BS: Football ... poor old England ...

Subject: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 08:50 PM

Not being English, I still feel a lot of sympathy for English footie fans this year.

Two months ago they were strong contenders for the World Cup, fielding the strongest team they have had available in years.

And now, after Beckhams international career ending injury today, they seem to be inescapably riven by injury and scandal.

The Tabloids are just gonna love it this summer!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 09:33 PM

Are they playing the Cubs or something?

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 03:27 AM

I don't care too much as long as Heskey isn't picked. He is a total waste of space.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Stu
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 04:14 AM

Nit strictly true Villan, he's useful for bouncing balls off as he stands in the box deciding what to do next.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 04:30 AM

I was on a flight back from Antigua sat next to his granddad once. Lovely man, and lovely Leicester family. (I have no idea what Heskey is like as a footballer, except that LC fans seemed to rate him.)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 05:32 AM

LOL I like that one Jack.

Ruth, he is a nice person, but considering he is supposed to be a centre forward, who in my opinion should score lots of goals. He sadly lacks that.

He has appeared in 17 games this season and scored 5 goals and he is classed as a striker and plays for England.

Last season he appeared in 11 games and scored 2 goals.

This compares with John Carew who has appeared 15 times and scored 11 goals and mainly as substitute in order to make way for Heskey to get in the England team.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 06:10 AM

I've always been in two minds about Heskey - perhaps if they removed the
tag "striker" from him it would solve his problems, but there isn't a position called "provider", which is his best role.

I don't think he's ever actually taken a penalty and you'd have to worry about that in a World Cup. Plus the fact that for a big strong player he gets an awful lot of injuries.

I'm a bit worried by all this talk of playing Rooney in this "hole" behind the strikers - sure to limit his mobility a bit - how deep are they thinking of making the hole?

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Arnie
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 06:33 AM

Beckham was never guaranteed a place on the England squad anyway. In fact his injury may have made Fabio Capello's squad selection a bit easier. Even had Beckham gone to SA, he would only be a sub, albeit a 'supersub' as his legs can no longer last a whole match. And whilst I'm sorry he's got injured, imagine if that had happened in SA? - the rules do not allow for a replacement once the squad has been selected. He didn't do much when he came off the bench for AC Milan against Man Utd last week - his long-range shot on goal looked spectacular but was easily fended away by the goalie. There are plenty of younger midfielders vying for Beckham's slot and it's time for one of them to make his mark on the right midfield. Agree about Heskey though - Crouch is a big enough target man and can actually score goals. There are a number of goal-scoring centre-halfs who deserve a chance ahead of Heskey. I'd take Jermaine Beckford, but then again I might be a little biased.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Arnie
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 06:36 AM

Whoops - that last sentence should read 'centre-forwards' not centre-halfs'. Although the thought of Heskey playing in defence is worth further consideration.....

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Stu
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 07:14 AM

I've no problem with Heskey as a person, I've never met him but as a lifelong Villa fan I do have an opinion on him as a footballer.

I think he lacks any ability to finish, and this is the flaw in his game. He's got a lot better at not falling over which has made more useful on the edge of the area but as he isn't a finisher his uses are (in my opinion) limited. To be fair to the lad, he does have a good work rate though and as he's built like a brick shithouse he can intimidate defenders.

I certainly wouldn't take him to SA over Crouch though, as I think he works well with Rooney who is going to be the focus of our attack. Shame Agbonlahor and Young aren't playing to their best as they could make a difference . . . can't see Fabio taking them both, if either at the moment though.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 07:25 AM

hi

Beckham may not have been picked but now that's out of the question the time has come to decide who will go.

I believe that there are a number of contenders with Milner probably the favourite.

If last week's game against Egypt was anything to go by Milner should get in above Lampard. I know that this is almost sacriledge but he never reproduces his Chelsea form in an England shirt.

With regard to Heskey or Crouch....I wouldn't pick either of them Defoe is sharp and scores goal and Carlton Cole is dtrong and scores goals.

Mind you if Rooney keeps this season's form we won't need another centreforward.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 08:54 AM

Milner and Beckford should be automatic selections for the squad.
Shame the former plays for an unfashionable club and the latter for a Div. 1 side. If they both played for Chelsea or Man. U. they'd be straight in the starting line up.
IMHO, of course. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 09:17 AM

Seems the excuses are starting already.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 10:42 AM

Crouch should be in. How he does I will never know, but he sure knows where the net is. Probably one of the best goalscoreers for England at this moment in time.

Agbonlahor would be on the bench for me. Each season he gets better and stronger. He is just biding his time. I would substitute Crouch for him.

