Euro 2008 (England's awful performance)

[Beemer]

Euro 2008 qualifying has just completed the 6th match day. England got their much need win of Andorra with a 3-0 victory. However, England national team manager Steve McClaren is under much scrutiny for the 0-0 tie with Israel on match day 5. Frank Lampard missed the win over Andorra with a fractured arm he received during practice.

The poor play of England has been blamed on several factors. Poor managing of McClaren being the leading cause, others have brought up Wayne Rooney's scoring drought, since he hasn't scored a competitive international goal since Euro 2004 (ouch!). Lastly, the absence of Joe Cole, England's creative and dazzling midfielder. He is expected to be back in training with his club team, Chelsea, in the next two weeks.

Other notable games: Portugal 1 - Serbia 1 Italy 2 - Scotland 0 Greece 1 - Malta 0 Ireland 1 - Slovakia 0 Israel 4 - Estonia 0 N Ireland 2 - Sweden 1 Spain 1 - Iceland 0 Holland 1 - Slovenia 0

England may not qualify this tournament which would certainly spell the end for McClaren.

What are your thoughts on the tournament?

[OKlondon]

It ll be the end for McClaren if they dont pick up maximum points from the their next 3 home games. England is playing awlful and to be honest they rarely play exciting football but before they used to get the results needed. Now against mediorce opposition they are failing to even get the results. Its unacceptable and hopfully it ll improve.

Its not just England aswell teams like Spain and Italy are still not exactly in the driving seats for their group. June and September should be really interesting but I think England will diffinately qualify for Euro 08.

[UK Bladerunner]

You can count half decent England performances in the last 10 Years on 1 hand!!!

Bunch of over paid premadona's!!! Get em out and start getting in some players with heart who actually want to play for the country.

[Naxi]

Really waiting for the England - Estonia match, even though our team pretty much sucks,meh.(BUT MAYBE WE CAN USE THIS MOMENT OF WEAKNESS..or not)

[Womble]

Ye i :lol: so hard when England didn't beat Israel :D. Sorry couldn't help but post in here. But if England don't qualify i can see riots happening.

BTW another notable game was Wales 3-0 Demolition of the might that is San Marino

[Svetlana]

Steve Mclaren shouldn't be made the scapegoat for England's dismal performances and neither should have Sven's 'tactics'. Fundamentally it's the lack of cohesion in the England side that's causing the team to play so badly. When the team don't play together that often, how can England expect it's team to perform brilliantly.

England players have to realise that playing for their country is something special; it's not an excuse to sight see, drink excessively and make sleazy sex videos in Cyprus.

Oh...and bring back Beckham!

[OKlondon]

Steve Mclaren shouldn't be made the scapegoat for England's dismal performances and neither should have Sven's 'tactics'. Fundamentally it's the lack of cohesion in the England side that's causing the team to play so badly. When the team don't play together that often, how can England expect it's team to perform brilliantly.

England players have to realise that playing for their country is something special; it's not an excuse to sight see, drink excessively and make sleazy sex videos in Cyprus.

Oh...and bring back Beckham!

I do agree that its not just Steve Mclaren's fault but the players aswell, but we all know that the players can play well, we have seen for their respective clubs. Some our players are among the best for their positions, Terry is probably one of the best if not the best defender in the world. So we know have quality players, the problem lies with us not having a world class manager who is british. The best teams in the premiership have foreign managers so the best English managers are managing mid table teams, they have little experience in Europe, little experience winning trophies and little experience coaching world class players.

The problem with the fans aswell is that they want an English manager, the problem who has the experience and the class to manage the England squad. Rooney hasnt scored for 3 years now internationally and we got no one to help him, Lampard has been critised aswell, so while our players are not exactly playing well, we dont have anyone to give them the confidence to go out play well, we need someone like Alex Fergueson who go out and get the best out of our players.

I agree with David Beckham, need to bring him back.

[Beemer]

I do agree that its not just Steve Mclaren's fault but the players aswell, but we all know that the players can play well, we have seen for their respective clubs. Some our players are among the best for their positions, Terry is probably one of the best if not the best defender in the world. So we know have quality players, the problem lies with us not having a world class manager who is british. The best teams in the premiership have foreign managers so the best English managers are managing mid table teams, they have little experience in Europe, little experience winning trophies and little experience coaching world class players.

The problem with the fans aswell is that they want an English manager, the problem who has the experience and the class to manage the England squad. Rooney hasnt scored for 3 years now internationally and we got no one to help him, Lampard has been critised aswell, so while our players are not exactly playing well, we dont have anyone to give them the confidence to go out play well, we need someone like Alex Fergueson who go out and get the best out of our players.

