Internationals Thread 2009 [R]

[MetroChile]

This was Chile's starting lineup vs. Vza. last nite: Bravo; Vidal, Medel (SW), Jara; Isla (R), Carmona (DM), Cereceda (L); Fdez.; Sanchez (R), Suazo, Beausejour (L).

Vidal, Isla, Sanchez and Cereceda were specially poor. I would say that Suazo and Carmona were "OK to bad". Knowing Bielsa (the coach), he will not make many changes, though I certainly do not wanna see Vidal in the lineup come Wed.: his spot should go to Waldo Ponce, who is back from suspension. Ponce will move in as the sweeper and Medel will be the right CB. And Cereceda should leave his spot for Besiktas's Tello.

I dunno if I mentioned it earlier but Brazil will be without Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Lucio (and Ramires) due yo yellow card accumulation. Robinho is also out due to an injury.

[usscouse]

So, how good is Brazil without these guys? Good enough, ya think?

[MetroChile]

So, how good is Brazil without these guys? Good enough, ya think?

As the saying goes in Spanish "Brasil es Brasil". Their projected lineup looks a little something like this: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Miranda, Luisao, Andre Santos; G. Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano, ? ; Nilmar/Vagner Love/Julio Baptista, Adriano.

The thing that could work in Chile's favor is the fact that under Bielsa the team goes for the win everywhere, be it at home or away from it and that is certainly something Brazil is not used to playing at home.

[Red Bird]

Away from the all that stuff happening in the Western hemisphere, over here in Blighty most the post-mortem has largely centred on Glen Johnson's suitability [or not] at right back and whether or not Gerrad is suitably deployed at wide left mid-field, at the expense of a much wider and more insightful debate over why the players seemingly ignore the playing instructions, and make a sow's ear out of a silk purse.

On Johnson, the funny thing is that Capello himself doesn't seemingly see him as a problem (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8240970.stm)"I was not happy to concede a late goal because the concentration was not good in the last four or five minutes," said Capello after the Slovenia match.

"I want the players to focus and concentrate on every minute of the game.

"During training we tried some movements. But I didn't see them on the pitch. I was not happy about that. "The mistake for me is when the players don't make the movements I ask."

I think the bolded part highlights the fundamental difference between expectations and attainment for Capello. He has made his slections based on a certain plan but the players, once on the pitch revert to type. For example, just about every pundit with access to a microphone or, pen and paper has moaned about Gerrard being played wide left. Except he is not. Gerrard and Rooney were deployed to support Heskey while Wright-Phillips was used as the wide outlet in midlfield. Ashley Cole is meant to provide width on the left. If he goes forward, one of Barry or Lampard are meant to cover him but quite often it was Gerrard who had to drop back. Yet in doing so, negated Capello's attacking plan.

Similarly when Johnson went forward, there was a large gap behind him but Wright-Phillips didn't cover as Gerrard did nor did one of Barry or Lampard as Capello clearly wants. Slovenia duly exploited this space. People moaning about Johnson poor defending ignore this fact. The large majority of moaning punters by happenstance are Chelsea fans. Hmm ...

[revelationx]

The large majority of moaning punters by happenstance are Chelsea fans. Hmm ...

I've noticed that too! LOL

[newterp]

yeah - it was pretty funny - the announcers for the friendly tried their hardest to make sure that for every bit of praise they gave johnson, to mention his prior defensive frailties - as if they were also current problems.

yet any impartial observer would have to agree that he is the best right back in england at present. by a long way too in my opinion.

[Red Bird]

yeah - it was pretty funny - the announcers for the friendly tried their hardest to make sure that for every bit of praise they gave johnson, to mention his prior defensive frailties - as if they were also current problems.

yet any impartial observer would have to agree that he is the best right back in england at present. by a long way too in my opinion.

Which is why Capello [and the Slovenian coach] were quoted thus:-Capello denied claims that Johnson, who was hailed for his display in England's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in August, is England's weakest link.

"Don't worry. I have no problem with Glen Johnson," urged Capello, though Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek pinpointed the Liverpool player as a possible defensive weakness.

"Glen Johnson is a very dangerous player," said Kek.

"Stopping him was very important. But when you play in such an offensive way it leaves a lot of space behind.

"I have seen England two or three times. I knew we could get to the goal on that side
Somewhere there, lie some clues.

[Chimaera]

watching that Spain game, just makes me sad the Silva rumors were bunk (or that we just didn't have the cash)

[newterp]

watching that Spain game, just makes me sad the Silva rumors were bunk (or that we just didn't have the cash)

true true.....his only shortcoming I can see is that he tends to get injured a lot (then again - aquilani)

[Kawklee]

While partly culpable for letting the cross in, the amount of blame Johnson gets is utterly laughable. He committed to the early cross, and the angle that it was delivered from should have been Lescott's ball 100%. I saw him perform a number of class tackles, he's a choice RB for sure.

[Red Bird]

While partly culpable for letting the cross in, the amount of blame Johnson gets is utterly laughable. He committed to the early cross, and the angle that it was delivered from should have been Lescott's ball 100%. I saw him perform a number of class tackles, he's a choice RB for sure.One of the worst aspects of English punditry is the herd-behaviour mentality. Once one loud-mouth proffers an opinion it becomes hard fact and "reality". Observe the hysteria around zonal-marking, diving, our being a one-man, then two-man, then a Xabi-driven team etc. Some people already have it in their mind that Johnson is a poor defender full stop.

[usscouse]

Hasn't been very good for us.....has he..:rolleyes:

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Hasn't been very good for us.....has he..:rolleyes:

Tee hee!

It's funny because he has been very good for us!

:)

Paul Merson can suck it.

[Grinners89]

One of the worst aspects of English punditry is the herd-behaviour mentality. Once one loud-mouth proffers an opinion it becomes hard fact and "reality". Observe the hysteria around zonal-marking, diving, our being a one-man, then two-man, then a Xabi-driven team etc. Some people already have it in their mind that Johnson is a poor defender full stop.

And the exact same approach is driven towards Lucas Leiva. No matter how good he is, people always have pre-conceived ideas about how he plays, even if they havent watched him.

[newterp]

hope the Journo's give Johnson a shitton of credit for how good he was tooday in crucial game for england.

[jeffcoop]

Save some goals for us, Stevie.

[MetroChile]

Great win by Ingurland: congrats. :cool:
Said congrats come from one of the most hardcore England "plastic" fans: yea, that's right...I said it. :D

[Kawklee]

Johnson plays impeccably for club and country, what a great buy.

[burning247]

Here are my goals for the international break:

-England win and qualify.
-US win and get closer to qualifying
-Mexico lose.
-Portugal lose.
-Saudi Arabia lose.


Yeah....that would kick ass.

England Qualify? Check.
US win twice? Check.
Mexico lose? WTF Costa Rica?
Portugal lose? No, but they're not out of the woods yet.
Saudi Arabia lose? No, but they're out anyways :D

[Twenty26Six]

Anyone catch the Argentina score? :eek: