Aye. Super podcast - very funny.
World Cup 2010 - South Africa Thread
- Thread starter Jax
- Start date
When Heskey plays England score, he can bully defenders and create space for others to score. Crouch after thr group stage will struggle to score hes too easy to mark and can't link up well with others.
It's about the team as a whole no players on them own, Heskey makes Rooney score, makes other score, makes us tick upfront.
Someone would have to check this out, as I can't be bothered (
), however, I'm fairly sure that England have scored more goals in games that Crouch has started, than in those that Heskey has started.
Personally, I'd have taken either Bent, Cole or Zamora ahead of Heskey. His lack of goals can't be offset by any amount of goals that are scored due to his presence as it'll never negate the fact that you're effectively sacrificing a second striker. There's certainly not much in it, even if England have scored more goals with Heskey than with Crouch, which I doubt.
Crouch won't struggle in the latter rounds any more than he would in the group stages. Whilst people make light of the fact that he hasn't scored against the bigger teams, it should be pointed out that he's not really played against them often, more often than not coming on as a very, very late substitute. Going against this further is Crouch's Champions League record. In 2006/7 he was the second highest scorer in the competition behind Kaka. Again, I don't remember Heskey scoring that many.
It's a moot point, but FFS Fabio what are you doing? We have a decent chance yes, but let's not start showboating already. I'm surprised that he didn't drop Baines AND Warnock and draft in Phil Neville!
), however, I'm fairly sure that England have scored more goals in games that Crouch has started, than in those that Heskey has started. Personally, I'd have taken either Bent, Cole or Zamora ahead of Heskey. His lack of goals can't be offset by any amount of goals that are scored due to his presence as it'll never negate the fact that you're effectively sacrificing a second striker. There's certainly not much in it, even if England have scored more goals with Heskey than with Crouch, which I doubt.
Crouch won't struggle in the latter rounds any more than he would in the group stages. Whilst people make light of the fact that he hasn't scored against the bigger teams, it should be pointed out that he's not really played against them often, more often than not coming on as a very, very late substitute. Going against this further is Crouch's Champions League record. In 2006/7 he was the second highest scorer in the competition behind Kaka. Again, I don't remember Heskey scoring that many.
It's a moot point, but FFS Fabio what are you doing? We have a decent chance yes, but let's not start showboating already. I'm surprised that he didn't drop Baines AND Warnock and draft in Phil Neville!
I was reluctant at first as it's an Arsenal podcast but I was soon converted. Nothing like fans venting frustration about their own team. And as for the Martin O'Neill impression
I believe the boys have a show on 5 Live during the World Cup too.
It's entertainingly dour. Their show starts on Saturday, 11am.
I was reluctant at first as it's an Arsenal podcast but I was soon converted. Nothing like fans venting frustration about their own team. And as for the Martin O'Neill impression
I believe the boys have a show on 5 Live during the World Cup too.
I listen to The Game podcast too. It's not as good without Phill Jupitus but it is I think the best of the rest. For the World Cup I've added the Absolute Baddiel/Skinner podcast (funny so far), and 'It'll Go to Penalties" (not yet started).
As for the Crouch/Heskey thing.. I think good teams have a midfielder whose job it is to provide forwards with scoring opportunities. I don't watch enough England games to comment on who is better from those two though.
Heskey over Crouch is baffling. I don't care what Heskey does to Rooney's play, the fact is Crouch scores pretty much every game he plays in. They should build the team around him. Screw Rooney.
Also, seriously, Lampard WTF. How he gets to play in his favoured position every game whilst Gerrard is shifted all over the place is insane.
Also, seriously, Lampard WTF. How he gets to play in his favoured position every game whilst Gerrard is shifted all over the place is insane.
Heskey going is the same reason Beardsley went to Italia 90 and never scored a single goal, he was Lineker's best partner and Lineker got the goals. Same with Rooney. I still think we could have done with another striker, that's why I would have liked him to take Walcott as he can cover the right flank and be used up front if needs be...probably I'm just paranoid over what happened to Owen 4 years ago!
Well I would too, I might be talking bollocks here 
It just strikes me that you should play your best team, not your best players, and that that's been the major problem with England for too long, trying to accomodate players who can't play togeather- For example Owen and Shearer, Gerrard and Lampard (Though Capello seems to have managed it) and playing star players out of position rather than solid players in position (classic example Trevor Sinclair playing on the left after Cole got injured in 2002. Nowhere near as good a player but it was his natural position and suddenly England looked a far more balanced side)
It just strikes me that you should play your best team, not your best players, and that that's been the major problem with England for too long, trying to accomodate players who can't play togeather- For example Owen and Shearer, Gerrard and Lampard (Though Capello seems to have managed it) and playing star players out of position rather than solid players in position (classic example Trevor Sinclair playing on the left after Cole got injured in 2002. Nowhere near as good a player but it was his natural position and suddenly England looked a far more balanced side)
I felt Owen n Shearer worked, in WC 98 Owen scored twice as did Shearer. Euro 2000 saw similar results it was just a shite defence in 2000 that saw us get knocked out.
Lampard and Gerrard is not as bad as people think because together England have lost only a handful of games they played together were talking a big win ratio there.
I remember Trevor Sinclair and Nicky Butt playing only because of squad injuries and both were simply amazing in 2002.
Lamps is consistently one of the best midfielders on this planet, no big deal.
Ferdinand took a blow to his knee at the end of training and has gone for a scan 
. I get the feeling we are about to lose our captain, Dawson set to be called up but looks like King will be asked to play most games with Terry in that case over Upson.
Will be a shame because Rio was starting to look much sharper and this is a freak injury nothing to do with his back.
. I get the feeling we are about to lose our captain, Dawson set to be called up but looks like King will be asked to play most games with Terry in that case over Upson.Will be a shame because Rio was starting to look much sharper and this is a freak injury nothing to do with his back.
I think before the tournament starts you can make changes. From the 11th you can't.
24 hours before your 1st game I think the rule is and looks to be confirmed as sources say Dawson has been told to pack his bags for Africa.
Also Drogba is set to miss the World Cup.
I would like to watch a World Cup with actually the big name players in it, we already loss Ballack & Essien.As for King, he played 4 games for Spurs over 20 days or so towards end of the season and looked fine. There are big enough gaps for King to be ok in this World Cup and his fitness levels especially the knee by all indications is better than its been for a long time.
EDIT - Confirmed hes out and Heskey did it to him in training
WTF a striker tackling for in training.