England Fans

Jamie Carragher well you wont win anything with Liverpull

Sat, 08 May 2010 16:31:08 +0100

The papers are saying that Jamie Carragher is considering that his only chance of silverware in the near future is to swallow some pride and come back to the international fold. He has not played for England since 2007 and now that Signore Capello is in charge the 32 year old may feel that the ‘inconsistency of McClaren and Eriksson is a thing of the past. With Rio Ferdinand’s injury seeming to chug on forever, doubts over Gareth Barry’s fitnees, doubts over the ability of Ledley King to last a tournament and Upson and Lescott not being wholly convincing at centre half at the highest level Carragher’s inclusion into Tuesday’s initial 30 man squad would be good news.

Carragher is used to playing against top attackers week in week out for Liverpull, he has been to a world cup before so lets welcome him back with open arms should he take up Fabio’s invitation - who knows he might even get a game, one thing though, brush up on ya penalties Jamie lad.

The Great English Turkey Shoot

Tue, 04 May 2010 03:12:32 +0100

A little over two and a half years ago as I watched an abject England team finally fall off the rails during a wet night in London, you could hear the press sharpening their pencils like daggers. There were shades of the last English manager at the last Wembley. But this time, whatever was said in the post match press conference, you knew there was going to be no excuses to satisfy the ‘baying hoards’ of fans and journalists alike.

We all love a ‘rags to riches’, and this I must admit is one of the finest I’ve witnessed in years.

I have to take my hat off to Steve ‘the wally with the brolly’ McClaren. Yesterday saw FC Twente crowned the Dutch Champions for the first time in their history and to put that into perspective, it’s almost the equivalent of Villa winning the premier league.

He is a man I have never warmed to, and I could hardly believe the arrogance he brandished with such serenity at his inaugural press conference after another flunked campaign from the FA to land their man (behind Scolari and Mourinho). To be fair, I don’t hold him accountable for his appointment, that must be layed at the feet of the English press and an anemic Brian Barwick, but ultimately the results and failure of a ‘more than able’ side to qualify for the Euro’s was well below the required grade. The axe fell swiftly and McClaren was banished to the wastelands of English football.

His stock had fallen, and even he admitted that the best he could hope for was a return to England’s second tier the following season. But after receiving a crucifixion on a near biblical scale, no could blame him for slipping out the back door. The turkey had left the building, and not a soul noticed.

His appointment to FC Twente, obviously came as a small surprise to the relative few who could be bothered to cast a lazy glance across the north sea, but it otherwise went unnoticed. He picked up a team, who were on gradually rise through the the dutch league initialed with consecutive fourth place finishes in previous seasons, and hoisted them into the Champions League Qualifying for the first time in their history. For the 09/10 season, they flew out for the blocks, and with the additions of Ronnie Stam and Bryan Ruiz, both whom signed by McClaren (the latter notching up 32 goals), they march toward a first league title leaving league champions AZ 24 points behind. The ‘usual suspects’ PSV and Feyenoord were left by the way side, and even fallen giant Ajax couldn’t halt the charge. The sweet sweet smell of humble pie began to waft back across the north sea.

He became the latest English manager to win a title overseas since the late, great Sir Bobby guided FC Porto to the top spot in ‘95/’96. While many of our homegrown managers cast into footballs murky backwaters prefer to let off stink and seek compensation, he waived it all and took a plunge down a barely beaten path emerging with that large grin and dodging dutch accent not looking so stupid after all. While he lacks the Great Sir Bobby’s warmth and charisma, there is definitely a parallel emerging between the two. The lambasting of Bobby after ‘86 was, let’s face it, verbal GBH and continuing with the dignity he did through to the 1990 world cup secretly pissed our wonderful array of tabloids off even more, but it wasn’t until he disappeared and emerged in Portugal with a couple of league titles and flying the nations flag, he started to receive the recognition he deserved.

