Tackles, balls and Seaman - The footie thread

[Danny Top Hat]

We'll win today.

[Judge Dredd]

We'll win today.

If you are talking about England, I'm boycotting them and watching Ireland v Holland.

I am protesting at the disgraceful conduct of Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Steve McLaren with regard to their comments about Theo Walcott, a fellow professional, who committed the cardinal sin of being picked for his country.

147 seconds to silence the doubters last night.

That's where Gerrard and Lampard should be doing their talking, on the pitch.

Maybe if Theo had been unleashed in Germany we would have seen a bit more commitment on the pitch and be able to be proud of our achievements as opposed to the disgraceful displays that were served up by overpaid, oversexed and overpampered media whores.

[Gnrfan]

We'll win today.

If you are talking about England, I'm boycotting them and watching Ireland v Holland.

I am protesting at the disgraceful conduct of Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Steve McLaren with regard to their comments about Theo Walcott, a fellow professional, who committed the cardinal sin of being picked for his country.

147 seconds to silence the doubters last night.

That's where Gerrard and Lampard should be doing their talking, on the pitch.

Maybe if Theo had been unleashed in Germany we would have seen a bit more commitment on the pitch and be able to be proud of our achievements as opposed to the disgraceful displays that were served up by overpaid, oversexed and overpampered media whores.

Yeah i was suprised they actually said what they said. He is obviously a quality youngster. We know everyone thought it with players like defoe, bent, Johnson and Ashton left behind but to comment about a fellow englishman was wrong IMO

[Jim]

If you are talking about England, I'm boycotting them and watching Ireland v Holland.

I am protesting at the disgraceful conduct of Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Steve McLaren with regard to their comments about Theo Walcott, a fellow professional, who committed the cardinal sin of being picked for his country.

147 seconds to silence the doubters last night.

That's where Gerrard and Lampard should be doing their talking, on the pitch.

Maybe if Theo had been unleashed in Germany we would have seen a bit more commitment on the pitch and be able to be proud of our achievements as opposed to the disgraceful displays that were served up by overpaid, oversexed and overpampered media whores.

We go through six odd years of hell with Sven, and you decide that once we've finally finished that darkest of chapters that, following comments about a little boy, NOW is a good time to boycott England?

What a fool you are.

Defoe to get a hat trick!

[Judge Dredd]

If you are talking about England, I'm boycotting them and watching Ireland v Holland.

I am protesting at the disgraceful conduct of Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Steve McLaren with regard to their comments about Theo Walcott, a fellow professional, who committed the cardinal sin of being picked for his country.

147 seconds to silence the doubters last night.

That's where Gerrard and Lampard should be doing their talking, on the pitch.

Maybe if Theo had been unleashed in Germany we would have seen a bit more commitment on the pitch and be able to be proud of our achievements as opposed to the disgraceful displays that were served up by overpaid, oversexed and overpampered media whores.

We go through six odd years of hell with Sven, and you decide that once we've finally finished that darkest of chapters that, following comments about a little boy, NOW is a good time to boycott England?

What a fool you are.

Defoe to get a hat trick!

Yer, cos Steve McLaren had nothing to do with the previous regime.

Funny how Cashley Cole, who told Arsene Wenger last Thursday that he was not fit for the Aston Villa game this Saturday is in the team.

Funny how McLaren is putting a central midfielder on the right wing. Square pegs in round holes.

Same crap, different clothes.

[Jim]

Yer, cos the players had nothing to do with the previous regime  ,

so by your logic we won't be getting a fresh start until everybody that had to do with the world cup shambles is gone.

I like the way that McClaren has approached the job and I'm now ready and willing to give him a chance.

I don't understand why exactly you bring 'Cashley Cole' ( ) into this, he seems to be on your mind a fair bit,

but playing Gerrard wide right is an experiment, unless of course, what, you expect Lennon to play ninety minutes at international level, when he is barely achieving it at Spurs? Or maybe Shaun Wright-no games-Phillips? Or, even better!, bring back Beckham.

