Ecuador - England

pretty lacklustre - not convinced they could beat Portugal playing like that. They had the lions share of the ball though. I don't think Rooney alone at the front works...

Phil

Yes indeed - Michael Owen SHOULD be there. Too bad...

Christian

quote:

Originally posted by Phil Cork:
pretty lacklustre - not convinced they could beat Portugal playing like that. They had the lions share of the ball though. I don't think Rooney alone at the front works...

Phil

Probably won't have to - Holland should neat Portugal and England should beat Holland.

Carrick played very well, as did Rooney - Lennon looked good when he came on.

quote:

Originally posted by rch:
Yes indeed - Michael Owen SHOULD be there. Too bad...

Christian

I think we're better without Owen - Rooney is a much more complete player.

I would have had Andrew Johnson or Darren Bent in the squad instead of a half fit Owen, but we've got the players Sven chose and they are improving, slowly.

As a neutral observer ( I managed not to find an Ecuadorian uncle) this was the worst match I have seen in the world cup.

England just do not play as a team.

Whatever is happening great players are being made look mediocre. Terry / Lampard / Rooney - what a spine and yet the team seem to have no backbone. The plan is there is no plan.

Things can only get improve and England may react better as underdog against Holland or Portugal. If they play like they did today though against Ecuador they will be thumped.



SJB

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
As a neutral observer ( I managed not to find an Ecuadorian uncle) this was the worst match I have seen in the world cup.

SJB

SJB - you missed Ukraine and Tunisia then and France and Switzerland - I really thought England were OK, not spectacular, but OK. I admidt it wasn't like Croatia and Australia (my match of the tournament so far - the Ref alone was worth watching) and we don't look to be up with Argentina (the best team in tornament IMHO) - that was some game against the Mexicans. I agree with you about the absence of a plan and I've no time for Sven and his lack of tactical awareness - I'm sure it was MacLaren who took control of the sensible substitution (Lennon). Still, we are in the quarter finals and I'm confident we can put up a good show against Holland or Portugal.

You've got remember I watch Ipswich Town most Saturdays - so I've learned to be easaily pleased by the odd spark of inspiration. I think Maxi Rodriguez would do well up front at Portman Road latching on to through balls from Ian Westlake and Darren Currie.

Rotf

I think they did what they needed to do. Rooney is getting stronger and stronger and was impressive particularly in the second half, but he has more to give. I was starting to loose faith in Beckham after some pretty average free kicks and corners in most of the games. He pulled the rabbit out of the hat though. Interestingly we seem at times stretched at the back, particularly against Sweden who imo were a league better than Equador. I also think Hargreaves is coming good and is a crackin utility player who has got commitment. If Beckham hadn't scored there was clearly going to be a change of tactics and some high balls and Lennon crosses put in for Big Steve , sorry Crouchy, which would have tested their defence and keeper.

Next game against Holland or Portugal should be more interesting and open and give us a chance to see flair hopefully from both sides.

Hey lads, how ever we have played and at times it hasnt been pretty we are in the last eight of the WORLD CUP.

Haway the lads



Diccus

Very poor game but England did what they needed to. The do appear to lack any real attacking edge though (as did Ecuador) so I'm not sure how well that system will work against a better side.

I don't believe that the pampered, greedy mutimillionaires currently playing for England really give a shit, other than worrying how much their 'image rights' would be increased by a World Cup title.

God help them when they come up against a proper footballl team (which they've managed to avoid thus far)!

Graham

Erik's match report

David Beckham wore Armani with Boots by Gucci. Lady Beckham and Brooklyn wore matching Dior.

Ecuador? The last Englishman to go there was Charles Darwin.

Another pitiful performance by the BGBs

Erik

What are you doing on a football thread? Have you run out of paint?

I thought England were better. They managed to retain possession much better and Rooney grew in to the role up front. I still think he is more destructive to the opposition running at them from deep or sliding a defence splitting ball through, but playing a holding player frees up Lampard and Gerrard to play their game. We just need Lamps to get his shooting boots on.

Maybe against better opposition that don't get 11 men behind the ball we might play better.

