England vs Sweden

[GlasgowBandit]

   heat of the moment stuff!

Maybe from the match commentator but Venables will still claiming the same at half time.

[Nem]

   heat of the moment stuff!

Maybe from the match commentator but Venables will still claiming the same at half time.

You cant take anything that c*nt says seriously...

[Karabiner]

Don't you think a team like Argentina or Brazil would make mince meat of the England defence?

Yes I do. Campbell was shocking.

A bit harsh to blame Campbell for coming into a game where the defense had looked dodgy from the start.

The defence looked fine until Ferdinand was injured. Coincidence?

Yes Campbell made some good blocks but that doesn't mean he had a good game. I've seen Boumsong make good blocks!

Sweden had already scored from a corner and hit the bar from set pieces before Cambell came on.

The defence certainly did not "look fine until Cambell came on" imo

[Teacake]

Archie Gemmell scored the greatest WC ever in 1978 v Holland, closely followed by Maradonnas first v England in Mexico 86

[Royal Flush]

I think a draw was a fair result, England will get past Ecuador, i fear for thier chances after that!

The goal, it was the best "strike" of the world cup, the Argentina goal was obviously a much better goal.

And yes of course Bandit there is a hit and hope aspect to that goal, however sometimes they do go in, and with a player like cole that is more often than the average player!

[Nem]

I'm getting worried with Robbo's performances as well.

Campbell was at fault with the 2nd goal, partly the reason is because Terry missed it, but Campbell had time to adjust accordinly, hence the over head clearance he tried

[The Baron]

At one stage I was going to say well done England but then the commentators and the pundits upset me by claiming Joe Cole had scored the goal of the tourney!!!!!!! Arrrrrrrghhhhhhhh!!

Fine goal as itw as, itw as not goal of the tourney didn't theys ee Argentina's 2nd against Serbia??  Possibly the best world cup goal I have ever seen.

Cole hut the ball sweetly perhaps more of a hit and hope from that range but still a really good goal.

Is Argentina's better than Brazil's famous passing goal?

I think so Baron.  It was definately on  par with it.  Thats like the was Maradonna better than Pele question though.  It seems to chnage depending inw hat you have watched.

Good answer - I thought the move was better but Brazil's was a) in a World Cup final and b) Vs a world class Italian defence.

So Brazil's just edges it for me.

[The Baron]

Don't you think a team like Argentina or Brazil would make mince meat of the England defence?

Yes I do. Campbell was shocking.

A bit harsh to blame Campbell for coming into a game where the defense had looked dodgy from the start.

The defence looked fine until Ferdinand was injured. Coincidence?

Yes Campbell made some good blocks but that doesn't mean he had a good game. I've seen Boumsong make good blocks!

Sweden had already scored from a corner and hit the bar from set pieces before Cambell came on.

The defence certainly did not "look fine until Cambell came on" imo

If you read what I said you will see your post is in error.

Ferdinand was injured at least a few minutes before he went off, possibly more than a few.

[GlasgowBandit]

Best goal ever for me would be Whealans goal against USSR for Ireland in Euro 88 closely followed byRay Houghton's strike against England in the same championships 

[Nem]

Robinson 6 - Great save, decent distribution. Could do little for the goals.

Carragher 6 - You always know what you'll get with Carragher which is a gritty and brave performance. But does he have international quality?

Ferdinand 6 - Not very commanding at all

Terry 5 - Two awful errors by Terry lead to two Swedish corners. One they scored from, the second Robbo pulled off a great save onto the crossbar.

A.Cole 5 - Struggled to get forward and defensively not very solid.

Beckham 4 - Best set piece taker in the world? After watching Swedens set pieces (including a couple of good ones from Edman  ) it really does show how much we hype our own players.

Hargreaves 6 - Very good in the first half and that allowed the midfield to "play". Faded badly in the second and gave away a couple of dangerous free kicks. Totally switched off for the Swedish second goal and got caught ball watching.

Lampard 6 - Decent in the first half when he had space, barely got into it at all in the second

J.Cole 7 - Great first half goal and very influential. In the second half the Swedes closed him down and he went missing from the game but still popped up for a great ball to Gerrard for Englands second goal. Englands MoM. Gets a 9 out of 10 rating for his swan like dives every time he is fouled though  

Crouch 5 - Utterly ineffective up front. I doubt a Rooney/Crouch partnership can work but if it is to work it needs time.....which England don't have.

Rooney 6 - In the first half his presence offered England so much and he moved the ball with purpose and speed. Flagged in the second.


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Gerrard 6 - Another goal but he gave no solidarity to the midfield at all when he came on and still tries to hit the ball long when England are trying to keep possession.....as demonstrated just after Sweden equalised.

Campbell 5 - Terrible defending for Swedens second goal.

Overall 6 - First half was very impressive but was that because Sweden gave us so much time in midfield?  Joe Cole especially had tons of room to operate in and this was cut off in the second half.  It could also have something to do with Rooney becoming tired.  His linking the play was exactly what England had been missing.

If Owen and Ferdinand are injured for more than the next game it's almost certainly over as far as our chances are concerned.  If G.Neville is still out and we have a back line of Carragher, Campbell and Terry their lack of pace is going to get crucified unless we play extremely deep.  If we play extremely deep then the lone striker is going to need pace and stamina.  That rules out Crouch and Rooney lacks stamina at the moment (not to mention playing furthest forward isn't the game he plays effectively.  All it would do is isolate our most gifted player).