I agree with David Beckham, need to bring him back.

Nothing is being accomplished on the wings anyway so what can it hurt. Perhaps Beckham can bring some spark back to the side. I think England desperately needs Joe Cole. Cole and Gerrard on the wings (yes, I prefer Gerrard on the wing) with Lampard and Scholes (Yes, sorely missed his dominance in the middle) would be an unbreakable midfield. I'm not so sure Hargreaves is proving his worth. He should be brought on in the 60-70th minute to give someone a rest and provide England with almost a 5 man defense just to finish off the game.

Oh and one more thing, Peter Crouch! Most underestimated striker in my opinion. The guy does nothing but score when he gets playing time. Who scored in the World Cup for England? Crouch, who hasn't scored since Euro 04? Rooney. It's simple, whoever can put the ball in the back of the net deserves the spot. Crouch and Bent up top in my opinion.

[kingsam]

While usually I'm not one to jump on managers and complain all the time, I supported Sven somewhat whilst everyone else was berrating him to hell and back. But this time it's simply awful, I've never seen games so bad, and boring.
Even the 3 - 0 win sucked ***.
So I do blame the manager, and understand why Sven never listened to what he was writing on that piece of paper every match.

[ross24]

come on england you can pull through for your nation

[TooGood]

Steve McClaren is an idiot. We need a manager to bring an attacking style of play back to England. Sven was hated for being negative, so McClaren comes in and does exactly the same, oh and he also happened to drop the best winger England has and bring in Downing, wtf has Downing done to get in the England side. We need to get a manager that will pick the team that plays best together not just pick their favourites. /rant :)

We also need Michael Owen back desperatley, hes the only natural goalscorer England have.

[kingsam]

We need a manager to bring an attacking style of play back to England. Sven was hated for being negative, so McClaren comes in and does exactly the same
Sven was bad enough with his defensive cautious style, but McClaren has taken it to a new level of boring defensive sparkless mediocrity.

At least with Sven we still, generally, won. And had a few bits and bobs to get excited about. With McClaren it's like watching a football match at a ****ing funeral. It's that bad.

[OKlondon]

Nothing is being accomplished on the wings anyway so what can it hurt. Perhaps Beckham can bring some spark back to the side. I think England desperately needs Joe Cole. Cole and Gerrard on the wings (yes, I prefer Gerrard on the wing) with Lampard and Scholes (Yes, sorely missed his dominance in the middle) would be an unbreakable midfield. I'm not so sure Hargreaves is proving his worth. He should be brought on in the 60-70th minute to give someone a rest and provide England with almost a 5 man defense just to finish off the game.

Oh and one more thing, Peter Crouch! Most underestimated striker in my opinion. The guy does nothing but score when he gets playing time. Who scored in the World Cup for England? Crouch, who hasn't scored since Euro 04? Rooney. It's simple, whoever can put the ball in the back of the net deserves the spot. Crouch and Bent up top in my opinion.

I think Beckham is a very hard working player and will get a spark that we need, so I think it is a good idea. Like your idea for the wings while not being the biggest fan of Gerrard on the right, the statistics show thats where he plays best. Should solve this Lampard and Gerrard cant play together crap out aswell.

Dont like Peter Crouch but must admit he does score for england. Bent is good but has yet to prove himself internationally.

[Beemer]

I think Beckham is a very hard working player and will get a spark that we need, so I think it is a good idea. Like your idea for the wings while not being the biggest fan of Gerrard on the right, the statistics show thats where he plays best. Should solve this Lampard and Gerrard cant play together crap out aswell.

Dont like Peter Crouch but must admit he does score for england. Bent is good but has yet to prove himself internationally.

I'm not a major Peter Crouch fan, its just that he does score goals. Most every team has that one striker, who can make that play from nothing and score that goal from no where. For England its Rooney. Talk about creating something from nothing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyVEdhhOc4c). It's just unfortunate for England that their striker is a long dry spell. England desperately needs their Ronaldo, McBride (hey the guy scores goals), VanNistolroy, Henry, Klose...whoever. Rooney was that for England but he's hit a huge lump in his career. He has around 10 or 11 goals for Man Utd, but he's not the threat he once was. Crouch isn't that man either, but he's a good consolation.

