England and Euro 2008.

Casanova

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Talk about all things England and/or Euro 2008 here.

I'd like to know what everyone's opinions are on England's performance thus far and how far you think they'll go in the tournament.

As for me, I'm happy with Maccca's choices so far, you can't argue with the recent results we've been getting.

I don't think England's chances of winning are great but it would be nice to win something for once. We've underachieved for decades and it's about time we showed the rest of the footballing world why we hold our players in such high regard.
 
I've always rooted for England on any WC or EC, but they always seem to do badly, and I don't know why? They have always had a strong team, and yet they don't even manage to get to the final four... it's really disappointing..
 
Yeah, as I said, we've underachieved for decades and you're totally right, we always do have a strong team. I can only hope we do well in Euro 2008.

You think you're disappointed? try being English. :monster:
 
What frustrates me the most, is the fact that we have a squad capable to beating anyone on their day, yet we've had to settle for mediocracy.
There's quality in every department of our team and only in the last two games has it began to show really.

Two move's of Macca's I've approved of is the introduction of Gareth Barry and Micah Richards. Superb is the one word to describe their international form.
 
The last two matches have been great, the side has been strong and alot of partnerships are forming. If Macca introduces Rooney and Lampard back into the side then problems might start to arise again. In my opinion he should stick with the 11 men that beat Israel and Russia.
 
I agree wholeheartedly there. Why change the winning formula when it's clearly so successful? I was apprehensive about Emile Heskey being given another chance at first. But it's great to see faith finally being placed in Gareth Barry over Frank Lampard, who has never been a great performer for his country.
Sadly, McClaren will change the team when Rooney and Lampard return.

I think our problem in past tournaments is that we have good individual players, but as a team, we're pretty poor. They all cancel each other out. Which is why it's great that Barry is being given his rightful place.
I'm still not a fan of Rio Ferdinand though. I'd like to see Woodgate or Dawson get a game.

I think this year, providing McClaren doesn't change the team, we're going to have a good one.
 
I hope he doesnt play Crouch instead of Heskey. Crouch has his advantages but I think Heskey is more of a team player.
 
Crouch always forms a good partnership with Michael Owen, so I wouldn't mind seeing him play instead of Heskey. But so far, Heskey has come back into the role perfectly well.
 
I'm really surprised at Micah Richards' performances, he really is a great player even at this level and when you see him play you sort of forget he's only 19, he plays like a man with twice his experience.

I'm still sort of concerned about Robinson in goal, he's kept two straight clean sheets I know but his performance against Germany proves he isn't the most stable of international players.
 
Ever since Micah Richards' debut, I've wanted him to become the regular #2. I'm not a fan of Gary Neville though, so I'm very biased. :wacky:

I'm happy with Robinson staying, at least for now. We really don't have anyone better to take over. Every keeper has bad games though.
 
I think the only reason we lost against Germany was because Brown came on and took Richards' place at right back. Richards was controlling the game in that position.
 
I missed the Germany game in favour of playing my own game of football, but I'm not surprised in the slightest that we failed AFTER Wes Brown came on. It's a recipe disaster if I ever heard one.
 
Aye, Richards and Beckham were controlling the game from the right hand side but when Brown came on it started to go pearshaped and we quickly lost our foothold on the game.
 
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England are very much like Spain (and to a lesser extent Holland) for me. I've seen them fail too many times at major tournaments (England AND Spain XD) to ever have any belief that they can finally pull it off this time round. England's form in the WC and EC aince 1966 is mystifying at times - not even an EC final when Denmark and Greece have won it! - considering who they have on paper. But the whole is always less than the sum of its parts.

Maybe England will finally come good next summer, they are certainly one of five or so teams who have a chance, but I get the feeling as usual the media will expect far too much and disappointment will invariably follow.
 
England are very much like Spain (and to a lesser extent Holland) for me.

I was thinking the exact same thing earlier today. We've always underachieved like those teams, I know I keep saying it, but it's true.

I'm not expecting an upset this time around like last time when Greece won it. :wacky:
 
I agree wholeheartedly there. Why change the winning formula when it's clearly so successful?

Because that was against Israel and Russia. When England goes up against more formiddable opponents like Spain, Portugal, and Germany then McLaren will more than likely have to use players like Rooney and Lampard. Germany beat England because the caliber of star players on the pitch wasn't as good as it could've been.
 
Well how often have we used all the big names, such as Rooney, Lampard, Beckham, Neville etc. and failed? Countless occasions. I think from the performances put in against Israel and Russia, we could have easily beaten Germany, should we play them again in such form.
Unfortunately, Emile Heskey is the latest victim of a broken metatarsal and will be missing for a long time, so there's Rooney's place back on a plate. I'd rather Peter Crouch got the position though; he usually forms a good partnership with Owen.
 
I would like to see Peter Crouch get some playing time. After all he doesn't even need to jump to head a ball. Alamost all crosses turn into free headers for him. I also like Wayne Rooney. His work rate is far better than most people in the world. I think the English National Team just needs to spend more time in training together so that they can learn to mesh well. England has a full team of high caliber players but the chemistry on the pitch can use some work. Once they overcome this problem they can beat any team they want to. (excpet the U.S.A.):D
 
That's true that; they all spend far too much time apart to be a proper team. It's also a good reason why David Beckham has no right to captain the side, whether John Terry is present or not.
I'd still prefer Crouch over Rooney though. He seems more successful at international level to me.
 
I hate to do it but I'll agree with you Pooley, I think Crouch should get a chance to shine with Owen again even if he is a dirty lankey scummer.
 
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