled offside on both; not playing very well.
Wayne Rooney - not appearing enough, got a lucky goal and that's it, really.

Match: England is failing to create good chances and is only three nil up because it's f*cking Estonia. They need to get it sorted out.



I think that's just about the perfect analysis, although England were mostly in control throughout the whole match, but yeh.

[Andre the Giant]

Anyone of you get to go to the game? What do they charge anyways?

-kev

[Xu Huang]

You're all blindingly not taking into account that England has failed to live up to its reported potential for the last years. This team has shown it will never play to its full potential, and my opinion on why that is is that the rivalry between the top clubs is just so overwhelming that it will never work. I think that this is the reason we've seen so many monumental failures in the English team, including the biggest of them all: Lampard and Gerrard not being able to work together.

England doesn't have a divine right to win every competition it enters you know, so when it doesn't it's not a 'monumental failure'. The reason why we've failed in the past is because we simply haven't been good enough, so just accept it rather than suggesting ridiculous radical changes. All the England team are professionals and I'm sure any rivalry between them at club level is forgone when they meet for international games.

Lampard and Gerrard don't play well together because they're very similar, attacking midfielders. Nearly every top level team with a 4-4-2 formation likes to play one attacking central midfielder and one holding midfielder, so this has nothing to do with supposed club rivalry.

If you take the teams of the players Acid Ammo suggested: West Ham, Man City, Everton, Newcastle, Reading, Blackburn, Bolton, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Tottenham. The biggest rivalry in there is maybe Bolton and Man City and that is not even their fiercest. Without this pressure of playing with your rivals on your own team, the chemestry would flow very well and easier, and I definetly think this team would do better.

Nonsense, all you'd succeed in doing is weakening the team. Besides Newcastle vs Middlesbrough is a huge rivalry.

This kind of talk would have been warranted a few weeks ago when qualification was in doubt and the team wasn't playing well, but off the back of five 3-0 wins in a row and some cracking performances in some of them, you'd be mad to want to completely change the team.

On today's game:

You can't read too much into the performance as you have to take into account the opposition. We played well enough to comfortably beat Estonia and that's it. It works both ways as well, because if we had played brilliantly we'd all be saying 'It's only Estonia'. I agree that we were average and that the goals were lucky, but I'm sure if we hadn't scored them then we would definitely have at some other point in the match. I wouldn't have been surprised if McClaren had told the team to take it very easy in the second half to avoid picking up any injuries, which would explain the insipid second half display.

The real issue is getting three points in Moscow on Wednesday. Hopefully Israel will take some points off Croatia tonight as well.

It looks very unlikely whether Ashley Cole will make the game on Wednesday, so who would you have replace him? Nicky Shorey, Joleon Lescott and Phil Neville are all candidates (Gareth Barry has also been suggested but I think he's doing too good a job in the midfield).

[Andre the Giant]

My choice there is Phil Neville just based on experience. I can't see him screwing up. This is way too big a game to throw Lescott or Shorey in there.

Any word on JT?

-kev

[Vamp]

My choice there is Phil Neville just based on experience. I can't see him screwing up. This is way too big a game to throw Lescott or Shorey in there.
Oh please. The English media have been over-hyping the Russia game for f*cking months. England could play Jermain Defoe at left back and still win the game.

If England don't win in Russia, they don't deserve to qualify.

Green
Richards---Ferdinand---Terry*---Shorey
SWP---Gerrard---Barry---Joe Cole
Rooney**---Crouch

* Campbell if Terry can't play.
** Perhaps start Rooney and if things aren't going to plan, Owen is always available to save the day.

[Andre the Giant]

I haven't been watching the games, but judging by the scorelines, it looks as though Croatia is starting to slip up in terms of form. Hopefully this means good things for us next month.

Any chance a mod can add vs Russia to this thread? I totally forgot to when I did it way back when.

By the way, hats off to Scotland. Two games left, one of them should be a walk. More than anything, I would love to see them knock Italy out of this tournament. It would be the second greatest thing to England qualifying.

-kev

[JoetheShow]

haha, I thought this was a good thing to post. A gem by Craig Bellamy on the San Marino qualifier:

'There is no question we have to win that one. They say there are no easy games in international football and I would agree with that, but as games go, playing San Marino should be easy for us.

[TheGreatOne]

Any chance a mod can add vs Russia to this thread? I totally forgot to when I did it way back when.

By the way, hats off to Scotland. Two games left, one of them should be a walk. More than anything, I would love to see them knock Italy out of this tournament. It would be the second greatest thing to England qualifying.

-kev


For once, (;)) I totally agree with you. Scotland have looked better than I've ever seen them this year and although they hate us English and want us to crash and burn, the feeling is totally un-mutual!

I'll change the name of this thread now. :)

[Witt E. Pseudonym]

Two games left, one of them should be a walk. More than anything, I would love to see them knock Italy out of this tournament. It would be the second greatest thing to England qualifying.

