Matt Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 I'll go for a scrappy 1-0. Tempted to go for a 1-0 England win, with Carragher to score first @ 125/1 (God knows why i'm going for Carragher he was just the first player I thought off, + the odds are good )
Head Honcho Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 They should piss it but I think it'll be 1-1 Taxi for McClaren!
James. Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 Isn't it a testament to the state of the national team when no one has any confidence whatsoever about getting a result from the game in Tel Aviv tomorrow. We have a team full of talent yet it is entirely foreseeable that we get beat tomorrow. Even Carragher (I think) was in the papers the other day saying something like "It wouldn't be the end of the world if we lose". While literally speaking he may have a point it's a worrying mentality going into an important game on the back of some woeful recent performances. That said I actually think we'll win an awful match 1-0 (Lampard to score).
Tommeh Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 I couldn't give two flying shits if we loose tomorrow. Personally I think Mclaren is out of his depth and should just go, also internationals in mid season just interrupt everything, this is actully the first weekend I've not looked forward to sinse the footie season started
Mikey Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 I think that we will win 2-0. Alrite performance with Gerrard and Rooney to score
Joe. Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 1-0 England Rooney. Need a win tomorrow. We're good enough to win comfortably and we should do.
Sods Posted 23 March 2007 Posted 23 March 2007 i always back england. But this is the last game im going to be behind mclaren, as he hasn't showed anything different from ericsson. I reckon a 1-0 game with andy johnson to score.
BartonFox Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 Isn't it a testament to the state of the national team when no one has any confidence whatsoever about getting a result from the game in Tel Aviv tomorrow. We have a team full of talent yet it is entirely foreseeable that we get beat tomorrow. Even Carragher (I think) was in the papers the other day saying something like "It wouldn't be the end of the world if we lose". While literally speaking he may have a point it's a worrying mentality going into an important game on the back of some woeful recent performances. That said I actually think we'll win an awful match 1-0 (Lampard to score).
Poakey Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 Explain? Gerrard,Lampard,Terry and Rooney are just some of the best players around at the moment and are complimented by some other pretty good players so whats your point?
Leicfox Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 A make-or-break game for Steve McClaren, only seven months after his first game in charge of England. England are third in Group E with seven points (the same as Israel) and will be anxious not to allow leaders Croatia (10 points) and Russia (eight points) to open up a bigger gap. McClaren’s reign started brightly enough, but the gloom descended after a 0-0 at home to Macedonia and a 2-0 defeat in Croatia. Disappointing friendlies in Holland (1-1) and at home to Spain (1-0 defeat) have left McClaren vulnerable and searching for an answer to his team’s scoring problem, after managing only two goals in their last five games. England also have problems at full-back, with first choices Gary Neville and Ashley Cole unavailable. The return of Owen Hargreaves could be significant, however, as England are unbeaten in the six games he has started since being given the role of holding midfielder. Israel went close to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup (just being pipped by France and Switzerland) and have carried that good form into this qualifying competition. Their only defeat was 4-3 at home against Croatia last time, and their best result so far was a 1-1 in Russia. Most of Dror Kashtan’s 24-man squad are based in Israel, but four are with Premiership clubs – Tal Ben Haim and Idan Tal (Bolton), Yossi Benayoun (West Ham) and Ben Sahar (Chelsea). Tal, though, is suspended for this game, along with striker Roberto Colautti. View... * A tricky match for England but one they are capable of winning based on their W12-D2-L1 record in away qualifiers in the past decade against teams ranked outside the top 30. That record encompasses several England managers and indicates that England’s class tends to win through in this type of contest. Even on their overall away record in the past decade (W13-D6-L3) England’s odds are reasonable * Another factor in England’s favour is that most of their poor results occur early in the season – they have won their last nine competitive games in the second half of the season * Israel’s improving results merit respect and a draw cannot be ruled out, as they have drawn three of their last four against teams