'The Road To Redemption'

[Rob Noxious]

Not a bad title for ITV's billing of tonight's England game, though after the crockawotsit we saw in the World Cup, I am finding it very hard to summon up much enthusiasm for the first Euro 2012 qualifier v Bulgaria. I'm pleased that Joe Hart is now finally our number one, but am struggling to find much else to be positive about. I certainly hope that Master Rooney has a good game as the booing of our once great talisman is not doing him or our fans any favours. I'd like to see Walcott start as he's looked bright and breezy thus far this season despite "having no football brain." Looks like we'll be a bit raw at the centre of defence and short of options up front. I don't know a jot about Bulgaria's team except they'll probably have Berbatov up front and Petrov on the left. England awaits --- or maybe not.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Tonight is when we find out that, in an England shirt, the supposed influence of Lampard and Terry is vastly overrated and overstated. Gerrard shone when Lampard vacated against Hungary, and England's Lion might have been able to forge a career out of being comitted, but he's been well and truly shown up on the international stage for some time.

I like Jagielka. I think he's been heinously overlooked in the past and has suffered from nasty injuries at the wrong times... but the more I see Upson, the more I worry about the likes of Shawcross who must look at him and think 'Christ, what am I doing wrong to not be ahead of him?' I'd honestly rather have Sol Campbell back in the squad. Bulgaria's frontline of Berbatov and Bojinov are about as inconsistent as they come, particularly hindered as they are by the midfield behind them, but on their day they're capable of tearing Upson to ribbons.

Hart's a more than capable goalkeeper and I'm pleased that we seemingly have that position sorted, pending injury, for the forseeable future.


I'd go with:

----------------Hart
Johnson* Upson* Jagielka Cole
------------Milner* Barry*
A.Johnson----Gerrard----Walcott
---------------Rooney

*'s denote positions where we seriously need to improve.

 

[PrawNZ]

Berbatov's retired from international duty I read somewhere, result!

 

[Shrimper_Wez]

I don't know a jot about Bulgaria's team except they'll probably have Berbatov up front and Petrov on the left. England awaits --- or maybe not.

I was under the impression that Berbatov had retired from international football? Could be wrong though.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Ah yes, he retired out of spite IIRC, partly because he didn't agree with the manager's tactics and partly because the players around him weren't up to much. Wait until the coach has been dispatched after a dull start to the campaign and he'll be back as sluggish as ever.

 

[leeblue]

usual snooze fest, rooney is just a shadow of himself actually sad to see, how milner is considered better than jonson or joe cole i have no idea, yes we are one nil up from a good finish from defoe but apart from that nowt to shout about.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

usual snooze fest, rooney is just a shadow of himself actually sad to see, how milner is considered better than jonson or joe cole i have no idea, yes we are one nil up from a good finish from defoe but apart from that nowt to shout about.

I think thats a bit harsh to be honest - I've actually enjoyed watching tonights game. Thats the first time I can say that since the World Cup qualifying win in Croatia! A good performance IMO.

 

[Bluesmanager]

2nd half's been fun - 4-0, Defoe hattrick, Johnson for the other. Definitely better than anything seen at the WC.

 

[EastStandBlue]

usual snooze fest, rooney is just a shadow of himself actually sad to see.

3 assists and contributed massively to the first with a delightful ball to Ashley Cole. You're right... A shadow of his World Cup excellence.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ah yes, he retired out of spite IIRC, partly because he didn't agree with the manager's tactics and partly because the players around him weren't up to much. Wait until the coach has been dispatched after a dull start to the campaign and he'll be back as sluggish as ever.

I just cant understand the mentality of 'retiring' from international football... if it was me my heart would be bursting out of my chest with pride every time I got the chance to be picked to represent my country - what a fantastic honour that is. Sod the coach or even your teammates if there are problems - for me, the sheer joy of playing for your country should trump that into a cocked hat!

 

[EastStandBlue]

I just cant understand the mentality of 'retiring' from international football... if it was me my heart would be bursting out of my chest with pride every time I got the chance to be picked to represent my country - what a fantastic honour that is. Sod the coach or even your teammates if there are problems - for me, the sheer joy of playing for your country should trump that into a cocked hat!

