(UEFA) Football Thread - Football not Soccer
- Thread starter Jax
- Start date
Forest losse 1-0 what a shocker...With the exception of Earnshaw our attackers can't hit a barn door. Capello names his squad and gets some right and but once again loses his bottle to drop the most biggest names...
The keepers are spot on, Robinson is a perfect experience keeper to have cover for the inexperience Hart. Hes right to keep Terry there because we need to gel him and Dawson together quickly for the Q/F games but why is Micah Richards not there ? If you want someone with pace liek Johnson but who can actually defend then Richards is your man, a person who probably had only 1 bad game ever in a ENG shirt but that was his last in 2007 against Croatia.
Why is Barry, Gerrard and Lampard even here for such a game ? Wheres Rodwell and yeh he had a bad world cup but Lennon would express himself in a younger more attacking side. Wilshire looks to be a winger in this game but I just don't see that being his best position IMO.
Rooney should not be here full stop he needs to regain his confidence and fitness at Man Utd. Zamora is a good call up, Darren Bent is Andy Cole utterly brilliant at club level but will never make the grade at international level. We need raw pace (Owen Esq) a guy who can run at defenders making them tired and forcing them deeper into there own half because they are scared of fast runners...
Agbonlahor, who I still say can be our next Owen and has had a full summer off who of the last 3 seasons always start the season better than most players. Who no Gabby, why no pace upfront ?
The keepers are spot on, Robinson is a perfect experience keeper to have cover for the inexperience Hart. Hes right to keep Terry there because we need to gel him and Dawson together quickly for the Q/F games but why is Micah Richards not there ? If you want someone with pace liek Johnson but who can actually defend then Richards is your man, a person who probably had only 1 bad game ever in a ENG shirt but that was his last in 2007 against Croatia.
Why is Barry, Gerrard and Lampard even here for such a game ? Wheres Rodwell and yeh he had a bad world cup but Lennon would express himself in a younger more attacking side. Wilshire looks to be a winger in this game but I just don't see that being his best position IMO.
Rooney should not be here full stop he needs to regain his confidence and fitness at Man Utd. Zamora is a good call up, Darren Bent is Andy Cole utterly brilliant at club level but will never make the grade at international level. We need raw pace (Owen Esq) a guy who can run at defenders making them tired and forcing them deeper into there own half because they are scared of fast runners...
Agbonlahor, who I still say can be our next Owen and has had a full summer off who of the last 3 seasons always start the season better than most players. Who no Gabby, why no pace upfront ?
Apparantly Robinson has rejected the call-up and has also retired from international football.
I'm fairly happy with the squad, I'd rather not have Terry there but we need some experience. I'm not a fan of Barry at international level, I'm surprised Rodwell didn't get a call-up actually.
I'm fairly happy with the squad, I'd rather not have Terry there but we need some experience. I'm not a fan of Barry at international level, I'm surprised Rodwell didn't get a call-up actually.
Robinson, Brown WTF really 
It smacks of children throwing there toys out of the pram especially in Robinson's case who in his statement sounded like a spoilt kid whose just been told he'll have to earn his pocket money. Yes Capello should of picked you more in the squad and yes you should of gone to the world cup but come on stop acting like a kid. With Hart and Foster inexperienced, Robinson would of been number 2 due to his experience at least until 2012. As for Brown he should of said I prefer not to be picked but in a injury crisis I'll come and help, I really find it insulting that people refuse to play for there country I mean hes 30 not exactly retirement age.
Capello call ups for Gibbs/Wilshire is just a cheap token to make Capello look liek hes going to change because I agree with Henry Winter of the telegraph who basically says if he was serious then Agbonlahor/Rodwell would be in the squad.
It smacks of children throwing there toys out of the pram especially in Robinson's case who in his statement sounded like a spoilt kid whose just been told he'll have to earn his pocket money. Yes Capello should of picked you more in the squad and yes you should of gone to the world cup but come on stop acting like a kid. With Hart and Foster inexperienced, Robinson would of been number 2 due to his experience at least until 2012. As for Brown he should of said I prefer not to be picked but in a injury crisis I'll come and help, I really find it insulting that people refuse to play for there country I mean hes 30 not exactly retirement age.
Capello call ups for Gibbs/Wilshire is just a cheap token to make Capello look liek hes going to change because I agree with Henry Winter of the telegraph who basically says if he was serious then Agbonlahor/Rodwell would be in the squad.
