If only...

[pazzerfox]

Izzet was just a different gravy to anything I have seen at our ground for a while.  The closest talent to him is probably Mark Davis (although he only played for us in league one so difficult to compare) who has gone off the boil in recent years.

 

Steve Guppy was one of the best crosser's of the ball I have seen, he rarely beat a player, he just curled it round them, also very intelligent.  If Lloyd Dyer had Guppy's brain/crossing ability then he would be absolutely frightening. 

[Guest Col city fan]

Izzet was just a different gravy to anything I have seen at our ground for a while. The closest talent to him is probably Mark Davis (although he only played for us in league one so difficult to compare) who has gone off the boil in recent years.

Steve Guppy was one of the best crosser's of the ball I have seen, he rarely beat a player, he just curled it round them, also very intelligent. If Lloyd Dyer had Guppy's brain/crossing ability then he would be absolutely frightening.

The key with Muzzy Izzett was that O'Neill knew EXACTLY where and how to play him.

Playing Lennon just off the back four gave Izzett license to roam... He got forward so often because he wasn't shackled by defensive duties.

The brilliance of Izzett was borne out of the brilliance of the team. ie he was a round peg in a round hole.

If you put Izzett into this current side, as one of a central pair in a 4-4-2, or as a wide-man, you'd see a different player completely. ie one that was nowhere near as effective IMO.

Knocky is a little like Izzett... Not blessed with great pace or stature, but 'tricky' and able to score sensational goals. However, the Frenchman is not played in anyway near as effective a role for Pearson as Izzett was for O'Neill.

[Dickov22]

shame then he's picked Milner and Rooney instead of Sturridge and Barkley, would have gone for Micah Richards too at right back

The same Richards who couldn't be bothered to go to the Euros last year? No thanks. Poor attitude.

[pazzerfox]

The key with Muzzy Izzett was that O'Neill knew EXACTLY where and how to play him.

Playing Lennon just off the back four gave Izzett license to roam... He got forward so often because he wasn't shackled by defensive duties.

The brilliance of Izzett was borne out of the brilliance of the team. ie he was a round peg in a round hole.

If you put Izzett into this current side, as one of a central pair in a 4-4-2, or as a wide-man, you'd see a different player completely. ie one that was nowhere near as effective IMO.

Knocky is a little like Izzett... Not blessed with great pace or stature, but 'tricky' and able to score sensational goals. However, the Frenchman is not played in anyway near as effective a role for Pearson as Izzett was for O'Neill.

I tend to agree.  I don't think Pearson gives that luxury of a 'free role' that Izzet quite noticeably had under Martin.

[sphericalfox]

.

[suffolk fox]

Keegan, for whatever daft reason, honestly didn't rate Guppy oweing back to their time together at Newcastle. Matt Elliott earned his first Scottish cap in 1997, before he'd really become an established Premier League centre half, and during Glenn Hoddle's England tenure.

 

The fact that Muzzy never got called up for England, however, is one of the biggest scandals in the history of the national side.

Keegan, for whatever daft reason, honestly didn't rate Guppy oweing back to their time together at Newcastle. Matt Elliott earned his first Scottish cap in 1997, before he'd really become an established Premier League centre half, and during Glenn Hoddle's England tenure.

 

The fact that Muzzy never got called up for England, however, is one of the biggest scandals in the history of the national side.

May have already been mentioned but Muzzy played for Turkey came on as a sub for them in the semi final of a world cup. So he would have never played for England.

[johnny the fox]

I think there's a lot of guff written on here.

Hodgson has done well to qualify as group winners... There's no need for this 'play-off' nonsense. Look at France, for example, who could easily fail to qualify.

Last nights friendly was meaningless. Literally. It simply served to raise revenue to pay for Wembley.

Fielding some of the other players like Forster, Lallana etc.. Fine, give them a chance and see how they get on.

Last nights game was no reflection on what may happen in Brazil. Lots of stuff could change between now and then...

What I would say, however, is that a think England are simply a good international team. Nothing great, nothing special. We have won fook all since 1966 haven't we? Well I don't think that will change next year.

Reasons why??? Frankly, God knows... There seem to be a 1001 reasons why the England International team never seems to get clearly better. All of them have been discussed to death.

As for Hodgson... He's done pretty well so far. Certainly no worse than any of the others.

The fact that france have gone backwards and now appear to be shight has no relevence to our sorry plight.

[pazzerfox]

I think there's a lot of guff written on here.

Hodgson has done well to qualify as group winners... There's no need for this 'play-off' nonsense. Look at France, for example, who could easily fail to qualify.

Last nights friendly was meaningless. Literally. It simply served to raise revenue to pay for Wembley.

Fielding some of the other players like Forster, Lallana etc.. Fine, give them a chance and see how they get on.

Last nights game was no reflection on what may happen in Brazil. Lots of stuff could change between now and then...

What I would say, however, is that a think England are simply a good international team. Nothing great, nothing special. We have won fook all since 1966 haven't we? Well I don't think that will change next year.

Reasons why??? Frankly, God knows... There seem to be a 1001 reasons why the England International team never seems to get clearly better. All of them have been discussed to death.

As for Hodgson... He's done pretty well so far. Certainly no worse than any of the others.