It is good to see Scotland doing as well as they've done since 1998 when they gave Brazil a scare.

I would much rather see them go through at the expense of France. Italy are better to watch, and Domenech seems to me to be a rather absurd manager. Taking astrology into consideration when picking a squad is just ridiculous.

As for England, the performance was nothing special, then again it didn't need to be. The only important thing was that they won (It was helpful to win by a substantial margin to close down the goal difference gap although that only matters if England beat Croatia 2-0 to draw level on points).

I would play the same team with Shorey as back up for Cole, although the midfield is a bit of a concern. Wright-Phillips, Barry and Cole need to be on good form because I don't have much hope of Gerrard or Lampard playing well. Gerrard will probably start, and he hasn't been anything like his best since the foot injury.

[Andre the Giant]

I'm not going to lie, I would drop Gerrard for Lampard for that reason. Gerrard looks like he's still a little shaken up while Lamps is at full strength. No one can say one or the other is clearly a better choice, but with Gerrard a little wobbly, I'd rather use Frank at this point.

Any word on John Terry? His presence will be HUGE.

-kev

Edit: Just read that Ashley Cole is out for the Russia game. My choice is Phil Neville.

[Xu Huang]

I heard on the radio this morning that John Terry has declared himself fit, yet to see it confirmed though.

There are rumours that we could be playing a 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 a la Chelsea, in which case both Lampard and Gerrard would probably play. Can't see that happening though.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

Its never worked in the past

[Powerslave]

I'm not going to lie, I would drop Gerrard for Lampard for that reason. Gerrard looks like he's still a little shaken up while Lamps is at full strength. No one can say one or the other is clearly a better choice, but with Gerrard a little wobbly, I'd rather use Frank at this point.

i've got to be honest, as much as it pains me to do so. Gerrard was f*cking terrible against Estonia, as bad as i've ever seen him play. i don't think dropping him would do any harm, he looks like he could use a long rest. he was badly shown up by Barry's expemplary use of the ball on Saturday.

[Witt E. Pseudonym]

i've got to be honest, as much as it pains me to do so. Gerrard was f*cking terrible against Estonia, as bad as i've ever seen him play. i don't think dropping him would do any harm, he looks like he could use a long rest. he was badly shown up by Barry's expemplary use of the ball on Saturday.

He's barely got any rest at all since the foot injury. I really doubt he's been able to let it heal properly. For the sake of Liverpool more than anything, I wouldn't mind seeing him rested.

[Andre the Giant]

If we go 4-5-1, I'm going to slowly die on the inside.

I mean that.

-kev

[Xu Huang]

It also seems that no journalist is able to get through a news report on the match without using the phrase 'plastic pitch'. I'm sick to death of it.

[Vamp]

I can't remember the last time I was this annoyed at the media's build up to a game... :whatever:

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I played on a plastic pitch for years at school, the only real problem I ever had was sliding into chalenges was very painful trust me I have the scars to proove it.

[Andre the Giant]

You guys have a point, it's getting really annoying. Even at school, it's all anyone is talking about too. How about the fact that we beat them 3-0 at Wembley and really should beat them again? How about the fact that Captain Amazing himself, John Terry is going to play? How about who will replace Ashley Cole? Hey here's one, if we win we're in! How about that one? Can I suggest that the words "plastic pitch" or anything referring to it are no longer used in this thread?

-kev

[Vamp]

How about the fact that Russia are a poor team compared to England and anything less than a win is a bad result.

[Xu Huang]

Not so fast, apparently JT's knee locked up after today's training session.

My old school had an astro turf pitch and I dislocated my shoulder playing in goal on it once.

[Vamp]

Lets hope Robinson has similar luck. :D

[Donpaulo Inc.]

Yup Terrys out, big deal

[Crazy Jamie]

Realistically Terry being out shouldn't make a difference. Neither should the plastic pitch.

Realistically if we lose both will be used as excuses.

[Andre the Giant]

Here's facts: we have Sol Campbell. He's anything but an also-ran that we are just tossing in there. He's got tons of caps and is still an exceptionally good CB in the PL right now. There is no excuse here, we should win.

-kev

Just saw that Joleon Lescott is going to be starting this one at LB. My stomach just turned over.

-kev

[Witt E. Pseudonym]

Well it's out of England's hands now. Not a good performance but both goals were very disappointing ones to concede.

So McClaren's chances of staying as manager are looking a bit slim.

How about that Sven Goran Eriksson for his replacement? He's been doing alright at City.

[Partizan]

Now England's fate is in the hands of Russia.

That was probably the worst performance I've seen from Gerrard in an England kit. He was obviously struggling and failed to convert a great chance to kill off the game while we were winning. Wright Phillips and Cole were rubbish, while Lescott and Robinson were insecure at times.

The penalty decision is controversial, and I think a free kick should've been given instead. BTW, this was the same ref that gave Italy the decisive penalty against Australia

[Tom]

Didn't see the game, but uh-oh. Not looking good.

