Football World Cup 2010 - Pre Tournament start - Page 10

**Damien** · 02-06-2010, 09:08

Walcott has had a bad season, not least because he has sat out a lot of it due to Injury and had limited chances to make extended periods of play. It's unfair that people say he is coasting on the hat-trick against Croatia though. He was a good player for Arsenal before and after that and had shown signs of his promise at intervals this season.

punky · 02-06-2010, 09:35

Keown was going on about his explosive pace but he looked so slow. He never once beat his man. Lennon came on and immediately did it. Lennon has also been out a lot with injury. I can't comment on Walcott for Arsenal but for England he has been poor since that Croatia game.

Harry was talking earlier about Dawson and Parker. Why were they even selected? They never even got a chance. Dawson had an excellent season. Both performed well in training. Capello just wasted their time and their emotions.

I'm really am becoming ambivalent about this world cup now. All the team infighting, players out of form, stupid squad selections and tactics, poor friendlies, the lousy ball. It will be amazing if we actually get past the group stage.

Kymmy · 02-06-2010, 09:41

The friendlies though are all about experimentation, but as with the WC2010 qualifiers once the game is serious then lately England have got down to playing well..

Only time will tell, let's see how England are in a few weeks time

Saaf_laandon_mo · 02-06-2010, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SB_07

Same old rubbish, quarter finals here we come! If that. Seriously though, Robert Green and Upson? Both play for a team that narrowly avoided relegation and considering they're a CB & GK they shoulder a bit of the blame. Carrick is average at best, Heskey is beyong a joke.

So much for Capello picking people who are fit and in form, like he said he would. Another England manager with no bottle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

I can't fathom leaving Dawson out at all. He's easily been one of the best CBs in the EPL let alone english CBs. So much for picking players on form. Upson has been better?

Carrick has also had a useless season. And Barry is crocked. Yet Huddlestone still can't get a look in?

And Heskey? WTF?

Capello has sent out the wrong message by picking a crocked Barry (there is no guarantee he will be fit for any of the group games) and I too can't understand how Dawson has been left out. He has been pretty solid this season and has contributed greatly to Spurs top 4 finish. Huddlestone could have played the defensive midfield role in Barry's absence in my opinion. (No I'm not a Spurs fan but you have to give credit where it's due).

I'd rather we got knocked out in the quarters with a squad consisting players like Dawson, A Johnson, Huddlestone, Scott parker, Leighton Baines than the same old same old - who I doubt get beyond the quarters anyway.

punky · 02-06-2010, 09:44

We didn't experiment though. We were just poor.

Its only 1 week and 2 days to go. I can't see things radically changing.

Apparently the rumours are that Capello is going to Inter after the WC. I won't be gutted. I just hope we get Roy Hodgson.

Kymmy · 02-06-2010, 09:50

Personally I'd like to see him stay, Swapping manager for manager for manager hasn't done England much good and in 24 games he's lost only 2 and drawn 4.. A lot of premier league managers would kill for that statistic.

**Damien** · 02-06-2010, 12:51

I am surprised the Tabloid hacks haven't done their usual hyping of England's chances.....

Saaf_laandon_mo · 02-06-2010, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

I am surprised the Tabloid hacks haven't done their usual hyping of England's chances.....

They're too busy shaking their heads at some of the selections, lol.

Matty_ · 02-06-2010, 14:28

I can`t see what all the fuss is about. To me the only shock is SWP going instead of Walcott and i doubt he`d be going if Beckam was fit!

If you had to name the 23 just after the qualifying games ended you wouldn`t have have a much different group. Capello obviously has faith in the players he`s picked (unlike the rest of us).
England will probably have a tournament along the same lines as the last half a dozen, they will be a difficult team to beat but nothing special and as soon as they come up against some real class it will be adios amigos

Then the players will go back to their respective clubs and carry on filling them boots with cash!

I reckon one of the dark horses who aren`t getting much attention could well be lifting the Jules Rimet trophy...

Niles Crane · 02-06-2010, 20:02

If this doesn't get you in the mood for the World Cup, nothing will: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMophHw6iX4

Kymmy · 02-06-2010, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Apparently the rumours are that Capello is going to Inter after the WC. I won't be gutted. I just hope we get Roy Hodgson.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...10/8718890.stm

Quote:

England coach Fabio Capello has signed an amended contract, committing him to the job until Euro 2012.

punky · 02-06-2010, 21:05

Its The Sun so probably not true... but might be:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0pinRsQb7

Quote:

Walcott's remit in the 15-minute workout was simple: Get the ball in, unopposed, for the Spurs hitman to finish.

Yet barndoor and beachball sprung to mind as the young Gunner failed time and again to tee up his team-mate.

Balls flew over 6ft 7in Crouch's head, he had to check his run as the cross was too low or behind him. He even resorted to catching and throwing the ball back for Walcott to try again.

Things did not improve 24 hours later as Walcott and fellow hopeful Adam Johnson pinged 25-yard passes across the pitch to each other.

No frills - simply pass, control and drill it back.

Yet while Johnson was near foot-perfect, Walcott's touch was woeful, as balls invariably drifted yards away from him.

Kymmy · 03-06-2010, 10:11

As this thread is getting quite long I'll start up a new thread when the tournament actually starts and keep this one "pre tournament"

Shadow Demon UK · 03-06-2010, 21:40

One of tonights friendly results: Italy 1-2 Mexico

Pretty much a full strength Italian side as well. Not looking good for them.

Also Spain only beat Sout Korea 1-0 with a late goal. There hasn't really been any stand out performances in the warm up friendlies this year.

04-06-2010, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK

One of tonights friendly results: Italy 1-2 Mexico

Pretty much a full strength Italian side as well. Not looking good for them.

Also Spain only beat Sout Korea 1-0 with a late goal. There hasn't really been any stand out performances in the warm up friendlies this year.

They, as you say, are only friendlies though. Italy are renowned for being slow starters. You never know, as we have an Italian manager, we could be starting slowly also

My money would be on Argentina to win it, with England failing in the semis.
Hopefully it will be the other way around.