You'd do well to at least give McClaren a game before going off like this.

[Gnrfan]

Just a shame that Ashton got injured and couldn't play.

I hate England friendlys . . Especially without 4 of the best players England have in Beckham, Rooney, Owen and Joe Cole.

Obviously i hope we win . . . I'm just a little disapointed the squad wasn't a bit more experimental. I mean what more could you wanna know about:

G.Neville
A.Cole
Rio
Terry (altho he has to play now)
Lampard
Gerrard

I would have like to have seen some new additions to this New era were supposed to be in.

I'd like to see player like Wes Brown, Luke Young, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Michael Dawson at least get a chance to be in the squad and get a game (Note, i know some of them are in the squad). They were all awesome last year for their clubs last year.

Players like Nolan and Barton surely deserve to be in there ahead of Jenas and Richardson . . . my god we know what they can do!!!!

[Jim]

I understand where you're comming from, but giving them a run out would seem like it would just be for the sake of it, because realistically NONE of those players, the defenders, can challenge for a starting spot yet. Of course you have to look at it with a view that there might be injuries, but I think that at the moment the concentration should be on finding a new starting eleven and allowing them to gel as a team.

Though, in as far as friendlies between qualifiers go, I'm definitely with you.

[Gnrfan]

I understand where you're comming from, but giving them a run out would seem like it would just be for the sake of it, because realistically NONE of those players, the defenders, can challenge for a starting spot yet. Of course you have to look at it with a view that there might be injuries, but I think that at the moment the concentration should be on finding a new starting eleven and allowing them to gel as a team.

Though, in as far as friendlies between qualifiers go, I'm definitely with you.

Yeah and i understand McClaren wants to start with a win. But he could have brought some into the squad . . I mean Jenas . . . Arghhh. I'm a Man Utd fan and i can't believe Richardson is in there or Phil Neville (altho i rate him).

I just seems to me you have to play for a top 6 team or be a favourite like Downing to get a game for England.

I mean look at Gareth Barry and Gary O'Neill. Last Season they were so good for their team along with Barton and Nolan. they should be rewarded.

Thats one thing that Sven got right he gave people a chance. Remember Thompson from Celtic . . I mean he was shit but he got a shot. I dont think McClaren will be so kind. And that sort of English manager erodes our game coz players all wanna move to get their shot . . when they really wanna stay.

Here's the team i'd have started with:

Ben Foster

Luke Young
Jaime Carragher / Wes Brown
John Terry
A. Cole

Steven Gerrard (try him right side.... see how it goes)
Kevin Nolan / Joey Barton (Half Each or something like that)
Owen Hargreaves
Stewart Downing

Crouch
Defoe / Bent / Johnson

I just think it bloods some new players. You can always bring the likes of Lampard, Lennon, Rio and G. Neville on if you want. Just think its a wasted game really.

If we lose were aweful and if we win . . What would we have learned. Probally only that Steven Gerrard is So good that if you played him Right Back he'd be the best in the world.

End of rant. Sorry

[Danny Top Hat]

Well, we won.

[Gnrfan]

Fucking Hell.

4-0

Greece were Shit but still 4-0.

And Lampard i think i speak for all of us here when i say . . . It's about fucking time

Still think we wasted an oppertunity to give some players a try out but a win is a win and a 4-0 win is a great start to hopefully what is a competition winning era

[Izzy]

Owen out for the season and thats effectively his carrerr over - he wont retire but he might as well

This is....what? His 5th-6th major injury? Even if he returns he'll have lost his pace, and wont be anything like what he was - 18 months out at his age and with his history, thats the end

A damn shame, i always hoped he'd come back to Liverpool

[MadmanDan]

Owen out for the season and thats effectively his carrerr over - he wont retire but he might as well

This is....what? His 5th-6th major injury? Even if he returns he'll have lost his pace, and wont be anything like what he was - 18 months out at his age and with his history, thats the end

A damn shame, i always hoped he'd come back to Liverpool

Oh my...such a shame...his career was always troubled by lots of injuries, even when he was playing for Liverpool, but lately it's jut too much. Let's just hope he'll make a Ronaldo-like come-back

[Danny Top Hat]

I doubt he's done and dusted just yet, though I agree he'll have to work without his pace.  He's about 28 now so will have a few more years on him when he gets back.  He'll be slower but will probably have a lot more muscle on him.

