World Cup Group B (England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden) **SPOILERS**

I suppose it's a good thing that what was really bad about tonights performance, should be easily fixed on the training ground - set pieces.

Unfortunately, there was a lot that was quite pedestrian too. If Rio isnt back for the next match after next, I'm not expecting much.

Hargreaves did play ok. I only noticed him give the ball away once, which is a vast improvement over the previous few friendlies.
 
Not meaning to sound like I'm rehashing an old argument, I've been watching the match second half so didn't have time to post, so:
Will Gill said:
I'm a die hard england supporter and will only listen to positive things, "if you want to be critical drink in a different pub" was my attitude when I ran bars :) I guess I've maintained that persona into later life :D
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That's just it though, we're not in a pub are we? If we were, I'd agree with you. When I'm actually watching a match, and care about the team playing, be it in person, at a pub, or at home, I'm all for "get behind the boys and lets do well" :). I'll quite happily take a draw instead of losing, and Equador instead of Germany (although I did say the opposite before, I think I've changed my mind a bit, wouldn't fancy the Gerries, at home and playing with a bit of passion, now at all). In a pub, as it happens, you're too into the match to really be objective and stuff, because all you care about is the result.

But we're not at a pub, we're sitting in front of our computers posting about the results of the cup. We're exchanging opinions and discussing both the good AND the bad of how our teams play. That's the nature of a football forum. I don't get why I can only care about England if I'm posting positive stuff. And to be perfectly honest, if we're not watching the match with full attention, it must not be that important to us anyway.

EDIT: To reiterate, I am happy, I'm grateful we went through, and I still think we have the ability in the team to do well. Come on lads. :)

FURTHER EDITING: To clarify, I hate "OMG WERE DOOMED :MAD:" comments as much as anyone else, as well as irritating trollish windup ones, and I think people need to be behind the team as they play, and WANT us to win. But I don't think that means we have to stick our fingers in our ears and pretend everything is rosy either.
 
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Zildjian said:
I just hope Owen is alright - I don't like Crouch, he didn't do much this game. Sven should have let Walcott have a go, because Crouch wasn't doing enough.

Rooney looked annoyed to be subbed, :D
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Like the commentators said he just loves to play football. He frustrated himself coz he couldn't really show how good he is.

Joe Cole is the MOM. I think Sven should put Walcott instead of Crouch. I don't like Crouch also.
 
If we can't handle 3mins of pressure like the swedes gave us, god help us against the big boys. Today was an important game against our hardest opponents so far, and that was a laughable performance. Wasn't at all impressed.

I say put rooney and sven in a ring, and stand back.
 
ballistic said:
hmm ok then, when germany beat sweden you will understand why they had to win this game and why it was not a good result for them.
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Here's how I see it. The fans shelled out €100's to get to the world cup, their talisman has just scored a last minute goal when defeat looked certain, who gives a toss about the next game? Who gives a toss about tomorrow? Party. I know I would. But whatever works for you. :)
 
Can't really knock the fact that we're through to the next round at the top of our group, but being honest, none of our three games so far have shown what the squad should be capable of.

I'm surprised after his performance last time that Lennon wasn't given a chance.

Also, I think we were possibly putting too many of our own players into our box to defend - "panic mode". When the ball was cleared there was nobody to collect it and hold it up, it just went straight back to sweden eventually leading to their second goal.
 
Injuries are a worry, he has no faith in Walcott, today was an ideal time to play him, Owen looks like his out, Rio limped off and left Sol to attempt an overhead kick which led to their second goal, was David beckham playing tonight?

Oh well we won the group thats all that matters role on Argies v the Clogs later this week, game of the world cup, thus far.
 
Big Kev said:
Why all the moaning, get behind the team, we've got through unbeaten and I for one will keep the flag flying until it's overCOME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!
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I am sorry but I have had my hopes up since 96 and I cant be arsed shouting about England winning after this performance.
 
skly said:
Like the commentators said he just loves to play football. He frustrated himself coz he couldn't really show how good he is.

Joe Cole is the MOM. I think Sven should put Walcott instead of Crouch. I don't like Crouch also.
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Agreed. Yet another game where crouch contributed nothing. His lankyness means he cant do runs and he is a very poor header for his hieght.
 
Tru said:
Here's how I see it. The fans shelled out €100's to get to the world cup, their talisman has just scored a last minute goal when defeat looked certain, who gives a toss about the next game? Who gives a toss about tomorrow? Party. I know I would. But whatever works for you. :)
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well I would be dissapointed slightly. Hopefully they will beat the germans but it will be really tough against the host nation.
 
Three defenders were at fault for the goal, don't blame Sol. I also thought Hargreaves could have done more for the 2nd goal, when he stopped tracking the two attackers.

Furthermore, Beckham had an absolutely wretched game. He lost Allback who flicked in at the near post (should Beckham really have been marking him anyway?) and didn't put anything together either from a set piece or from the right wing.

Lots of positives from the game though - Joe Cole and Gerrard playing very well overall, Crouch was dropping deep and doing the simple stuff well (apart from winning headers... which everyone knows he should do more of...) Ashley cole and Joe cole combining well in places too. Everybody seemed shaky in defense from corners though - Paul Robinson really needs something to get his confidence up he doesn't seem 100% at the moment.

There's nothing wrong with scraping through - Brazil did the same in the last world cup and there's something to be said with building on performances and results, and always looking to improve and move on.
 
Loki said:
Thats like saying you will forgoe playing well for getting results. Thats a nonsense as England do have the players to put in a good footballing performance and get results.
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nope im being patriotic and positive, and at the end of the results are key surely, if we win the world cup but play badly I know I wouldn't cry :p
 
Same old same old, yes we're through but i'm not happy how it's been acheived. Sven's decision to only bring 4 attackers is realyl paying off now especialyl considering 2 of them were injured. Defoe should be in the squad if he isnt going to play Walcott as he would definately have gone on in that situation. Absolutely ridiculous, yet again all back for the last 20-30 minutes, it's pathetic and will get us knocked out against a semi decent team.
 
Defoe and Bent should have been there instead of Jenas and Walcott. I wonder what more Bent could have done during the season to have gone along to the World Cup? Is it because he's just at Charlton?
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our movement/passing needs improvement

j cole - needs to pass more when cutting inside
beckham - hasnt got used to this ball
lampard - needs better movement
carragher - stop making mistakes, always a dead end once he gets ball
hargreaves - better, but dragged out of position sometimes
rooney - good to get 70 minutes, he will be better next game
a cole - suffers from joe cole being a tad selfish at times
robinson - good saves, kicked ball too far too crouch in last 30 minutes
 
Mmmmmm

Poor, **** poor in fact. Felt we did fairly well in the first half, restricted Sweden, and scored a cracker of a goal. The 2nd half twice Beckham lost his man at a corner and Sweden scored and hit the bar. We looked dodgy at the back and with the 2nd goal what was Terry, Campbell, Hargreaves and Robinson doing? Robinson doesn't appear to offer and confidence in his back 4, and isn't commanding at all, he either sits on his line, or flaps at crosses ala T&T.

Why no Theo? Crouch was on a yellow, and Gerrard isn't a striker. Now you can hardly expect Theo to come on in the 2nd phase and change the game. Sven should have faith, I saw a 19 Central Midfielder change a game yesterday. Why bring Theo if he is scared to play him.

We should beat Ecuador, but I don't see us going any further.
 
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