ranked in the top 20. A home win looks unlikely, however, and that makes them difficult to recommend even on the Asian handicap. For those looking to oppose England, 1-1 could be worth a small interest as that has been the score in each of Israel’s three draws against teams ranked in the top 20 in the past decade Good to Know * Since the 5-1 win in Germany in September 2001, only four of England’s 11 competitive away games have had over 2.5 goals, with the last five all under 2.5 goals * England’s last failures in qualifiers in the first six months of the year were back-to-back draws against Sweden and Bulgaria under Kevin Keegan in June 1999 * England are unbeaten in the six games Owen Hargreaves has started since he became first choice in the role of holding midfielder Goals Since the 5-1 win in Germany in September 2001, only four of England’s 11 competitive away games have had over 2.5 goals, with the last five all having under 2.5 goals. And, since opening his reign with high-scoring wins over Greece (4-0) and Andorra (5-0), England under Steve McClaren have had under 2.5 goals in their last five games. Israel’s home games tend to produce goals – at least two in 16 of their last 17 qualifiers, with 10 of the 17 having over 2.5 goals. If they are to get a result here, however, under 2.5 goals is more likely – all of their three recent draws against teams ranked in the top 20 were 1-1. Goalscorers England’s goals (when they come) tend to be shared around the team, but only two of the last five players to score on the road (Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe) are available now. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard haven’t scored in an away match since both found the net against Austria in September 2004. The suspended Roberto Colautti could be a big miss for Israel – he scored the winner in their 1-0 opening victory in Estonia and two more in the 4-3 home defeat against Croatia last time. Yossi Benayoun and Amit Ben Shushan (two apiece) have been the other main contributors to Israel’s nine goals in this qualifying campaign.
dandannieldanok Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 I can understand the deafetist attitude by some people, who can blame you 2-0 Croatian and 0-0 Macedonia. But I think England won't have too many problems: Israel 1-3 England
Mort Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 I think we'll win... but then again in the long run i think thats a bad thing coz it means Stevie Mac will still be around... he's the Rob Kelly of international managment!
Simi Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 Robinson Carragher Ferdinand Terry Neville Gerrard Hargreaves Lampard Lennon Rooney Johnson I think this will be the line up. Hopefully Gerrard and Lennon can switch flanks every now and then to change it around a little.
James. Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 Why the confusion? In my eyes there is little doubt of the talent in the side. What we don't have is cohesion. Lampard may be overrated but scoring at least 20 goals in the Premiership from midfield for the last 4 seasons suggests a degree of talent. But it's clear his performances for England haven't had the same clinical edge. Gerrard has the ability to control a game and has dominated midfield battles time and time again. Not even YOU can doubt his talent. Again though the inability to work effectively alongside Lampard has raised doubts over where he is best deployed. Terry is one of the best defenders in the world. I truly believe that. Chelsea's shambolic defending while he was injured is testament to that. Rooney has undoubted talent but again there are question marks over where he should be played and who should play alongside him. Again he just hasn't looked the same player when playing in white and his form has been patchy this season to say the least. Lennon is one of the most exciting English players around. Natural talent is there for you to see. Of all the players I hope he has an influence on the game today. Against this quality of opposition I expect him to make a fool of their defence. And then there's the rest of the team - Ferdinand (pivotal to Man U's defence this season), Richards (another really exciting prospect), Hargreaves (the ONLY positive to come out of the World Cup) to name but a few. So yes we do have the talent in our side but what is glaringly obvious is the complete lack of synergy. And the responsibility for providing that lies mainly at the feet of the manager. With the correct system, a team built around complimenting our key strengths and leadership on and off the field this set of players could beat anyone. The most worrying thing is (as I mentioned in my first post) that there is no confidence we will beat Israel and that suggests something is very wrong with this squad.
Simi Posted 24 March 2007 Posted 24 March 2007 Israel to win. Phil Neville to bag a brace. I think this could be a decent shout.
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