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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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| These things go in cycles. We had world class goalies for years and years right up to the start of this century when suddenly there wasn't anyone. For years and years we haven't had any decent left footed wingers. At the moment we're also short of a traditional centre forward, where in the past we could always rely on one. The team that has really good players in every position and a few on the bench is the one that'll win the world cup. |
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JMO

Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Well one thing that is completely english. massively overreacting to a few bad games. I've seen Rooney play in the Champion's league for the last several years for example. 3 bad games (in a lesser competition) won't make him any less world class.
I do think that there are two truly world class players on the team (would get almost any team in the world) in Rooney and Ashley Cole. But that is the same as most second tier teams have. Not everyone is Spain, Argentina and Brazil. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| That England aren't setting the world cup alight should come as no surprise to anyone. Let's not forget that they didn't even qualify for the last major international tournament. English players are simply not good enough to compete at this level. |
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chellovek

Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, maybe in the world cup. I remember the friendly England v Argentina in the spring of 1953. Truly a dire performance. |
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southernman
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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There was a report back home from Reuters about a press conference last week involving Steve Gerrad(sic?)and others, saying that no matter what question he was asked i.e about playing in SA, the opposition etc he just brought it back to the English team and players. Reuters then said that the English player's arrogance was amazing.
As an AB fan I can totally relate to being a fan severly disapointed about world cup performances. Our Players turned up to a world cup with players profiles painted on the side of the plane.... Arrogance personafied.
This year we've got on paper probably our worse team in 20 years but we've got some young players who have lifted the whole team with pride and passion for the jersey and this was mentioned even before the last two internationals that we won.
Maybe England just needs to pick some of their younger players for the next game. Anyone whos plays for their country without pride and passion should be sent home.
No fan deserves to see an International team they support play without guts, pride/passion and skill. It is afterall what the players get paid for.
Last edited by southernman on Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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| southernman wrote: |
As an AB fan I can totally relate to being a fan severly dispointed about world cup performances. |
Pardon the dumb question, but who is that, New Zealand Rugby? |
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hwa jang shil
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: |
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Just a comment on the arrogance of Gerrard, I suspect quite a few of the English players do believe the hype a little too much.
I nearly kicked the telly in when, during the post match interview, Gerrard patronized Algeria by claiming 'they were spirited' and for them 'this was their world cup final'.
The lazy scouse git needs to get his head out of his a**e, they played up not because they were playing England and their "superstars" but because they are playing in a world cup and playing for their country, well 2 of them were, 9 of them were born in France to Algerian parents, yet they still mustered more pride than that sorry bunch wearing the England shirts.
Oh and if anyone finds a link for Heskey's step over attempt (the one where he nearly broke his ankle) please post, I'm dying to see it again. |
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southernman
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:55 am Post subject: |
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| Sector7G wrote: |
| southernman wrote: |
As an AB fan I can totally relate to being a fan severly dispointed about world cup performances. |
Pardon the dumb question, but who is that, New Zealand Rugby? |
Yes it is... apparently they're the most sucessful sporting brand from any country of the last century, win wise, in any sport.... Still stuff up at the world cups though.  |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Location: Easy Street.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
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Well, if they lose I would at least like to be able to say 'They gave it their all'. And you can argue about whether the talent measures up to teams like Argentina or Brazil, but the reason England drew against the US and Algeria was not that they were less talented. Probably it was because, like you, they'd decided they weren't good enough in advance, and you'll never get anywhere like that.
Still, it's not over yet! |
It is called being realistic and evaluating the actual talent of your team without resorting to the "but but but...they play on the best Premiership teams! They are superstars! Why don't they play like that for the national team!? They just don't try and have no heart. Yes that must be it."
THe English team should be in the world cup no doubt and if they got past the round of 16 I'd be rejoicing. I'm not saying they're going to fail 100%. My standards are just a bit lower.
If I were Swedish or Czech I wouldn't be having a conniption every WC because my team just can't compete with the best teams in the world. I'd expect maybe a round of 16 and that is it. ANything else is gravy. The more English fans lower the expectations and stop looking for stupid excuses ad nauseam other than they just don't have the talent the better the WC is going to be for them. |
I'm not saying England players are the best - although I don't rate them as low as you do. I'm saying they underperformed in the last two games due to, I think, low morale. I just want to see some more action and more spirit on the pitch. Take Australia for instance. No one expects them to go far, but they kept attacking and defending up to the last minute - as did Ghana. When Gerrard says something like 'We just weren't good enough' I don't see that as humble recognition of the truth - it's just another excuse. Sounds like they're saying "It's not our fault: we just don't have the talent to do any better". Bollocks.
I do agree though that we hold them to a higher standard than teams such as Denmark or the Netherlands which probably have as good a record as England (now I'm sure someone will throw some stats at me); so we tend to get over carried away by a good performance and over depressed by a bad one.
Anyway, everyone's talking as if it's all over already, and it isn't. When a team is mentally in the right place, they look completely different, and England can still turn it around. |
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kiknkorea

Joined: 16 May 2008
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:42 am Post subject: |
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| Privateer wrote: |
| Anyway, everyone's talking as if it's all over already, and it isn't. When a team is mentally in the right place, they look completely different, and England can still turn it around. |
Yeah if they win their next match, all will be forgiven and they'll be favorites again.
Never talk about good or bad showings until the show's over.  |
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nautilus

Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:08 am Post subject: |
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England players are a pack of spoiled brats, as are the french and Italians. They get paid millions to drive their sports cars and treat women like sex toys. What does representing their country mean to them? nothing.
To try and hide their poor performances, lack of spirit and discipline they conjure up blame games, splits, arguments andl intrigues. France are looking the most pathetic right now (refusing to train? In support of a rebellious Anelka who swore at the manager??) but England and italy aren't far behind...
Which is why its great to see the small countries overpowering them in this world cup. |
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Sergio Stefanuto
Joined: 14 May 2009 Location: UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:04 am Post subject: |
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The latest thing being blamed is the long European season. Even if that's the case, by all means let's slash the Premiership and other top flights to 10 sides and get rid of a lot of horrible English dross, like Sunderland, West Ham, Blackburn, Bolton and West Brom. Alternatively, and preferably for me, the aristocracy of European football should form a breakaway Super Golden Mega Euroleague consisting of 15 sides. 28 games per season - problem solved. Let's see how all the whiners like that idea! Not at all, of course, because it'll negatively affect the ghastly little clubs they support.
| nautilus wrote: |
| Which is why its great to see the small countries overpowering them in this world cup |
Exactly. Let's imagine for a moment that since big clubs can pick almost freely from a world elite and working class English 'lads' are, in consequence, too rubbish to get into the sides. There's no evidence at all for that, but as I say, let's imagine. In such a case, a transfer of power internationally is only good and right. |
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chellovek

Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:42 am Post subject: |
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| Sergio Stefanuto wrote: |
| West Brom. |
Oi! |
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sesyeux
Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Location: king 'arrys
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| my money is on roooooooooney to score 2 tomorrow. i for one will be watching it and getting rowdy |
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chellovek

Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| sesyeux wrote: |
| my money is on roooooooooney to score 2 tomorrow. i for one will be watching it and getting rowdy |
Come off it man, we're doomed I tells ya. I'm just embarassed that being the only westerner in this Godforsaken county I'm widely and personally associated with this crappy team. |
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