euro 2008

SpectreIsland · March 2007

Just curious what the pulse with the English fans is regarding the National Team and the coach? I honestly thought we would have seen a turnaround when Sven departed, but I hate to say things are actually worse for a team that on paper at least looks pretty strong

Moonraker 5 · March 2007

Can't complain about our start so far

s96024 · March 2007

We need to stop pressurizing them so much. They just can't handle the pressure. Even though they should the amount they earn.

SpectreIsland · March 2007

M-5, huge game for Scotland coming up on Wednesday against my team,Italy. Let's hope it's an entertaning and clean match just like the U21 game this past weekend against England U21. That was an awesome contest. {[]

arthur pringle · March 2007

SpectreIsland wrote:

Just curious what the pulse with the English fans is regarding the National Team and the coach? I honestly thought we would have seen a turnaround when Sven departed, but I hate to say things are actually worse for a team that on paper at least looks pretty strong

Steve Mclaren is taking a huge kicking from the newspapers and radio phone-ins right now. He was nobody's choice to be England coach. They buggered up the selection by letting people like Gus Hiddink slip through the net and in an attempt to save face and stop the process dragging on hastily installed Mclaren. His mediocre record consists of one League Cup victory and prior to a flukey UEFA cup run he was close to getting the sack in his last job. He's there chiefly because a section of the Football Association didn't want another foreign coach which is of course complete cobblers because you choose the best person for the job regardless of nationality. I don't think any sane person regards Mclaren as the best person for the job. He should have gone with Beckham and Sven. If he doesn't qualify it will be the end of the world as we know it.

I could go on but you get the general idea.

SpectreIsland · March 2007

Hey Arthur, a while back, wasn't Filipo Scolari, Portugal's coach in the running to be England's Manager or am I dreaming he was? He would have been a better fit for England's style of play, IMO. Hang in there; being Italian, I've also seen it all- both good and bad with our national team. Roberto Donadoni is in the same pressure cooker as Mclaren. The only exception is the press wants his head even before we play Scotland. They've made up their minds before the team has even taken the pitch on Wednesday. He's also being blamed for Totti refusing to play when Totti himself has made it clear that he will return when the screws from his leg are removed and when he's fit to resume that role. Ah!! The Press!!!!
As an aside, is it true that Mclaren had a huge fight with Rooney after the game that was heard all the way in the Israeli locker room? Or is it the press pouring gasoline onto the fire??

arthur pringle · March 2007

Scolari was reported to be a done deal just prior to the World Cup to become England coach. From what I can gather it fell through for two reasons:

1) Scolari wanted to announce the deal after the World Cup out of respect to Portugal but England wanted to announce it sooner.

2) Scolari got cold-feet when he had a taste of the English press blitzkrieg he'd be walking into, photographers outside his house etc.

I think he would have been a good choice, despite Portugal's WWE tactics of late.

Mclaren denied a row with Rooney today in an unscheduled press conference. He already looks like a lonely and embattled figure. Just have to wait until the qualification is over now. If he fails he'll be sacked. I just hope England and Italy qualify. It wouldn't be the same without them (he says with no bias).

I don't think I've talked to you since the World Cup Spectre. Nice to see you back {[]

SpectreIsland · March 2007

I agree, won't be the same without the old guards. Always good talking to a knowledgeable football fan and a true fan of the game itself. I stick my head in here from time to time when something interesting breaks. I know your love for the English side is strong and it must be heartbreaking for you to see them in this fashion. I empathize, having seen Italy unceremoniously dumped from WC2002 tournament in disgrace even though much like England now, they had quite a good lineup back then. By the way, did you catch the Under 21 game between England and Italy this past Saturday? Very entertaining match I thought.

Sir Miles · March 2007

SpectreIsland wrote:

By the way, did you catch the Under 21 game between England and Italy this past Saturday? Very entertaining match I thought.