I once read an article by sky’s Nick Collins, in which he wrote:

“Football is not a democracy. The FA does not spend millions a year to appoint a man tasked with sifting through the English fans best opinions and implementing them on the pitch”

If you can find, its one of the best articles I’ve read.

Although, I acknowledge McClarens reign in charge of the national team was a catastrophe, I did believe in the appointment of an English manager, and still do. Harry Redknapp should have every right to feel short changed by the FA, and thier obvious apprehensive front toward our national coaches. But every nation has thier fair share of turkeys, the most notable of late, Roberto Donatoni, in which he successfully dismantled a world winning squad in less than two years, resulting in a laboured attempt at Euro ‘08. While other countries continue to experiment and we laugh at the consequences, before launching an outrageous broadside at our very own, our philosophy of picking the best and most expensive off the shelf is pretty paltry, and reeks of desperation. But I suppose that’s what happens when you leave men with penchants for ‘prawn sandwiches’ and each others wrist watches running the show.

With Sir Bobby now canonized and Steve ‘the wally’ looking to continue his adventure at Werder Bremen in Germany, I hope one day to have a home grown coach leading us out in the Maracana Stadium in 2014. Because when we finally triumph after 120 minutes of emotional soul destruction and 7 penalties…we can honestly say its our own.

No offence Fabio.

People say I am paranoid

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:41:00 +0100

In 41 days the world cup starts and in 42 days we have to tear up our special relationship with Uncle Sam and finally take revenge for the defeat they inflicted upon us 60 years ago in Brazil when a man called Joe Gaetjens scored the goal that defeated an England team full of later days starts such as Alf Ramsey, Billy Wright and Tom Finney.

Now the USA are a good team, last year in the confederation cup they beat a full strength Spain 2-0 and gave Brazil a good game too. A fit, full strength England should be able to put them to the sword, but just how fit is the potential squad? Rio Ferdinand has hardly played for United this year and every time he makes a comeback he gets injured again. Cover for John Terry’s partner in the heart of defence is also falling like the blossom in my garden as injury has struck Joleyn Lescott and Ledley King. Is it time for Matthew Upson or Michael Dawson to step up? West Ham’s Upson has played well in a poor team this year, so he has had plenty of practice. Dawson has had a good season but can he handle the pressures of a world cup we are expected to do well in?

Ashley Cole is on the comeback trail but Chelsea have kept him on the bench - will he be matchfit? With Wayne Bridge still smarting from his fall out with John Terry that leaves the unexpierienced Stephen Warnock or Leighton baines at left back.

In midfield, Gareth Barry has picked up a knock, Joe Cole is struggling for form and Owen hargreaves has not kicked a ball in anger for over 2000 years.

But worst of all what is going on with Wayne Rooney, how bad is that groin injury? We always seem to loose a talisman before a big tournament, remember Beckham in 2002 and in 2006 both Rooney and Owen suffered metatarsal problems in the run up to the finals. Am I paranoid or is history threatening to repeat itself?

If all goes well in group c what could happen next?

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:54:58 +0100

Well, if the England team overcomes the potential banana skins in group C they will be rewarded by a match against Group Ds top 2 which could be any of the following

Germany – the old enemy and likely winners of group d so runners up in our group will probably meet them – so best to win our group really because although Germany are not the force they once were they have a good world cup pedigree and are best avoided

Australia – full of spirit, ultra competitive and would really like tonking the poms at our national game especially as we took the Ashes back off them last summer – if this fixture comes up it will be a cracker and with lots of Aussies in the UK the pubs will be rocking

Serbia – Topped a qualification group that included France so no mugs but inconsistent, in the qualifying group they beat Rumania 5-0 and then promptly lost 2-1 in Lithuania 4 days later – might easily be a surprise package but then again.

Ghana – The Black Stars – runners up at this years African Cup of nations narrowly losing to a late Egyptian goal, the squad ply their trade throughout Europe- their hopes will depend on Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien’s fitness – if he is at his competitive best they can get out of their group

Beyond this stage we could be looking at another meeting with the Argentineans’, now managed by the owner of the hand of god so wouldn’t it be nice to send them back home at the quarter final stage.

