Toni wrote:
but in my opinion the English simply put too much pressure on themselves. They go into every tournament expecting to win it.
where do you get that from
From my time living and working in England. That is the impression the pundits and all of my work mates give off. Clive Tyldesley commented on how well Howard Webb was reffing the other night, such a shame that he wouldn't be able to ref the final! (This after England's dire group performances).
The too many games excuse being trotted out is a non starter. Lineker just read out the stats on MOTD, the 5 main men in the German side (Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Podolski and 2 others I can't remember) played more games last season than Lampard, Terry, Gerrard, Cole and Rooney, England's main men (apparently).
redzonerocker wrote:
as a prominent team in a major tournament, you have to believe you can win it, no point turning up otherwise
Absolutely agree, but as I alluded to in an earlier post, are they a prominent team? Historically of course, as the country that gave football to the world, but in the results driven world of professional football (to use footy speak) one final since major football tournaments started in 1930 tells its own story. Notts Forest have won 2 European cups, are they a prominent team because of what they did 30 years ago? I don't know what the answer is for England, all I'm trying to say is that they (media) might wish to be a bit more realistic when viewing the England team.
Roel wrote:How arrogant can you get? Just read on a Dutch website that the FIFA (or the MAFIFA as they call them) left out the disallowed England goal from the game highlights on their official website. Talking about denial. They also suggest that after this incident Blatter can do nothing but ACT. As a result he will probably announce that from now on showing replays is forbidden.
FIFA need to be dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st century. The arrogant and stubborn Blatter needs to be put out to pasture along with his PR cronies who refused to accept any criticism at today's press conference.
He also complained about the possible costs of new technology, which is rich coming from FIFA a 'non-profit' organisation that is on course to make over 1 Billion USD from the 2010 circus.
The Germans previously suggested having a simple sensor inside the ball to detect when the goal line was crossed - this idea dismissed along with the UK Hawkeye (tennis) technology.
Just be glad that you do not live in Wales! My local Post Office staff, plus 75% of Welsh people, were so against the "English"" winning! It is disgusting! I am Welsh, but ashamed to say I am sometimes. The majority of people here will support anyone...just as long as they are not English! Just hope there is not a war one day when they will have to depend on "the English" to defend them. Despite everything ...all those bludgers are quite happy to take benefits from England!
I don't think anyone would dispute that Capello picked us up after the McLaren fiasco and we were good in qualifying.
I think what needs to be found out is why everything went so badly wrong starting with the pre-tournament friendlies, squad selection, an obvious lack of team spirit, and confused selections and tactics by the manager?
One problem is his word isn't his bond. Seeking to get Carragher back from self-imposed exile 'cause the guy couldn't get in the team previously - and succeeding - but why? Then it emerged he tried to get Paul Scholes back, then he said he would only select players on form, then he would only do this, that and the other, but always seemed to do the opposite.
England really were dire from start to finish, playing square pegs in round holes that IMHO, the players weren't comfortable with and sticking to tactics that may work in the Italian and Spanish leagues, but which most top teams stopped using years ago, including at Mancs and Chelsea.
We went into this World Cup with no settled team, no settled style of play with seemingly everyone looking over their shoulder. We were there before anyone with no break between the end of the season and meeting up, even a week would have helped. The players were locked away in the middle of nowhere with next to nothing to do and if the guys English really is as bad as his post-match interview, when he needed a translator, then HTF did he liaise with the players!!!
The players shoulder, rightly, a lot of the blame, but 5 in midfield of a quality team like Germany will always walk over 4 in a disjointed opposition, as England were.
On the whole, we have done okay in the last few WC's, with not a lot of luck on our side, this time we were a disgrace, with arguably the best bunch of players for a long time. Its takes some doing to manage that into rubbish.
We did better under the Swede than the Italian and its time to pass the baton back to one of our own, so arrivederci Mr. Capello, take your millions and say hello to Mr. Redknapp on your way out.....
Capello did seem to keep them on a very tight leash.
The Ghanaians in contrast,who were also staying in a hotel near that somewhat isolated place Rustenberg, were out socialising with the locals enjoying a few drinks and having a kick about with the locals.
caller wrote:
The players shoulder, rightly, a lot of the blame, but 5 in midfield of a quality team like Germany will always walk over 4 in a disjointed opposition, as England were.
the first 2 goals were just bad defending
i'm struggling to remember ever seeing a goal scored with just one touch, directly from a goal kick at any level
On the whole, we have done okay in the last few WC's, with not a lot of luck on our side, this time we were a disgrace, with arguably the best bunch of players for a long time. Its takes some doing to manage that into rubbish.
totally agree
so arrivederci Mr. Capello, take your millions and say hello to Mr. Redknapp on your way out.....
hopefully
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Siani wrote:Just be glad that you do not live in Wales! My local Post Office staff, plus 75% of Welsh people, were so against the "English"" winning! It is disgusting! I am Welsh, but ashamed to say I am sometimes. The majority of people here will support anyone...just as long as they are not English! Just hope there is not a war one day when they will have to depend on "the English" to defend them. Despite everything ...all those bludgers are quite happy to take benefits from England!
You should never be ashamed to be Welsh just because of the actions of others. The same anti England stuff goes on in Scotland but to a far higher degree. As for being defended by the English, there is a war going on where all 4 countries of the UK are serving side by side, under 1 flag, working in harmony, but mercilessly taking the p**s out of any of their counterparts misfortune. English soldiers/sailors/airmen will be getting it in the neck from all quarters right now, but they'll give as good as they get and everyone will go out for a beer after. We wouldn't be defended by "the English", we would be defended by the likes of me, a Welshman and a member of the British Armed Forces.
Toni wrote:
I don't take much notice of them, prior to this tournament Spain had won 45 of their last 47 matches and were not ranked number 1!
yep, there not perfect, just a general guide.
brazil remain no1 courtesy of winning last years confederations cup, whereas spain were beaten in the semis by the usa
could all change in the coming weeks
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
After watching Brazil last night, I think they're going to take some stopping. They might not have the "samba flair" of yesteryear, but they are very difficult to score against. A very powerful unit.
Police General Bheki Cele confirmed on Tuesday that the FIFA head offices in Johannesburg were burgled over the weekend.
He suspected an inside job because it appeared the culprits were very familiar with the building and its security.
Cele made the announcement at National Press Club briefing in Pretoria.
“There was a burglary at the FIFA offices where they took seven replicas of the World Cup and some sweaters and we suspect it was people who are very familiar with the environment
and having a kick about with the locals. 
