posted Oct 9, 2007

I thought artificial pitches were banned. Russia should have been forced to lay grass, even if it is temporary.

Makes no difference anyway, Russia looked a poor side at Wembley and I can't see them troubling England. Only problem could come from crosses, given Paul Robinson's form currently.

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posted Oct 9, 2007

milano..MacLoser only picks IT players...Oh he is earning £100,000 a week he must be a good player...WRONG..the guy has a good agent....

MacLoser should have got it by now that a team isnt about having the best 11 players its about 11 guys who play as a winning team.

Despite the MacLosers ineptitude we may well qualify only to lose to Germany in the 1/4 finals on penalties..ITs Groundhog Day time!!!!

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posted Oct 9, 2007

Qualification has not been achieved yet by any means. Yes, we'll beat Estonia and not lose to Croatia at home, but that means we need at least a draw in Moscow, or hope that Israel hold Russia...

It's got to be a worry that UEFA allowed the Russians to get away with a plastic pitch for such an important game. Whatever Scottish etc. commentators on this forum may say, this pitch will aid Russia, a somewhat lightweight, but very skilful and nippy side, against English players who would fare better on cold, wet, but not waterlogged, grass. These are typical 'British' Autumn / Winter conditions, which is what they would have got elsewhere in Moscow at this time(frozen-pitch merchants please check facts).

All in all, if I were Steve McClaren I'd be at least checking estate agents' websites for upmarket gaffs within easy reach of Middlesborough, just in case- though I hope that Gareth turns it round up there before it comes to that, and that I'm wrong about the machinations of the Russian FA and our friends at UEFA...

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posted Oct 9, 2007

I find it amazing that we are being made to play on this artificial surface for such an important game, they will surely have an unfair advantage! Football is meant to be played on grass and thats it! If the grass is ready in Moscow then dam well move it to a pitch that is.

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posted Oct 9, 2007

MunichMadrid7980
"Whatever Scottish etc. commentators on this forum may say, this pitch will aid Russia."
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Where have you read this? I made a comment last week which was against Russia doing this. My comment is on page 2 if you want to read it.

You will also have to be aware of Russia heavily watering the pitch as they did before the Celtic game in August, the ground would not have been freezing then as the temperature there was around 25C then.

"They heavily watered the pitch" link:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/6944633.stm

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posted Oct 9, 2007

Premier league clubs do that all the time depending on the way they play (I think it was the Gooners groundsman that admitted as much on soccer am). I think we should stop making excuses before the game starts and just go and play the game! I reckon it'll be tight but I'm sure we'll take 3pts.

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posted Oct 9, 2007

I have to say that the only Scots with direct experience of this pitch, i.e. Celtic, hated it. Also if they are laying turf for the European Cup final why are they being allowed to use this artificial surface for internationals?

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posted Oct 9, 2007

Didn't mean just Scots, though there have been a few, and what happened to Celtic in Moscow was also cheating. I hope the upshot is the same, ie the cheats don't prosper, but as I wrote, if I were Steve Mac I'd be checking out the Teeside des res situation just in case, 'cos England's qualification hangs by a thread. For the record, I hope Scotland qualify, and in doing so keep the messieurs at 'ome.

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posted Oct 9, 2007

these guys are pros they should be able to play effectively on grass, sand, mud wet grass wet fake grass, the pitch isnt and shouldnt be used as an exscuse if england loose, which im sure they wont paul robinson must not start!!!

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posted Oct 9, 2007

TO WATSON320!!! hey! what a stupid thing to mention on

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/6944633.stm

We all know what we had in Glazgow and everybody saw what a lucky team was Celtic that evening when it had a draw. To think that the pitch was watered is a better way than to confess that your team was hopeless at that moment of game and fortunately for your couch it's not beaten in 20 min of the game.

Anyway, a team of England's level must WIN EACH opponents in any condition: rain, mud, aching heads, earthquakes atc. Your disgraceful complaints proves that you CAN'T make a good team of the best players in the world. We've learned it definitely after the game against Croatia And be quite brave to declare that, having wicked cool players, you aren't one of the top teams in the world ...

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