England v Israel and Russia **Spoilers**

Just got back from my mates, had a few beers and it was refreshing to watch, every England player WANTED the ball, not like Lampard and Rooney Beckham in the team, I think McLaren could do well with this team plus back up of Rooney Lampard etc. just hope he doesn't go back to his YES man formation, 6 goals 0 conceded with Owen and Heskey upfront and Barry and Gerrard in Midfield, stonking.

Heskey for England :P
 
Agreed on Gerrard and Ashley

Everyone else played exceptional, always grabbin the ball and making plays

Was a joy to watch
 
Sniper123 said:
Nice to see Paul Robinson doing well for a change :-)His hit and miss really isn't he =/
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Doing well? He played a very average game, imo. He hardly had anything to do and didn't even do that all that well. The only reason we've got a clean sheet is that dodgy handball decision the ref gave (although in all fairness from the angle he was looking it must have looked a pretty certain handball), other than that - he didn't impress. Me, I'd play James. The only reason to favour Robinson over James is to avoid Calamity James's long line of fumbles but Paul's been no better and James is the better keeper the rest of the time.

As for what happens when the others are back? I can't see Lampard getting a spot, him and Gerrard just don't work well together. Rooney has got to go straight back in, he's too good not to - even if Owen does work better with Heskey. Richards has got to keep that right back spot over Neville too. As for Becks, well a fully fit and on form Becks - sure, you'd play him - but if he's carrying an injury or a bit off bat (as he is)? I've got to say Shuan WP has done enough to hold that spot for now.

And if Rooney's not fit? Well, Heskey's not all that, he won some good balls and put in a great work rate but he just looked stranded and confused when he got the ball and missed a couple of sitters. On the other hand, Owen and he are fantastic partnership - he nearly triples Owen's Strike rate (14 from 14 vs. 26 from 71). Crouch is, I think, the more likely to actually hit the back of the net, but he doesn't cover ground in the same way or link up with Owen so well. I'd stick with Heskey.
 
Good result tonight - had one eye on this game while I watched us "trash" the French;)

Here's hoping we all make it to Switzerland/Austria:)
 
Another poor game from Gerrard but everyone else performed at a level good enough to beat the opposition, which is all that can be asked.

A.Cole doesn't look back to his best either though.
 
Good performance, at last we seem to be playing some watchable stuff. Heskey looked decent again, as did Barry.

Fair play. It's whether he'll have the nads to keep Lampard out of the team now.
 
Gilly said:
Another poor game from Gerrard but everyone else performed at a level good enough to beat the opposition, which is all that can be asked.
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Another poor game? I didn't think he played that badly today either, hardly gave the ball away and broke up most of there attacks. Didn't quite have the affect on the game going forward as he would have liked but still played some very nice through-balls (2 for Cole down the left, both poorly controlled and the one for the Heskey chance first-half) and a couple of excellent cross-field balls (one Owen should have done better with late on), his shooting let him down though. Certainly not one of his best games but still better than what most can do.
 
These two results should save McLaren's England career but when England get humiliated at Euro 2008 that won't. Reason I say that is because he played with a team which has good balance. When others get fit he won't do that and stick his so called best XI out.......
 
Have we got another friendly before next months qualifiers?

If so it would be interesting to see how the Barry/FatFrank combo works now that our starting 11 is looking pretty finalised.
 
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i am sure if mclaren goes back to beckham lampard hargeeves etc , the fans will booooooo him a lot and plus media will be on his back , what about when rooney is back , does poor heskey get left out after doing so well these last 2 games ???
 
weringo said:
ANTI GERRARD ALERT!
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So true. No need to worry though, McClaren has made it clear that Gerrard is going to be playing in the middle for now on (called him our inspiration) and it would seem Hargreaves is favourite to partner him over the long-term
 
mosehn said:
i am sure if mclaren goes back to beckham lampard hargeeves etc , the fans will booooooo him a lot and plus media will be on his back , what about when rooney is back , does poor heskey get left out after doing so well these last 2 games ???
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Yeah he plays for Man United and is very average upfront hardly a goal scorer for England Caps38 Goals(12) which is poor ( Crouch has the same goals in 21 caps) , Rooney is not England's answer he proved that in Euro 2004

But McLaren is a yes man from the FA he only played this team because Rooney Fat Frank etc where injured.
 
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BaZ87 said:
The lack of a smiley makes me presume you're being serious, if so:

Wasn't Rooney our best player by a mile in the Euro's?

He's done **** all since mind.
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I was thinking of WC 06, Euro 04 he was class and was looking to prove a point.

International football is about what a player is doing now not what he did years ago, Owen Heskey had the chance but they are getting the chance now, I would rather see them up front than the same old crap just to lose in the Semi Finals again, lets mix things up FFS.
 
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