[Witt E. Pseudonym]

Not only do England have to hope Israel can take points from Russia but they need to beat Croatia too. I don't fancy England's chances at all on current form.

Didn't see the game, but uh-oh. Not looking good.

It isn't all bad. If England fail to qualify, the BBC will have no justification for using Ian Wright and Alan Shearer as analysts.

[Andre the Giant]

I think it will go 0-0 in Israel, just a feeling. Look at it this way. If we qualify, great. If not, at least we can fire McClaren.

-kev

[Acid Ammo]

Oh, Acid Ammo doesn't seem so incoherent now, does he?

I think the biggest mistake was starting Gerrard after his horrible performance in Wembley. This may just have costed England their spot. I reiterate. It's time for renovation.

[Crazy Jamie]

Didn't see the match, but the result would appear to say it all.

Not good enough.

[Andre the Giant]

We should have started Frank Lampard. Gerrard was just bad today. I saw the replay more and more, no way is that a penalty, it was definitely outside the box. Irregardless, we sucked.

-kev

[JoetheShow]

Irregardless is not a word, as told to us everyday of 8th grade.

That is just a sad result for an "in the bag" game. Gerrard should not have been playing. He's yet to get his legs back under him and from what I saw of the replay, it wasn't a penalty.

[Andre the Giant]

We spell things differently in Canada ;)

No it really wasn't a penalty. There's a saying here in America, "the ball don't lie". Hopefully that will hold true and Israel will defeat or draw Russia.

I'm guaranteeing we will beat Croatia at Wembley.

-kev

[Northern Lights]

F*ck. Scotland have NO depth to the squad.

Hutton, Brown, Hartley and McCulloch were out and we really looked poor.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I dont know whether I thoght England played well or poor, over 90 mins obv the second but Russia where good all day long.

People saying this was Gerrards worst game shhhh, look at his last 2 performances for England.

What a goal by Rooney, yeah that was really worth 40 quid for f*cking t-shirt, I guarantee if we dont qualify they dont get anymore money off me for at least 3 year.

Clearly not a penalty.

I dont dislike Crouch, yes I think he has been overrated, yes I think hes currently under used but the truth is theres no point to his competitive England career because if hes within 5 feet of a player the ref always gives a foul against - FACT!

Summer ruined? Yes, I hope the mind expanding stuff I plan to do in Mexico makes up for it.

and the best of it....

McLaren will keep his job because "WE WON 5 GAMES 3-0 CONSECUTIVELY" and unless we sack him now and get Mourinho who the f*ck is going to replace him?

Rant temporarily over!

[Andre the Giant]

Two things:

1) What's a quid?

2) No dude, don't talk like that, lol. There's two goods and two bads that can come from this: either we qualify or we don't, OR we fire McClaren or we don't. I want the Special One coaching this team so bad. If he does, we will win the World Cup, I guarantee it now. We've always had the players (especially with Foster in goal by then), but with that kind of leader, forget it, we will win it all!

Like I said, I am 99.9% feeling Israel-Russia will go 0-0. However, us beating Croatia, I feel wobbly on it the way we've stunk it up lately.

-kev

[Donpaulo Inc.]

A quid is sland for a pound

Edit: thats slang*

[TheGreatOne]

Summer ruined? Yes, I hope the mind expanding stuff I plan to do in Mexico makes up for it.


Magic mushrooms? I just went picking over the fields near my house, bagsied me a f*ckload.

I didn't see the game but I hear England didn't play badly - just had a bit of a joke referee.

[Andre the Giant]

That ref is a bad ref. He's the bonehead who cost Australia against the Swan Diving Italians and who used replay to red card Zidane.

I really do think if England misses out it will hurt ratings around the world. They are BY FAR the most popular team around the world, and certainly over here. I'll probably need Joe to back me up on this one, but I really do think they are more popular than the US team during the World Cup. Course that's probably thanks to a Mr Beckham. Rooney is starting to catch on here in Canada, but nowhere near like Becks. The most common jersey you'll see is Beckham, then Rooney, then Ronaldo. But lately, people are starting to wear their Juve jerseys again. I refer to them as slime after keeping them in the closet last year.

-kev

[JoetheShow]

They are not more popular than USMNT, no one really cares although it was briefly mentioned on shows yesterday. I think English team is more popular in Asia though than their own teams.

[Freakish]

We don't really have a huge soccer following here like Joe said. You'll get mostly US supporters here on the sole purpose of "US #1", but most fans who regularly watch or play support England about as much as the US

[JoetheShow]

We're a nationalist country when it comes to sports. No one cares about Olympic sports UNTIL the Olympics. Then of course I can name every member of the female synchronized swimming team. It's difficult for me to gauge soccer in Alabama where football is king and soccer isalol.

[Andre the Giant]

Guess I can speak for up here in Canada then. Really, the Canadian national team is as bad as it comes. So people like to pick their heritage's team. I'm half-Italian but I have morals in sports, so I chose England. They're certainly the most popular choice here, followed by Italy.

-kev