Well England have become quite prone to inury latley . Now to add onto that list is Michael Owen who suffered a thigh strain in the match vs Austria tonight. England won 1-0 with a header from Crouch from a corner by Bekham. Other than that it was quite an uninspiring perforrmance. Beckham at this point looks likely to make it to 99 caps, unless they happen to win tommorow. I don't wanna sound like a hypocrite, but i'd like to see England qualify, but i hardly think that they could actually win it (Euro 2008). I'll be watching Israel vs. Russia tomorow in my Lampard jersey because i'd love to see Lampard score the winning goal to shut up the boo boys. Should be an exciting day tomorow

What??? Michael Owen injured???? Surely not - I didn't see that coming!

A friendly in artic conditions should not be played 5 days before a clash against a side who are top of our qualification group. The FA should take a serious look at who organised this friendly, oh I forgot, it was them.

They probably also put pressure on the manager to play a decent side in games like this because they sell the veiwing rights.

Not only do you get bullied by the press managing Englands national side, your employeres want you to be the fall guy for their failings aswell!

The FA are a joke from Barwick all the way down to Brooking.

Supposedly Terry's being passed fit to lay against Croatia on Wednesday.

I can understand why he wants to deperatley play, but please don't become injured again!!!

The man is commited to both club and country and I wouldnt have it any other way.

Why will England never win a major trophy in our lifetimes?

1. England is the Newcastle of the international scene. We have fanatical fans putting enormous and unreasonable pressure on the team borne out an expectation based on stupidity. 'We invented the game' does not mean we have to still be any good at it.

2. The FA is still run by idiots from the conference wearing blazers, with no idea on business management, media handling or long-term vision.

3. Football is still a predominantly working class game in this country. Because clubs are run by dim egomaniacs who are in thrall to the players, there is still a misguided but presiding belief in the UK that ex-players make good managers. On the whole, this is a rubbish theory - Brian Robson, Graham Souness, Gary Megson et al are in their millions compared to the exceptions like Fergusson and Clough. So educated professor types - your Wengers / Eriksonns / Mourinhos - really have to stand out to get a chance of a position. All of which leaves you with an idiot like McClaren as our manager.

4. We are a nation full of self-hate. As much as we hate each other and ourselves, the one thing we can't stand more than anything else is to win. Watch how we hate any club that wins the league, watch how the press will run gutter stories on 'our boys' 1 week before a major tournament, listen to the comments made by idiotic England fans in the crowd at Wembley, gasp at how quickly I rush to the PC to post stuff like this up!

5. The current team is comprised of players who are more valuable individually and more cherished than the manager. They may make statements of support for him but that in itself belittles him. They don't actually have to listen to him. I'm John Terry and he's a twat. Because of this, we have a team that has no unifying style. We effectively play with a Chelsea defensive style (without a holding midfielder), behind a Liverpool / Chelsea midfield which cancels itself out playing up to a variety of forwards who are lucky to ever see the the ball. Until managers get paid more than players, no-one's ever going to subscribe to a style of play that can work properly. I thought Sven managed this at first, but he too fell in thrall of his lads and succumbed to their views.

So we've got a final chance to get to 2008. I would sack McClaren immediately the ball hits the back of the Croatia net on Weds and get JM in on £250k / month for the next 8 months to bring it all together and dish out major crap to club managers who get in his way.

That's what I'd do.

Right, I'm off down the bookies to put a fiver on us to win the competition.

Right, I'm off down the bookies to put a fiver on us to win the competition.

Based on my genius for predicting the future?

Or based on the notion that I talk a load of bollox?

I know it's one or the other....

Why will England never win a major trophy in our lifetimes?

1. England is the Newcastle of the international scene. We have fanatical fans putting enormous and unreasonable pressure on the team borne out an expectation based on stupidity. 'We invented the game' does not mean we have to still be any good at it.

2. The FA is still run by idiots from the conference wearing blazers, with no idea on business management, media handling or long-term vision.

3. Football is still a predominantly working class game in this country. Because clubs are run by dim egomaniacs who are in thrall to the players, there is still a misguided but presiding belief in the UK that ex-players make good managers. On the whole, this is a rubbish theory - Brian Robson, Graham Souness, Gary Megson et al are in their millions compared to the exceptions like Fergusson and Clough. So educated professor types - your Wengers / Eriksonns / Mourinhos - really have to stand out to get a chance of a position. All of which leaves you with an idiot like McClaren as our manager.

4. We are a nation full of self-hate. As much as we hate each other and ourselves, the one thing we can't stand more than anything else is to win. Watch how we hate any club that wins the league, watch how the press will run gutter stories on 'our boys' 1 week before a major tournament, listen to the comments made by idiotic England fans in the crowd at Wembley, gasp at how quickly I rush to the PC to post stuff like this up!