I think it's shaping up for us and sometimes the eventual winners aren't good from the outset but develop as the tournament progresses.

Mark

Dear Mark,

The whole nation is gearing for a tremendous finale, I feel. I feel it in my bones! So who won? I am infected but have missed the news on the radio!

So Erik is bound to become caught up in the end, just like me, in the end!

All the best from Fredrik

PS: Seeing as I am bound to move in the next few weeks, I don't want to waste money on paint in any case! [Smiley].

quote:

Probably won't have to - Holland should neat Portugal and England should beat Holland

Don't give up the day job.

Lennon should have come on earlier IMHO, he has pace to burn, and Equador would have ended with fewer players on the pitch.

The balls across the box were just what Owen has been crying out for, unfortunately the players forgot that he had already gone home.

Rooney, although isolated, did well under the circumstances, and got fitter the madder he got.

Lampard had another shocker.

I'm glad we have got Portugal next as half their team will be out injured or suspended for the next match.

I feel sorry for the Dutch, as they were beaten by superior cheating tonight.

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

Probably won't have to - Holland should beat Portugal and England should beat Holland

Don't give up the day job.

Yes wrong again - still I think with Renaldo out and Deco out, we should stand a good chance - I thought Figo should have gone too. Holland were very disappointing - I wish England were playing them.

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Erik

What are you doing on a football thread? Have you run out of paint?

Mark,

I painted three walls and the ceiling and was overcome with paint fumes just before kick off. I was halucinating and things could have become quite serious had a neighbour not popped round and turned the tv off.

Erik

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:

So Erik is bound to become caught up in the end, just like me, in the end!

I would need to be bound Fredrik

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
Dear Mark,

The whole nation is gearing for a tremendous finale, I feel. I feel it in my bones! So who won? I am infected but have missed the news on the radio!

So Erik is bound to become caught up in the end, just like me, in the end!

All the best from Fredrik

PS: Seeing as I am bound to move in the next few weeks, I don't want to waste money on paint in any case! [Smiley].

Dear Fredrik

England won and will play Portugal in the quarter final. And I believe Erik secretly is already caught up, but won't admit it! He's hiding behind the decorating!

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
[QUOTE]

And I believe Erik secretly is already caught up, but won't admit it! He's hiding behind the decorating!

Mark

Dear Mark, Thanks! I always enjoy exchanges here with you! Fredrik

Dear Fredrik

You are a gentleman! But my internet connection is misbehaving this evening so I think I'll call it a night.

Warm regards

Mark

Mine is off colour as well, so cherio! Fredrik! [Smiley]!

quote:

Originally posted by nicnaim:
I feel sorry for the Dutch, as they were beaten by superior cheating tonight.

Did you actually watch the game? The sheer volume of cheating from the Dutch had to be seen to be believed. The reluctance of the refs to get their cards out for blatant diving has definitely been one dissapointing aspect of the world cup so far. In domestic play Robben would have been sent off for his second bookable dive within the first 5 minutes.

quote:

Originally posted by rch:
Pretty poor performance - only one good shot...

At this stage, one good shot may be all it takes!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:

quote:

Originally posted by nicnaim:
I feel sorry for the Dutch, as they were beaten by superior cheating tonight.

Did you actually watch the game? The sheer volume of cheating from the Dutch had to be seen to be believed. The reluctance of the refs to get their cards out for blatant diving has definitely been one dissapointing aspect of the world cup so far. In domestic play Robben would have been sent off for his second bookable dive within the first 5 minutes.

Steve,

Read my quote again. I did not say that the Dutch did not cheat, simply that the Portugese were better at it. Yes I did watch the game, and have only just returned from Germany, where one of the games I went to was Mexico v Portugal, where a Mexican was sent off for diving (second yellow). Unfortunately it rather spoilt what was shaping up to be an excellent game.

BTW, I was also at the England v Portugal match during Euro 2004, when Ronaldo fell down any time a player came within a yard of him.

Robben is another regular diver in the Premiership, and his reputation proceeded him to this tournament. I hate cheating, see the Cheats Prosper (Again) thread.

Enjoy the rest of the tournament. We all have different views of what happens on the pitch, hence the fascination.

Regards

Nic