Come in Number 10

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:00:56 +0100

When the England team disembark into the South African sunshine in a little under two months time, I hope one player in particular is on board that plane.

For all the hype surrounding Rooney, Gerrard and a certain Achilles heel (or lack of it), one player in particular should be ignored by England’s opposition at their peril.

Spotted at the age of 11 and catapulted onto the nations radar after scoring 7 goals in an 8-0 mauling of Spain at school boy level, there is no denying Joe Cole is an outrageous talent. Tipped to fill the huge boots left by a certain Paul Gascoigne, a multi-million pound move to Chelsea, fine form and solid performances in the 2006 qualifying campaign, resulted in a starting birth for the 2006 world cup and that goal against Sweden. But in recent seasons, ‘Chez Cole’ has gone quite. A series of serious injuries and a lack of faith from several managers has not helped his cause, but the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti and a switch to a role inside seems to have stirred the beast.

Mourinho never denied the talent, and much like Eriksson for the national side, dwelled on his versatility across the final third of the pitch to fill positions shared with more naturally adept attackers (e.g. Robben, Duff and latterly Malouda). For England its been filling a void on the left side of a four man midfield, a saga that seems older than the lightning seeds, and shows no sign of letting up ever since Ryan Giggs defection to the Welsh.

Cole I feel is far from the candidate. He’s much more important than that.

Cole possess the creativity, skill and flair the team in 2006 so badly lacked (At the same stage before elimination in the quarter finals England had scored 6 compared to eventual top scorers Germany’s 11…yes Germany)

I’m not going to pretend I’m the next managerial messiah, and start spilling analogies about omelettes and Waitrose (after all this isn’t Football Manager) but I do see a correlation (not regarding omelettes).

The Italian invasion of our shores has brought with it an ‘ideology’ we as football fans have fallen in love with, one most of us mortals try to recreate on a Saturday afternoon in the car park, or at work with the fax containing the company pension schemes.

The role of ‘10’

Few managers on these shores have implemented it with any real success. The two major exceptions being Ferguson (Sheringham) and Wenger (Bergkamp). If England are to compete this summer, then diversity is going to be key, and we have the tools. The arrival of Capello is half the battle. Capello has always enforced playing very controlled and disciplined football, leaving the creative input of the team to the flanks and the ‘10’ behind the main striker (Totti at Roma, Del Piero at Juve & Raul at Madrid).

With two solid midfielders in front of the back four, most likely Barry and Lampard, and Gerrard lending support from the left, Cole could flourish. A sublime first touch, brilliant vision and the ability to beat 4 men in a square yard (see youtube against Man Utd) has been supplemented over the years with a discipline, determination and work rate to match. No longer is he considered the ‘luxury player’ he was once described.

Steel has been added to the soft leather.

I firmly believe the sky is literally the limit for the little maverick from Campden, but his fitness and own measure of success will determine just what heights he and England reach. If England are to succeed, they cannot rely one man, but they could use another hero. After all, it is the World Cup 2010

Eight weeks until FIFA World Cup 2010!

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:58:22 +0100

keegn:

Just FYI.

Group C Potential banarama?

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:29:15 +0100

Diary dates

12/06 20:30Rustenburg England-USA
60 years ago at the world cup in Brazil the USA beat England (Alf Ramsey, Billy Wright and Tom Finney and all) 1-0 thanks to a Joe Gaetjens goal. Will we at last avenge that defeat or will Clint Demsey and Tim Howard recreate one of the world cups greatest upsets: PREDICTION 2-1 ENGLAND

18/06 20:30 Cape Town England-Algeria
Algeria are not to be taken lightly – they beat West Germany in the 1982 finals and got to the semi finals of this years African Cup of Nations losing 0-4 to great rivals Egypt all be it only having 8 men on the pitch at the final whistle. So if the Algerians lose their discipline and self destruct in the pressure cooker of a world cup all will be well, on the other hand the desert foxes are capable of pulling off a shock on their day especially if they can get under our skins and getting one of ours sent off : PREDICTION 2-0 ENGLAND18/06