I think perhaps England has turned into what all all-star team fear. Everyone thinks their the best, and there is just no chemistry among the team. Perhaps theres too much bitterness between the players from club play. If the side was to mesh together perfectly, you couldn't ask for a better side. Rooney and Bent up top, Lampard, Gerrard, J Cole, Carrick, Lennon in any placement of midfield you want and finishing off with a solid back line of Terry, Ferdinand, Neville, A Cole (when he's at his best). There's no reason why that side couldn't win Euro.

The talent is there, the managing and chemistry isn't.

[christianpachon]

We all agree United are better than england

[Beemer]

Why Peter Crouch should be on the national side!!!! (http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6629668)

I think this just furthers my point, scores a hat-trick against a Arsenal. Arsenal does have many injuries and are playing with basically the 2nd team, but its still Arsenal. The guy isn't the greatest striker in the EPL, nor is he England's best striker when you compare everyone when their in top form. But the fact is the guy is scoring goals right now, left and right. Put em in while he's in good form and put a little fear in Rooney. It could even bring England a result or two.

[Sparc]

Deffo! Crouch should be playing for England. Any bloody striker who's on form should be - we base too much on a player's rep and not enough on current form. Crouch has done well in an England shirt and is doing well for Liverpool. This is a bad era for English national football (and rugby and cricket for that matter lol)

[OKlondon]

Hat trick against Arsenal!!! Just shows why I hate him and why he should play for England.

[Firefox]

Crouch was separated from a pole-vault at birth. You can't deny it. :lol:

[Beemer]

Crouch was separated from a pole-vault at birth. You can't deny it. :lol:

Yes, he is freakishly tall. But he did score a "golden" hat-trick, or something like that. A goal with the left foot, right foot and one with the head. The goal he scored with his left was pure class. I think it was his third. Trapped it, put it between his legs to open up a shooting lane and a quick left strike. It was such a nice play by him. I really hope McClaren gives him a second look for the next England fixtures.

[Firefox]

Yes, he is freakishly tall. But he did score a "golden" hat-trick, or something like that. A goal with the left foot, right foot and one with the head. The goal he scored with his left was pure class. I think it was his third. Trapped it, put it between his legs to open up a shooting lane and a quick left strike. It was such a nice play by him. I really hope McClaren gives him a second look for the next England fixtures.

Yup, I saw the goal. It was the third indeed. If Crouch doesn't play any
games for England and the Euro Qualifiers I think I will have to manage the team myself. ;)

[Beemer]

Yup, I saw the goal. It was the third indeed. If Crouch doesn't play any
games for England and the Euro Qualifiers I think I will have to manage the team myself. ;)

I'm sure you could do a better job then McClaren is doing. I don't understand how you could not take him. People scrutinize him so much, but all the guy does is deliver time in and time out. 2 goals in the world cup, and leads Liverpool scoring with 16 goals in all competitions. If he and Rooney could actually work together up top, England would be doing much better.

[lions67]

at this stage of the game, you have to say scotland has a better chance of progressing than england. even with scotland's loss to the italians, they still have a legitimate shot. mind you, it is lessening. but then we got ireland to cheer on as well...
goodbye england.

[Firefox]

Yea Ireland is doing well in Football and Cricket this year. :p

[Beemer]

Crouch scored again today for Liverpool. One of three goals in a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven. Here's (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215084&cc=5901) an article about the game.

That makes 17 goals for Crouch in all competitions. Gerrard and Riise scored the other two, making for a nice lead over the Dutch leaders.

Man Utd vs AS Roma and Chelsea vs Valenica are tomorrows fixtures. Saha has been included in the Man Utd roster for the trip to Italy. The two noticeable losses to the Manchester side is Ji-Sung Park and Vidic who both have received injuries as of late. Should be a good fixture.

[Firefox]

I really want Liverpool to be in the final, well at least since Arsenal is gone. :(

[Beemer]

I really want Liverpool to be in the final, well at least since Arsenal is gone. :(

You know what would be an epic fixture:

FA CUP FINAL: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Context for the next one: Chelsea vs Man Utd game gets delayed due to fixture overload in April. The game is moved to the last fixture date for EPL games. Chelsea manages to catch up to Man Utd and closes 6 point gap.

EPL final Fixture for the cup: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Champions League Final: Man Utd vs Chelsea

For the TREBLE!!!! In this case, I'd have to pull for Man U. Just not a fan of Chelsea at all.

[OKlondon]

You know what would be an epic fixture:

FA CUP FINAL: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Context for the next one: Chelsea vs Man Utd game gets delayed due to fixture overload in April. The game is moved to the last fixture date for EPL games. Chelsea manages to catch up to Man Utd and closes 6 point gap.

