I notice that Scotland didnt try half as hard against Croatia last night as they did against England. Ironically, from what I said in posts earlier, you do, of course, get exeptions to it. Ireland, for example, had one of the best players ever, ever in the world, called George Best. He was super-naturally talented. Scotland had one called Kenny Dalglish, who was a naturally talented superstar. I am trying to think of an England or Welsh one, but Im sure there has been one. I wont say my own favourite, Frank Worthington, as he isnt as good as George Best was. Id put him as good as Dalglish though.
Steve Clarke pretty much admitted they had nothing left in the 2nd half as the England game caught up with them.
This style of play is a result of England constantly going out in tournaments due to not controlling the ball, running around and tiring in the heat. Technically with the ball, the standard in this country has come on leaps and bounds in the last 2 decades. I watch my lad's U9s and think how much better they are with the ball than when we were at that age. This England team are probably technically better than the much revered "golden generation". The problem is it's still ponderous just as it has been since '98. We're getting there as a nation, but we're missing that injection of pace when required. Let's hope we're just being efficient and as I've seen with my club side that bore us with the counter attack. If a team sits back, then we look toothless.
We kept 3 clean sheets in the group stages in 1966 & did quite well that year , however , I'd sack Southgate with immediate effect & bring in a dual managerial appointment of Kevin Keegan & Ozzie Ardiles Jeez , there's some strange comments on here , people been reading to much over hyped media sh*te probably .
We have been a tad unlucky over the years, the Gazza nearly tap in, the winner that wasn't v Argentina in 98, Lampard v Germany in SA. Although in 2002 v Brazil, we were doing OK, before Scholes and Beckham bottled out of challenges that led up to Rivaldo's equaliser. Then Seaman getting done by the free kick. This year, it's just a bit dull. At least we won't trying to be picking through a packed defence in the next round..
The beauty of the game is that everyone has their own ideas of what 'good football' is. I'm with you all the way on what I see as good football and it's why I'm frustrated with how England are looking even though we've got through the group stage without conceding; we've got players who can (and should) play in a more exciting fashion than they are. Hopefully we're given more opportunities to be direct and adventurous with our attacking in the knockouts against better sides who may give us space, rather than seeing a full back stop, turn around and pass to a centre half over and over again.
Can't disagree with that. No-one can claim we've set the world alight so far but it's also nowhere near as bad as some are making out. People think we have a God given right to demolish teams like Czech and Croatia but they're both very solid international sides with vastly experienced players - particularly Croatia - yet we've beaten both and not conceded a goal. I do think playing the bigger sides will play into our hands, as we're littered with attack-minded players with pace who will relish being given more space on the break. I would've wanted to avoid Portugal initially due to their solidity but seeing them collapse against Germany has given me hope we can take advantage of their ageing defence. I'm not sure any of the three are particularly great defensively TBH. Germany would probably be the most entertaining match-up.
god he was ****ing dreadful for us remember there were rumours circulating that mclaren was interested in Emile Heskey when ricketts was at the club . What a partnership to look forward to if it came to be
It’s just ingrained in to us. Every single person here who doesn’t support a non-top 6 will be able to list of a tonne of players who are fondly remembered at their club because “they worked hard”. A player who isn’t fast, or strong, who can barely pass a ball 10 yards, never scores and can’t really tackle but we all love them because they try. Can you imagine someone in Brazil or Spain praising a player because he runs around like a headless chicken kicking lumps out of people for 90 minutes? We’re a nation of people who can’t trap a ball but would happily slide tackle our own gran in the 90th minute and that’s the way we like it secretly.
I bet the Agent who kept selling him to people, still to this day keeps bursting into uncontrolled laughter about it. Probably at least once a day.