Whilst I certainly agree with the sentiment, I do think some people harbour different affections for their country, particularly when there are grievances involved. Berbatov has a distinct love/hate relationship with his country and the Bulgarian fans... They boo'd him as a youth and, given the level of abuse he recieved, they're lucky he considered to represent them in the first place. You look at Argentina, and Maradona alienated integral members of the squad, like Zanetti, Cambiasso and Riquelme with his comments and there's no getting through to someone as arrogant as Diegito.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Great performances from Rooney, Hart, Milner and of course Defoe. Played really well without Lampard in the midfield.

However, surely there must be a better English right back than Glen Johnson?? The guy was woeful, his sense of positioning is shocking. I wouldve backed Clohessy to play better!

 

[BrettieAngell]

usual snooze fest, rooney is just a shadow of himself actually sad to see, how milner is considered better than jonson or joe cole i have no idea, yes we are one nil up from a good finish from defoe but apart from that nowt to shout about.

What game was you watching?

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Frank Lampard will 'retire' from international football.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

It was written somewhere that I wasn't supposed to see this game.Settled down to watch the match,saw the first goal then the phone rang.Finally got rid of my caller,settled down for the second half..and the phone rang again.Missed the 2nd goal,did catch the last two but by then I'd more or less given up on the game.
Think I'll let the answer phone take the strain next time.:madman:

 

[Rob Noxious]

It was written somewhere that I wasn't supposed to see this game.Settled down to watch the match,saw the first goal then the phone rang.Finally got rid of my caller,settled down for the second half..and the phone rang again.Missed the 2nd goal,did catch the last two but by then I'd more or less given up on the game.
Think I'll let the answer phone take the strain next time.:madman:

Yeah, tell that **** Berbatov to go stalk someone else.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Yeah, tell that **** Berbatov to go stalk someone else.

Spanish and an Irish friend actually.:)
When you have a teenage daughter in the house you get used to not answering the phone if she's in and not expecting calls to be for you.So when S said the calls were for me I felt obliged to take them.:darkcloud:

 

[Rob Noxious]

I know we shouldn't go overboard about a good performance against a team who haven't qualified for a major tournament since 2004, but there were some very encouraging developments from Friday's entertaining match. ESB was quite prescient in mentioning the Chelski veterans' absence and Gerrard did indeed have an excellent game without Lampard in central midfield. Jagielka gave us some pace at the back and generally acquitted himself well - I was relieved to see Upson not in the frame, especially when Cahill came on for the unfortunate Dawson. Rooney had a very creative game - I've often thought that he could be an effective playmaker and his more withdrawn role worked a treat, especially as he and Defoe seem to be developing a good understanding. Defoe's finishing was top drawer - I think I might just have forgiven him now for the offside goal against us in 2006. Last but not least - the two Man City boys. Joe Hart showed his class and so did Adam Johnson for his cameo. Encouraging stuff indeed but it will be a different game against the Swiss. They certainly won't roll over like the Bulgars did after the second goal. Yes, that was deliberate. :)

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I know we shouldn't go overboard about a good performance against a team who haven't qualified for a major tournament since 2004, but there were some very encouraging developments from Friday's entertaining match. ESB was quite prescient in mentioning the Chelski veterans' absence and Gerrard did indeed have an excellent game without Lampard in central midfield. Jagielka gave us some pace at the back and generally acquitted himself well - I was relieved to see Upson not in the frame, especially when Cahill came on for the unfortunate Dawson. Rooney had a very creative game - I've often thought that he could be an effective playmaker and his more withdrawn role worked a treat, especially as he and Defoe seem to be developing a good understanding. Defoe's finishing was top drawer - I think I might just have forgiven him now for the offside goal against us in 2006. Last but not least - the two Man City boys. Joe Hart showed his class and so did Adam Johnson for his cameo. Encouraging stuff indeed but it will be a different game against the Swiss. They certainly won't roll over like the Bulgars did after the second goal. Yes, that was deliberate. :)

I'll be pleasantly suprised if we can pick up a point in Switzerland.I'm not expecting a Swiss roll over exactly but I think a reality check might be in order.

 

[Rob Noxious]

I'll be pleasantly suprised if we can pick up a point in Switzerland.I'm not expecting a Swiss roll over exactly but I think a reality check might be in order.

Yes, I'm trying to keep an air of neutrality about this one too.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Yes, I'm trying to keep an air of neutrality about this one too.

Personally, what I find it hard to be neutral about is that it's only on Sky 2.National disgrace IMO.No other football country would sell out to Murdoch.