Russia v Sweden

[Darkzzz_]

I thought you supported Italy, Darker?

I follow Italy because of the missus.... ( If i dont i wont have a bed, )

But i love the genius that is Arsharvin.....

I just generally like to see some great football being played, Italy have not excited me!!!

Shit if she reads this.....

[Fox You Forest]

I had 2-0 Russia in the prediction league.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I hate people that think England were beaten by bad luck,we were nothing compared to Russia and Croatia.

Although I like Russia they are a distincly mediocre side. They are reasonably poor away from home, and without Arshavin their attacking threat is rather bland.

England weren't beaten by bad luck, they would have qualified conmfortably had they not had a tactically inept coach, and had not embarassed themselves with a home draw against Macedonia.

Russia had a better manager than England did. One who has acheived stratospheric things in a management role. But to say England "were nothing" compared to Russia is wrong. England had their chance and they didn't take it. Victims of their own incompetence.

[Jack]

Although I like Russia they are a distincly mediocre side. They are reasonably poor away from home, and without Arshavin their attacking threat is rather bland.

England weren't beaten by bad luck, they would have qualified conmfortably had they not had a tactically inept coach, and had not embarassed themselves with a home draw against Macedonia.

Russia had a better manager than England did. One who has acheived stratospheric things in a management role. But to say England "were nothing" compared to Russia is wrong. England had their chance and they didn't take it. Victims of their own incompetence.

I agree with you.

Hiddink is in another league compared to McClaren and seems to always gets the best out of his teams.

As for Arsharvin he plays a big role in their team and without him they don't look much of an attacking threat, he has a brilliant footballing brain and creates a lot of chances for them, also he links up well with Paylunchenko (sp?). One man doesn't make a team and all that but he sure is a key player for them.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I agree with you.

Hiddink is in another league compared to McClaren and seems to always gets the best out of his teams.

As for Arsharvin he plays a big role in their team and without him they don't look much of an attacking threat, he has a brilliant footballing brain and creates a lot of chances for them, also he links up well with Paylunchenko (sp?). One man doesn't make a team and all that but he sure is a key player for them.

They do have a smattering of quality. Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko and Zhirkov have impressed me, but I do wonder about the rest of the team.

As you've said, sans-Arshavin, their attacking threat is signifcantly weaker, and they create very few openings.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

I got Russia to win the tournament and it was good to see last night

SIR GUUS

[Darkzzz_]

Although I like Russia they are a distincly mediocre side. They are reasonably poor away from home, and without Arshavin their attacking threat is rather bland.

England weren't beaten by bad luck, they would have qualified conmfortably had they not had a tactically inept coach, and had not embarassed themselves with a home draw against Macedonia.

Russia had a better manager than England did. One who has acheived stratospheric things in a management role. But to say England "were nothing" compared to Russia is wrong. England had their chance and they didn't take it. Victims of their own incompetence.

It is back a age old argument though Nihat, just take that game against Russia away, look at the reaction from our players when we conceded, no unity, no togetherness, it was very bland,as were most of England's games, Andorra away was poor, Macedonia at home 0-0, can you really honestly sit there and say we were in the same bracket as Crotia and Russia??

It hurts me to say this believe me, but sometimes us English don't like to be honest, well i have had to endure so much shit from that National team i will just tell it how i see it.

Ok the manager he was useles, but i also blame the players, they are pro's, i think it shows the weakness in our game, It is not the English players that make the premier league special, it is the foreign players that do that, i think in turn this affects us Internationally.....

We are always built up to be the best, the force in world football, in terms of success, in terms of winning,in terms of football we are a long way off.....

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

It is back a age old argument though Nihat, just take that game against Russia away, look at the reaction from our players when we conceded, no unity, no togetherness, it was very bland,as were most of England's games, Andorra away was poor, Macedonia at home 0-0, can you really honestly sit there and say we were in the same bracket as Crotia and Russia??

Can you honestly say that Russia were in the same bracket as England when they were totally outclassed and outplayed by what many considered to be an England "team" at Wembley?

As much as I love Emile, and do think that he should be in the England squad (has all of Crouch's attributes, plus power and pace), he looked world-class against their defence. They couldn't cope with him at all.

[Darkzzz_]

Can you honestly say that Russia were in the same bracket as England when they were totally outclassed and outplayed by what many considered to be an England "team" at Wembley?

