The anyone but England thread!

[Russ]

And I don't see England improving. Ah well, well done to the team.

[Stuart]

I have to admit, I am not too bothered how England play as long as they play better than the teams they play against.

[Russ]

I'm still not convinced England will be able to offer anything against the big boys ie the Argies, Brazil, Germany etc

[SlackDad]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Very hit and miss so far - England started off well and still have their moments but I haven't seen a world-class performance yet.

Rooney.

[Russ]

What about him?

[SlackDad]

Originally Posted by Russ D

I'm still not convinced England will be able to offer anything against the big boys ie the Argies, Brazil, Germany etc

England are on the ascendancy, and still haven't performed as well they can. The perfect way to approach a world cup.

---------- Post added at 18:04 ---------- Previous post was at 18:03 ----------

Originally Posted by Russ D

What about him?

well I thought he demonstrated some 'world class' skill today.

---------- Post added at 18:06 ---------- Previous post was at 18:04 ----------

Originally Posted by Russ D

And I don't see England improving.

On what basis?

[Russ]

Originally Posted by SlackDad

England are on the ascendancy, and still haven't performed as well they can. The perfect way to approach a world cup.

Really? I thought they've looked pretty shakey in defence with only the midfield combo of Lamps and Gerrard impressing the most.

Originally Posted by SlackDad

well I thought he demonstrated some 'world class' skill today.

You're serious?? He definately had a very good game but hardly 'world class' IMO.

Originally Posted by SlackDad

On what basis?

They're still looking shakey. I've always said their strength is in midfield and I'm VERY impressed with Jole Cole's performance, ditto Hargreaves (who although was right-back today, is generally a midfielder). I've never rated Crouch, I won't even mention Walcott and I don't see Rooney winning any games for England *yet*.

I thought this was the anything but 'England' thread?

[Russ]

No, anyone

I feel I've caused a bit of a stir in this thread through being misunderstood so to balance things up, I shall post back to congratulate England when they win

[SlackDad]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Really? I thought they've looked pretty shakey in defence with only the midfield combo of Lamps and Gerrard impressing the most.

No, the defence was looking more solid, esp. second half. Lampard, for me, was not on par, but Carrick was outstanding.

You're serious?? He definately had a very good game but hardly 'world class' IMO.

I think you're being a bit mean here, there was at least two or three take downs, superb control and strength, a bit of trickery, and the kind of passes to set players up that can change a game. def world class for me.

They're still looking shakey. I've always said their strength is in midfield and I'm VERY impressed with Jole Cole's performance, ditto Hargreaves (who although was right-back today, is generally a midfielder). I've never rated Crouch, I won't even mention Walcott and I don't see Rooney winning any games for England *yet*.

i agree about Cole and Hargreaves, Crouch adds something different, as for Walcott why is he there?

Anyway, roll on quarter finals.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by SlackDad

No, the defence was looking more solid, esp. second half. Lampard, for me, was not on par, but Carrick was outstanding.

We'll have to agree to disagree then (about the defence, I have nothing but praise for Lamps) but the chances I saw Ecuador take were down to defensive errors - the most glaring example was John Terry's poor header which left Ashley Cole to fly in from nowhere to make the save (when the ball hit the bar).

Originally Posted by SlackDad

I think you're being a bit mean here, there was at least two or three take downs, superb control and strength, a bit of trickery, and the kind of passes to set players up that can change a game. def world class for me.

Perhaps you and I have different opinions on what constitutes 'world class' - my definition is a performance which makes or saves the game. Roo played really well but I didn't see the team relying on him today. If anything I reckon Lamps had a better game.

Originally Posted by SlackDad

i agree about Cole and Hargreaves, Crouch adds something different, as for Walcott why is he there?

So we all get to see his mrs??

[Timeless Stew]

Originally Posted by Russ D

So we all get to see his mrs??

She is the G of the Wags....

Can we please decide on which thread we are using to discuss England - Oddly, this thread is suppose to be anyone 'but' England, yet we are discussing them.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Russ D

I'm still not convinced England will be able to offer anything against the big boys ie the Argies, Brazil, Germany etc

I know the Argies won their first game 6-0 (against s&m for goodness sakes, so what's the fuss?), but pray tell, what exactly have Germany and Brazil done so far that make them look any better than us? No one team has been outstanding, nay, remarkable in the tournament so far.

---------- Post added at 08:41 ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 ----------

Originally Posted by Paul

Lets face it there have been very few "world class" performances at all in the tournament so far.

I'm glad I'm not the onyl one who thinks this...

[Russ]

Originally Posted by orangebird

I know the Argies won their first game 6-0 (against s&m for goodness sakes, so what's the fuss?), but pray tell, what exactly have Germany and Brazil done so far that make them look any better than us? No one team has been outstanding, nay, remarkable in the tournament so far.

But seeing as the majority of people here are more interested in England, I'll give my opinion on them - which is that they won't win the World Cup.