International Footy

[lavrentis]

Sorry but I can't reply to all my fan mail and that bitter and twisted pseudo Taff gets far too much attention from me anyway.

So the PC brigade has decided that 'retard' is so last season and that 'disabled' is this year's 'flid'?

Ban this ****. (sorry I shouldnt be ordering people around but his constant snipes about England, and his comments really annoy me.

[Finnegan]

Sorry but I can't reply to all my fan mail and that bitter and twisted pseudo Taff gets far too much attention from me anyway.

Kop out.

[Fox You Forest]

Switch off the PC and do something else...

[Bert]

C'MON ENGLAND FANS MAKE SOME FUKIN NOISE WERE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP FFS!!!!!

Nice to know I'm not the only one being bored to death by them. Northern Ireland fans are louder than the whole of Wembley FFS!

I'm sure it would've been loads better with you two ultra's there.

Lennon was awesome, fully deserving of the MOTM award. If we can play the way we did last night in South Africa, we can go further than we've not been for a long time. Will we win it? I'd say no, as there are better teams around at the minute, but if we carry on this way, with the same team, a bit of optimism won't hurt anyone.

Croatia are no mugs, and they simply didn't have answer for anything last night.

Radovan - Fuck off.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Ban this ****. (sorry I shouldnt be ordering people around but his constant snipes about England, and his comments really annoy me.

Kettles and pots from the forum's most popular and sanctimonious poster.

[Mikey]

Sorry but I can't reply to all my fan mail and that bitter and twisted pseudo Taff gets far too much attention from me anyway.

So the PC brigade has decided that 'retard' is so last season and that 'disabled' is this year's 'flid'?

Yet you still reply to his other post (post 493), and not to his original post to which he was referring too, (the one he said 'shut you up' and it looks as if it has), then claim that he gets far too much attention from you.

Interesting.

Now you're probably going to respond with a 1000 word essay full of complex linguistic, that only you and few others understand on why my brackets were not in the right place or I put a comma in a wrong place and I'm a example of how dumb the English are, whilst still not answering Finnegans post.

[Radovan's Caravan]

!..............and you have the cheek to call the English dumb.

You've gone into your shell triple D.

I wonder why...

[lavrentis]

Kettles and pots from the forum's most popular and sanctimonious poster.

OK, its up to other people to decide whether I'm 'sanctimounious', but your still a **** on the forum.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Yet you still reply to his other post (post 493), and not to his original post to which he was referring too, (the one he said 'shut you up' and it looks as if it has), then claim that he gets far too much attention from you.

Interesting.

Now you're probably going to respond with a 1000 word essay full of complex linguistic, that only you and few others understand on why my brackets were not in the right place or I put a comma in a wrong place and I'm a example of how dumb the English are, whilst still not answering Finnegans post.

Is this the rant that you are referring to?

I think we were brilliant in Cardiff last night, in all fairness. Relative to our standards I think we battled well and could have taken a point from the game (as, by Hiddink's admission, we very well could have done in Moscow) and didn't deserve a two goal losing margin. It was a performance to be proud of.

About, hm, eighteen months ago I posted a hugely, hugely scathing tirade about the English football team when someone had the audacity to take the piss out of the Welsh. I wrote some empassioned rant about how the English should be ashamed of their awful under achievements and how they're shameless prima donnas and overpayed, unemotional, uninspired garbage.

But things have changed and the important word here is relativity. Wales were shit last night by the standards of international super stardom - but you have to look at our recent trends and think, well, in all fairness we were excellent given what's at our disposal and where we've been. You can't judge England and Capello's impact purely on the sum of their parts; you have to look beyond that to what's been literally about a decade or more of a diabolical English side. A team whose own fans hated watching them, a team lambasted for being boring, a team who made hard work of even the most pointless opposition.

Like or loathe the English, Capello has come in and stripped the side of it's ego and built it up afresh with renewed confidence and vigor. They now go out and smash sides as they rightfully should. Yes, the game in Spain was a wake up call and I was cheering on the Spanish that night - delighted to see the English shown for what they are - a second tier international outfit. But relative to where the English have been and where they were when Capello took over? Yeah I think 'massive achievement' is a fair description.

You're either on the wind up (in which case I salute you, because you've far more persistence and determination than me - I'd have given up long ago when barely any of these lads were biting at your somewhat boring drivel) or you're a ridiculously bitter, ridiculously jealous little man trying your best to pretend the English don't have very good cause to be - finally - celebrating their national team with the same enthusiasm as their tabloids.

Now tell me exactly what specific points Finnegan has raised here that I have not already covered?

[Bert]

Secretly, Radovan loves the English. Surely no-one could go on about them this much and not like them.

[lildave3]

People replying to Radovan

[Fez of Mahrez]

I thought Croatia looked a shadow of the team of two years ago. They haven't been able to replace Niko Kovac very effectively, they miss Modric when he's not playing and Eduardo hasn't been the same player (yet) since his injury.