It looks like Hargreaves may be on his way to Man Yoo.  It'd be a good signing for them, as they seem never to run out of money anyway.  I'm worried that their squad is getting stronger while Arsenal's is getting weaker.

[MadmanDan]

IIt looks like Hargreaves may be on his way to Man Yoo.? It'd be a good signing for them, as they seem never to run out of money anyway.? I'm worried that their squad is getting stronger while Arsenal's is getting weaker.

That would be great, with Carrick, Hargreaves and a re-born Scholes, MU's midfield woud finally be the team's strong spot, like in 99.

  Ferdie publicly admitted he made a bid, the player said he wants to play for Man Yoo, I don't think Bayern has a chance, but they'll play hard to get, just to squeeze as much of the Glazers' money as posible.

[Izzy]

Well a new forward for Liverpool...

...and this one doesn't arrive with a repuation for being awful behind him

What gives?

How dare they change a trend which has done us proud for years

Fowler, Kuyt, Crouch and Bellamy - looks promising. Crouch is finally starting to win me over - 8 goals in 12 games for England - if u can do well for England then u must be a good player!

I'd imagine Kuyt and Crouch will play up front - Bellamy will be wasted on the wing and Fowler will be our super sub

I have faith this season, top 2 for sure

Did ya know that last season, after the first 4 weeks of the season had passed, no team got more points than Liverpool.....a good start and that title is ours!

[Gnrfan]

Hargreaves would be an interesting signing coz he can play in a few positions and is full of passion and heart.

Between him and carrick i think we have the closest thing to Roy Keane. I'm gonna be interested in how they fit Carrick.Scholes and Hargreaves in along side Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Park

[MadmanDan]

I'm gonna be interested in how they fit Carrick.Scholes and Hargreaves in along side Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Park

That won't be a problem. In a true Manchster United tradition over the last years, they will all get nasty injuries in crucial moments, making Ferguson unable to gel a stanard formation

[Gnrfan]

Well a new forward for Liverpool...

...and this one doesn't arrive with a repuation for being awful behind him

What gives?

How dare they change a trend which has done us proud for years

Fowler, Kuyt, Crouch and Bellamy - looks promising. Crouch is finally starting to win me over - 8 goals in 12 games for England - if u can do well for England then u must be a good player!

I'd imagine Kuyt and Crouch will play up front - Bellamy will be wasted on the wing and Fowler will be our super sub

I have faith this season, top 2 for sure

Did ya know that last season, after the first 4 weeks of the season had passed, no team got more points than Liverpool.....a good start and that title is ours!

As much as i hate to say it coz i hate liverpool. But they are the only team to challenge chelsea this year.

Man Utd are short of fire power and Arsenal are too reliant on Henry.

I think in Sisokoo they have the biggest unsung hero last year and i think he has to be one of the best midfielders in the league.

I'm gonna be interested in how they fit Carrick.Scholes and Hargreaves in along side Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Park

That won't be a problem. In a true Manchster United tradition over the last years, they will all get nasty injuries in crucial moments, making Ferguson unable to gel a stanard formation

True. Whats the betting Saha gets injured in the first 4 games. I'd say alot

[Danny Top Hat]

I think in Sisokoo they have the biggest unsung hero last year and i think he has to be one of the best midfielders in the league.

Wow, I think Sissoko is pretty poor to be honest.  His passing is okay but he can't head the ball for shit and he can't shoot either.  I'd call him average at best.