Croatia v England

[lildave3]

This morning on Sky Sports News, they were saying we should have used Theo in the World cup, ridiculous.

Sums up the media in this country.

We should have.

Once he was named in the squad, he should have been used.

Not that he should have been named in the first place.

[Thracian]

We should have.

Once he was named in the squad, he should have been used.

Not that he should have been named in the first place.

Like you I don't believe he was quite ready but I definitely think he could have justified his inclusion in the squad that was taken had our misguided manager had the courage to have used him.

[Uncle Albert]

Like you I don't believe he was quite ready but I definitely think he could have justified his inclusion in the squad that was taken had our misguided manager had the courage to have used him.

He would of been used if England got through against Portugal no but's about it. Should of been used whilst he was there against the meaningless game against Sweden, could of been used against Trinidad.

[Thracian]

He would of been used if England got through against Portugal no but's about it. Should of been used whilst he was there against the meaningless game against Sweden, could of been used against Trinidad.

If, if, if.... cautious managers are all the same. And football is still daft enough to pay them in mega money. Leicester took it a stage further and made a collection of em. Perhaps the club should mount their pictures at the Walkers in a special Hall of Shame.

[Guest Bilo]

Just got back in from Croatia and had to read the whole thread through and have a little self satisfied giggle.

A couple of observations from being there that may or may not be of interest depending upon which side of the fence you sit on.

The atmosphere from the home crowd was immense for a roofless stadium. It was driven (believe it or not) before the game by the music played on the PA. I don't know what the songs were in the context of the nation but three sides of the ground singing as one was intimidating to say the least. They shut up after the first goal went in and only sparked back into life in the last ten minutes. Englands complete domination put paid to the noise.

Like many people, I don't watch enough of Messrs Barry, Lampard and Rooney to formulate a true opinion of their worth to their club or nation but having seen them in action last night, they were all three of them immense. They ran tirelessly and performed exceptionally. You do not have a resounding victory against a side like Croatia without dominating the middle of the park and Barry and Lampard did that. I'm not sure who it was who berated Barry as being overvalued but I would point out that Benitez saw fit to Bid nearly £18m or thereabouts for him. MON saw fit to think he was worth more and kept him and Capello whose knowledge of a footballer is far better than any of us chooses him to represent our country. I know which opinion I think is closer to being right.

After Theo, the player who was receiving most recognition from the crowd was Heskey. He could not be contained and his running created so much room it was universally appreciated by the travelling fans. He looked like a man who wanted to give all for the cause.

Capello was a constant presence on the touchline giving orders and talking to individual players. When Croatia scored he was absolutely livid. Despite the game being safe, it mattered that we conceded and it mattered that we conceded in the way we did.

I could go on and on but I'm too knackered to keep typing. I would say though that the whole Setanta for Englands away games is down to bidding. They outbid all other TV companies with the Croation FA. We were having a drink at the Media hotel before the game and they were still trying to sell the extended highlight rights 4 hours before kick off.

Overall it was a fooking treat to be there.

Sounds as though it was an awesome experience all told mate. It's the first time in ages I haven't had to watch an England game through the gaps in my fingers to be honest. Real expansive pass and move football, the team operating beautifully as a unit and, importantly, the ghosts of the Euro 2008 disaster have been well and truly laid to rest. I agree with you that we looked absolutely dominant in the middle of the field and Lampard had his best performance in an England shirt for a very long time.

Heskey worked his arse off and is the perfect foil for Rooney, who played with a lot more freedom and looked all the better for it. Walcott was immense. This will be a huge season for him and placing a bet on him to be Player of the Season won't be the worst wager you ever make. He has really come of age now.

On a less positive note, and unrelated to events on the pitch, did you hear any of the racist chanting directed at Bruno? FIFA need to grow a pair and force national teams guilty of this to play on neutral grounds imao.

[sdb]

Fantastic result. Thoroughly enjoyed it

Thought Walcott, Rooney and wes Brown all played excellent. Heskey was average and would swap him for crouch still, he was offside like a donkey for Lamps goal, although inactive really to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Once Hargreaves is fit, swap with Barry definately. good team spirit and effort last night which has been lacking for a long time in this team.

