Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
Gus Hiddink is absolutely brilliant. He took Aus, one of the least likely teams to even qualify for the finals and converted them to a side that almost took the World Chapions (Italy) out of the tournament, had it not been for that crap penalty decision.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
hiddink is a phenomenal coach but the way they played against Israel and England away from home was absolutely senseless and I thought they threw away the initiative. In the end they did not qualify because they were better than England, they qualified because England threw their opportunity like they did.
Capello will get the England job. There is no other alternative. Unless FA goes with a totally new bloke. I wish they get Kilinsmann. He was the best coach in last worldcup. Totally changed the definition of german national team from boring defensive to attacking and attractive unit.
But a german incharge of English team? I just dont see THAT happening.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
hiddink is a phenomenal coach but the way they played against Israel and England away from home was absolutely senseless and I thought they threw away the initiative. In the end they did not qualify because they were better than England, they qualified because England threw their opportunity like they did.
Capello will get the England job. There is no other alternative. Unless FA goes with a totally new bloke. I wish they get Kilinsmann. He was the best coach in last worldcup. Totally changed the definition of german national team from boring defensive to attacking and attractive unit.
But a german incharge of English team? I just dont see THAT happening.
Hiddinks is the only coach who can coach along with Mourihno.
England was in dilemma whole qualification, they had played some awefull football and not very british style either.
I'm glad they havent qualified and I hope that most of you now realize that Beckham is nothing but some media hyped cheap forcemeat.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
ali-R
as far as Beckham goes, I would be interested in seeing that backed up with stats. :)
media hype is there by all means, and so are many detractors.
but numbers talk..
so if there is something that shows minutes spent on pitch and a ratio of passes resulting in goals, goals, and passes resulting in shots on goal. that to me would be the proof. compare that to averages and we will see where he stacks up :)
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
ali-R
as far as Beckham goes, I would be interested in seeing that backed up with stats. :)
media hype is there by all means, and so are many detractors.
but numbers talk..
so if there is something that shows minutes spent on pitch and a ratio of passes resulting in goals, goals, and passes resulting in shots on goal. that to me would be the proof. compare that to averages and we will see where he stacks up :)
X2,
I have tried hard, but I don't find a single sight to provide you a proper comparison. But my arguement in general is:
Having one of the greatest talents in footballs history playing for your country and yet you fail to qualify. It aint just sad or disappointing, but one must feel humiliated.
Further more he is just one player of many in team, but is to be blamed to the fullest since he is the leading figure. He has produced nothing magically (what you normally would expect from a player of his kind) at any moment at the qualification rounds.
The only thing he cares for is money, fame and media.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
aliR
but football is a team sport and not an individual, while at times stars can carry a team, its not always possible.
and dont forget, mr mclaren decided to sit him out until he realized the team was better off with beckham due to losses the team faced while becks was away.
he is not the same player he was a few years ago by any means and that is why he is in MSL and not in a european team, but at his best he was an amazing player.
the shame is that a player who is nolonger atthe top of his game was needed to be brought back to help a team that has dug itself into a hole.
with the type of players mclaren had at his disposal he nbiether used them properly nor brought the right ones in at the right times. as long as some players will feel entitled to a place.. there will be an issue.
the only move that mclaren made that surprised me was heskey because heskay has always disappointed me, but he delivered this time around.
as far as beckham goes at this point in his craeer he is looking for future income and he does care for fame, mediaand money.. every footballer has tried to take their fame as an athelete to open other doors for them , whether its vinnie jones acting or endorsements by a ton of others.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
X2, I have tried hard, but I don't find a single sight to provide you a proper comparison. But my arguement in general is: Having one of the greatest talents in footballs history playing for your country and yet you fail to qualify. It aint just sad or disappointing, but one must feel humiliated. Further more he is just one player of many in team, but is to be blamed to the fullest since he is the leading figure. He has produced nothing magically (what you normally would expect from a player of his kind) at any moment at the qualification rounds.
The only thing he cares for is money, fame and media.
I agree to a certain extent but the second goal against Croatia was courtesy of a quality pass from Beckham. I also don't get this Beckham mania all the time. I mean the guy has obvious talent but who really cares about club foot ball (I know they do esp. in Europe) What has he ever achieved at international level? England despite all the hype and despite having the most lucrative domestic league there is are basically just a QF team at best on the world stage. Now tell me is that an achievement?
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
aliR
but football is a team sport and not an individual, while at times stars can carry a team, its not always possible.
and dont forget, mr mclaren decided to sit him out until he realized the team was better off with beckham due to losses the team faced while becks was away.
he is not the same player he was a few years ago by any means and that is why he is in MSL and not in a european team, but at his best he was an amazing player.
the shame is that a player who is nolonger atthe top of his game was needed to be brought back to help a team that has dug itself into a hole.
with the type of players mclaren had at his disposal he nbiether used them properly nor brought the right ones in at the right times. as long as some players will feel entitled to a place.. there will be an issue.
the only move that mclaren made that surprised me was heskey because heskay has always disappointed me, but he delivered this time around.
as far as beckham goes at this point in his craeer he is looking for future income and he does care for fame, mediaand money.. every footballer has tried to take their fame as an athelete to open other doors for them , whether its vinnie jones acting or endorsements by a ton of others.
True.... But even one player can make a huge difference.
Best example is Zidane. Right now (although) France is in a good position. Despite everything, their game plan (not existing) and game play is crap. (I'm stating that although It was one of my fav teams at one time.)
There is nothing in their game what could convince you of them to actually qualify and yet they are on their best way to join other teams to enter, thus play at Austrian and Swiss stadiums.
So there is some impact of specific players and I took Zidane as an example for the very reason. Since he had also enough media attension but you will hardly see him involved in scandals (besides one head butt at the end of his carrier).
Apart from that, there was a very young and promising player (hardly 18 he was at that time) out of ManUs Academy ( I really don't remember his name any more) 4 years back. A real talent he was a little genius and quick as well.
Maybe you know him. Some name like Chadwick? I haven't seen him playing for England.
England has for sure enough talent (I'm pretty sure), but have this "we-prefer-seniors (like PCB) thinking", which will never lead them to any success story in the next couple of years. There is a change in mind set needed, I suppose.
Re: England down and almost out of Euro 2008
I agree to a certain extent but the second goal against Croatia was courtesy of a quality pass from Beckham. I also don't get this Beckham mania all the time. I mean the guy has obvious talent but who really cares about club foot ball (I know they do esp. in Europe) What has he ever achieved at international level? England despite all the hype and despite having the most lucrative domestic league there is are basically just a QF team at best on the world stage. Now tell me is that an achievement?
NO doubt, that goal was one of the finest. But one goal doesn't make him and his team qualify for the finals. You need to be in the game 100 mins. Fully concentrated. League and Internationals is a huge difference. There are ppl performanig oustanding at leagues, whereas are a total waste at Internationals and vice versa.