England v Russia

[Collar Feeler]

Look at the quality of the teams you're beating along the way, people. These results mean NOTHING on the big stage. It's like The Albion looking like world-beaters against Worthing.

You are absolutely correct, these results (and yours too) mean nothing on the big stage. And Scotlands record on the big stage amounts to what exactly??

 

[Stevie Boy]

its good to see a midfield working as it should, over the 2 matches the best player is a Sussex born lad, Gareth Barry

 

[Basil Fawlty]

I thought Owen took his two goals, very well. if he didn't get injured during the WC. Who knows what could of happened? We looked really shaky in defence, and Rio and Terry isn't working. Russia looked good on the break, but didn't have the cutting edge. Barry was exceptional tonight in midfield, hopefully that will leave Fatty Lampard away from the midfield.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You are absolutely correct, these results (and yours too) mean nothing on the big stage. And Scotlands record on the big stage amounts to what exactly??

Goodish point, fairly well made. All these horrible years of Brian Moore and Jimmy Greaves wearing tartan jackets and getting behind the last 'British' team in the World Cup Finals. Not that the actual performances of aforesaid 'British' team were much to write home about, has to be said. Sort of a forerunner of Comic Relief in many ways

 

[NMH]

Ashley Cole? I'm sorry, but even after a rather decent win, I have to question his inclusion in the squad.

He tried to look flash a couple of times and ran himself into trouble and lost the ball - thus placing himself well out of position for going for glory.

He's just not good enough I'm afraid.

Barry and Gerrard superb in the middle, even if the latter didn't seem at his imperious best. Lumpard is going to have trouble getting in again, as might Carrick and Hargreaves.

 

[the right footed denilson]

Ashley Cole? I'm sorry, but even after a rather decent win, I have to question his inclusion in the squad.

Looks utterly lost doesn't he?

 

[Beach Hut]

Thought we did well and I was very concerned we would blow it - well done boys

 

[Dave the OAP]

4 games....3 - 0 in each..

.12 goals 4 clean sheets

12 points out of 12

McClaren a genius

interesting when Rooney, carrick, Hargreaves, Beckham, lampard are fit just what he does.

 

[Stevie Boy]

4 games....3 - 0 in each..

.12 goals 4 clean sheets

12 points out of 12

McClaren a genius

interesting when Rooney, carrick, Hargreaves, Beckham, lampard are fit just what he does.

hopefully he wont include them, if it aint broke, dont fix it

 

[Pablo]

also lennon and g.neville are back this weekend!

England Reserves:

James
G.Neville
Woodgate
King
Bridge
Beckham
Lampard
Hargreaves
Lennon
Crouch
Rooney

4 games....3 - 0 in each..

.12 goals 4 clean sheets

12 points out of 12

McClaren a genius

interesting when Rooney, carrick, Hargreaves, Beckham, lampard are fit just what he does.

 

[Springal]

really good atmosphere there tonight! Wembley at times was a fortress

 

[magoo]

Look at the quality of the teams you're beating along the way, people. These results mean NOTHING on the big stage. It's like The Albion looking like world-beaters against Worthing.

Wrong i think.

The English have come to expect mediocre performances and wins by the skin of our teeth, relying on a flash of inspiration from an individual player. But now we are actually playing how we know we should against lesser opposition. Also we are having a bit of luck on the pitch which is long overdue.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

The only weanesses tonight were Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips. AC is not on form at the moment (giving him the benefit of the doubt) and SWP is a streak sort of player. Saturday we looked world class, last night - ineffectual.

But a rare pleasure watching England.

Well done to Scotland - great result. And one they planned for.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Please please let this mean the end of picking Rooney and Lampard. We should be picking a team not a collection of talented indivduals. If we want Owen to score (and therefore ENGLAND to score) it's got to e soemone up front like Heskey or Crouch... and either Rooney lşearns to play wing or he sitsd on th ebench.

As for midfield, for god's sake learn.... Gerrard will always make forward runs. There has to he someone who can plug the gap... ergo not another attacking midfileder like Lampard. And if he can pass too (a la Barry ... not so much Hargreaves although Hargreaves is certainly more talented defensively) then that's a plus. Lampard as Gerrard's understudy please.

My only two caveats on last night's team is Cole (A) has lost the plot... we need a new left back anbd although SWP scared the life out of Russia I think he needs to do some detention work on crosses.... crosses were poor.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Looks utterly lost doesn't he?

Guess thats what money does to you, He did look a bit Pony as did Terry

 

[London Calling]

Please please let this mean the end of picking Rooney and Lampard. We should be picking a team not a collection of talented indivduals. If we want Owen to score (and therefore ENGLAND to score) it's got to e soemone up front like Heskey or Crouch... and either Rooney lşearns to play wing or he sitsd on th ebench.

As for midfield, for god's sake learn.... Gerrard will always make forward runs. There has to he someone who can plug the gap... ergo not another attacking midfileder like Lampard. And if he can pass too (a la Barry ... not so much Hargreaves although Hargreaves is certainly more talented defensively) then that's a plus. Lampard as Gerrard's understudy please.

My only two caveats on last night's team is Cole (A) has lost the plot... we need a new left back anbd although SWP scared the life out of Russia I think he needs to do some detention work on crosses.... crosses were poor.

Agree BUT, SWP did not scare the defence, they mopped him most of the time, totally ineffective in attack, crossing dire! Not international class IMO.

Ferdinand also made 2 or 3 elementary errors, each could have cost a goal.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

SWP is really not that great. Lennon will be rated much higher, in time, I think.

Not only was SWPs crossing gash last mnight, but he missed an absolute sitter, that he merely had to touch with his head to score. If you watch it from the angle of the cross, I actually think it would have gone in if he'd just left it completely!

 

[sten_super]

really good atmosphere there tonight! Wembley at times was a fortress

I went to the game last night, and while I agree that there was a good atmosphere, I also have to echo some of the comments from the first page... the small-mindedness and pettiness of England fans disgusts me. I am absolutely part time myself (this was my first full England game at the new Wembley, having gone to the U21 game there), so am probably going to receive some stick, but I am the only one that doesn't understand the need for booing? It's such a negative and unhelpful thing to do. The booing of the national anthem is horrific and it really disturbs me that people think it necessary. The during the game for relatively long periods last night the Russian supporters were chanting/singing loudly (much more loudly than any English fans that I could hear in the stadium), and the England fans response was not to start singing to overpower and drown them out, but simply to boo them. Really, what is the f***ing point of that? It's just all a bit sad and pathetic. Now don't get me started on the people that were leaving with 20 minutes to go...