I can see Sven switching to a 4-5-1 but alas I can see him using the wrong personnel.  If we go to 4-5-1 it is imperitive we have pace in the midfield and someone who can run with the ball.  This would mean Lennon has to start wide right.  With regards to a holding player 4-5-1 means no change in the fact we'd need one.  That would be Hargreaves.  Joe Cole has the ability to run with the ball so him on the left is a no brainer.  That means two slots left for Svens beloved Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard.  Sven won't drop them.  The likely scenario is that he'll play Beckham, Gerrard, Hargreaves (DM), Lampard and J.Cole as the midfield and I personally don't feel that will be much good against quality opposition.

[Bigfella]

Gazzas goal v Scotland was better

[GlasgowBandit]

Terry 5 - Two awful errors by Terry lead to two Swedish corners. One they scored from, the second Robbo pulled off a great save onto the crossbar.

Should have been a penalty!!   

Thats twice now in 3 games you have got a bit of luck

[GlasgowBandit]

Gazzas goal v Scotland was better

Dunno if it was better but it was certainly a great goal, itw as a pitty he never had the same co-ordination when playing the flute 

[Royal Flush]

Robinson 6 - Great save, decent distribution. Could do little for the goals.

Carragher 6 - You always know what you'll get with Carragher which is a gritty and brave performance. But does he have international quality?

Ferdinand 6 - Not very commanding at all

Terry 5 - Two awful errors by Terry lead to two Swedish corners. One they scored from, the second Robbo pulled off a great save onto the crossbar.

A.Cole 5 - Struggled to get forward and defensively not very solid.

Beckham 4 - Best set piece taker in the world? After watching Swedens set pieces (including a couple of good ones from Edman  ) it really does show how much we hype our own players.

Hargreaves 6 - Very good in the first half and that allowed the midfield to "play". Faded badly in the second and gave away a couple of dangerous free kicks. Totally switched off for the Swedish second goal and got caught ball watching.

Lampard 6 - Decent in the first half when he had space, barely got into it at all in the second

J.Cole 7 - Great first half goal and very influential. In the second half the Swedes closed him down and he went missing from the game but still popped up for a great ball to Gerrard for Englands second goal. Englands MoM. Gets a 9 out of 10 rating for his swan like dives every time he is fouled though 

Crouch 5 - Utterly ineffective up front. I doubt a Rooney/Crouch partnership can work but if it is to work it needs time.....which England don't have.

Rooney 6 - In the first half his presence offered England so much and he moved the ball with purpose and speed. Flagged in the second.


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Gerrard 6 - Another goal but he gave no solidarity to the midfield at all when he came on and still tries to hit the ball long when England are trying to keep possession.....as demonstrated just after Sweden equalised.

Campbell 5 - Terrible defending for Swedens second goal.

Overall 6 - First half was very impressive but was that because Sweden gave us so much time in midfield?  Joe Cole especially had tons of room to operate in and this was cut off in the second half.  It could also have something to do with Rooney becoming tired.  His linking the play was exactly what England had been missing.

If Owen and Ferdinand are injured for more than the next game it's almost certainly over as far as our chances are concerned.  If G.Neville is still out and we have a back line of Carragher, Campbell and Terry their lack of pace is going to get crucified unless we play extremely deep.  If we play extremely deep then the lone striker is going to need pace and stamina.  That rules out Crouch and Rooney lacks stamina at the moment (not to mention playing furthest forward isn't the game he plays effectively.  All it would do is isolate our most gifted player).

I can see Sven switching to a 4-5-1 but alas I can see him using the wrong personnel.  If we go to 4-5-1 it is imperitive we have pace in the midfield and someone who can run with the ball.  This would mean Lennon has to start wide right.  With regards to a holding player 4-5-1 means no change in the fact we'd need one.  That would be Hargreaves.  Joe Cole has the ability to run with the ball so him on the left is a no brainer.  That means two slots left for Svens beloved Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard.  Sven won't drop them.  The likely scenario is that he'll play Beckham, Gerrard, Hargreaves (DM), Lampard and J.Cole as the midfield and I personally don't feel that will be much good against quality opposition.

Agree with that 100%

[The Baron]

Robinson 6 - Great save. I'd like to see less long balls. Could do little for the goals. Still looks a little unsure at times.

Carragher 6 - You always know what you'll get with Carragher which is a gritty and brave performance. Offers nothing going forwards on the right whatsoever.

Ferdinand 6 - Solid enough.

Terry 5 - Not his best game by any stretch. Looked shakey and unsure.

A.Cole 6 - I feel sorry for him, makes numerous runs outside Joe Cole only for JC to cut inside. Defensively fine.

Beckham 4 - Pants.

Hargreaves 7 - Broke up the play and distributed well.

Lampard 5 - Most shots in the tournament (out of everyone) and no goals. Offers little else. Faded badly in the 2nd half.

J.Cole 8 - Always an outlet to go forwards even when England struggle - shame he doesn't use Ashley Cole enough. Great goal.

Crouch 4 - Pants.

Rooney 6 - Useful first half but not match fit.

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Gerrard 7 - Great run accross the defenders for the 2nd goal. European Cup winner 2005.

Campbell 3 - Pants.

Owen 3 - Proper pants.