5. The current team is comprised of players who are more valuable individually and more cherished than the manager. They may make statements of support for him but that in itself belittles him. They don't actually have to listen to him. I'm John Terry and he's a tw*t. Because of this, we have a team that has no unifying style. We effectively play with a Chelsea defensive style (without a holding midfielder), behind a Liverpool / Chelsea midfield which cancels itself out playing up to a variety of forwards who are lucky to ever see the the ball. Until managers get paid more than players, no-one's ever going to subscribe to a style of play that can work properly. I thought Sven managed this at first, but he too fell in thrall of his lads and succumbed to their views.

So we've got a final chance to get to 2008. I would sack McClaren immediately the ball hits the back of the Croatia net on Weds and get JM in on £250k / month for the next 8 months to bring it all together and dish out major crap to club managers who get in his way.

That's what I'd do.

Good post Mike, agree with all of it.

Where are the shouts of 'too many foreigners' now?!?!!!

Why will England never win a major trophy in our lifetimes?

1. England is the Newcastle of the international scene. We have fanatical fans putting enormous and unreasonable pressure on the team borne out an expectation based on stupidity. 'We invented the game' does not mean we have to still be any good at it.

2. The FA is still run by idiots from the conference wearing blazers, with no idea on business management, media handling or long-term vision.

3. Football is still a predominantly working class game in this country. Because clubs are run by dim egomaniacs who are in thrall to the players, there is still a misguided but presiding belief in the UK that ex-players make good managers. On the whole, this is a rubbish theory - Brian Robson, Graham Souness, Gary Megson et al are in their millions compared to the exceptions like Fergusson and Clough. So educated professor types - your Wengers / Eriksonns / Mourinhos - really have to stand out to get a chance of a position. All of which leaves you with an idiot like McClaren as our manager.

4. We are a nation full of self-hate. As much as we hate each other and ourselves, the one thing we can't stand more than anything else is to win. Watch how we hate any club that wins the league, watch how the press will run gutter stories on 'our boys' 1 week before a major tournament, listen to the comments made by idiotic England fans in the crowd at Wembley, gasp at how quickly I rush to the PC to post stuff like this up!

5. The current team is comprised of players who are more valuable individually and more cherished than the manager. They may make statements of support for him but that in itself belittles him. They don't actually have to listen to him. I'm John Terry and he's a tw*t. Because of this, we have a team that has no unifying style. We effectively play with a Chelsea defensive style (without a holding midfielder), behind a Liverpool / Chelsea midfield which cancels itself out playing up to a variety of forwards who are lucky to ever see the the ball. Until managers get paid more than players, no-one's ever going to subscribe to a style of play that can work properly. I thought Sven managed this at first, but he too fell in thrall of his lads and succumbed to their views.

So we've got a final chance to get to 2008. I would sack McClaren immediately the ball hits the back of the Croatia net on Weds and get JM in on £250k / month for the next 8 months to bring it all together and dish out major crap to club managers who get in his way.

That's what I'd do.

Good post Mike, agree with all of it.

Where are the shouts of 'too many foreigners' now?!?!!!

you know english football loves our scapegoats.

wait untill we go out in the quarter finals. I'm predicting it to be... well there will be two-

firstly, lamps will get back into the side and gerrard will play poorly as a result of "trying to support" fat frank.

secondly, a random european player / referee / linesman /hairstyle. I'm going for, er, well it could be anyone not english really... good odds on a portuguese player... but I'll go for zambrotta.

Great post Mike!

Thats basically the ins-and-outs of why we are always in this situation.

We have a serious problem with the press and the morons who pay to read and believe their tripe!

Why will England never win a major trophy in our lifetimes?

quote]

They won a major trophy in my lifetime young whippersnapper!!

Had to do my paper round the next day. Some people didn't get their papers 'til well into the afternoon cos I kept stopping to read them!!

I think England will win this European Championship.

I think England will win this European Championship.

Funny you should say that Liam,

I put a tenner on them at 9/1 today...

just a feeling after the results i.e Israel and Croatia it could just be on the Cards,

seriously when you think of it, if England get everyone fit they have the players to compete and the likelyhood of going out could just be the wake up call that motivates them.

funnier things have happened

I dont mind betting with Sporting odds money as I put a tenner on Scotland 1 Italy 2 and never realised till I checked my account that I had clicked it twice

Why will England never win a major trophy in our lifetimes?

They won a major trophy in my lifetime young whippersnapper!!

Had to do my paper round the next day. Some people didn't get their papers 'til well into the afternoon cos I kept stopping to read them!!

My lifetime too my friend. Although only 1.5 at the time, I distinctly remember toasting an extra Farleys rusk at the television...

Trouble is, it don't count if it's your tournament, a theory South Korea nearly proved conclusively a few years back.

I think England will win this European Championship.

Funny you should say that Liam,

I put a tenner on them at 9/1 today...