England played extremely well and it was an impressive showing but people are reading far too much into that. Until England can control a game from midfield in a major tournament, there's an extremely minimal chance of a repeat of 1966. Maybe they can start to do that now, who knows? I still can't see them living with Spain or Brazil.

I think the best thing Capello has done is to put the emphasis on England's "world-class" players. Barry is the insurance so that Lampard, Rooney and Gerrard can get forward, while Heskey is in the team purely to bring the best out of those three. Swapping him for Defoe because he doesn't score enough defeats the whole object of what Capello is trying to do. If you take away the physical element by removing Heskey, the balance of the side is all wrong. There was one perfect moment last night when the commentators were bemoaning Heskey's finishing a little bit and literally as Tyldesley said it, Heskey rolled his marker brilliantly and set up Lampard for what could and perhaps should have been a goal with one touch. I wouldn't say they are hugely similar in style but it'd be easy to liken Heskey's role in the England team to what Howard does for us. When we missed Howard for those two games at the back end of last season, suddenly from his absence many non-believers realised exactly how much work he did for the team and why. And no, England cannot play on the floor any more than they do, because they can't pass well enough to make it effective.

Just my two penneth anyway, can't claim to be some sort of pseudo-Serbian mastermind.

[lildave3]

I thought Croatia looked a shadow of the team of two years ago. They haven't been able to replace Niko Kovac very effectively, they miss Modric when he's not playing and Eduardo hasn't been the same player (yet) since his injury.

They haven't looked the same team since Semih scored THAT goal

[Bert]

At the end of the day, I don't care what anyone says, teams play to their strengths. It might not be the best on the eye, but it's the most effective for them, and more importantly, to win them the match.

Just look at Chelsea under Mourinho. Boring as fook, but very successful .

[Radovan's Caravan]

People replying to Radovan

Do they?

Seem to have given my little sports science pieces rather a wide berth. Too close to the bone, the truth hurts etc etc. All I get is the 'fook off red nose' wit and repartee of Lavrentis and Bert.

Still, can't complain too much as they make me appear a genius,

[lildave3]

At the end of the day, I don't care what anyone says, teams play to their strengths. It might not be the best on the eye, but it's the most effective for them, and more importantly, to win them the match.

Just look at Chelsea under Mourinho. Boring as fook, but very successful .

Robben + Duff (circa 2005) = Excitement.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

As a neutral supporter, actually I lie I love seeing England lose more often than not. But I think next year you guys are a big chance for one reason, your manager.

Watching Australia over the years play under some crap managers and failing to get results against powerhouses like Iran, Hungary, jamaca and just the poor poor performance we would, thankfully we only seemed to play every couple of months. Bringing in a quality manager Sir Guss Hidink, he is now Sir for all 'roos fans as he and his coaching staff are responsible for bringing Australian soccer out of the black hole and on to the world stage and in to the Australian publics eye after less than 12 months at the helm. It took 30 odd years to qualify for our 2nd WC were we surprised a few teams and got out of our group. Now another very good Dutch guus clone for a manger and we qualified with ease to make it our second WC in a row and are sitting 14th our best ever ranking.

The point I'm trying to make is that Capello is a quality manager much better than Sven imo, he actually appears to have a game plan. Some one like that could be the difference between an average world cup and a bloody good one. England may be the football powerhouse it should be.

[Radovan's Caravan]

As a neutral supporter, actually I lie I love seeing England lose more often than not. But I think next year you guys are a big chance for one reason, your manager.

Watching Australia over the years play under some crap managers and failing to get results against powerhouses like Iran, Hungary, jamaca and just the poor poor performance we would, thankfully we only seemed to play every couple of months. Bringing in a quality manager Sir Guss Hidink, he is now Sir for all 'roos fans as he and his coaching staff are responsible for bringing Australian soccer out of the black hole and on to the world stage and in to the Australian publics eye after less than 12 months at the helm. It took 30 odd years to qualify for our 2nd WC were we surprised a few teams and got out of our group. Now another very good Dutch guus clone for a manger and we qualified with ease to make it our second WC in a row and are sitting 14th our best ever ranking.

The point I'm trying to make is that Capello is a quality manager much better than Sven imo, he actually appears to have a game plan. Some one like that could be the difference between an average world cup and a bloody good one. England may be the football powerhouse it should be.

You will bring the Ingermongs down to earth with a bump should you meet them next year. They're all HYPE.

[Bert]

Do they?

Seem to have given my little sports science pieces rather a wide berth. Too close to the bone, the truth hurts etc etc. All I get is the 'fook off red nose' wit and repartee of Lavrentis and Bert.

