Nothing about the football?

Big_Bad_Bob wrote:
England's few decent performances over recent times have come with Barry and Gerrard together in the centre of midfield.

This is why Benitez has been falling over himself all summer to try to secure the former's signature to try to repeat and build on their fledgling partnership at club level.

But he's an idiot. They've got Javier Mascherano, who is probably the best holding midfielder going - why would Liverpool want to burst the bank for Gareth Barry, who isn't fit to lace his boots in that position?

IIRC the embarrassing debacle against Croatia at Wembley, where England's midfield was absolutely pathetic, couldn't pass the ball five yards to a team-mate and were so technically exposed by the opposition that it was like professionals against amateurs at times featured the Barry/Gerrard dream-team. And they were shit - over-run and out-classed just like the rest of them.

Maybe we could string together an XI?

Big_Bad_Bob wrote:England's few decent performances over recent times have come with Barry and Gerrard together in the centre of midfield.

This is why Benitez has been falling over himself all summer to try to secure the former's signature to try to repeat and build on their fledgling partnership at club level.

Dello wrote:But he's an idiot. They've got Javier Mascherano, who is probably the best holding midfielder going - why would Liverpool want to burst the bank for Gareth Barry, who isn't fit to lace his boots in that position?

That sounds about right. Unfortunately Liverpool are weaker out wide than England are so if Torres is marked who's he going to pass to? If Alonso and Mascheranas can't do the job Benitez wants Barry to do nobody can. Waste of money if you ask me.

Dello wrote:

Big_Bad_Bob wrote:
England's few decent performances over recent times have come with Barry and Gerrard together in the centre of midfield.

This is why Benitez has been falling over himself all summer to try to secure the former's signature to try to repeat and build on their fledgling partnership at club level.

But he's an idiot. They've got Javier Mascherano, who is probably the best holding midfielder going - why would Liverpool want to burst the bank for Gareth Barry, who isn't fit to lace his boots in that position?

IIRC the embarrassing debacle against Croatia at Wembley, where England's midfield was absolutely pathetic, couldn't pass the ball five yards to a team-mate and were so technically exposed by the opposition that it was like professionals against amateurs at times featured the Barry/Gerrard dream-team. And they were shit - over-run and out-classed just like the rest of them.

The point being that, like tonight, the Croatia game also featured Frank Retard along with Barry and Gerrard - though in a 5 man midfield on that occasion.

Gerrard and Barry alone in the centre of a midfield four has been the key to the performances where England have prospered of late.

ENGLAND

We'll get there

ENGLAND: Joe Cole says that the squad will take the positives out of Wednesday's game ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.




One of the headlines on the FA's website.

http://www.thefa.com/default.aspx

So Joe Cole for captain then?

Merlin wrote:

taipan wrote:

Clamson wrote:Wouldnt get in the Arsenal team.

True. he's not french

Oi !
Lay off the garlic.

Care to explain the Silvestre signing then?

I'm beginning to think that Lampard and Gerrard are the footballing equivalent of Hick and Ramprakash.

With the demise of Vawn and Retard, Laura's sexual healing has failed and she has been admitted.

taipan wrote:

Merlin wrote:

taipan wrote:

Clamson wrote:Wouldnt get in the Arsenal team.

True. he's not french

Oi !
Lay off the garlic.

Care to explain the Silvestre signing then?

Because Wenger didnt bother to sign us a centre back. Rather him than Djourou (admittedly still young) or Senderos (snails outpace him)

Id still go with Gallas and Toure though.

Tom Huddlestone is better than Carrick and Barry.

I like Huddlestone, he's old school, unfortunately that means he's no pace and can't tackle. Next.

Well all I can say is Fat Frank was roobish. Has been for years for England, and should be sent packing to pick up his inflated salary at Chelski.

To coin Geoff's phrase.... NEXT!

Our boys are over rated on a massive scale. None, and I repeat none would probably get into the top sides in International Football, bar maybe Steven Gerard. mSo all this rubbish about how they are man for man good enough is carp IMO.

I'd rather we pick lads who were percieved to be inferior players, but that would at least show some grit and determination, bite, and scamper for all they could in an England side, than the over paid, under performing fancy dan's who consistently produce inept performance in an England shirt!

Aye, they can't even dive properly like the better European teams.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Tom Huddlestone is better than Carrick and Barry.

You like your fatties do you?

He's not fat you 'tard. He's just massive. 16 stone when he was Derby. Built like a brick shit-house.

Also, if you think Super Frank is fat, you're a dribbling slack-jaw who should be forcibly euthanized.

And I don't know what Geoffrey's talking about, he used to play centre back and he can tackle just fine. He's right about the pace but you don't need pace when you pass as well as him.

Every modern footballer needs pace, passing and ball technique.

Without one of those three you get exposed at the top level.

No.

Clamson wrote:Every modern footballer needs pace, passing and ball technique.

Without one of those three you get exposed at the top level.

That's not true. Andrea Pirlo has been one of the best midfielders in the world for years and - in true Italian style - can't run or tackle.

Huddlestone is a good young player - excellent technique and passing range. He doesn't move particularly well, but that's not to say it's the end of the world.

Carrick and Barry have made pretty good careers for themselves in spite of having no pace.

It was so stupid that I didn't really feel it needed a list to disprove it. Quick 5 with little pace, off the top of my head -

Zidane
Riquelme
Makalele
Scholes
Maldini (past 5 years or so)

There are loads more.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:It was so stupid that I didn't really feel it needed a list to disprove it. Quick 5 with little pace, off the top of my head -

Zidane
Riquelme
Makalele
Scholes
Maldini (past 5 years or so)

There are loads more.

Zidane and Scholes weren't exactly slow, back in the day.

But, yes, Riquelme - never seen him break into a sprint. Not once.

Scholes strolled around for most of his career with quick darts into the box. Zidane had acres of space to run into when the galacticos were coutner attacking - made him look faster than he was. Quick feet, average pace.

Kahn. Banks.

Howdy Lardy. I was reading one of Warne's biographies the other week. Guess what his favourite film is? Have a good guess.

Is he a relation of Gordon Banks?