Last night's game

[kenodoki]

We are still a good side but last nigt's perfomance was a disgrace. Sven should have played the youngsters from the begining. Iw anted to know what peoples opinions were:

1. What went wrong?
2. What can we learn from this and needs to be done?
3. Who, if anyone, needs to be dropped and who should replace them?

1. There was no desire within the first half team. They seemed to treat it like a kickabout in the park rather than a game fans have paid a lot of money to see. At least the Aussies provide some entertainment. Obviously FA Cup games this weekend meant that a lot of the lads strooled around not wanting to get injured. Sven should also try to learn that 4-4-2 isn't the be all and end all.

2. We England players need to start showing some desire. It was only a friendly and you could tell that they couldn't give a toss. Even in the interview afterwards Beckham was all smiles and had the 'i don't give a sh*te' look on his face.
I also reckon we need to sort out the diffrences between the clubs and the national team. Otherwise we are never going to be able to properly prepare for importnat games. The idea of scrapping FA Cup replays and and therefore (hopefully) shortening the season is a good one. I also think next years new Champions League format will help becuse there will be less games.

3. I think we should get Rid of the Nevilles cos they are crap. I don't think Lampard's that great either. He has had a great season but I get the feeling he could turn out to be the next McManaman. We need to get Rooney and JJ into the side. They were totally unfazed by the occasion and Rooney's first touch was excellent. Sol Campbell should not be one of our first choice center backs. I reckon Woody or Southgate should get the nod ahead of him. And for god's sake get RID of David James. Robinson is so much better.

[lampshade]

i agree with that except i think sol campbell is a brilliant centre back and that rooney should be in the squad when imo he shouldnt. other than that spot on again

nevilles got to go, so has calamity james as robinson is a far superior goalkeeper.

this confirms for me that JJ is a fantastic young prospect and SHOULD be included in the next squad.

also i think konchesky has got to be given a full 90 minutes on the left wing against leitchenstein.

oooh yeah jermain defoe deserves a place aswell. he deserves a place more than rooney does

[Flukey Lukey]

good post Kenodoki, I agree with pretty much everything, especially the bit about Neville! ;)

[flowforth]

I predicted an Aussie win. They have good players, a team ethic, and should have been at the world cup! England have a losing mentality in almost all sports - can't pinpoint what it is - but just cannot rise to the occasion for some reason. Here are the big losers from last night.

Sven - Clueless in international football - has different rules for different players. Won't play Macca cos he's not playing for real - then picks reserve team players like Jeffers and Upson. Liked his spunk in looking at new players - but his faith in the "first team" is sickening. They're the ones that lost the game and will blow the Euro qualifying for us.
James - Simply not good enough! Rooted to his line, uncommanding, and vastly inferior to Robinson and Kirkland. The fact that he is called up after a terrible season is unfair to other players.
Neville - Enough! Overrated completely - underperforms for England and gets caught frequently. Love afair with Beckham is becoming nausiating.
Cole - Unfit and should not have started
Cambell and Ferdinand - Need to spend some time on the pine and watch Brown, Terry, and Woodgate for a while. Awfull performance!
Beckham - Mr. Bunny-hop needs to be dropped for a while - so we can see Jenas on the right. His automatic selection is a farce!
Lampard - What the hell happened - this was your big chance and you blew it!
Dyer - Next! His time on the left is up. Lets see Barry, Cole, Thompson, or anyone else!
Owen - completely ruined by Houllier! Forgotten how to pounce and needs some time on the bench watching Rooney and Beattie.

Scholes and Beattie escape my wrath. Beattie played with a bunch of careless primadonnas and deserves another chance

The "second" team outplayed the first - and should all be considered ahead of the others for the next game. Why couldn't Sven give Cole some time on the left? What happened to Parker and Davis - they will probably not get another chance now!

Bloody awfull England!!!! On this display, I think we might be out of the Euro championships!!! But Sven's not worried - Barca are waiting!

[skilos]

yeah yeah... we were crap, right?

But has anybody thought that after last night's dismal effort, there might be a little plus point or two.
Afterall...

1, Gary Neville revealed that he is shockingly bad and cannot justify his automatic selection any more!
(...oh, and on the way to international obscurity Gary, take your brother with you!)

2, The '2nd half' kids did their country proud, so at least we've got something to look forward to in years to come!

3, .... and finally on a light-hearted note, can you imagine what a great midfield we'll have when Kewell gets his citizenship!

[flowforth]

Nice try! But Sven will continue to select Neville - just like he will continue to select Heskey, Owen, and Beckham no matter how bad their form is.

It may seem like we have something to look forward to - but I remember hearing the same thing 10 years ago! Also, coaches like Sven and Houllier will ruin these players. Look what's happening to Owen!!!

Kewell will never play for England - we've got to start developing our own wingers!
I know you'll think this is gloomy - but I think we are in real danger of missing Euro 2004. We will not catch Turkey - and will face better teams than Australia in the playoffs. THe swedish experiment has been a failure! We need someone with better team selection, tactical creativity, and wilth the bollox to stand up to Houllier, Wenger and Ferguson - who are collectively ruining the national game.

Fergie conned Keane into retiring from Ireland - and if he had his way - would hold all ManU players from friendlies. He's a selfish control freak!!!

[JG]

fergie`s a genuine scot then.....

[skilos]

yeah... you're right about Kewell..
was a nice idea for a time! ;)

who do you reckon for the next England manager then?
i too think that the new guvnor needs bollocks...
but there ain't many of them about that ain't been tried and tested already?

and another thought... do we go with an English coach or should we consider another 'well-paid' Johnny Foreigner??

[Sporting]

Originally posted by skilos


and another thought... do we go with an English coach or should we consider another 'well-paid' Johnny Foreigner??

Well I'm not sure if there's any good English managers around. Only Bobby Robson and unfortunately for England he's too old and also comitted to Newcastle

And what's with all these threads on the Australia game? Keep it to 1 thread people :)