111 replies to this topic

[JT26CFC]

should have been a defensive midfield.  Come on Germany!!!

and who thinks by halftime McClaren will be boarding a plane far from england  {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif

[Pauly]

bridge is not fit enough for this type of game... should be smith or someone on for him if mclaren has him on the bench

[jack h]

they are mucking us about for christs sake Isreal do us a massive favour then this {SMILIES_PATH}/actions1.gif

[JT26CFC]

bench is James, a.cole, brown, hargreaves, defoe, beckham and bent.  so if bridge is to come off, most likely cole would be put on.  I don't see england scoring two goals.  Unless a miracle colud happen {SMILIES_PATH}/139.gif

[loz]

Based on that we have a pub manager and a lot of players doing an impression of a pub team.  Only SWP and Crouch come out of that half with any credit whatsoever.  Bloody ridiculous that no changes have been made to the team already and for that reason alone McLaren should be sacked at half time.  

At least Scotland had some excuses for their result, we have none!

[PraetorianGuard]

LOL, Soccernet commentary.

"This is half-time and a crescendo of boos ring out. Rightly so, England have been in shambles. A monumental turn around is required if we are to avoid a huge inquest into the very fabric of our national game."

[PraetorianGuard]

If I was McClaren, I would put Beckham and Hargreaves on, possibly moving Wright-Phillips to play striker, if that would work.

[loz]

"PraetorianGuard":36ovmv9f said:

If I was McClaren, I would put Beckham and Hargreaves on, possibly moving Wright-Phillips to play striker, if that would work.

Then you know your arse from your elbow as much as he does.  Beckham shouldn't even be on the bench because he isn't match fit and these conditions are hardly ideal for a non match fit player and Hargreaves is not the player you need when you are chasing the game.

Don't you have burgers to cook?

[forbzy]

What a joke but perhaps this is exactly what is needed. If we qualify it is really via the back door and nothing will change. We need a wake up call. Football at grassroots level up in England needs an overhaul. We need to stop overhyping mediocre players and do something quickly or we will fall into the trough that Scotland was in a few years ago. Scotland gradually seem to be turning things around but not without a lot of hard work. We will need the same.

[BlueBeard]

Looks like they've totally underestimated the Croatians. England look awful - Bridgey's having a mare, and Gerrard has made just the two blatant dives so far (strange how they weren't commented on by the commentators). Croatia look dangerous every time they go forward, whereas England don't.

When a side is 2-0 down in this situation, they look to the fans to lift them. Instead, after just 25 minutes the loyal and patriotic England fans started booing their own side, and have been doing so ever since {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif


Oh, and I'm not gloating, just making an honest observation {SMILIES_PATH}/317.gif

[Alan]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif

[JT26CFC]

Hmm mistakes by the goalkeeper, maybe robinson should have stayed in goal.  Games pretty much gone at this point, o but the might y Gerrard is playing, he'll score! {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif

[loz]

"JT26CFC":68qgf8hn said:

Hmm mistakes by the goalkeeper, maybe robinson should have stayed in goal.  Games pretty much gone at this point, o but the might y Gerrard is playing, he'll score! {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif

As I said earlier Robinson being dropped was overdue but a totally inexperienced Carson being selected ahead of James is plain wrong - and hasn't it come back to haunt McLaren.

[forbzy]

Bridgey should not be playing. He barely has any playing time since returning from injury. Shorey did OK in friendlies and this should have been his chance. In fact he should also have been playing against Russia rather than Lescott out of position.
Also Carson should not have been thrown into such a big game for his debut. I would have put James in instead. Yes he makes the odd mistake but he has invaluable experience in these sort of matches.

[jack h]

defoe and beckham on SWP and Barry off - will it make a difference? doubt it

[loz]

"BlueBeard":2czbgeiw said:

Looks like they've totally underestimated the Croatians. England look awful - Bridgey's having a mare, and Gerrard has made just the two blatant dives so far (strange how they weren't commented on by the commentators). Croatia look dangerous every time they go forward, whereas England don't.

When a side is 2-0 down in this situation, they look to the fans to lift them. Instead, after just 25 minutes the loyal and patriotic England fans started booing their own side, and have been doing so ever since {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif


Oh, and I'm not gloating, just making an honest observation {SMILIES_PATH}/317.gif

I don't think they underestimated Croatia, I just think we have been appalling.  Croatia have only really attacked in earnest three times and have scored twice so the are hardly tearing us up.  However I agree entirely that we look totally toothless and that is hardly surprising when you realise there isn't a player within 15 yards of Crouch.  Fine to start that way but once it screwed up things had to be changes and they haven't been.

A section of the ENgland fans did turn on the early but there has been a lot of support as well.

Rous cup home and away next summer BB?

[loz]

"jack h":1mm3cove said:

defoe and beckham on SWP and Barry off - will it make a difference? doubt it

The man is even more of a moron

[forbzy]

So he brings off SWP who was one of our better performers that half. We still have a chance but we will need an inspired half and it is hard to see that coming from McClaren.
Beckham will either be the hero or this will be his curtain call.

[JT26CFC]

i agree that shorey should have been played instead of having an unfit bridge and a totally un-practiced asely cole.  But england underestimating croatia, no.  It's just that a.)they don't score goals as it is and b.) they have the absence of thier key stikers.  Rooney could have been usefull in this game playing alongside crouch.  McClarens should have fielded a defensive team and carson is now looking to be another blunderkeeper.   {SMILIES_PATH}/691.gif
Becham will deliver a corner to crouch and maybe that's how a goal will appear, i don't see any other way.  Good job mcClaren for taking of SWP, wt.

[jack h]

well gerrard has done f**k all but has just won the MOTM for that interception