^ Probably giving Cole at least a chance to prove his fitness.
The squad in general is garbage though. Same tired old faces, and token new inclusions who have already shown they're not good enough eg Cole, Zamora, Barry...
In all a good opening weekend, however. Bristol hammered, Leeds lose, Swansea lose and apparently pretty awful, Cardiff draw (though we could have won but for that damn Stoke goalkeeper!)... seriously though, Sheffield Utd? Anyone else here seen them play? What a bunch of timewasting thugs. Ched Evans, Leon Britton and Jamie Ward especially, and how the hell Simonsen didn't get booked for timewasting in the second half we'll never know. And the bloody referee was absolutely dreadful, giving drop-balls like they were going out of fashion.
Community Shield was decent too. Lovely goals, and true skill/hilarity at the Chicarito special. More of that please. He could be the man to help bring the best of Berbatov at last.
...and then all excitement is killed by international borefests. I'll watch England just to see how much booing there is.
The squad in general is garbage though. Same tired old faces, and token new inclusions who have already shown they're not good enough eg Cole, Zamora, Barry...
In all a good opening weekend, however. Bristol hammered, Leeds lose, Swansea lose and apparently pretty awful, Cardiff draw (though we could have won but for that damn Stoke goalkeeper!)... seriously though, Sheffield Utd? Anyone else here seen them play? What a bunch of timewasting thugs. Ched Evans, Leon Britton and Jamie Ward especially, and how the hell Simonsen didn't get booked for timewasting in the second half we'll never know. And the bloody referee was absolutely dreadful, giving drop-balls like they were going out of fashion.
Community Shield was decent too. Lovely goals, and true skill/hilarity at the Chicarito special. More of that please. He could be the man to help bring the best of Berbatov at last.
...and then all excitement is killed by international borefests. I'll watch England just to see how much booing there is.
Brown has always been a very decent defender compare to Glen Johnson who might be better off becoming a winger. We know what Defoe can do so theres no point in calling him up (the same should of gone for Rooney, Lamps etc). Joe Cole needs games at Liverpool to convince Capello and it looks Roy wants to play him in the hole so ENG could end up having a Barry/Gerrard/J.Cole midfield in the future, which sounds decent to me.
Breaking news that O'Neill has resigned from Villa. Milner being sold over his head? Looks like Villa will have a tough start to the season.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8898993.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8898993.stm
Sounds good. 
Probably over the Milner saga, the constant Ashley Young links and maybe even the Luke Young fiasco. Don't blame him for leaving, though the timing sucks.
Oh I also read that Villa have let Shorey go to WBA. Hard luck Jax!
Oh I also read that Villa have let Shorey go to WBA. Hard luck Jax!
^ Don't mind as much since we signed a Chelsea youngster Ryan Bertrand on loan for left back but yeh I would of prefered Shorey (he'll be playing championship footy soon with WBA).
As for O Neill I wonder if Lerner told him he won't be getting much of the transfer fee from Milner or that Young would be sold for the right price.
As for O Neill I wonder if Lerner told him he won't be getting much of the transfer fee from Milner or that Young would be sold for the right price.
^ Sounds like that's exactly what happened. Ah well, I had Villa to go backwards this year and they also certainly will now. Who on earth is the readymade natural replacement?
All the papers have Capello startibg 4-4-2 with...
Hart
Johnson Dawson Terry Cole
Milner Lampard Barry Gerrard
Zamora Rooney
Has Capello learn't anything ? why is he the only person left in English football suffering from denial...
4-4-2 still has a place but against weaker teams but why not use his only friendly for something else since after this we begin Q/F's against Bulgaria/Switzerland who like us can Q/F out of the group. Gerrard DOES NOT work on the left ffs why is Johnson there ?
if he sticks with 4-4-2 and the same players then we will not Q/F for Euro 2012.
Hart
Johnson Dawson Terry Cole
Milner Lampard Barry Gerrard
Zamora Rooney
Has Capello learn't anything ? why is he the only person left in English football suffering from denial...
4-4-2 still has a place but against weaker teams but why not use his only friendly for something else since after this we begin Q/F's against Bulgaria/Switzerland who like us can Q/F out of the group. Gerrard DOES NOT work on the left ffs why is Johnson there ?
if he sticks with 4-4-2 and the same players then we will not Q/F for Euro 2012.
People point to Lamps goal record but unlike Stevie G, hes's not been chucked around the England lineup like a whore forced to be in several different postions over his England career. Gerrard scores, passes, tackles and commands game...
