I'm starting to enjoy Toshack. His interviews are entertaining and sticking it to Robbie Savage, even at the short-term expense of the team, is entertaining. Heck, who wants a national team coach that is afraid to stand up to players? Anyway, I think Wales has a shot at a tie in this one. I'm not suggesting they have anywhere near the quality of England, I'm just not convinced it isn't going to be close.
I heard plenty of confidence verging on arrogance from the English (esp the English media) over the past few days. It's as if they have all been in a coma for the last few years missing Liverpool winning the CL and Greece winning the EC! England should beat Wales, however that doesn't mean they will. Good players don't necessarily don't make a good team . Can I ask where Scott Parker is? Is he injured? Playing Beckham in a holding role instead of him or even instead of others in the squad doesn't seem to bright. With SWP now pushing for a place it seems like Beckham is clinging onto a starting role any way he can.
Would be nice if the Welsh could pull a point back but they are going to struggle agianst a better team. With out Bellars they don't have much of a chance.
If his wife's health concerns are no longer pressing, I'd not be surprised if O'Neill is back in charge at Parkhead before the New Year. He'd never be given the reigns by the IFA; just can't imagine. There do appear to be too many problems with players for Lawrie, much as I like him, and this week should seal his fate for the forseeable future. No points from Azer or Ingurland and he's gone.
imagen with that preformance and formation playing against Brazil? we'd get hammered and that should not happen.
Thinking about it, Beckham playing deep was sort of understandable. Sven knew he would be under no pressure, so he seen Beckham as kinda his Veron from his Lazio days. Plus Stevie was there to help him out, just incase we got over run at any point in the game. As soon as we went 1-0 up though, Beckham should have been off and Hargreaves or someone else should've been brought on in his place. Shrek up front by himself clearly a big mistake.
aye i can understand him wanting a holding player cuz we need one, i'm really pleased with beat them and get 3 points but i just wish we could be more positive.
If the IFA wouldn't give him reigns that says a lot about how a once pretty-respectable footballing nation has descended into utter irrelevancy. Not good. I do think Celtic would pretty much have right of refusal on his services, though.
Not that I'm really for or against Sven, but I think I can see his point of view; better to try out new formations and tactics against a team that you're expected to beat than to trot it out at, say, the actual finals (coughEuro2004cough). Tried it, didn't work how he hoped, ok, so cross that one out of the tactics book and on to the next game...
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed The little lord jesus lay down his sweet head The stars in the bright sky looked down where HEALEY HEALEY HEALEY HEALEY HEALEY
Re: [R]Norn Iron v England, 03&07/09/05 Dear Lord what a wonderful day!!! Healy's strike was so sweet, the time and space allowed, I still can't believe it. Keep rewinding and playing it over and over. Is there a better keeper in the UK than Maik? Given that the objective was to equalise before the Ingurlish scored...who is it looks like Scotland in disguise? Lawrie has pulled it all together in a magnificent week. The match had the feel of David v. Goliath, but the GAWA balanced those scales. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.