England Vs Jamaica

[adje]

Cant wait for our first shootout!

[pumbaa]

Clearly a good result which will send the boys into the tournament in good spirits and high on confidence.

I've never been a huge fan of Crouch, but the more I see him play, the better he seems to perform. Took his two goals well (the debatable first was clearly an OG), but the Beckham-esque penalty was shocking.

Despite the result, the overall performance wasn't great, probably because they were cruising. I didn't really see Gerrard today, which is unusual. He is the key to how England play, and he didn't seem to click into gear IMHO. He certainly can and will play better.

I was also a little concerned about how easily Jamaica cut through the defence on numerous occasions. Only a lack of direction prevented them testing the keeper(s) more often. Robbo made one world class save in the first half. We'd get punished by better quality teams.

Overall assessment, great result and a good confidence booster. Bring on Paraguay, I'm really looking forward to this WC.

[Batch]

I think you sum it up prett well Coxernator.

Though when you go 3-0 up 17 minutes I guess it is only natural to drop down a couple of gears.

Is it just me or does Sol Campbell look rubbish? I hope we tighten our defense a bit.

[Ben Wah Balls]

Having watched it again Crouch's first was going in anyway for sure so it definitely wasn't an own goal. Good to hear that Sven is now going to start with Crouch and Owen for the first game.

[fatbury]

Crouch really has surprised me ...

[adje]

Crouch.The new Scillachi!

[DV]

Having watched it again Crouch's first was going in anyway for sure so it definitely wasn't an own goal.

     

[Ben Wah Balls]

I seem to remember you didn't think Crouch's first of the season was his goal either, however the dubious goals committee confirmed it was indeed his and wasn't an own goal. This one isn't even debatable.

[DV]

I seem to remember you didn't think Crouch's first of the season was his goal either, however the dubious goals committee confirmed it was indeed his and wasn't an own goal. This one isn't even debatable.

If his first one, was the one against Wigan I still dont think it should be his goal because if he hadnt of come off the defender it wouldnt have looped up and in....

I firmly believe that if its the defenders touch that beats the keeper then its an own goal.

Crouchs one against Wigan, it was the deflection of the defender which put the ball on target and in the goal....my opinion own goal.

Crouch flicks it on towards goal, it is going wide or at best towards the two defenders standing by the post. 99 times out of 100 the defender will boot that clear. Defender slices it which takes it away from the keeper, under him and into the net. My opinion also own goal.

If Crouch is being credited with 'his first' why isnt Beckham getting credited with Englands second? Why is that one an own goal but the 2nd one isnt  :?

[Ben Wah Balls]

If Crouch is being credited with 'his first' why isnt Beckham getting credited with Englands second? Why is that one an own goal but the 2nd one isnt

Well simply because Crouch's shot was on target, Beckham's free kick wasn't on target, it was a cross.

I firmly believe that if its the defenders touch that beats the keeper then its an own goal.

Believe it all you want but that's not what the rules say. If that was in the rules then yes it would be an own goal but it's not so it wasn't. Pointless arguing.

[DV]

If Crouch is being credited with 'his first' why isnt Beckham getting credited with Englands second? Why is that one an own goal but the 2nd one isnt

Well simply because Crouch's shot was on target, Beckham's free kick wasn't on target, it was a cross.

Crouchs shot wasnt on target though....he hit a defender....that isnt on target

I firmly believe that if its the defenders touch that beats the keeper then its an own goal.

Believe it all you want but that's not what the rules say. If that was in the rules then yes it would be an own goal but it's not so it wasn't. Pointless arguing.

Well, then the rules are stupid....they were either both own goals or they both werent. Both times the last touch came from a defender....

[pumbaa]

Having just watched it again, Crouch's shot was going wide until it hit the defender, therefore it was an own goal. End of argument. He did well and should (will) start against Paraguay.

[Ben Wah Balls]

:roll: Watch closer, it was going in before it hit the defender and that's the real end of argument. Lineker, Wright, Shearer and Hansen all agreed it was going in and they can see all the angles and in slo0w motion..

[RobertT]

I have a feeling Crouch is going to be one of those players who is average at best in League football but actually does better at International level.

I still think he is mostly useless as a footballer, but by god did they not know what to do with him.  i seem to spend half my time with hands in my heads following his involvement in a game and the other half wondering how on earth anyone can defend against him.  A bit like Bamber at STFC level.

He's earned a starting place for the Paraguay and T&T games.  Depends if he keeps in form for the Sweden game because they might be a bit better suited to dealing with him and a change in formation might work against a team who normally draw with us.

[Ben Wah Balls]

I have a feeling Crouch is going to be one of those players who is average at best in League football but actually does better at International level.

I still think he is mostly useless as a footballer, but by god did they not know what to do with him.  i seem to spend half my time with hands in my heads following his involvement in a game and the other half wondering how on earth anyone can defend against him.  A bit like Bamber at STFC level.

He's earned a starting place for the Paraguay and T&T games.  Depends if he keeps in form for the Sweden game because they might be a bit better suited to dealing with him and a change in formation might work against a team who normally draw with us.

He's not average at league level though. Crouch's form over the last couple of games hasn't surprised me at all because if you've watched him play for Liverpool without pre-judging him then you know he's been doing exactly the same week in week out for them. He's been one of the key players for the team who finished 3rd in the premiership and also helped them win the fa cup. And he did the same last season for Southampton.

Paraguay may have a tough time dealing with Crouch, Trinidad and Tobago have a defender who's about 6'7" himself so might be able to cope better. Sweden have said they're worried about playing against him. I think he should start in all the group games and then after that depends on Rooney's fitness and who we're playing.