[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

[overkill]

Originally Posted by JohnG

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

I think there's a book on it John. I think it's called 'how to cheat at football and get away with it'. It's been out since the 70's........

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by overkill

I think there's a book on it John. I think it's called 'how to cheat at football and get away with it'. It's been out since the 70's........

It's just getting silly these days. The attacking player realises that he's lost control of the ball, knows there's a player nearby and goes down like he's been hit by a steamroller
I wonder if footballers walking down a crowded street ever throw themselves on the pavement if someone brushes past them ? It would make a good "Not the nine o clock news" type sketch I reckon !

[neilios]

Does anyone know why gareth barry doesn't get a knock ,he seems to me to be the most consistent left footer out there.

Footballers need to take a leaf out the rugby league lads and stop farting about ,makes me laugh when commentators talk about footballers as hard lads lol.

As for mclaren he's like a kevin blackwell clone, nice bloke but clueless.

[Kazman]

Originally Posted by neilios

Does anyone know why gareth barry doesn't get a knock ,he seems to me to be the most consistent left footer out there.

Politics!

Footballers need to take a leaf out the rugby league lads and stop farting about ,makes me laugh when commentators talk about footballers as hard lads lol.

As for mclaren he's like a kevin blackwell clone, nice bloke but clueless.

McClaren should never have got the job imho.

[mrmc74]

Marco van Basten - Great player, crap coach.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by mrmc74

Marco van Basten - Great player, crap coach.

You know how we feel then?

[Abbeygoo]

It was and still is a mystery why our England coach tinkers with the formation. The majority of our English teams play 4-4-2. The players are used to it. When it gets changed to 4-5-1 and then 4-3-3 it confuses them and it frustrates us.

I would ask a few questions of McLaren :

what did he gain by playing Andrew Johnson on the right?
why play a 4-3-3 when nobody is familiar with it?
where was Gareth Barry?
and
why isn't Micah Richards immediately installed as captain?

Poor, poor England. Stick to 4-4-2 and play the players that are best for the formation not stick the best players into positions they are not familiar with. My England XI would be (when all fit and available) :

Robinson

Richards
Ferdinand
Terry
A.Cole

J.Cole
Gerrard
Hargreaves
Lennon

Rooney
Johnson


Subs : Owen, Crouch, Lampard, Wright Phillips, G Neville

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

...why isn't Micah Richards immediately installed as captain?

Abbey Mate - it was a great post up until this!

[ufitsy]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

It was and still is a mystery why our England coach tinkers with the formation. The majority of our English teams play 4-4-2. The players are used to it. When it gets changed to 4-5-1 and then 4-3-3 it confuses them and it frustrates us.

I would ask a few questions of McLaren :

what did he gain by playing Andrew Johnson on the right?
why play a 4-3-3 when nobody is familiar with it?
where was Gareth Barry?
and
why isn't Micah Richards immediately installed as captain?

Poor, poor England. Stick to 4-4-2 and play the players that are best for the formation not stick the best players into positions they are not familiar with. My England XI would be (when all fit and available) :

Robinson

Richards
Ferdinand
Terry
A.Cole

J.Cole
Gerrard
Hargreaves
Lennon

Rooney
Johnson


Subs : Owen, Crouch, Lampard, Wright Phillips, G Neville

Not sure Lampard should make it even as a sub.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by ufitsy

Not sure Lampard should make it even as a sub.

Would have to agree there mate.

Must be 6 months since he's put in a top display for his country.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

where was Gareth Barry?

Isn't he still injured?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

Robinson

Richards
Ferdinand
Terry
A.Cole

J.Cole
Gerrard
Hargreaves
Lennon

Rooney
Johnson


Subs : Owen, Crouch, Lampard, Wright Phillips, G Neville

This is very close to what I would like to see. Only differences, if Owen is FULLY fit he has to start as he always tends to deliver in big games. Gary Neville is not quite finished yet and I would have him up until Euros (if we qualify ). Wright-Phillips would have to have left Chelsea to continue.

[Abbeygoo]

Originally Posted by KevD

This is very close to what I would like to see. Only differences, if Owen is FULLY fit he has to start as he always tends to deliver in big games. Gary Neville is not quite finished yet and I would have him up until Euros (if we qualify ). Wright-Phillips would have to have left Chelsea to continue.

Can't agree more. A daft move for Chelsea and an even dafter move for Shaun. He should have stayed with us for at least one more season and moved to a club who were going to use him.

Is he coming back home in January?

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

Shaun Wright Phillips..... Is he coming back home in January?

Abbey... For his own sake, I wish he would. He is a confidence player who needs a run of games... he won't get that with us the way we set the team up playing so narrow. Robben and Joey Cole are in front of him and can't get on!
There was talk about 3 or 4 weeks ago that Atletico Madrid were very interested in him. The assumption was that SWP could go there in January, initially on loan... the sweetener for Chelsea would be to have some kind of option on their striker Fernando Torres......

[JohnG]

I'm amazed his dad hasn't had serious words with him to try and persuade him to move to a club where he's going to get regular football.