It was an entertaining match but some of the Italian tackling was brutal, I couldn't believe they finished the match with 11 men still on the park. Still - good game none-the-less.

As for England ? I can't believe people actually thought that McClaren would improve things on the pitch - call Sven all you want, but he had a great qualifying record. England's biggest problem (apart from being over-rated) is that they are not a balanced side. There is no natural width and that means the opposition can close us down in midfield, forcing Rooney to drop deep and further clog up the centre of the pitch, this forces us to lump 40 yard balls up to the lone striker, who has no support as is therefore easy-pickings for the opposition defence.
The English FA made a huge mistake in not appointing Sam Allardyce - but he's not the yes-man they wanted.
You have to look, and admire, at what Scotland have achieved with average players. They play as a team and fight for each other, whereas England look like a bunch of individuals, each thinking they don't really need to put the effort in.

arthur pringle · March 2007

I only saw the goals in the U21 match. 3-3 though, so a great way to open the new stadium. The Italian striker will always be a part of football history here now for scoring the first goal at the new Wembley.

s96024 · March 2007

And the first hat trick.

Sir Hillary Bray · March 2007

Sir Miles wrote:

The English FA made a huge mistake in not appointing Sam Allardyce - but he's not the yes-man they wanted.

I love the guy as a manager, but wouldn't you much rather he focus his attention and effort on getting a certain white-wearing club into Europe?

Napoleon Plural · March 2007

Sack the FA. They keep screwing up and are still paying Sven, even today. It's like Germany's reparations after WW1.

But they've got their feet under the table.

Sir Miles · March 2007

Sir Hillary Bray wrote:

Sir Miles wrote:

The English FA made a huge mistake in not appointing Sam Allardyce - but he's not the yes-man they wanted.

I love the guy as a manager, but wouldn't you much rather he focus his attention and effort on getting a certain white-wearing club into Europe?

Honestly ? I'm not really bothered. Whilst I want my hometown team to do well they are not the club I support - and pay vast ammounts of cash to watch.
I think Big Sam would bring some passion back to the national side and have a definate game plan. I also think he wouldn't be scared of dropping the, so called, big names from the team if they didn't perform.

Sir Hillary Bray · March 2007

Sir Miles wrote:

Sir Hillary Bray wrote:

Sir Miles wrote:

The English FA made a huge mistake in not appointing Sam Allardyce - but he's not the yes-man they wanted.

I love the guy as a manager, but wouldn't you much rather he focus his attention and effort on getting a certain white-wearing club into Europe?

Honestly ? I'm not really bothered. Whilst I want my hometown team to do well they are not the club I support - and pay vast ammounts of cash to watch.
I think Big Sam would bring some passion back to the national side and have a definate game plan. I also think he wouldn't be scared of dropping the, so called, big names from the team if they didn't perform.

OK, sorry -- I had mistakenly assumed you were a Wanderers supporter. As for Allardyce, he would be worth it for the press conferences alone.

Napoleon Plural · March 2007

Looks like McClaren's job is safe for the time being.

Don't understand why it's such an issue to drop Lampard. Rooney's dropped for the next match anyway, having picked up a double yellow. Anyway, he was injured and so England did alright eventually, winning 3-0 after a goalless first half.

Northern Ireland is the big success story, top of the group after beating Sweden...

s96024 · March 2007

There performance was not praised much though and was pretty poor especially the first half. I think he needs to do far better to make it safe.

John Drake · March 2007

Watched the Scotland match in the pub. Not too dispirited considering the Italians are world champions and we clearly are not. Still, we've got far more points than i thought we'd have at this stage. Don't think we'll qualify, but a few good results should make sure we don't end up in another group of death for the World Cup qualifiers.

And is being the English manager the worst job in the world? You'd think they had lost to Andorra given all the abuse directed at McLaren.

