McClaren is new England manager

[Joni]

Make it double.
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Blackburn Rovers, pride of East Lancashire.
Burnley never play Premierleague.

[Guess]

[Bamboo Grove]

Couple of interesting selection by the Swede for the Mighty Blighty. Who would have thought that he'd include the untested Walcott. Then again as the Hamsters' manager has been calling for native speakers only, please, for the line ups for English teams, he should be happy now.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4983618.stm
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知彼知己, 胜乃不殆; 知天知地, 胜乃可全
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[Toni]

Got to feel slightly sorry for Bent. Top English qualified scorer in the Premiership and overlooked in favour of Crazy Legs Crane and Walcott (top scorer for St Cuthbert's Comprehensive 2003-04).

[Joni]

[Wanderlust]

This just confirms my opinion that Eriksson should have been sacked well before the World Cup qualification games (I actually wanted him sacked after WC 2002). He has taken huge gambles with this squad; two untested youngsters (Walcott and Lennon); two strikers that may not be able to kick a ball (Rooney and Owen); a central defender who has been so far off the pace since returning that he would be an embarrassment (Sol Campbell); a left back who is injury prone and has only just returned (Cole); a striker who doesn't score goals (Crouch); very little cover at right back with no recognised replacement for Neville; a midfielder/defender who hasn't exactly pulled up any trees in his previous appearances for England (Hargreaves); another midfielder who is unnecessary when our striker options are limited (Jenas), and a left winger who, although he has had a good season is just a nod to McLaren (Downing).
He has ignored completely players that have already proved themselves at international level (Fowler, Beattie);he has also ignored players that in my opinion were more deserving of being gambled on (Nolan, Bent, Harewood, Anton Ferdinand, Etherington, Scott Parker, Ameobi, Wright-Phillips and probably many others).
I am obviously hoping that the players selected will do well, and I am praying that Rooney makes a miraculous recovery, but I fear that the Swede has turned out to be another turnip...

[Big Boy]

Maybe there's a clue in the other teams in the group - which country is Sven supporting? His own, or the one that he is dumping in a couple of weeks time?

I know which answer seems the most likely to me.

[lomuamart]

As an Englishman and the proud winner of the IKTS league in this town, I am not so confident of our chances after Wanderlust's post.
The future looks bleak.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[JD]

Can’t understand the England line up, very weak forward line up, Owen and Rooney both injured and not 100% match fit, will they even play? It’s OK to say that they will be essential when we get through to the latter rounds - but we have to get through first. Crouch and Walcott? I don’t think so.

Don’t get me wrong, I should be praising this choice, I am after all (don’t laugh now) a Saints supporter. Watched Crouch play for Saints and was impressed with his ball skills, for a gangly streak of piss he has a lot of talent, but feed him a good cross in front of goal and don’t bother getting out of your chair in anticipation, the guy can’t head for shit. With the chances he gets, he fails to stick it in the net more times than he should. One good point is that he is not selfish and can lay a ball off for another player very well, he also has good awareness of what is going on around him

As for Walcott, the greatest young talent I have ever seen, but not ready for this level of football. Walcott has a pace and turn that I have never seen before, in the few championship games I watched him in I have seen him turn an opponents defence upside down, making them drop deeper. Seasoned defenders being made to look like they are not even there. He will one day be one of the greatest players to play in the Premiership. BUT HE IS NOT READY YET! As a secret weapon that no other team in the world cup knows much about him, then maybe, he has got blistering pace, and can score goals. But as far as experience is concerned, the quality of opponent he will be confronting in the world cup is a big test for the boy and England to risk.

I think the defence is also suspect, some fine seasoned players, but again many coming off the sick list so not fit. Midfield is no problem, probably the best midfield lineup of any team at the world cup.

I don’t feel very confident with this team overall, but I will support them to the hilt. If Walcott does get a show and shows his skills, I for one will be one very relieved supporter. But . . .(angst)


BTW what’s the odds that Wenger will give everyone a show of Wallcot in the CL Final.
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Per Angusta In Augusta.
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[Big Boy]

Seville 4 - Middlesbrough 0

Well, there we go, he couldn't even win the European Loser's Cup!

I actually missed the first half (nearest & dearest wanted to watch a Thai Karaoke CD). The second half was abismal. If McLaren is going to use such old fashioned English 4th Division kick & rush tactics when managing England, I can't see him lasting past the European Cup in 2 years (if England actually qualify).

On the bright side, he was only managing Middlesbrough - a team of 'big' names, but many of them well past their sell by date. Let's hope with a team of half-decent players for England, he can adopt a much more modern style, which might achieve the odd result.

[JimmyGreaves]

The only thing that will be coming home will be dozens of hooligans expelled from Germany!