23/06 16:00 Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth England V Slovenia
England were not entirely convincing when they beat Slovenia 2-1 at Wembley last September, can you remember the game? No thought not, a Lampard penalty and a long range Defoe effort did the trick, we did hit the woodwork a couple of times, and 6 substitutions stopped the game flowing. This time we predict Slovenia will need a win to progress so a physical game is expected, something we should cope with: PREDICTION 3-1

The case for the defence - Storm's choice

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:08:08 +0100

The first name on my teamsheet would have been John Terry before Wayne Bridgegate, to be honest I could not care less who JT is having a fling with, but his form dipped after all the media attention and the non handshake palyground spat at the Bridge. There is no doubt in my opinion that JT has to go to SA and his form is on the up, but is he a starter - yes he is! He is brave, reads the game well and is a leader (perhaps even without the armband). A must for the plane and definate starter if his form continues to improve post - he experienced and is proven class .

Rio Ferdinand - Fabio’s captain so he is in. The questions are; is he fit? is he still a ball watcher? Well I think he and Terry are our best centre backs and barring injury they will start.

The first choice left back is Ashley Cole and word is he will be fit by late April. I would ask Leighton Baines to dust off his passport as Cole’s cover because Wayne Bridge has burnt his bridges as far as I am concerned - he does not want to play for his country in the greatest tournament on earth so we must accept his decision and move on.

Right back is Glen Johnson who is a better defender than he is given credit for and he is very good at going forward. We could cover him with versatile but erratic Wes Brown, but he can give the impression of lacking confidence at international level.

Back up for the centre backs is interesting; West Ham’s Matthew Upson is a solid and dependable centre back and Wes Brown can also cover centre back as well as full back as can Everton’s Joleyn Lescott. Ledley King is a class act but injury prone as is his Spurs team mate Jonathan Woodgate, but could Michael Dawson be a late addition to the squad he is coming into form at the right time.

Other outsiders are Manchester City’s Micah Richards who was a rising star a couple of years back but has fallen down the pecking order. We also have the luxury of two midfielders who may be on the plane such as Gareth Barry and James Millner who can drop into a back four

amy-eve: Cool pub, I can’t wait for the World Cup, come on...

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:22:01 +0100

amy-eve:

Cool pub, I can’t wait for the World Cup, come on England :D

Darren got his… get yours too at...

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:12:00 +0100

Darren got his… get yours too at http://EnglandWorldCupFlag.com

Who is in your 23 - Storms Goalkeepers

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:36:17 +0100

So imagine there are no more injuries in the coming weeks, who would you put on the plane to South Africa

Goalkeepers

We have had our fair share of world class keepers (Banks, Shilton, Seaman) but the current crop lack experience and are prone to the odd gaff, so my three custodians of the posts are

Robert Green - West Ham United - 8 caps and played in the last warm against Egypt so he may sneak in to the starting 11. Solid if not spectacular.

David James - Portsmouth - can be brilliant but can also be god damm awful. I fear he will be first chioce and that means i will always have a nagging feeling the ball may slip between his legs or he may needlessly upend an opposition player. At least he will keep the back four on their toes if he is selected

Joe Hart - Manchester City currently on loan at Birmingham City - born in Shrewsbury so just about within the border. Probably not Capellos first choice because he has only played once - a fine young keeper but this tournament is too early in his career for him - shame as I think he is the best of the current crop.

What do you think - should Robinson or Kirkland go, is clamity James our man, would you trust Hart?

England Team Talk Me, Budgie, Dirtbox, Chinese Alan, Dino and...

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:56:59 +0100

England Team Talk

Me, Budgie, Dirtbox, Chinese Alan, Dino and Dino’s brother…

Get yer England flags!

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:44:43 +0100

Get yer England flags!:

Actually, it’s not a flag as such… it’s more of a window poster. Check it out…