World Cup 2010

[philipsteak]

i saw about half an hour of it. it was pretty poor. but then spain only managed to beat the powerhouse of saudi arabia 3-2. and serbia lost to giants new zealand 1-0.

so as langdale says, friendlies mean very little.

[sifi]

... and then either Matthew Upson or Aaron Lennon, depending on whether Pat feels he needs more cover for our crocked defenders or not.

[eFestivals]

Yeah, I thought similar, but I said Huddlestone to miss out and not Johnson. But neither would surprise me.

Though I would be amazed if Lennon stays home.

I should make clear, that list is who I think Pat will leave at home, not necessarily who I would leave at home.

Mind you, it's probably only the case that I'd swap SWP for Lennon, for who gets left behind.

I think it's pretty clear that Pat prefers SWP to Lennon, if for no other reason than SWP being a bit more versatile - and given the number of other players in the squad who could also play on the right (Milner, Cole, Gerrard), it's defo going to be a right sided player that gets left behind.

And given Walott's impact in what was regarded as the biggest game of the qualies at the start of the qualies, along with Lennon having shown himself as no more effective than Walcott in the chances he's had for England, then Lennon loses out to Walcott ... unless it is SWP that gets dumped, tho I can't see that happening.

[Cardboard Box City]

Or alternatively, hides the embarrassment of the England players, cos they're crap.

[eFestivals]

Pat in Italian is Pasquale. Just so you know, like.

Postman Pat in English is Postman Pat. Just so you know, like.

Edited June 1, 2010 by eFestivals

[sifi]

Postman Pat in English is Postman Pat. Just so you know, like.

[ampersand]

Postman Pat in English is Postman Pat. Just so you know, like.

Edited June 1, 2010 by ampersand

[eFestivals]

Are they really? Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Lennon, Milner, Crouch, Glen Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry...

These are crap players are they?

Given how most of those played in the last two games, they certainly are for England.

Football is a team game. It's the best team who wins, not the team who has the best players. Fergie has long sussed that idea.

[Langdale Wolf]

I should make clear, that list is who I think Pat will leave at home, not necessarily who I would leave at home.

Mind you, it's probably only the case that I'd swap SWP for Lennon, for who gets left behind.

I think it's pretty clear that Pat prefers SWP to Lennon, if for no other reason than SWP being a bit more versatile - and given the number of other players in the squad who could also play on the right (Milner, Cole, Gerrard), it's defo going to be a right sided player that gets left behind.

[eFestivals]

Does that make Baldini his black and white cat?

No, that's Stuart Pearce. He's no psycho, he's a pussy cat.

[Langdale Wolf]

Postman Pat in English is Postman Pat. Just so you know, like.

[oafc0000]

BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan: "The BBC understands that the initial fitness test on Gareth Barry was positive and that he looks good to be passed fit to travel to South Africa."

[eFestivals]

I don't think he prefers SWP to Lennon at all. I'd say it's more of a decision between SWP and Johnson, presuming Joe Cole has done enough to warrant a place (which I hope he has).

If it was me, it'd be SWP who stayed at home.

So you think he'll leave Upson? I'm not sure he will, given Rio and King's fitness problems, and the fact that while Carra can cover for them he might be needed at right back.

If it was down to me, I'd be leaving Rio at home. I reckon that 'wave' at the other players on Sunday to place the blame on them for him being more donkey than Butcher or (at his donkey worst, for those old enough to remember) Tony Adams sums up how much he's past it.

[Cardboard Box City]

Given how most of those played in the last two games, they certainly are for England.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Cardboard Box City

[Langdale Wolf]

So you think he'll leave Upson? I'm not sure he will, given Rio and King's fitness problems, and the fact that while Carra can cover for them he might be needed at right back.

[oafc0000]

1137: BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan just told Radio 5 live Gareth Barry is going to be on that plane to South Africa. It's not good news for the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker.

Edited June 1, 2010 by oafc0000

[Langdale Wolf]

King hasn't played the holding role for a long while and his knees wouldn't be able to take it. He said in an interview a while ago that he would play that postion if asked but he doubts he could pull it off anymore.

[eFestivals]

Friendlies mean f**k all.

except of course when England play well, when it's taken as certain proof that they'll win the world cup.

The best team wins in competitive play play, we haven't seen any of that yet and we have the players and the manager for to do well.

A correction for you:-

We have the players and manager that could do well. However, given that they've only played at the same or lower level than they did for Sven, it's looking unlikely.

The only thing Pat has over Sven is making better substitutions - other than that, he has no different ideas.

[Cardboard Box City]

The only thing Pat has over Sven is making better substitutions - other than that, he has no different ideas.

[Langdale Wolf]

How many people value the above opinion?

[oafc0000]

I'd give up if I were you mate.

I think Neil is on a bit of a wind up today.

[eFestivals]

Yes I do. I think anyone who didn't get any game time against Mexico and Japan should be worried.

I pretty much agree - tho according to today's Daily Mail, Warnock is going to be included instead of Baines, and I could see that happening.

By taking King, he has cover for centre half and defensive midfield.

By taking Carragher, he has cover for centre half and right back.

2 players per positon - bye bye Upson and Dawson.

Yep, that's one way of looking at it, but if you consider that King & Rio could be out of it before the first match kicks off, and that Carra or G.Johnson could get injured during the games, that's a risky way to go as we'd be too short of defenders.

Which might well explain why the Mail thinks that Warnock might get the nod before Baines I guess.

[eFestivals]

How many people value the above opinion?

More to the point, where do YOU think that Pat has shown himself as better?

He hasn't. It's been the same England with the same players, and the same no idea. The only difference has been that he's been able to make them play better during a game via the subs he's made, whereas Sven only ever made them play worse with subs.

[Cardboard Box City]

I'd give up if I were you mate.

I think Neil is on a bit of a wind up today.

[Langdale Wolf]

A simple show of hands?