England(footy)- Any Improvement?

[ufitsy]

I think I know the answer poor poor poor possesion, Richards a plus though.

[domtheone]

Watched about 10 minutes here and there.

Got bored and turned over

[KevD]

Originally Posted by ufitsy

I think I know the answer poor poor poor possesion, Richards a plus though.

Agreed, Richards the one positive.
McLaren said he would change things and Richards is the only evidence of that.
The lack of Subs was taking it a bit too far, he could have given Foster & Dawson a run out as reward for consistently performing well in the league for there clubs. Instead he picks SWP and Richardson who can't get a game in the Prem. It seems Richardsons last 4 games have been Crewe and Southend for Man Utd and Holland & Croatia for England, pretty much picking a Championship player for the national side (yes, i know Richardson is better than that!)

[thfccambs]

Why play Cole when he's banned for next group game?
Fat Frank don't even get me started.

[Kazman]

It was a poor poor game. It only became lively when Holland scored. And what a soft goal to concede.

England are woeful at the moment, golden generation my soft brown tooshie!!

Both teams just didn't look bothered, the livliest player was Robben, he seemed to be the only one who wanted to win the game until the last 5 mins.

Andy Johnson was played out of position, Lampard or Gerrard should warm the bench for a while and McClaren should be given the sack, I've never been that impressed with him.

We are currently 3rd in probably the easiest qualifying group, it's disgraceful, if things are going to improve, drastic measures need to be taken, and taken quickly. Sven must be chuckling away at Steve right now.

[JohnG]

The one highlight was when Joe Cole decided to try and stay on his feet and not throw himself to the floor, a great dummy run by Richards and then a good cross from Cole to give us a goal.
I agree that Richards looks a great prospect

[Kazman]

Originally Posted by JohnG

The one highlight was when Joe Cole decided to try and stay on his feet and not throw himself to the floor, a great dummy run by Richards and then a good cross from Cole to give us a goal.
I agree that Richards looks a great prospect

Agreed, Richards and Robben had an awesome tussle throughout the game, it was the only highlight for me throughout, there were no other great battles on the pitch, apart from Robinson battling with the dilema of going or staying when a high ball comes into the box.

[Paulie-W]

Same old as usual. We were bad and Holland were even worse. Not looking good for the future. I thought i was watching Sunday league stuff at times.

[sdb123]

The Dutch were that bad it made us look positively half decent!

I was pleased with Richards debut....thought I'd comment though on Carrick's performance - awful IMHO. How many times did he get caught in possession just in front of the defence

He cannot play the holding role....you constantly had Gerrard, Lampard and even Rooney dropping deeper than Carrick just to get hold of the ball.

[chrisw]

Originally Posted by sdb123

The Dutch were that bad it made us look positively half decent!

I was pleased with Richards debut....thought I'd comment though on Carrick's performance - awful IMHO. How many times did he get caught in possession just in front of the defence

He cannot play the holding role....you constantly had Gerrard, Lampard and even Rooney dropping deeper than Carrick just to get hold of the ball.

Agreed, Carrick isn't a great player, or even a good one - hence why Fergie doesn't play him in big games (well sometimes!). Joe Cole was annoying with his diving tho. Rooney can't play as a target man, it's just not his game, and I don't remember Johnson getting much of a touch on the left when he swapped with Cole.

Lampard is a passenger far too often, and what has happened to our invincible John Terry - the captain's armband seems to be weighing him down, as he doesn't look nearly as confident in a white shirt as he does in blue...

Is McClaren going to try every formation available? It wouldn't be too bad if he chose the right players for the system, but all he does is change the formation and pick the same players, it drives me crazy. Wouldn't be suprised if he doesn't last a year...

[Primmy]

Rubbish game! if McClaren thinks that was there best performance so far, he was watching a different match to me!!!

Wheres the passion, the desire to win? At least when Beckham was playing and it was a poor game he would run his socks off to get a result. thats what we need not primadonnas who think they only have to take off their gucchi loafers and put some boots on to win a match.

The USA will win the World Cup before we do again.......

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by chrisw

Agreed, Carrick isn't a great player, or even a good one - hence why Fergie doesn't play him in big games (well sometimes!). ...

Are you saying he's a waste of 18.5m?

[gosties]

(I made this post on another forum about last nights match)

Not the most exciting game I have ever seen. I got the impression that the Dutch were not exactly really interested for most of the game. They have a real lack of pace in central defence and in my opinion they need a couple of quick central defenders.

I thought a draw was a fair result as a both sides were not great. What game were the BBC commentary team watching at times. On this form neither side look like Euro contenders at the moment. Micah Richards looks a good prospect. A very good cross from Joe Cole interrupted his diving all night. Johnson ran himself into the ground but was not exactly over supplied with ball.

Still don't believe that Gerrard and Lampard have the necessary discipline to play together. Both players want to have the glory all the time.

What game was Mclaren watching if he thought that was England's best performance since he took over.

A few thoughts on Steve Mclaren after match interview.

" Drugs test please for Mr Mclaren "

Do you think Mr Mclaren has been sampling cakes at local cafes ?

Michael Carrick should change his name to "Spongebob Squareball"

I thought the only Dutch player that looked up for it was Robben.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by gosties

(I made this post on another forum about last nights match)

Not the most exciting game I have ever seen. I got the impression that the Dutch were not exactly really interested for most of the game. They have a real lack of pace in central defence and in my opinion they need a couple of quick central defenders.

I thought a draw was a fair result as a both sides were not great. What game were the BBC commentary team watching at times. On this form neither side look like Euro contenders at the moment. Micah Richards looks a good prospect. A very good cross from Joe Cole interrupted his diving all night. Johnson ran himself into the ground but was not exactly over supplied with ball.

Still don't believe that Gerrard and Lampard have the necessary discipline to play together. Both players want to have the glory all the time.

What game was Mclaren watching if he thought that was England's best performance since he took over.

A few thoughts on Steve Mclaren after match interview.

" Drugs test please for Mr Mclaren "

Do you think Mr Mclaren has been sampling cakes at local cafes ?

Michael Carrick should change his name to "Spongebob Squareball"

I thought the only Dutch player that looked up for it was Robben.

I think that covers it really.............


It worries me that no-one use friendlies properly anymore. I've been to some quite awesome friendly matches that gave a real barometer of England's standing at the the time, now we learn nothing as no-one bothers. They were also an opportunity to test yourself against the best - and learn from them.

You cannot tell me in these days of one decent opponent per qualifying group that the team gets any challenge? Being tested of course, being the only way to improve. So, you arrive at the finals and play like, well they do these days!

Cut the salaries that's the only way reality will creep back into the game and spark pride in the national shirt again. They looked as disinterested as a bunch of over-paid mercenary's on a 'soft mission' last night. Oh wait, they are over-paid mercenary's................

[JohnG]

I do think that Robben has taught Joe Cole all he knows about diving