EPL final Fixture for the cup: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Champions League Final: Man Utd vs Chelsea

For the TREBLE!!!! In this case, I'd have to pull for Man U. Just not a fan of Chelsea at all.

This is what I m waiting for, hopefully Chelsea loose but I dont want man u to do the treble again!!

As for Liverpool in the final, I think they ll win it.

[kingsam]

You know what would be an epic fixture:

FA CUP FINAL: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Context for the next one: Chelsea vs Man Utd game gets delayed due to fixture overload in April. The game is moved to the last fixture date for EPL games. Chelsea manages to catch up to Man Utd and closes 6 point gap.

EPL final Fixture for the cup: Man Utd vs Chelsea

Champions League Final: Man Utd vs Chelsea

For the TREBLE!!!! In this case, I'd have to pull for Man U. Just not a fan of Chelsea at all.
That would be insane. Insanely beautiful.
I'd go with Man U too, but I wouldn't be displeased if Chelsea won any of them or even all, but I'd prefer Man U to win.

[Beemer]

This is what I m waiting for, hopefully Chelsea loose but I dont want man u to do the treble again!!

As for Liverpool in the final, I think they ll win it.

Depends on who their against IMO. PSV is probably the least skilled team in the final 8. I wouldn't bet against Man U in the form their in. Injuries seem to be the only thing stopping them. A healthy Man U side is probably the best side in the world right now (mostly because of Ronaldo).

I just wished they had signed Tim Howard for another few years. Van Der Sar is on his way out and Howard is doing wonders for Everton. He's the main reason they have a good goal differential.

[OKlondon]

Depends on who their against IMO. PSV is probably the least skilled team in the final 8. I wouldn't bet against Man U in the form their in. Injuries seem to be the only thing stopping them. A healthy Man U side is probably the best side in the world right now (mostly because of Ronaldo).

I just wished they had signed Tim Howard for another few years. Van Der Sar is on his way out and Howard is doing wonders for Everton. He's the main reason they have a good goal differential.

The thing is when Man U, Chelsea and liverpool meet its practically 50:50, it just comes down to who plays best on that day. Man U are playing amazing, probably the best I ve seen them play since 1999 and thats saying something but playing another british team in the champions league, anything can happen.

[Firefox]

The thing is when Man U, Chelsea and liverpool meet its practically 50:50, it just comes down to who plays best on that day. Man U are playing amazing, probably the best I ve seen them play since 1999 and thats saying something but playing another british team in the champions league, anything can happen.

And don't forget Arsenal with healthy players. ;)

[OKlondon]

And don't forget Arsenal with healthy players. ;)

:lol: When we have our team out, we can beat anyone :)

[Beemer]

:lol: When we have our team out, we can beat anyone :)

No doubt. Van Persie is gone for the season now, but Adebayor is back. A full health Arsenal roster is nearly unstoppable.

Anyone watch the Champions League this week. Man Utd lost! Scholes got a red card in the 34th minute, but they did get an important away goal. But they've lost Scholes for an important home game and with the injuries they already have their team is nearly as depleted as Arsenal. I think the refs need to start stepping in and calling more penalties. Too many players are getting injured now a days. Look at Newcastle, Man U, Arsenal, even Chelsea is having injury problems. They just got Joe Cole back but they lost Arjen Robben in the same week!

[OKlondon]

No doubt. Van Persie is gone for the season now, but Adebayor is back. A full health Arsenal roster is nearly unstoppable.

Anyone watch the Champions League this week. Man Utd lost! Scholes got a red card in the 34th minute, but they did get an important away goal. But they've lost Scholes for an important home game and with the injuries they already have their team is nearly as depleted as Arsenal. I think the refs need to start stepping in and calling more penalties. Too many players are getting injured now a days. Look at Newcastle, Man U, Arsenal, even Chelsea is having injury problems. They just got Joe Cole back but they lost Arjen Robben in the same week!

Man Utd will do through, Alex Ferguson was happy with the result, Wayne Rooney was happy with the result. I think they will go through fairly easy. Its a shame about Scholes, was unlucky.

Chelsea are going to have a tough time, Valencia look good when they go forward, its a shame they went from an attacking mentality to a defensive one after the goal, could have been a better game. I still think Chelsea will go through but hopefully not.

Refs dont step in much because they want to make the game flow more, especially in the EPL where its fast football and very physical.

[kingsam]

I think Chelsea will have a much tougher time than Man U, but I'd reckon they'll both get through.