Lampard does not therefore Stevie G needs to be in the middle, Capello grow a brain cell or two and play A.Johnson on the left with Stevie down the middle.
Lampard does not therefore Stevie G needs to be in the middle, Capello grow a brain cell or two and play A.Johnson on the left with Stevie down the middle.
My Ratings
Hart (7) - Didn't have much too do and could not stop the goal that never was but look assured and important save at the end.
Johnson (6) - A few misplaced passes and poor crossing ruined his forward attempts. Still look unconvincing at the back.
Terry (7) - Looked solid enough and helped Jagelkia settle in alongside. Past his peak but can benefit England still and we need it at the back so much.
Jagelkia (7) - Looks to had earned his place alongside JT in next months Q/F. Was solid throughout and with more experience and match time ewith Everton could step up to the next level in his game quite easily. Unlucky with own goal was Dawson's fault plus never went over the line.
A.Cole (6) - Got forward but then did nothing with the ball and looks less impressive at the back than recent years. I personally feel hes doesn't care much abou ENG these days.
Walcott (6) - Much better than his last few ENG caps but still making the same old mistakes. Apart from one great ball his crossing needs to improving and too often slows down with the ball and clearly is in 2 minds. Needs to drop the Arsenal mentality to pass at anytime and just run at players instead.
Lampard (5) - Worst player on the pitch was simply invisible to everyone. Doesn't suit the system and must be dropped to the bench, too slow to dominate a game unlike Gerrard.
Barry (6) - Worrying times for ENG/Barry, clearly past his peak and needs a better partner alongside him other than Lamps (Milner/Rodwell). Lacks pace but that just means he should adopt a more Makelele role though passing not to his normal high standards.
Johnson (6.5) - Flashes of what he could do and really should of scored. Will get better with age and experience but shown he can go past players a rare ENGLISH ability indeed. Must remain in the ENG XI
Gerrard (8.5) - Man of the match and a complete different player in the middle. Has been the next Hoddle for the last 4 years, played wrong by McClaren/Capello for too long but now could be set free. 2 world class goals and never stopped giving, a true captain performance.
Rooney (6) - Unlucky with offside goal when Stevie should passed it sooner but after that was back to being a mere shadow of his former self. Lucky ref didn't spot his 2 acts of Petchulant child like antics. The new system is right so Capello should remember these words no single player is bigger than the team = If can't operate up front on his own must be dropped for someone like Agbonlahor who offers real pace and goal threat. Wayne play off the defenders shoulders and through the gaps or get out.
SUBS...
Gibbs (7) - Was a breathe of fresh air with more energy than a power grid. Got forward well and beat players at ease not too metion his final ball looked better than Cole's. Didn't look out of his depth at all watch out Cashley.
Dawson (6) - Recovered after his mistake let Hungary score (well kind of). Needs to play with the likes of Terry/Ferdinand to get best out of him but most likely will start on the bench in september.
Young (6.5) - Looked decent though needs to be more confident on the ball. A few runs give us hope he can perform for England though will be better on the right than the left IMO.
Milner (6) - Didn't get much to do but sat in the hole alongside Barry and did a better job of it than Lampard. Until Rodwell is ready Milner should play the role alongside Barry pushing up when ENG are on the ball and slotting back when defending.
Zamora (7) - So unlucky not too score twice if it wasn't for two superb saves from the Hungary number 1. Powerful header at the end makes Crouch inability to head even worse but that chest turn and volley was the stuff Rooney should be doing. Will be in the squad next month and deserves to be.
Wilshire (N/A) - 10 mins not enough to see him but I have no doubt he can be the future repalcement for Gerrard after 2012 until then a become a key squad player to learn his trade.
Capello still got it wrong with no Rodwell who was the m,an of the match for the U21's this week. Also Agbonlahor must be in there and I wonder how well he would link up with someone like Zamora but there are decent signs still of what we saw. Capello retirement of Beckham was done in a poor way and he will never command the same respect again though lucky for him the players don't need him to play well as along as he picks the right ones.
Hart (7) - Didn't have much too do and could not stop the goal that never was but look assured and important save at the end.
Johnson (6) - A few misplaced passes and poor crossing ruined his forward attempts. Still look unconvincing at the back.
Terry (7) - Looked solid enough and helped Jagelkia settle in alongside. Past his peak but can benefit England still and we need it at the back so much.
