[fishmonkey]

i know i know another world cup thread, not really one for posting in but i'f your country is involved (unlike Ireland *sniff sniff...boo hoo..) of if u've got a team you wanna shout out to do it here so

In the absence of my lovely Ireland
i just wanna say..

Big Up to my next-door neighbous England!!
Ye got a good old squad and i hope ye do well.

[johnnywinternoshow]

yo, I jus' wanna give a HOLLA westwood style to

HOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNDSSSSSSSSSSS PPPPPPPAAAAAAAAIIINNNNN

how it is mofo. word to ya moma

[atari 2600]

I was talking on the phone to a customer yesterday in Sidestrand Near Cromer, Norfolk & he wasn't too enthused concerning England's chances. I tried to make him feel better by mentioning John Terry & Wayne Rooney.

[jon boy]

it appears that people with low iq's now have to carry a marker around with them. its a small flat, rectangular thing thats white and has a red cross in the centre.

[Hip Priest]

Well, I think our chances restwith people like Lampard, Terry and Gerrard rather than with Rooney. We can do well, but the occaisional mistake or lapse in concentration (a speciality) could cost us dear. As could only taking four strikers, two of wom aren't fully fit.

The first round should be straightforward enough though.

[_slavo_]

Yeah, I cross fingers for England to reach at least quarterfinals!!!

[sonicl]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Well, I think our chances restwith people like Lampard, terry and Gerrard rathe than with Rooney. We can do well, but the occaisional mistake or lapse in concentration (a speciality) could cost us dear. As could only taking four strikers, two of wom aren't fully fit.

The first round should be straightforward enough though.

Yeah, it's a bit worrying that we're going to have to count on the midfield to get a fair few goals for us. The pre-tournament friendlies haven't been all that convincing, despite the scorelines, and the B game against Belarus was especially worrying as it highlighted that we have no strength in depth. Roll on Saturday so we can see what the boys can do when they start trying.

[Hip Priest]

Wer really have got a chance to do well - he mistake in the past few years has been relying too much on Rooney, with no back-up plan. It's been a bit embarrassing at times, to be honest.

When our defense and midfield get it together, we take on a different air. We are very hard to break down then.

I'll also be looking out for Ukraine, I like their style of play. But what I enjoym most about these tournaments is seeing all the different styles against each other.

[Hip Priest]

Originally Posted by sonicl

Yeah, it's a bit worrying that we're going to have to count on the midfield to get a fair few goals for us. The pre-tournament friendlies haven't been all that convincing, despite the scorelines, and the B game against Belarus was especially worrying as it highlighted that we have no strength in depth. Roll on Saturday so we can see what the boys can do when they start trying.

That said though (and I agree, incidentally), this squad does tend to do better when it matters - we just tend to get pipped at the post by someone even better!

As I said above, I have confidence in our midfielder to score goals (and even the defenders on set-pieces - wasn't it great for Terry to get his first England goal?)

The Belarus game is best forgotten, I think

[sonicl]

JT is a God, and Gods always come up with the goods when it matters most.

[Hip Priest]

Exactly. And that goal will have given him an extra boost.

Apparantly, paraguay's only star player, Santa Cruz, is injured now, o our opener should be that little bit morwe comfortable.

[sonicl]

Looking at the squad I'd say we can rely on:

Paul Robinson
John Terry
Jamie Carragher
Ashley Cole
Frank Lampard
Stevie Gerrard
Joe Cole

To me that means we're a defender, a midfielder and two strikers away from a reliable team. If Rooney and Owen were fit then the reliable striker slots could be filled, and if Beckham plays to the best of his abilities then the midfield should be okay, but as far as the right hand side of defence goes, we're buggered.

[Hip Priest]

Carragher has been impressive lately, hasn't he? I've noticed him a lot more, some good runs forward. I also think Carrick and Bridge might come of age at this tournament.

We need Beckham's free kicks, lets face it. We have a much easier victory when he shines.

[johnnywinternoshow]

carragher > neviller

[johnnywinternoshow]

Originally Posted by jon boy

it appears that people with low iq's now have to carry a marker around with them. its a small flat, rectangular thing thats white and has a red cross in the centre.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...215862,00.html further proof that our MPs are a bit shit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5055384.stm
Isn't blair meant to be in equal support of england, scotland, wales and norn ireland?

Those flags are so stupid. As someone not from england living in england, i just don't get it. We all know you support england, you don't need to have shitty car flags flying from your car. 99.9% of people living here will be supporting england so stop it with the cheap flags. It's the equivalent of having flags that say "oxygen is fantastic" flying from your car

ING-GER-LUND!!!!!

[sonicl]

Originally Posted by johnnywinternoshow

ING-GER-LUND!!!!!

Get it right, it's "ENG-GER-LUND!!!!!"

Tsk tsk

[sonic sphere]

come on togo

[Spiritual Amnesia]

switzerland !!!

[Hip Priest]

Switzerland are better than people think, largely because they can play a very tight game defensively. Some good individuals.

[_slavo_]

I am a really really huge fan of Democratic People's Republic of Korea by the way. Good defensive style