I know you are an eternal optimist but now you are just being silly!

I think England will win this European Championship.

Funny you should say that Liam,

I put a tenner on them at 9/1 today...

I know you are an eternal optimist but now you are just being silly!

Its their money I'm betting with ES, could be worse I could tell you about the tenner I put on AG for may manager of the month

What are thoughts on the line up then?

A lot of rumours that Carson will play although my suspicion is that Robinson will get the nod. other iffy one are whether McLaren will make the sensible choice and pick Bridge at left back or take a risk on an unmatch fit Cole. And SWP vs Beckham - I think Beckham will start.

So my guess is

..............................Robinson.....................

Richards.......Campbell ..............Lescott........Bridge

............................. Barry.............................

..Beckham......Gerrard.............Lampard.........Cole

...........................Crouch.....................................

What are thoughts on the line up then?

A lot of rumours that Carson will play although my suspicion is that Robinson will get the nod. other iffy one are whether McLaren will make the sensible choice and pick Bridge at left back or take a risk on an unmatch fit Cole. And SWP vs Beckham - I think Beckham will start.

So my guess is

..............................Robinson.....................

Richards.......Campbell ..............Lescott........Bridge

............................. Barry.............................

..Beckham......Gerrard.............Lampard.........Cole

...........................Crouch.....................................

Thats the line up I think and hope he will go with, It looks like an ok team to me and should have the beating of Croatia if we dont go too defensive and let Lamps and gerrard forward as much as poss.

2-0 Crouch and Lampard, or 0-0 Boring and defensive either way I suppose will be enough.

although Carson could get the nod....

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Sto ... 85,00.html

The Aston Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson has been given the nod to start in England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia tomorrow, a source close to the camp has told Guardian Unlimited. Carson, who only made his full international debut against Austria last Friday, will replace Paul Robinson, whose error-strewn performances for Spurs and England this season seem to have robbed him of both his confidence and his judgement. Steve McClaren has consistently backed Robinson in public, but it is understood that he decided to go with Carson following a series of mistakes by the Spurs keeper in training yesterday. Despite Robinson's recent poor form, the decision to go with Carson - which won't be confirmed until an hour before kick-off - still ranks as a minor surprise, with Robinson having played every minute of the qualifying campaign. At a press conference earlier today, McClaren refused to give any clue as to the composition of his line-up, but when asked if he understood the concern around Robinson, he replied with a curt "yep". McClaren, who has named Steven Gerrard as his captain, revealed that he had already picked his team, but would not inform the players until later this evening. "The players may think they have an idea, but they won't know the team until it goes up on the board at 6.30pm tonight," he insisted. John Terry, who has been sidelined since damaging his knee in training on the day before England's defeat in Russia, took part in training with the squad this morning but won't be considered for tomorrow's match. With Rio Ferdinand also out injured, Sol Campbell and Joleon Lescott are likely to continue as a makeshift partnership in the centre of defence.

most likely Beckham will start, but probally get subbed off in the sixtieth minute. Could see Crouch and Defoe starting up front. I'm predicting a goal from a corner kick, or free kick. Would be amazing to see Lampard get the winning goal. Is Luka Modric playing this game, if he is, i'll be watching the "croation superstar" and see if he's really worth 20-30 million.

i was just reading on foxsoccer.com and someone said that andy cole should be called up

most likely Beckham will start, but probally get subbed off in the sixtieth minute. Could see Crouch and Defoe starting up front. I'm predicting a goal from a corner kick, or free kick. Would be amazing to see Lampard get the winning goal. Is Luka Modric playing this game, if he is, i'll be watching the "croation superstar" and see if he's really worth 20-30 million.

Beckham wont start not unless SWP gets injured.

According to the BBC website:

"Steve McClaren looks set to gamble on goalkeeper Scott Carson and drop David Beckham for England's vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday. The England boss is believed to have opted for the inexperienced Carson, with Paul Robinson on the bench.

Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is tipped to replace Beckham at Wembley. Gareth Barry is expected to join Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole in a five-man midfield, with Peter Crouch on his own up front.

The back four is tipped to be Micah Richards, Sol Campbell Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge. "

Enlightenment at last?

Little surprised at the Robinson decision. Not so much that he has been dropped (as he has been asking for that for longer then we have been asking for Robbie Savage to have a vasectomy) but more that McLaren has turned to Carson rather than James. This is a high pressure game and Carson is very inexperienced on the big stage.

to Finnish Broadcasting Company. Finland's still got a theoretical chance(there's always hope ) to secure a place in Euro 2008 and what do they decide to show? Freakin' England vs. Croatia.

Ok, they lost the television rights to Canal+, so they couldn't have broadcasted the Finnish match anyway, but what kind of Finn is gonna watch England vs. Croatia when Finland is playing at the same time?

No hard feelings towards England, though. In fact I wish them good luck.