The International Football Thread

[Daedalus]

We'll be in even more trouble down the left side if 'Stevie G' does his usual lazy drifting about on the left flank and decides that he doesn't need to track back in Capello's lop-sided 4-4-2. Not a fan of Gerrard on the left, in case you can't tell. ;D

Do you guys really think Lampard and Gerrard will be able to sort themselves out if they play together in central midfield? I suppose if anyone can do it, Fabio can.

I liked Boomer's team except I'm not too sure who I would have as goalkeeper. I'm also not overly keen on the central midfield partnership and I'd probably have Crouch in instead of Heskey if I was picking the team. The back four, the wide players and Rooney would be spot on for me.

What's the latest news on Barry? I take it he is potentially missing one or two group games?

Personally, I'd still like a 4-2-3-1 with Gerrard playing off Rooney and Lampard with Barry in the midfield.

Anyway, I hope you'll all be entering the SCT's prediction competition: saintschat.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trust&action=display&thread=237&page=1

[Daedalus]

I see that Brian Glanville isn't feeling too positive about our chances:

All that sycophantic praise for Fabio Capello with which, though I’ve known and appreciated him for so many years, I never joined in, is now looking flatulent and even fatuous. For where, at this alarmingly late stage is the team?

All very well Lionel Messi – will he get on better now with the explosive Diego Maradona? – saying that England can win the World Cup. How? It is, of course, hardly Capello’s fault if James Milner, who had long looked like a potential trump card, on the wings or off them, should suddenly lose form. Unrecognisable at Wembley in two different positions, not even used in Graz. Nor can Capello possibly be blamed for Gareth Barry’s lingering injury. Nor for the fact that England cannot call on a single decent playmaker, in the high traditions of Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne.

Has he, moreover, at long last solved the problem of dualism posed by Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard? Andy Townsend, on television after the Graz game, was most insistent that they could play in central midfield together as they at last did, in the second half. But the duplication is obvious and I’d still prefer to see Gerrard in his Liverpool role, playing just behind the invaluable Rooney who could hardly be indulged with the presence of the non scoring Emile Heskey as a kind of valet.

;D

[Saint]

C'mon England!!!!

[Saint]

Barry is missing the frist group game vs USA. After that, it is not known but he could be back in time for the 2nd group game.

[Daedalus]

Squad numbers:

1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart

Check out these 'Hometown Tributes' - www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery/2010/jun/03/england-hometown-tributes

[Daedalus]

Crouchy as number 9.

[Saint]

Jun 2, 2010 23:08:49 GMT Daedalus said:

Crouchy as number 9.

My England away kit from 2008-2010 has number 9 on it, except it's Rooney on the back. ;D

[Daedalus]

Peter Crouch has the third-highest goals-per-game ratio of any England player in the past 50 years:

1. Jimmy Greaves 57/44/0.77

2. Gary Lineker 80/48/0.60

3. Peter Crouch 38/21/0.55

4. Geoff Hurst 49/24/0.49

5. Alan Shearer 63/30/0.48

6. Mick Channon 44 /21/0.48

7. Bobby Charlton 106 /49/0.46

8. Michael Owen 89/40/0.45

9. David Platt 62/27/0.44

10. Wayne Rooney 60/25/0.42

(20 goals to qualify)

[COYS]

So, it emerged today that captain Rio Ferdinand has had to withdraw from England's World Cup squad as a result of a knee injury suffered in the dying embers of this morning's training session. Tottenham centre back Michael Dawson will travel to South Africa to replace him, while Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard assumes the captaincy.

How big a blow is this to England's chances? Will Steven Gerrard be a good captain? What kind of impression will Michael Dawson makes, if any?

Personally, I am optimistic that this will not ruin England's chances. If anything, it may enhance them. Rio Ferdinand has been a liability to United this season, and there were doubts over his fitness anyway. He has laboured through the warm-up matches, and I think players like Upson and King will play better as they have something to prove. They are more than capable of partnering John Terry - especially King - and I think Rio Ferdinand is one of those players who has been favoured by Capello due to reputation rather than form.

Furthermore, it leaves Steven Gerrard with the captain's armband. He is a born match winner, and this may go some way to helping him rediscover his Liverpool form, with England. He can become the leader that he is for Liverpool, and drag England to victory by the scruff of their neck. It also allows John Terry to assume a more marshalling role at the back. He can retake that captain's position he was so good at, something he couldn't do with his replacement right next to him. There are those who mourn the loss of Ferdinand as a leader on the pitch, but we have plenty. Gerrard, Terry, Rooney, Lampard, James - even the likes of Gareth Barry and Joe Cole have captained their club sides on occasion.

One grouch I do have, however, is the calling up of Michael Dawson at centre back. If truth be told, we don't need him. We have Terry, Upson, King and Jamie Carragher. Michael Dawson will not get close to getting on the pitch. I think we would have been better calling someone up who at least has a chance of making an impact on the pitch - perhaps even Theo Walcott.

So there's my opinion, what does everyone else think?