I rate Roy highly and do not think there is many that could do as good a job as him.  People are starting to and need to realise that England will not win the World Cup 2014 or for the forseeable future.  This is not down to the manager, we just do not have the players/technical ability to be able to do this.  I think this will progress and we will start to see a marked improvement in 10-20 years time.

[Guest Col city fan]

I rate Roy highly and do not think there is many that could do as good a job as him. People are starting to and need to realise that England will not win the World Cup 2014 or for the forseeable future. This is not down to the manager, we just do not have the players/technical ability to be able to do this. I think this will progress and we will start to see a marked improvement in 10-20 years time.

I think this was probably said 10-20 yrs ago though wasn't it?

In fact, 10-20 years ago was probably when England had their best team in ages. At the Euro's under Venables.

There is little sign of 'progression' of the National game.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Because I don't rat Walker at that level so it would be a good chance to look at another option and I didn't think of Clyne but yes him to start the I don't really mind which

 

I'd have thought we'd be better off letting Richards actually play for his club side before we start to judge him in an England one.

[Stadt]

The next 5-10 years will see improvement as the majority of youth players are comfortable with the ball.

[The Horse's Mouth]

It was just a friendly, it didn't have any importance at all. It was hardly brave, the result was pish and he won't face the sack or owt..

[Master Fox]

I think when Muzzy played for Turkey in the World Cup they went further than England. I remember Turkey looking like a quality side in that competition.

[Haydos]

Looks like it paid off as well...

[pazzerfox]

I think this was probably said 10-20 yrs ago though wasn't it?

In fact, 10-20 years ago was probably when England had their best team in ages. At the Euro's under Venables.

There is little sign of 'progression' of the National game.

Maybe, but I think we are getting a better infrastructure in place in terms of centers of excellence and I think we are starting to see more technically gifted players in the shape of Sturridge, Ravell Morrison, Rahim Sterling, Will Hughes, Wilfred Zaha etc. 

[Guest Col city fan]

Maybe, but I think we are getting a better infrastructure in place in terms of centers of excellence and I think we are starting to see more technically gifted players in the shape of Sturridge, Ravell Morrison, Rahim Sterling, Will Hughes, Wilfred Zaha etc.

Well let's hope so. I guess it's the nature v nurture debate. Natural ability being 'genetic' and then excellent coaching maximising that ability.

Alexis Sanchez being a good example. Clearly a kid borne with genetic ability to play football, now being coached and played at Barcelona to make him world class.

I can't believe that certain English players do not have the genetic ability to be world class. If so, it must be the coaching that is falling short somewhere.

[davieG]

Well let's hope so. I guess it's the nature v nurture debate. Natural ability being 'genetic' and then excellent coaching maximising that ability.

Alexis Sanchez being a good example. Clearly a kid borne with genetic ability to play football, now being coached and played at Barcelona to make him world class.

I can't believe that certain English players do not have the genetic ability to be world class. If so, it must be the coaching that is falling short somewhere.

For decades we've gone for muscle and power over natural ability even now the emphasis is on speed often ignoring the fact they couldn't trap a bag of cement.

 

I bet many a stylish natural footballer has been cast aside because they are seen as small, frail or no Usain Bolt

[crisp monster]

If Guppy played for a another club, people on here would say he was average.

Being an ex kopite , most home games I would say Guppy came in for a fair bit of stick from our fans.

No pace and weak in the tackle but a superb delivery which Cottee and Heskey made the most of and was very usefull to our performance's at the time.

I liked him a lot but he was a very good part of a well organized outfit.

I think it was a lot to do with MON etc identifying certain players that would fit well into there plans.

[sylofox]

For decades we've gone for muscle and power over natural ability even now the emphasis is on speed often ignoring the fact they couldn't trap a bag of cement.

 

I bet many a stylish natural footballer has been cast aside because they are seen as small, frail or no Usain Bolt

Keegan was for a start.

While we are on size why do keepers have to be 6'6" now day.

When one of our best was like 5' nothing.

[Webbo]

 

While we are on size why do keepers have to be 6'6" now day.

When one of our best was like 5' nothing.

Pretty obvious really.

[pazzerfox]

Well let's hope so. I guess it's the nature v nurture debate. Natural ability being 'genetic' and then excellent coaching maximising that ability.

Alexis Sanchez being a good example. Clearly a kid borne with genetic ability to play football, now being coached and played at Barcelona to make him world class.

I can't believe that certain English players do not have the genetic ability to be world class. If so, it must be the coaching that is falling short somewhere.

These foreign players definitely seem to be one step ahead technically at the moment, that's for sure.  Whether this trend continues is another thing.  Maybe it is just a genetic thing similar to black sprinters being generally faster than white sprinters.

[Stadt]

I'd say that Keepers have to be 6ft+ and Centre backs preferably but other than that height shouldn't matter.

[sylofox]

Pretty obvious really.

Is it why.

 

Or was Paul cooper a bad keeper?

He never seemed to have a problem with his lack of height.

 

And probbably more peno saves than any keeper ever.

[Webbo]

Is it why.

 

Or was Paul cooper a bad keeper?

He never seemed to have a problem with his lack of height.

 

And probbably more peno saves than any keeper ever.

Paul Cooper was an okay keeper but was he better than Flowers, Walker, Kasper? The bigger you are the more of the goal you fill up. The taller you are the longer your reach.

[davieG]

Do goalkeepers lose some agility as they get taller?