Still, can't complain too much as they make me appear a genius,

Well hopefully, you might get the message after a while. You appear to be a total cunt to be fair. You're the sort of person who believes you're right all of the time, and you won't even consider other people's opinions. You're so far up your own arse, the next time you cough you might spit yourself out.

Any money England will progress further than your nation (Whatever it may be) in the world cup.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Well hopefully, you might get the message after a while. You appear to be a total cunt to be fair. You're the sort of person who believes you're right all of the time, and you won't even consider other people's opinions. You're so far up your own arse, the next time you cough you might spit yourself out.

Any money England will progress further than your nation (Whatever it may be) in the world cup.

English fans opinions are mere echoes of your footie establishment - you are just a load of sheep.

I posted a very thorough piece on this thread explaining exactly why you fail in World Cups and backed it up with quotes and stats from two very important sports science studies. How many replies did it get?

With attitudes like that and your national team's pathetic international record I should have every right to disregard what passes for opinion on this board.

Now take me on you ignorant ****wit...

[Flynny]

I think the best thing Capello has done is to put the emphasis on England's "world-class" players. Barry is the insurance so that Lampard, Rooney and Gerrard can get forward, while Heskey is in the team purely to bring the best out of those three. Swapping him for Defoe because he doesn't score enough defeats the whole object of what Capello is trying to do. If you take away the physical element by removing Heskey, the balance of the side is all wrong. There was one perfect moment last night when the commentators were bemoaning Heskey's finishing a little bit and literally as Tyldesley said it, Heskey rolled his marker brilliantly and set up Lampard for what could and perhaps should have been a goal with one touch. I wouldn't say they are hugely similar in style but it'd be easy to liken Heskey's role in the England team to what Howard does for us. When we missed Howard for those two games at the back end of last season, suddenly from his absence many non-believers realised exactly how much work he did for the team and why. And no, England cannot play on the floor any more than they do, because they can't pass well enough to make it effective.

I thought Heskey did his physical stuff well when he had to yesterday but I also though that that was the least I've seen England hoof the ball in years. Johnson kept looking like he was about to and then playing lovely little passes to Lennon. When we're playing like that I think we could probably have used someone else. Perversely, almost, it's against the big teams that press us and tie us down that Heskey will be of most worth.

[Bert]

English fans opinions are mere echoes of your footie establishment - you are just a load of sheep.

I posted a very thorough piece on this thread explaining exactly why you fail in World Cups and backed it up with quotes and stats from two very important sports science studies. How many replies did it get?

With attitudes like that and your national team's pathetic international record I should have every right to disregard what passes for opinion on this board.

Now take me on you ignorant ****wit...

When have I championed England's international record? How great is your countries International record? If you think we're all sheep, why do you even bother coming on here? Why should people reply to you, if you're going to disregard everything they say?

Were you bullied as a child?

At the end of the day, you have no spine and are simply just another person hiding behind a computer. I doubt all of my questions will get an answer.

[Lillehamring]

It'd just be wrong if Norway qualified. Apart from the emphatic win over Scotland, they really haven't had anything to cheer about. In fact, I'd say their campaign has been borderline embarrassing, even if they don't possess a great amount of talent. The positive thing in my view is that it will probably improve their seeding for the next World Cup qualification. Sad to hear there are no upcoming talents, but if Drillo stays on, I guess it's for the better. I really don't rate him.

rate him or not, he hasn't lost a home game since 91, and made norway the 2nd best team in the world.

but different times now, i guess... and yes, qualification would be a bit of a travesty....

[Radovan's Caravan]

When have I championed England's international record? How great is your countries International record? If you think we're all sheep, why do you even bother coming on here? Why should people reply to you, if you're going to disregard everything they say?

Were you bullied as a child?

At the end of the day, you have no spine and are simply just a person hiding behind a computer.

Unlike you, I came up with the goods when I was challenged to do so. All the points I make about England's style of play and about their prospects are accurate and well founded.

The fact that virtually no footballing country outside the British Isles plays the way you do and the fact that virtually no other country in FIFA's top 20 - 30 has such abysmally low skill levels as those prevailing in the UK suggests very strongly that you should be taking heed of me - not the other way round.

The fact that you gratuitously insulted me and broke forum rules in so doing shows up who the real disabled is hiding behind his PC.

[Bert]

Unlike you, I came up with the goods when I was challenged to do so. All the points I make about England's style of play and about their prospects are accurate and well founded.

The fact that virtually no footballing country outside the British Isles plays the way you do and the fact that virtually no other country in FIFA's top 20 - 30 has such abysmally low skill levels as those prevailing in the UK suggests very strongly that you should be taking heed of me - not the other way round.

The fact that you gratuitously insulted me and broke forum rules in so doing shows up who the real disabled is hiding behind his PC.

Do I care about that? No.

Did you answer any of my questions? No.

For someone who hates England so much, you know an awful lot about them. I'll never hide from anything, unlike you. You can't even answer five simple questions. Some guy.