[Saint]

Just 3 days left!!!!!!!!!!! No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/banana_dance.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/woohoo.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/drinking_buddies2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/wine.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/notworthy.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/happy2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/yes.gif ;D

C'MON ENGLAND!

[Daedalus]

Are you excited or something Saint?

Don't forget to enter the Saints City Trust competition by Friday everyone!

[Saint]

I certainly am excited!!!!!! 2 DAYS! No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/bow.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/drinking_buddies2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/beer_buddies.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/notworthy.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/woohoo.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/wine.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/yes.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/wave.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/happy2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/banana_dance.gif ;D

[Daedalus]

Jun 9, 2010 18:16:32 GMT Saint said:

I certainly am excited!!!!!! 2 DAYS! No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/bow.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/drinking_buddies2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/beer_buddies.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/notworthy.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/woohoo.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/wine.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/yes.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/wave.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/happy2.gif No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/banana_dance.gif ;D

You're getting me excited now Saint!

I'm looking forward to seeing as many of the games as I can. It's a great chance to see lots of different footballing styles and cultures.

I'm not sure how much I'm looking forward to the England matches. It's always too nerve-wracking to be honest!

I always find it nerve-wracking when I'm watching a team I support. When watching the Saints, I often tend to pace up and down during particularly tense moments. With England in big tournaments though, it's sometimes even worse, especially when it's knock-out time!

[Daedalus]

Well South Africa v Mexico enthralled me, while France v Uruguay left me feeling a bit frustrated at the lack of adventure shown especially by the former.

What does today hold in store? Hopefully an England win!

Come on England!

[Daedalus]

I assume we will be playing in white today as we are technically the 'home' side? Anyone know?

[COYS]

Yep, we are in white today, D - whether that's a good omen, I'm not sure.

[Daedalus]

Thanks COYS. I thought it would be white.

Eagerly anticipating our opening match now. No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/woohoo.gif

[Hatboy]

Green !!!!!

[Daedalus]

I felt very sorry for Green but overall I'm not sure we deserved a win anyway. We didn't control the possession well enough in the first-half and, although we were better in the second, I felt it was probably about even on chances.

Just watching the Germans now with their usual air of control and confidence. Hate to say it but why can't we be more like them!

What side do you think Capello should field in our next match? Should Green stay in goal? Who will partner Terry? Will Barry come back into the centre? Will Heskey start again ahead of Crouch? Lots more questions than answers at the moment.

[Daedalus]

What is it with the constant slow motion replays that they are showing in this World Cup?

I wouldn't mind quite so much but they are almost always close-ups as well and you can hardly see anything worthwhile. Also it seems more likely to be a slow motion close-up of a player or manager shouting something than anything of any real interest!

[Daedalus]

What are people making of the World Cup so far?

Quite a few slow games that aren't particularly enthralling. Nothing much happening in some games and poor passes all over the place. In a number of matches there has been little or no flow to the game for large periods. I've been surprised by the lack of quality in some games.

How come we are not seeing many long shots on target at this World Cup? Is it the ball? The altitude? Last night, I think I saw one of the first decent shots from distance in the Italy match. Today, Ronaldo has just hit the bar with a fine long-range effort. Not many other shots from range stick out in my mind.

Why so many poor games? The pressure of playing at the World Cup? Attitudes from players and managers to the opening game perhaps? Teams playing for a draw and not wanting to get beaten?

Can't help but feel that it has been a poor start to the World Cup for the most part. Short passing sides like Argentina and Germany have impressed but they are the best from a bad bunch. So many misplaced passes and poor shots. Something doesn't seem quite right. Hope it gets better in the next round of group games.

[Daedalus]

Did you know?
Maicon Douglas Sisenando was named as such because his father was a fan of actor Michael Douglas.

From the UEFA website: www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/player=95291/profile/index.html

;D

[COYS]

And Felipe Melo today revealed that he has called his son 'Lineker' - after the legendary English television presenter Gary. I'm not sure what he did before that though, or what he's even got to do with football ....

[Daedalus]

I think maybe it was crisp adverts COYS.

;D

[Daedalus]

I love that story COYS. I couldn't quite believe it.

Apparently Lineker's reaction was as follows:

Lineker, who was the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup, said: "I am extremely flattered, albeit mildly embarrassed."

;D

Source: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8739765.stm

[Daedalus]

Looking forward to watching Bafana Bafana tonight.

Their opening game was probably one of the better matches of the tournament so far. I thought that was a really entertaining game. I really want them to do well and get through the group stages.

[Daedalus]

A World Cup present for you all.

Instant! Online! Vuvuzela!

[Daedalus]

And we have a new emoticon thingy:

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/yuyuyuyu-1.gif

That's Saint 'King of the Castle' next season at CP, I reckon!

;D

[Daedalus]

So what does everyone think of England's chances tonight?

[COYS]

We have a great chance of showing the world that we're contenders tonight - but only a really impressive performance will do so. I'm hoping for at least 3-0 to get us on a good run going into the final group game, with the goal difference to pip the States to first spot, because we really need it.

The World Cup really is coming to life now, the Spain, Argentina and France games have all been entertaining in different ways in recent days, so I'm hoping for more!