This one could be a surprise package. Ecuador have played well in their first two matches, but totally lost it against Germany.
England have performed consistently on a below-par level.
however, it is good to see Gerrard hitting peak form. With Rooney out, Eriksson might as well decide to use the tactics I want England to play: 4-5-1 / 4-3-2-1
England should progress :k:
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Ecuador were really good against Poland exploiting those set-pieces and England who have traditionally been strong defending them would love not to repeat the blunders against Ecuador.
Now I would love to see Gerrard playing just behind Rooney. If England are to progress beyoond quarters, rooney and gerrard needs to do a lot. Hope they dont play crouch because when he is on field, whole complexion and approach of english team changes to boring long ball ones.
Ecuador should not be a major concern though and a convincing performance against them should hold them in good stead against the winners of Portugal v holland/arg match.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
If Owen's injury is anywhere near as bad as it looks, England might pay a high price for SGE's stupid selection of Theo Walcott. It's hard to understand how a country like England can field a World Cup squad whose forwards consist of two injury risks, a freak, and a teenager who hasn't seen a single minute of first division play.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Owen's flying back to Newcastle, so hes out for good. :(
Talha, who is the freak you are talking about?
I think England need to worry about defence alot more than bratty teenagers who go in a strop after being substituted. Joe Cole and Hargreaves played really well yesterday, I hope they can keep it up, and Gerrard playing will definately improve our chances.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Talha, who is the freak you are talking about?
I think England need to worry about defence alot more than bratty teenagers who go in a strop after being substituted. Joe Cole and Hargreaves played really well yesterday, I hope they can keep it up, and Gerrard playing will definately improve our chances.
I think he means Peter Crouch.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
I have pondered this like many others and have no idea why Sven gambled on an out of form Owen in the first place, Rooney gamble ws a hit or miss, so far it looks like its okay, woulda sucked to see him limp off back to UK too. Crouch, i dont know, I dont think he is the best England has to offer, and then Theo... I am not sure what Theo has on Sven, why was he taken in the first place if Sven does not have the balls to play him?
I mean maybe Sven will unlesh Theo and he will score 15 goals in 3 minutes and we will all shut up for good, but it just does not add up.
I would rather do a rooney gerrard partnership than rooney crouch or rooney wolcott, no idea what Theo is able to do. Have no basis of understanding his level of play i international settings
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Well as if England didn’t struggle dealing with themselves enough, now they have a big injury to deal with.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
England or also known as the 'cry babies' of World Cup should be shown exit by Ecuador. I am a big fan of the way South American nations play football and I sincerely hope for Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador to advance as far as possible. I am sick n tired of the attention England gets - all undeserved.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
After todays Penalty for Ghana you can Ad USA to the 'cry baby' list too. Get ready for reports on this incident all over the place. Not that they would have moved to 2nd round even if that goal has not happened.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
USA had the full second half to get back in the game. They looked pathetic. I am glad they are out and now I can route for Argentina without guilt.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
PS: 
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Apparently Steven Gerrard and David Beckham have just recently had a training ground bust up over the excessive playing of long balls. Gerrard objected to Beckham playing too many of these to Crouch and wanted more one-touch passing and through balls which suits both Gerrard and Rooney. Beckham is a very one-dimensional player lacking dribbling skills and pace and instead relies on trademark crosses and long balls whilst Gerrard is a complete midfielder and loves to tear through defences with pace and one-touch passes. England are also quite clumsy chasing the ball around so should keep long balls to a minimum. If England want to progress then they need to play to the strengths of their 3 key players - Gerrard, Rooney and Joe Cole. That is, keep posession and let them run at defenses, rather than chasing long balls.
How this matter has been resolved we'll see against Ecuador.
Come on England!
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
With Owen out of the tournament it is not going to be easy for England. They really are left with only two viable players upfront, Rooney and Crouch. If one of them gets injured England will be in the doghouse. still they should be able to beat Ecuador in the last 16 and on to meet Portugal in the quarters. (sorry Nescio)
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
dude, it says more about your media choice, pick up a paper in italy and it will be all about forza azzure, pick up a paper in brazil and it will be all about samba soccer. i mean her all of espn and local papers were us centric, but outside of us media did anyone really care that much?
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Very well said. England midfield alongwith Rooney is their best bet. Too bad Eriksson resorted to feedig crouch long balls instead of through balls and ground passes. They should plan their strategy around Rooney and co rather than Crouch.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
^ agreed. I have not been impressed with Crouch.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
Oh yaar Crouch tey bilkul girraafa lagda mainu...kaddee neeva naee hondaa....if it's not a frikkin'g high ball in the box then he is useless.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
funguy, did you see any of his league games, he is tall and lanky and there is an assumption that because of that it is better to play him longhigh balls in front of the goal so he can head it in. The fact is that if you look at his style of play in league games, thats not what it is. Beckham insists on passing long balls to crouch, even though thats not what he should be doing, aside from the one goal that this tactic did result in. You may see Beckham placed differently in the next match and Sven going for a 4-1-4-1 with rooney up front supported by an attacking gerard. If towards the end of second half england is up, we MAY see theo on the field as a sub.
Crouch would produce more if they play him as he is played in the league rather than how they are doing right now.
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
*You gotta bend it like beckham and put all your money on it and hope the tall, lanky fella in the box can out-head it in the net.
*
i think it heard this on ESPN
Re: World Cup - Ecuador vs England (round of 16)
I don't want England to win the match! Cuz if they do and Holland beats Portugal today then Eng will play Holland in the quarter final on MY BIRTHDAY!
I can't handle that stress
:-(