Heskey wasn't average and Crouch adds nothing to England. He's tall but he can't head and he doesn't occupy defenders like Heskey. Yes he's scored a few but against terrible opponents. England would not have won by as much as they did without Heskey - he linked up play fantastically, won lots in the air and won a number of free kicks. And Barry was great too, why change the team at all?!

Did you not see that it was Heskey and Barry who were doing alot of the hard work, to allow players like Rooney, Lampard, Walcott to have enough space to create things for us?

Heskey was key and in my opinion had a good game, was strong and he didn't loose the ball much.

spot on

[Daggers]

Now the task must be to keep this form throughout the rest of the campaign.

If Capello manages that, then anything is possible.

An outstanding qualification invariably leads to WC misery for teams around the globe - I remember Argentina storming their qualification group last time around only to come unstuck.

I think it's more about peaking at the right time...and this simply strikes me as just another 5-1 win over the Germans. How no one remembers the abject tedium and mindless play in the games before this one amazes me.

[Sparky]

An outstanding qualification invariably leads to WC misery for teams around the globe - I remember Argentina storming their qualification group last time around only to come unstuck.

I think it's more about peaking at the right time...and this simply strikes me as just another 5-1 win over the Germans. How no one remembers the abject tedium and mindless play in the games before this one amazes me.

Everyone remembers it but its about taking each game on merit . We needed to go to Croatia and get a decent result , we did that in style no more no less . 2 games and 6 points and on to the next game

[Rodders]

Anyone know if there's highlights of this online anywhere. Didn't realise that ITV had got a late deal to show them last night, so didn't realise I'd be able to watch them on TV. I can't find them anywhere. You'd have thought that if Setanta were determined to have a monopoly, they'd at least put it on their own website.

[Bert]

Anyone know if there's highlights of this online anywhere. Didn't realise that ITV had got a late deal to show them last night, so didn't realise I'd be able to watch them on TV. I can't find them anywhere. You'd have thought that if Setanta were determined to have a monopoly, they'd at least put it on their own website.

Try this

[Ultra]

Shame neither of us will be right then isnt it?

Because Gerrard will come back in but it wont be for Barry or Lampard it will be for Joe Cole. Shame really, because I feel Gerrard and Lampard could work if they were able to go out and play their own games instead of worrying on who is going to sit. (Nonesense) Especially against teams like Andorra, Kazakstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Who wont be testing teams especially at Wembley.

Thought Wes Brown had a brilliant game last night, never looked in danger and his support play was top notch. Rooney in the second half looked like the type of player he was against Croatia in 2004, got involved effectively and scored a brilliant goal.

'Trio' Walcott, absolute brilliant. Looked really confident after he scored his first, always looked to beat his man and find an end product. Heskey was good aswell, won so many headers that created attacking chances. Alot better than Crouch in this role. Was impressed with Jenas aswell when he came on.

Assuming no injuries, the side that started against Croatia should be unchanged.

There's no reason whatsoever to bring Gerrard back, or Michael Owen for that matter.

[Samilktray]

Ukraine and Belarus. Who wont be testing teams especially at Wembley.

Really though.

[Alexikokopops]

match stuff

Lovely read. Heskey is fantastic. He was key to Theo's second (I think) goal. The man's a hero.

[James.]

Really pleased for him. He's a f**king hero.

Lovely read. Heskey is fantastic. He was key to Theo's second (I think) goal. The man's a hero.

He's MY hero.

[Manwell Pablo]

We should have.

Once he was named in the squad, he should have been used.

Not that he should have been named in the first place.

So every player named in the 23 man squad should be used, if we're using that theory.

At whoever said the Ukraine wont be a test.

[Alexikokopops]

He's MY hero.

Can't we share him? There's enough of him to go round. His barrell chest, his tree trunk thighs... Oooh he's dreamy.

[lildave3]

So every player named in the 23 man squad should be used, if we're using that theory.

No, but if you name 4 strikers, and one then gets injured, he had to be used.