As much as I love Emile, and do think that he should be in the England squad (has all of Crouch's attributes, plus power and pace), he looked world-class against their defence. They couldn't cope with him at all.

I am glad we agree on Heskey, i hate it when people give him a hard time, a lot of blame has fallen on Emile's door.... poor lad....

Ok, i agree, England were class that day, but i am talking about overall, the table does not lie, we were rightly beaten to qualification by two better teams...

I am just hoping we can become better for it, become stronger and look to top the world cup qualifying group, that will be a very difficult group to get out of!!

We have a lot of critics to silence, i just hope they we dont feed them on a silver platter like we have recently!!

[C-man]

I don't buy this without Arshavin they'd be rubbish bullshit. It's the same as without Ballack, Germany look average or without Gerrard, England look poor.

The fact is, with him, they're an excellent side who have played some of the best football of the tournament.

Weak in defence though, which will probably be their downfall.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I am glad we agree on Heskey, i hate it when people give him a hard time, a lot of blame has fallen on Emile's door.... poor lad....

Ok, i agree, England were class that day, but i am talking about overall, the table does not lie, we were rightly beaten to qualification by two better teams...

I am just hoping we can become better for it, become stronger and look to top the world cup qualifying group, that will be a very difficult group to get out of!!

We have a lot of critics to silence, i just hope they we dont feed them on a silver platter like we have recently!!

Yeah, we were rightly beaten to qualification, but they weren't miles ahead of us.

When England did field the best TEAM (Barry, Heskey et al), they did look really united and coherent. Then people got injured, and the players ran McClaren (cough, Lampard, cough).

Hopefully Capello will see that the Barry / Gerrard partnership will be alot better than a Gerrard / Fat Lampard combo.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I don't buy this without Arshavin they'd be rubbish bullshit. It's the same as without Ballack, Germany look average or without Gerrard, England look poor.

The fact is, with him, they're an excellent side who have played some of the best football of the tournament.

Weak in defence though, which will probably be their downfall.

In their first two games Russia were hardly convincing. England and Germany both have reasonable enough cover for Gerrard and Ballack, no matter how special they are.

Tonight, Russia played good football. Tonight. I have seen nothing in other games to suggest that they will win this tournament.

[Darkzzz_]

Yeah, we were rightly beaten to qualification, but they weren't miles ahead of us.

When England did field the best TEAM (Barry, Heskey et al), they did look really united and coherent. Then people got injured, and the players ran McClaren (cough, Lampard, cough).

Hopefully Capello will see that the Barry / Gerrard partnership will be alot better than a Gerrard / Fat Lampard combo.

Agreed.... I have enjoyed England's midfield with Barry in there, a player we have missed since Scholes.....

I am sure we will have something to cheer about soon, it can't get any worse can it??

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I am sure we will have something to cheer about soon, it can't get any worse can it??

God knows.

[Ric Flair]

That little Russian is a genius. Won me £18 last night after backing him as last scorer.

[shen]

Well I was absolutely spot on about Sweden in this tournament. It's painfully obvious that they've lacked any new talent coming through in recent years, and Ibrahimovic is the only player in the team currently on top of his game (apart from Källström and Rosenberg who're inexplicably left on the bench). I usually root for Sweden when Denmark are absent, but they've been ever so average and deserved to bow out. Thanks for that goal Zlatan, and have a safe trip home!

[dandannieldanok]

Agreed, and for me Sweden arguably have one of the best defences at the tournament despite that Hansson miscalculation against Villa. I don't think Russia will have enough quality to break Sweden down and they seem to rely heavily on Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko. IMO, that pair don't quite posess the quality to match Ibrahimovic who Sweden are reliant on in attack.

0-0 or a narrow Sweden victory.

Shows what I know about football .

And me!

[SamL]

From what I've seen of Arshavin so far, I think he's a quality player. I thought he played well in the Uefa Cup final and again last night.

I wouldn't be suprised if he gets snapped up by a Premier League club.

[dandannieldanok]

From what I've seen of Arshavin so far, I think he's a quality player. I thought he played well in the Uefa Cup final and again last night.

I wouldn't be suprised if he gets snapped up by a Premier League club.

Arsenal would be perfect for him IMO, and with Hleb on his way there's room for him at the Emirates.