England vs Portugal. [R]

[Colm]

Alright it's the quarter finals now, time to get serious and start playing good football, no more of this crap we've seen so far in this tournament.

Thoughts?

[Clockend]

Sven will play the same team as against Ecuador and we'll stumble through with another miracle!

Seriously, I think we are going to win; it isn't going to be pretty though.

[Colm]

Sven will play the same team as against Ecuador and we'll stumble through with another miracle!

Seriously, I think we are going to win; it isn't going to be pretty though.Neville will come in for Hargreaves at right back as he is regaining his fitness fast.

[gazzsamurai]

hargreaves has been our best player of the world cup if he doesn't play i won't be too pleased,

[Clan]

Just win.

[Grell]

Just win.

Well put.

Regards,

Grell

[Fb-killah]

Being an optimist on the England team, I'd like to definately look to the big game against Portugal as a chance to prove ourselves once again.

Although England has being playing below their potential, it should be noted that big teams play big games against big teams and it is hard to get a big game vs. a minnow, or an average team if you will.
That being said we have to take a look at our first half against Sweden. So far it was our best half and something to grow on.
Firstly Sweden were the best side we have played so far, all others were quite a formality in my humble opinion. So we saw that England can play, quite obviously, a fast paced exciting game were the ball is moving around and chances are most definately created.
As for Portugal, there are many motivating factors. First, Rooney was injured (on purpose if you ask me) in the Euro match by the Portoguese, and he was no doubt on fire and caused at least umpteen corners and chances in the first 20 minutes or so of that match, quite obviously he was targeted and ended up limping off the field along with England's chances of winning that game decisively.
Second, England then was cheated by a crap decision, yeah, been there done that, whats new for England. Leading us to our dreaded fear, the Penalty kicks. We all know the nerves that came with that and even our valiant captain David Beckham had a miss on the spot ending our hopes for the Euro despite the fact that we outplayed them and would have won quite easily if it wasn't for both the maiming of King Roon, and the BS of the Referee.
So I say to ye old English supporters, and to the Brilliant yet humble England team seize the day, seize this chance, CARPE DIEM!!!
For the ne sayers, I say this. There were times when England was the better team, there were times when we really and truely deserved to win and yet we fell to bad luck, bad calls, bad calls, and bad injuries, and now we have come so far with apparent bad play and good luck. So willfully and with all the desire to win in my heart and the heart of Englishmen around the world I say so be it, let the luck fall the way of the English for once, and let us also play now the way we know how. With speed, agility, determination and no acting, diving, whining, whinging and clinging to hope of a late call our way, or a penalty shot so scary to face, let us finish them off for Rooney, for all the bad calls in the past, for all the luck we have recieved up untill now, I saw COME ON ENGLAND!!!
What more motivation do we need than that.
All fears shall be erased, all errors of past shall be forgiven, all shots gone haywire, all injuries caused shall be forgiven. It is now or never, it is the chance to redeem ourselves it is the time to shine like the true and brave lads we are, COME ON ENGLLLLAAAND Don't let us down!

PS: Forward this speach to Sven Goran Ericsson, the bugger needs it!!!

Deniz

[Colm]

Deco is a very key play for Portugal and will be missed for them but there midfield without him still looks pretty good

--Figo------Maniche------Petit-------Simao------C.Ronaldo--

Ronaldo is appearently 80% fit and is more than likley to be fit for saturday

we have Sven, They have Scolari

i aint very optimistic about this.

[BridgeMonkee]

Just win.
There we have it...a quick preview of Terry's motivational speech :D

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson wants John Terry to deliver a motivational speech in the dressing room before Saturday's match against Portugal.

[BridgeMonkee]

--Figo------Maniche------Petit-------Simao------C.Ronaldo--



Beckham----Lampard----Carrick----Gerrard------Joe Cole

[BridgeMonkee]

we have Sven, They have Scolari



Sven steps back and John Terry steps forward. . .Scolari is an old warrior...but JT's speech will be like Winston Churchill on acid :D

[BridgeMonkee]

Neville will come in for Hargreaves at right back as he is regaining his fitness fast.

We should stick with the team that played Ecuador and bring Beckham off earlier (save him for the semi-final ;) )

[sendorange]

For a change we need to play like an organised team and Eriksson needs to be on at least the same plant tactically as Scolari... Otherewise it's going to be quarter finals and out again irrespective of how well or how badly any of our individuals perform.

Certainly in individual components we are stronger in more key areas than them. They have a central midfield of Tiago-Maniche-Petit, which is not on the same level as Lampard-Gerrard-Carrick. Rooney is a class above Pauleta and I'd take our defence over theirs.

However they have a big advantage over us individually at right back and their right midfield. Beckham looks shot outside of setpieces and Neville has no match sharpness. Can only hope their experience sees them through it.

We need a big game from Joe Cole to keep Miguel defending, we also need to get enough control in central midfield so that Gerrard and Lampard can support Rooney and hopefully finish the chances this time. I don't expect anything from our right side except not to give anything away defensively and the odd setpiece.

I'm sure it will be a tight game, penalties again (which we seem to be practising daily, hopefully effectively) or a single goal.

[Suss]

Rooney's talents were wasted in the lone foward role. He is at his best when he can come back into the midfield to recieve the ball and link the play. For this reason, Sven needs to get Crouch back into the team. This means Lampard should be dropped. Have Carrick or Hargreaves hold the midfield and let Gerrard join the attack. Its clear that Gerrard and Rooney are England's two best players, so its about time that Sven uses a formation that allows them to shine.

[When Hell Unfreezes]

I have this awful sinking feeling that we're gonna tump, these worthless lumps of Portugese sh!t...

They are fcuk-all without Deco and if someone can stamp on Roonaldos thigh, like Boularous did (should have been sent off for that, fcukin hero), they've only got that useless chubster Maniche left.....

As much as we're probably, form-wise, the worst side in the last 16, I think we will prevail against the Portugays - but we won't get past Brazil, gotta really pray, they don't make it......:).....please Lord.........???

[roverman]

if you think we are going to win then why do you have 'an awful sinking feeling'?

[The Potter]

if you think we are going to win then why do you have 'an awful sinking feeling'?


I bet he has Portugal in the office sweepstakes.Traitor.

[jec1]

These worthless lumps of Portugese sh!t

And Please to meet you, sir. We are the underdogs and that's the way we like it.

[Colm]

A Please to meet you sir. We are the underdogs and that's the way we like it.If you look at how the two teams have played so far in this world cup, You'd think we'd be the underdogs going into this match.

[jec1]

Your honest opinion guys. Who do you think will come out on top?

I say England, Being my team is Portugal. I think they will show up and play there game. If Ronaldo plays it could be interesting.