Holland vs England Tonite

[Rich Pullen]

England sat back at 1-0... Something we do all the time... It was only a matter of time before the Dutch equalised.

We were lucky we were playing a team just as lethargic as ourselves!

Oh and if Rooney ever attempts to head the ball at the goal like he did last night in an important match instead of volleying/half-volleying/bringing it down and shooting/popping collar, saying au revoir a blasting the ball into the net....

I won't be happy.

[Sharky]

I love the fact the biggest Johnson knocker is a Crouch fan.

Well any england fan with a brain would have to say Crouch is the best we have at this minute in time based on ability to ACTUALLY SCORE GOALS - I mean Rooney's record is hardly amazing, there are strikers considered much less talented in the world game that have a better ratio than his (especially seeing as it was 1 year and 3 days since his last goal until last night!)

At least when Crouch plays he plays with passion AND scores, Rooney has the passion and not the goals in him at international level yet and Johnson is never going to get anywhere if he isnt played in his best position! IMO

[Rich Pullen]

Do we miss Michael Owen? Yes, largely ineffective in his last caps but at least there was a chance he'd put the ball in the net.

http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/default.htm?i=5197&pf=p&searchname=Owen&ap=p&t=m

[PHIL!!!!]

Bring back Beckham!

Enough said  :thumbs:

[Sharky]

If Beckham and Owen where in the team, at least you'd know you were going to get 110% - The same can not be said for messrs Lampard and dare I say it, Carrick, who for the best part of last night (baring one almost cracking shot) looked at best OK.

[Rich Pullen]

Bring back Beckham!

Enough said  :thumbs:

Damn right.

How can anyone take McClaren seriously when he says he wants to drop the old guard to allow new faces... Only to ask Paul Scholes to come out of international retirement!

Beckham can provide that one moment of quality that can change the game, the Los Angeles Galaxy will discover this in time  

[mattboyslim]

But in Crouch's first 5 matches and I think his record hardly set the world alight! Only in his last few games has Crouchster actually regained the ability to hit a barn door, after his first few caps I seem to think most people didn't hugely rate his performances.

On another point how does Richardson justify selection, as on the criteria that stopped Beckham being picked he isn't in good form or playing very often, neither is Wright-Phillips?  Contradictions from Mclaren methinks.

[Sharky]

There is a simple resolution to all England worries....
Mclaren OUT!!!

Unfortunately the FA will never have the balls to get rid of him until he fails to get us qualified, by which point he will have wasted another tournament and potentially the good coaching of some promising youngsters that need guidance.

[Sharky]

But in Crouch's first 5 matches and I think his record hardly set the world alight! Only in his last few games has Crouchster actually regained the ability to hit a barn door, after his first few caps I seem to think most people didn't hugely rate his performances.

I agree completely mattboy, Johnson will do well, but only if played through the middle or as a front partnership, not on the wing or dropping off behind like idiot face McClaren did last night

[Rich Pullen]

But in Crouch's first 5 matches and I think his record hardly set the world alight! Only in his last few games has Crouchster actually regained the ability to hit a barn door, after his first few caps I seem to think most people didn't hugely rate his performances.

On another point how does Richardson justify selection, as on the criteria that stopped Beckham being picked he isn't in good form or playing very often, neither is Wright-Phillips?  Contradictions from Mclaren methinks.

In fairness Richardson was drafted in because of injuries... Ferguson wasn't happy with K.R after the Crewe game too so I don't know why he can walk into the set-up.

I remember Crouch being booed against Austria... Hargreaves went on to better things after being booed by the England fans. From what I hear alot of people STILL don't like Crouch despite his scoring exploits... Mind you his Dreadlock pulling goal against T&T and his goal in Macedonia are his only important goals for England thus far. He's scored 12!

[Sharky]

I remember Crouch being booed against Austria... Hargreaves went on to better things after being booed by the England fans. From what I hear alot of people STILL don't like Crouch despite his scoring exploits... Mind you his Dreadlock pulling goal against T&T and his goal in Macedonia are his only important goals for England thus far. He's scored 12!

Rooney has only scored 13 now in 37 games, somehow I have a bad feeling Rooney is never going to reach the world potential he had and still shows at times in his build up play.

At the minute though he just doesnt have that killer instinct he had when he was coming through the ranks - I blame Colleen.

On a different point, if we thought McClaren was thick in some of his team selections, how the hell did the dutch not pick Van Donkey up front, he's playing like there is no tomorrow for Real at the minute - only not picked on personal grounds with the manager apparently? how ridiculous

[Sharky]

Am I missing something or are these comments from Mclaren completely wrong?? -
"We looked fluid in midfield, we had penetration up front and I'm very pleased with the performance, although we conceded from a set-play which is disappointing.

That is the one disappointment from the night.
Obviously, we don't like conceding goals and we have to find reasons for that."

I tought it was pretty poo in the middle to be fair? although having penetration up front I suppose is OK, we did creat some chances, just didnt have anyone who could actually score them up front!

[Rich Pullen]

I blame Colleen.

There were no problems when Rooney was visiting those old women!!!!

[Sharky]

I blame Colleen.

There were no problems when Rooney was visiting those old women!!!!

Exactly, he's getting too settled - I say someone should ruin their relationship so that he becomes the true goal hunting dog that he is again!!  :twisted:

[flammableBen]

hehehe, penetration.