Here is my take on this. Everyone has been critisizing England for not being good, but we're in the Q/F's and I think the way we've played, along with a few others, has been the right way. Here's why...:

 

Czech Republic - Beat USA with ease, many predicted big things - lost their remaining two games and went out in the group stage.

 

Spain - Beat Ukraine with ease, many people said this would be their year - they were very ordinary and unconvincing against Tunisia and their second team didn't impress against the Saudi's. Knocked out by France in the next round (who are supposedly rubbish) and Ukraine are still in

 

Argentina - Excellent performances in their opening two games had people saying they were unbeatable. They didn't play too well against Holland (granted, they'd rested players, but at EVERY point in the game the Dutch had less first teamers on...) and then had to rely on extra-time to beat Mexico

 

All of these teams have "peaked too soon" whilst the likes of Germany, France, England and Brazil have been critisized for their performances but are still there and getting better with each game. I think we can safely say that you can't peak too early in a world cup. :)

Edited June 28, 200619 yr by RabbitFurCoat

Yeah you could be right, bar Argentina! :P I still think they'll win.

I'm stil confident England will win alhtough I think that against Portugal they will have to improve. The Cole's will need to play brilliantly especially if Ronaldo plays on Saturday.

 

Sven won't drop Beckham, but I think he should consider dropping Lampard, as even though he's had lots of shoots he's been poor by his usual stanards and Beck's doesn't want to be a winger anymore so if you move him into a more centeral position and then put Lennon on the right wing.

 

If we play the same formation and team we did against Ecuador then it will be a very tough game, as Lampard and Gerrard had no extra room for going forward.

I think Germany are going to beat Argentina actually - the winner of that match will play England, Brazil or France in the final.

 

Says I.

I think Germany are going to beat Argentina actually - the winner of that match will play England, Brazil or France in the final.

 

Says I.

I second those thoughts. Germany have the home advantage.

I think Germany are going to beat Argentina actually - the winner of that match will play England, Brazil or France in the final.

 

Says I.

 

Actually England are in the other pool, England won't meet Germany or Argentina until the Final, unless something happens along the way, England will play Brazil or France in the next round.

 

Actually England are in the other pool, England won't meet Germany or Argentina until the Final, unless something happens along the way, England will play Brazil or France in the next round.

which is what he's saying :P

England have played some of the least interesting and poorly played games of the tournament so far. I've nearly fallen asleep watching them. Whereas the France-Spain game was exciting and full of twists and turns. The same could be said about the Portugal-Holland game. :)

The whole last 16 in general was a bore, with the excpetion of the Argentina V Mexico game and the non football bits in the Portugal V Holland game.

England have played some of the least interesting and poorly played games of the tournament so far. I've nearly fallen asleep watching them. Whereas the France-Spain game was exciting and full of twists and turns. The same could be said about the Portugal-Holland game. :)

 

Agree.

 

Why are England games always so boring. At times it's like watching paint dry. I really hope things improve against Portugal.

 

Agree.

 

Why are England games always so boring. At times it's like watching paint dry. I really hope things improve against Portugal.

 

There boring well because its ermm Sven tactics :unsure: . At the end of the day it doesn't matte ron performances as long as you get results. I've seen teams countless times that play brilliantley but they still get beat. Chelsea playing boring football most of the time yet there fans could give a stuff cause their champions of England.

 

IMO against Portugal England will win either quite convinceingly or will scrape through in extra time.

IMO against Portugal England will win either quite convinceingly or will scrape through in extra time.

So you don't think they'll lose on Saturday then? England I mean.

So you don't think they'll lose on Saturday then?

 

I'd be surprised if we did. Portugal are still a good team without Deco but they have weak links which can be easily exploited. Unlike Ecuador, Portugal actually want to win the game by playing proper football. Ideally it would be good to have a proper left winger playing against them as they can be easily be expolited on the counter attack. Sven should play Crouch and re-verte back ot a 4-4-2 against Portgual.

I'd be surprised if we did. Portugal are still a good team without Deco but they have weak links which can be easily exploited. Unlike Ecuador, Portugal actually want to win the game by playing proper football. Ideally it would be good to have a proper left winger playing against them as they can be easily be expolited on the counter attack. Sven should play Crouch and re-verte back ot a 4-4-2 against Portgual.

I don't know much about football, but I've watched all our World Cup games and to me it seems if we carry on playing the way we are we'll get destroyed on the pitch. Then again, I know very little. It's nice to see someone who has a lot of faith though, must people where I am are praying we get through this match :lol:

I don't know much about football, but I've watched all our World Cup games and to me it seems if we carry on playing the way we are we'll get destroyed on the pitch. Then again, I know very little. It's nice to see someone who has a lot of faith though, must people where I am are praying we get through this match :lol:

 

We would have beaten them in the euro's in 2004 but some sly ref disallowed our goal then and plus Rooney got injured. Were a much better team in 2006 than we were in 2004 now though.

 

England have certainley not played brillaint but it doesn't bother me in the end as its the results that count in the end not the performance although the performance is an added bonus.

 

Portgual will either fall to pieces against us and we'll win convincingley or it will be a real gritty game where there will be some very edgy moments for England.

 

I have full faith in the England team against Portugal, I just hope then Sven plays the right team against Portugal.

It irritates me how pundits go on about the great Football that Portugal play, yet they struggled to beat the mighty Angola 1-0 & their best player is a cheating diver (Ronaldo) who since replacing David Beckham at Man Utd, has weakened the side and is not in the same class at David Beckham with his free-kicks & crosses (ask Ruud Van Nisterooy)!

 

Yet the likes of Alan Green, Graham Taylor, Terry Butcher, Jack Charlton, Glenn Hoddle, Geoff Hurst, Chris Waddle & Ian Wright reckon David Beckham should not be playing for England (he has scored 1 goal & 3 assists out of England's 6 World Cup goals so far) and when Steven Gerrard dived to get a penalty in a pre World Cup friendly he got heavily criticised by the same ex-proffessionals/Radio commentators who marvel at Ronaldo's dribbling ability & creativity in "drawing fouls". :arrr:

We would have beaten them in the euro's in 2004 but some sly ref disallowed our goal then and plus Rooney got injured. Were a much better team in 2006 than we were in 2004 now though.

I remember that! :o Everyone hated that ref, some people still hold a grudge :lol: With reason of course...

I remember that! :o Everyone hated that ref, some people still hold a grudge :lol: With reason of course...

 

Yeah I still hold a minor grudge against him :lol: .

We have an Argentinian ref on saturday. URGH

It irritates me how pundits go on about the great Football that Portugal play, yet they struggled to beat the mighty Angola 1-0 & their best player is a cheating diver (Ronaldo) who since replacing David Beckham at Man Utd, has weakened the side and is not in the same class at David Beckham with his free-kicks & crosses (ask Ruud Van Nisterooy)!

 

Yet the likes of Alan Green, Graham Taylor, Terry Butcher, Jack Charlton, Glenn Hoddle, Geoff Hurst, Chris Waddle & Ian Wright reckon David Beckham should not be playing for England (he has scored 1 goal & 3 assists out of England's 6 World Cup goals so far) and when Steven Gerrard dived to get a penalty in a pre World Cup friendly he got heavily criticised by the same ex-proffessionals/Radio commentators who marvel at Ronaldo's dribbling ability & creativity in "drawing fouls". :arrr:

I agree with every word.

 

EDIT: To be fair to Wrighty, he's probably just jealous SWP isn't playing there...

Edited June 29, 200619 yr by RabbitFurCoat