Wayne Bridge

[Ardiles]

I really dont get the attitude that "the England Team is full of twats therefore I dont care about the world cup"

I'm a football fan and English. Therfore by default I will support England at the world cup. The fact that half our players are cunts dosnt bother me in the slightest. I'm supporting a football team, not an extension of hello magazine or the Sun.

It depends what your outlook is, and it looks as if yours is a little different to mine.  From your post, it appears that you're a fan of Brand England (ie you'll get behind anyone who wears the shirt because of what the shirt represents to you.)  That's fair enough.

But for me, the player wearing the shirt still needs to earn my support.  Simply wearing the shirt is not enough.  The England players who I have had absolutely no trouble getting behind are those like Stuart Pearce and Terry Butcher - who would work their bollocks off for the team.  (Shaun Taylor is a good example of a Swindon equivalent.)  But I don't know where the modern day England equivalents are.  It's a damned sight easier to identify with a player when he isn't banging on about 'image rights' or banging a team-mate's ex-missus.  The current crop live in a different world and they do nothing to inspire me.

[stfctownenda]

It depends what your outlook is, and it looks as if yours is a little different to mine.  From your post, it appears that you're a fan of Brand England (ie you'll get behind anyone who wears the shirt because of what the shirt represents to you.)  That's fair enough.

But for me, the player wearing the shirt still needs to earn my support.  Simply wearing the shirt is not enough.  The England players who I have had absolutely no trouble getting behind are those like Stuart Pearce and Terry Butcher - who would work their bollocks off for the team.  (Shaun Taylor is a good example of a Swindon equivalent.)  But I don't know where the modern day England equivalents are.  It's a damned sight easier to identify with a player when he isn't banging on about 'image rights' or banging a team-mate's ex-missus.  The current crop live in a different world and they do nothing to inspire me.

Would you not put Rooney in the bracket of the players you mentioned? already played through one tournament injured, 110% every game and seems very proud to wear the shirt everytime.

[DMR]

David Beckham and Michael Owen are the only recent 2 that immediately spring to mind for me.

[Ardiles]

Would you not put Rooney in the bracket of the players you mentioned? already played through one tournament injured, 110% every game and seems very proud to wear the shirt everytime.

Yep...probably would.  It's a general point I'm making, and Rooney's not really a player I have a problem with.

[Colin Todd]

It depends what your outlook is, and it looks as if yours is a little different to mine.  From your post, it appears that you're a fan of Brand England (ie you'll get behind anyone who wears the shirt because of what the shirt represents to you.)  That's fair enough.

But for me, the player wearing the shirt still needs to earn my support.  Simply wearing the shirt is not enough.  The England players who I have had absolutely no trouble getting behind are those like Stuart Pearce and Terry Butcher - who would work their bollocks off for the team.  (Shaun Taylor is a good example of a Swindon equivalent.)  But I don't know where the modern day England equivalents are.  It's a damned sight easier to identify with a player when he isn't banging on about 'image rights' or banging a team-mate's ex-missus.  The current crop live in a different world and they do nothing to inspire me.

Its got nothing to do with "Brand England"

I'm not supporting "a brand". I'm simply supporting my national football team which like I said happens pretty much by default as I'm a football obssessive and English.  Much like STFC I automatically support the players and get behind them. That dosnt mean I'm happy clappy, afraid to boo a shocking performance or that the team may have players in it that I personally think are shit.  But I still support them.

I couldnt care less that Rio is haggling for an extra 0.3% of his image rights, or that Glen Johnson got caught shagging Gareth Barry's uncle's dog. Like I said, I want to support my national football team not cast moral jugdement on a group of weathy young men.

You're getting caught up in the celebrity soap opera element of the premier league.

I just want England to win. (not fucking likley I know but I can hope)

[Arriba]

i dont give a shit who fucks who,but this has deffo had an effect on the squad.that said i dont think it makes much difference as the team is pretty weak anyway.
ropey keepers(whoever gets selected)
no left back of any real quality,ditto right back
ferdinand has had a dip in form this season and some mental issues,ditto terry
our two best centre mids cant play together and be effective, and neither is pulling up trees this season
left mid is a problem of old that hasn't improved,and right mid aint exactly looking sorted at the moment
that leaves the forwards of the one player who is in the form of his life rooney+ whoever.
no balance,no pattern,no chance

[Colin Todd]

-Agree on the keepers
-Ashley cole is very good if fit
-Glen johnson is the best we can manage at right back so fair enough.
-Terry and Ferdinand are a very good central defensive patnership if in form/ fit
-Gerrard and lampard cant play together in centre mid , agree.  thats Why cappello dosnt do it.
-Barry is a resaonable player, lampard has sone well in a more displined role alongside him.
-Lennon was looking like on of the best players in the country before he got injured.
-Gerrard has done well in his nominal "left wing role" Joe cole / dowing / ashley young / milner / adam johnson could all play there.
-Rooney is ace
-Heskey isnt, but might not play now its clear Rooney can play as the centre forward.

No pattern, you're having a laugh. The best thing capello has done is excatly that - establish a pattern of play in a 4-2-3-1 formation and emphasise to the players to stop giving the ball away so often.

England are a top 8 in the world team. 1/4 finals are a realistic expectation. with good performances & luck they could get to the semi's or final

[BANGKOK RED]

I think that you are thinking of us Pre-Capello arriba.

McClaren made us look shite and as Swindon fans we know that impressions can stick.

[DV]

I really dont get the attitude that "the England Team is full of twats therefore I dont care about the world cup"

I'm a football fan and English. Therfore by default I will support England at the world cup. The fact that half our players are cunts dosnt bother me in the slightest. I'm supporting a football team, not an extension of hello magazine or the Sun.

The Liverpool fans have a saying.

Scouse not English.

If there was a Swindon equlivant that made sense I'd use is.

Also, as for down to earth players - James Milner, never see him in the papers because of his life style.

[Arriba]

the no pattern bit was probably a bit strong and not worded correctly.dont think we will be balnced though.the team shape will be ok,just the personel in the side that worries me.
ashley cole aint fit so i didn't count him on the left.
it will be square pegs in round holes, or nearly men not really good enough.
add that to the overpaid prima donnas who never reach their international potential.
we will stroll through the group, then go out on pens in the last 16 or quarters,semis at a push.
the only player i have 100% confidence in is rooney.

[BANGKOK RED]

The Liverpool fans have a saying.

Scouse not English.

That explains a lot.

[Spencer_White]

The country needs to grow up a bit in regard to the media frenzy created by these stories. Capello and Anchelotti are both bemused by it. On the continent they approach this subject in a more adult manner.

And footballers also need to think twice about marrying pop stars and people connected to that media 'look at me' culture.

Whatever it is, I do think we have hit the bottom with this story. Its rediculous.

[pauld]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/wayne-bridge%27s-world-cup-dream-ruined-by-john-terry%27s-penis-201002252508/

"As a professional footballer you always worry that your dreams could be ruined by a cruciate ligament injury or possibly even a nasty groin strain.

"But if a groin is going to have a negative impact on your career then it should, at least, be your own."

[jonny72]

Excellent, Wayne Bridge ducked out of shaking John Terry's hand.

I'm really hoping it kicks off during the game, been looking forward to this all week.

I reckon Bridge will take Terry out, leading to a mass brawl and the game being abandoned.

[leefer]

Quality...fair play to Bridge,stood by his guns....i would have kneed him in the balls as well.