Jagelkia (7) - Looks to had earned his place alongside JT in next months Q/F. Was solid throughout and with more experience and match time ewith Everton could step up to the next level in his game quite easily. Unlucky with own goal was Dawson's fault plus never went over the line.
A.Cole (6) - Got forward but then did nothing with the ball and looks less impressive at the back than recent years. I personally feel hes doesn't care much abou ENG these days.
Walcott (6) - Much better than his last few ENG caps but still making the same old mistakes. Apart from one great ball his crossing needs to improving and too often slows down with the ball and clearly is in 2 minds. Needs to drop the Arsenal mentality to pass at anytime and just run at players instead.
Lampard (5) - Worst player on the pitch was simply invisible to everyone. Doesn't suit the system and must be dropped to the bench, too slow to dominate a game unlike Gerrard.
Barry (6) - Worrying times for ENG/Barry, clearly past his peak and needs a better partner alongside him other than Lamps (Milner/Rodwell). Lacks pace but that just means he should adopt a more Makelele role though passing not to his normal high standards.
Johnson (6.5) - Flashes of what he could do and really should of scored. Will get better with age and experience but shown he can go past players a rare ENGLISH ability indeed. Must remain in the ENG XI
Gerrard (8.5) - Man of the match and a complete different player in the middle. Has been the next Hoddle for the last 4 years, played wrong by McClaren/Capello for too long but now could be set free. 2 world class goals and never stopped giving, a true captain performance.
Rooney (6) - Unlucky with offside goal when Stevie should passed it sooner but after that was back to being a mere shadow of his former self. Lucky ref didn't spot his 2 acts of Petchulant child like antics. The new system is right so Capello should remember these words no single player is bigger than the team = If can't operate up front on his own must be dropped for someone like Agbonlahor who offers real pace and goal threat. Wayne play off the defenders shoulders and through the gaps or get out.
SUBS...
Gibbs (7) - Was a breathe of fresh air with more energy than a power grid. Got forward well and beat players at ease not too metion his final ball looked better than Cole's. Didn't look out of his depth at all watch out Cashley.
Dawson (6) - Recovered after his mistake let Hungary score (well kind of). Needs to play with the likes of Terry/Ferdinand to get best out of him but most likely will start on the bench in september.
Young (6.5) - Looked decent though needs to be more confident on the ball. A few runs give us hope he can perform for England though will be better on the right than the left IMO.
Milner (6) - Didn't get much to do but sat in the hole alongside Barry and did a better job of it than Lampard. Until Rodwell is ready Milner should play the role alongside Barry pushing up when ENG are on the ball and slotting back when defending.
Zamora (7) - So unlucky not too score twice if it wasn't for two superb saves from the Hungary number 1. Powerful header at the end makes Crouch inability to head even worse but that chest turn and volley was the stuff Rooney should be doing. Will be in the squad next month and deserves to be.
Wilshire (N/A) - 10 mins not enough to see him but I have no doubt he can be the future repalcement for Gerrard after 2012 until then a become a key squad player to learn his trade.
Capello still got it wrong with no Rodwell who was the m,an of the match for the U21's this week. Also Agbonlahor must be in there and I wonder how well he would link up with someone like Zamora but there are decent signs still of what we saw. Capello retirement of Beckham was done in a poor way and he will never command the same respect again though lucky for him the players don't need him to play well as along as he picks the right ones.
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England did alright then? I didn't bother watching any of the friendlies and opted for the City v Burton game on the radio instead, my nerves wracked as I prayed we didn't become one of the dozen Championship clubs dumped out at the first time of asking. Apparently we even signed someone I've never heard of to play in time, so that was nice. Koumas had a good game... just a shame we only started playing in ET.
Apparently Neil Warnock claimed QPR don't care about the League Cup. Any Championship side who doesn't care about the one cup they have a decent chance of winning is a fool. I suppose it's all about promotion these days though. I still love the Cup. Both of them.
Apparently Neil Warnock claimed QPR don't care about the League Cup. Any Championship side who doesn't care about the one cup they have a decent chance of winning is a fool. I suppose it's all about promotion these days though. I still love the Cup. Both of them.
I saw where Everton isn't planning on bringing back Landon Donovan because MLS wanted too much money to loan him out again. Donovan and Everton (fans and team) seemed to really hit it off last year, so I'm wondering if he might surface somewhere else on else on loan and what the reaction from Everton's fans would be if that happened.
