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McClaren OUT!!!
- Thread starter Trigger
- Start date
Sainsburys Seagull
C, YA!
Standard failure
NMH
Banned
Was McClaren actually IN, in the first place? I mean, a football team could probably muster up that sort of show without needing a manager, as I really couldn't see much in the way of a tactical ploy in any evidence - except to maybe try burying Macedonia by pushing the defenders to go forward whenever we were in a confident attack.
However, give the opposition their due, we are too used to sides that lie down for a beating in England. They came here with no respectful regard to see what we'd do to them, and defended in well drilled formation, always keeping men on the long pass, while fending off the passer, to make sure it would have to be long. Their forward forays showed they had guts and skills, and they might have got a lucky break on another day.
Downing though?
.
It was good to see Ledley King back, as he was always quite consistent for us. Wright-Philips is an excellent player, every time, and links well with Crouch and others. His close play gets him around defenders, and he makes telling lay-offs. We looked instantly more threatening when he came on.
Carrick is going to be a constant, if he plays like he does. His passes are usually excellent.
Neville gets stick, but who else is going to do his job? He's the best option in that position. Joe Cole might make a difference, and Owen too when they are fit - but MO would also have had trouble finding space there.
We are a bit predictable, and Macadonia did that with aplomb and efficiency. Now that Gerrard is suspended, the natural replacement would be Beckham - but MM will continue proving a point til the cows come home and Becks isn't even in the squad, which is plain wrong imo.
However, give the opposition their due, we are too used to sides that lie down for a beating in England. They came here with no respectful regard to see what we'd do to them, and defended in well drilled formation, always keeping men on the long pass, while fending off the passer, to make sure it would have to be long. Their forward forays showed they had guts and skills, and they might have got a lucky break on another day.
Downing though?
.It was good to see Ledley King back, as he was always quite consistent for us. Wright-Philips is an excellent player, every time, and links well with Crouch and others. His close play gets him around defenders, and he makes telling lay-offs. We looked instantly more threatening when he came on.
Carrick is going to be a constant, if he plays like he does. His passes are usually excellent.
Neville gets stick, but who else is going to do his job? He's the best option in that position. Joe Cole might make a difference, and Owen too when they are fit - but MO would also have had trouble finding space there.
We are a bit predictable, and Macadonia did that with aplomb and efficiency. Now that Gerrard is suspended, the natural replacement would be Beckham - but MM will continue proving a point til the cows come home and Becks isn't even in the squad, which is plain wrong imo.
NMH
Banned
Another glaring obvious shortcoming, is that our strikers ONLY hit the ball at goal, when a quick feint and a soft pass (instead of a hurried blast into nothing) to a colleague and we'd have had 3 tonight.
I like Crouch, but going for glory is not needed to prove worthy of his place - and his heading was woeful anyway. No power, and no direction even if there was!
I like Crouch, but going for glory is not needed to prove worthy of his place - and his heading was woeful anyway. No power, and no direction even if there was!