Moonraker 5 · March 2007

John Drake wrote:

Watched the Scotland match in the pub. Not too dispirited considering the Italians are world champions and we clearly are not. Still, we've got far more points than i thought we'd have at this stage. Don't think we'll qualify, but a few good results should make sure we don't end up in another group of death for the World Cup qualifiers.

Yep, I did fear more of a wipeout, but we did manage to hold our own for a lot of the game despite letting an early one in. I think it's a bit hasty to write off the chances yet, but in the same hand it's no where near a given.

Sir Hillary Bray · March 2007

John Drake wrote:

And is being the English manager the worst job in the world?

I had a recent conversation with a fellow American about what the worst job in sports would be. He doesn't know that much about football (soccer), so he couldn't understand why I kept insisting that it had to be England manager. But it has to be, doesn't it?

Although the Woolmer family might disagree these days.

Sir Miles · March 2007

John Drake wrote:

And is being the English manager the worst job in the world?

It probably is - but the pay is terrific

John Drake · June 2007

2-0 for Scotland against the Faroe Islands. It was as expected, an awkward match. A good performance in the first half, but pretty poor in the second. Hopefully, results will work our way tonight and France or Italy will suffer a shock.

Dan Same · June 2007

I don't know how good a manager McLaren is but I can not believe that he has kept Beckham out of the team for a year. To be honest, I'm not a huge Beckham fan (although I think he can perform extraordinary things with the dead ball), but I do think he remains among England's best players. I am amazed that he was dropped after the World Cup. ?:)

s96024 · June 2007

I have always seen him as a talisman. He just has something about him that inspires everyone else to perform better. As well as being a great supplier of the ball.

Dan Same · June 2007

s96024 wrote:

I have always seen him as a talisman. He just has something about him that inspires everyone else to perform better. As well as being a great supplier of the ball.

He is indeed a fantastic supplier of the ball. My problem with him has been that IMO he has tended to quite one-dimensional. Other than executing great crosses, I don't think he is a particularly great player. Plus, I also think that his fame and marketing power has vastly overtaken his actual talent. As I said, I think he's a really good player, but I also think he is very overrated.

s96024 · June 2007

Yea I would agree he is overated but recently he has been playing the best he has done for quite a while. I also think it's his impact on the rest of the team which makes him so vital to the team. I thought Gerrard could have taken the role. But he can't seem to be as influential as for Liverpool.

Napoleon Plural · June 2007

Well Beckham does his best when his back is up against the wall and he has something to prove. Like now.

There were times during the tournaments past when he just went AWOL really, in terms of crosses. That's even when he was captain. And no, he didn't always inspire, often he'd chase around after the ball a lot, while others just sat back. A hard work rate, but not always effective.

arthur pringle · June 2007

Beckham has made me eat a bit of humble pie since he returned to the England team. He did miss part of the season and he's fresher and fitter than he's been for several years. He had a point to prove at Real Madrid and that has carried over to his national team.

I think he presumed his England days were over when he signed for LA Galaxy. England's remaining group fixtures clash terribly with those of his next club.

John Drake · September 2007

Still high as a kite after Wednesday's result. To be leading a group with both of the World Cup finalists in it is more than anybody could have hoped for.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHtgJy7wA4&mode=related&search=

Napoleon Plural · September 2007

Owen seems to have solved a problem for England - but has he? We all remember how it used to be: Owen only plays well alongside a weaker striker, like Heskey who hardly ever scores. And once teams remember Owen's form, they mark him the whole match and he ends up out on his own up front, isolated and never getting the ball.

SpectreIsland · September 2007

John Drake wrote:

Still high as a kite after Wednesday's result. To be leading a group with both of the World Cup finalists in it is more than anybody could have hoped for.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHtgJy7wA4&mode=related&search=

You know, of course, qualification will come down to the Scotland vs. Italy match in November unless someone slips up during the October matches. However it goes, best of luck to the Scottish team for never giving up. There has always been mutual respect between the two as far as I can remember. {[]

euro 2008

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