posted Oct 14, 2009

I sincerely hope that I NEVER EVER have to see Wes Brown play centre back for England, right back ok. As for saying Foster is more reliable than James, well from what I have seen I would say that it was Foster who had been making the mistakes.

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Firstly why wouldn't you want to see Brown at CB for England? You say OK at RB but he's a far far better CB than RB. He's certainly the most talented CB these Isles have ever produced so why so against him playing? Are you Scottish?

Secondly I nebver said Foster was more reliable than James, I said Green was. I said James is very up and down he brilliant one minute but can just as easily cost you the match with a shocker, watch than Denmark friendly for a ful veiw of what he's capable of doing... Foster is making mistakes at the moment, but other than James hes the only English goalkeeper to look comfortable in an england shirt since Seaman retired. Kirkland hasn't been given the chance yet, whilst Green hasn't really taken it and Carson and Robinson well what can I say?

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posted Oct 14, 2009

I fear tomorrows game will largely be a waste of time. If saturday is anything to go by England's senior players will take it easy, leading to a failure to play with any impetus.

Under these circumstances it will be very difficult for the 'new' players to make much of a contribution.

Back on topic, Capello does not have options, he has problems.

His best keeper and center back partnership are clearly past their best but their are no worthwhile alternatives.

He has a right back who can not defend, a left midfielder who plays anywhere but on the left and a center forward who can not score.

What is worse is that there are few if any decent options in these positions and with just 3 or 4 games left before the business REALLY starts we do not have time to find any!

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posted Oct 14, 2009

FlingitNow, personally I think Robinson did look comfortable in goal as he began to establish himself after Seaman.

However, a couple of mistakes and continual scruity by the English press destroyed his confidence, which effected his form at Spurs.

I think this season if he plays well for Blackburn I see no reason why he can't be challenging for the Number 1 jersey again.

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posted Oct 14, 2009

personally I think Robinson did look comfortable in goal as he began to establish himself after Seaman.

However, a couple of mistakes and continual scruity by the English press destroyed his confidence, which effected his form at Spurs.

I think this season if he plays well for Blackburn I see no reason why he can't be challenging for the Number 1 jersey again.

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Fair enough, I never thought he looked totally confident even when he was playing "well". But he certainly wasn't making the sort of mistakes that saw him lose the shirt one of which at least was not his fault (the bobble against Croatia was just one of those things, if anything Gaz was at fault for passing back on target).

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posted Oct 14, 2009

FlingitNow: From your first post you suggested that Foster, in your opinion along with Kirkland, were Englands best choices, that is what I was referring to and certainly at present I prefer James. Whilst Im not saying he is infallible Green has looked a bit edgey in his few starts and was rather fortuitous to get away with a few sloppy clearances the other month.

With regards to the comment: Firstly why wouldn't you want to see Brown at CB for England? You say OK at RB but he's a far far better CB than RB. He's certainly the most talented CB these Isles have ever produced so why so against him playing? Are you Scottish?

I am certainly not Scottish just because I don't appreciate Wes Brown as much as you do! In my opinion to say that Wes Brown is the most talented centre back these Isles have ever had is just ludicrous. If he is that good why is Ferdinand and Vidic when fit ahead of him or are you saying Sir Alex has it wrong or that Vidic is better than every British centre back ever?! Whilst he may look better for Utd and centre-back rather than right back England have little cover for the RB berth and need him for that reason. But I would not chose him ahead of Ferdinand, Terry, Upson or Cahill all of whom are first team regulars when fit.

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posted Oct 14, 2009

OddRiverOakWizards

Firstly I said for this game Foster or Kirkland (well I said I'd choose Kirkland). We know all about James (his strengths and weaknesses) and personally I'm not entirely convinced him so now seems a good chance to look at other options.

Neither Terry nor Upson have looked good enough at this level. Brown has on the few occasions he's been given a chance.

The reason Brown doesn't start at CB for United is because of his fitness record. He has out shone the likes of Jaap Stam (at the age of 21) and Rio Ferdinand when partnered with him. He got injured Vidic came in and the rest in history. However the fact remains that United conceded few goals, scored more goals and got more points per game with Rio and Brown as a pair than Rio and Vidic.

Also Fergie sees Rio and Brown as too similar and prefers to partner one with Vidic. Who would you pick the better centreback but he's constantly getting injured and isn't a leader or organiser and cost you nothing. Or one of the best leaders in the squad who (up to that point) had rarely had injury concerns and you'd spent £30m on!

Fergie says Brown is the most talented CB he's ever worked with and given the role call of CBs United have had under Fergie that tells you something.

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posted Oct 14, 2009

spoony in my opinion shaun wright phillips is not international class he cant play at this level

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posted Oct 15, 2009

When are we going to get a serious presenter on 606. It isn't worth getting on the telephone for. Shaun Wright Phillips loses the ball too often and did little apart fro scoring his goal.It is all very well having fullbacks who are good going forward, but they also need to be reliable in defence, when it comes to the big games.

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posted Oct 19, 2009

There are a number of reasons why England SHOULD win a WC tournament, but, unfortunately because of the English coaching system at junior levels, even more significant reasons why they WONT.

They reasons they should are:
*Gerrard
*Rio
*Joe Cole
*Rooney

The reasons they WONT are:
*Terry
*A Cole
*The very idea that Crouch is considered for selection
*No goalkeeper worthy of the name
*No strikers worthy of the name

Football is as simple and as complicated as you want to make it. Put simply, as individual players, each and every one of us is valued by their ability to make the BALL do what you intend to do with it when the FOOT makes contact with it.

There is a clue in the name of the game.

As a team game it is generally recognised that the team with balance (that is the right level of players in the right position) will win tournaments. England basically have absoulutely nothing up front and nothing on the left side of the line-up. Most goals (if not all of them) conceded by England in the tournament will come down their left flank. This is primarily because there are limited left wing options, a situation not helped by the fact there are two inept defenders on that side of the pitch (Terry and A Cole).

None of this can be compensated for, not even if England had a selection of decent strikers to choose from (they haven't).

No, I am afraid however, much Joe Cole, Rooney and Gerrard work to save the nation from entering several days of navel gazing/depression, it ain't going to happen.

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posted Oct 23, 2009

The expressions of this writer suggests a bit of his technical knowledge. However, I believe his concerns will be considered if he's a technical advisor to Fabio Capello. On the other hand, i think he needs a self-assurance that, the English national team is in the hands of a very capable personality. After so many unsuccessful attempts to have a shot at the World title, the English F.A needed a coach with a proven track record and i think they made the right choice. From my personal view-point, i think he's been able to transform the team into a winsome side, he's building an all inclusive team, getting on board any player that can fit into his strategy. From his days with Juventus to AC Milan to Juventus to Real Madrid, he was results oriented. A coach of his magnitude does not demand too many criticisms. What fascinated me about his career to win the LA-LIGA was when he used a bemused, demoralized and a near talentless Real Madrid side to win the league about two seasons ago. It will surprise this writer to note that, under his cute spectacles, Capello has already seen all the loopholes. A coach that talks of moving England from a contender to the World Cup to a real champion, knows exactly what he's about. In fact he will be the man to beat in South Africa.

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