So I would go with Rooney and Crouch up front, with Agbonlahor substituting..

Milner would definately be in my side. He is a workaholic and doesn't know when to give in, and besides that he has come on tremendously since MON played him in his new role.

You won't hear any excuses from me Dave. This is one of England's better teams.

I would expect them to at least get to the semi's.

I really don't know what all the huff and puff is for Beckham. His England career finished ages ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Arnie
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 11:38 AM

I also hope that Milner is in the final squad - and not just because he started out at Leeds, but because he's an intelligent reader of the game whose running on the ball usually ends up with a positive result. Unlike Shaun W-P, Milner uses the ball productively in the final third, whether crossing or shooting. Although I like the way SWP dribbles round half a dozen defenders, he often seems to lose his way once he reaches the box.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 11:46 AM

My sympathy lies with the man - I expect it hurts!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 12:14 PM

Hi bonzo

Course it hurts....we are talking about Beckham ain't we??

Remember footballers never knew what metatarsals were until Beckham broke one.....and then it was a national disaster.


Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 12:21 PM

hi Villan

Hope your event went well on Saturday.

I agree about Crouch. Very unusual and a times a very unco-ordinated player but he does score goals.

However I would prefer him to come on as an impact player as a sub.

Abonlahor is real pacy and as you say is improving....we do need pace up front.....something that both Crouch and heskey lack.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: bubblyrat
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 12:59 PM

As usual, English football is NOT a team game,but rather a total reliance on one or two "celebrities",without whom the rest of the side will be totally impotent. Good !! I hope they go out in the first round !! (until they learn the values of mutual respect,duty,national pride and gamesmanship )---yes, it's just a GAME,for God's sake !!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 01:46 PM

Piss off Bubblyrat :-) ENGLAND ENGLAND

Mike - it was an excellent evening, with over 90 people there. Sooz the wonderful mudcatter from Cottingham near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire did a couple of video's and here are the links.

Fiddler's Green by John Conolly (Which he wrote) with Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher assisting.

Miracle Of Life by Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher which was written by mudcatter George Papavgeris. Note Bill's play toy :-)

Agree with your other comments.

I see MON believes Young and Downing should be on the plane and that they are as good as Beckham.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 03:30 PM

I am quite baffled as to how SWP could have been left out while Beckham was to be on the plane for twenty minute cameos at best. It is on the right hand side that England are most likely to need real speed, so if Downing and Lennon are not there, I should have thought that a thirty-four year old, most remarkable for his dead ball kicking, would have been the least likely option.
England have looked more disciplined under Capello and are starting to give each other passing options. They still do not have an automatic first choice goalkeeper and both the outside backs are likely to be second or third choices. To some extent, bubblyrat is right. What is more important is that the team gels and works together. On cool, damp pitches in a South African winter, they could be tricky opposition for many sides. However, the likelihood is that Germany will put them out in the second round. (Both teams will qualify, but they are unlikely both to win their groups).
Another thing to bear in mind is that England resolutely refuse to practise penalty kicks properly. Nowadays it is virtually unthinkable to expect a side to progress through the World Cup without winning penalty shoot outs. That fact alone is likely to ensure England's failure to make their talent count. Otherwise, given sensible tactics, good motivation and a bit of luck, they would have a reasonable chance against anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 03:36 PM

hi villan

Glad Faldingworth went well. Looks a great venue. Many thanks for the links. They were great.
Good to hear Fiddlers Green again. Used to be in my repetoire some years ago.

MON is a much better judge of a footballer tham me ( and most of the Premier League) but I don't think that either of them have proved themselves yet. I thik they are both very good footballers but both are a bit inconsistent.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 04:04 PM

>>Good to hear Fiddlers Green again. Used to be in my repetoire some years ago.<<

I think in many people's repetoire who like to sing traditional songs :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 04:39 PM

The press is hyping up Rooney at the moment which is probably the prelude to him getting injured.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 05:53 PM

"The press is hyping up Rooney at the moment which is probably the prelude to him getting injured."

Or getting caught by colleen in a brothel ...

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 04:27 AM

"Sooz the wonderful mudcatter from Cottingham near Gainsborough"

Has she moved to the Hull area, Les? :-) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 04:51 AM

I hope she doesn't see that LOL
Thanks for putting me right John.

"Sooz the wonderful mudcatter from Corringham near Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire" :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 04:52 AM

Mind you, they wouldn't find a big enough one to put the gum from Alex ferguson's gob in.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 04:54 AM

Ooops that was mean't for the Spittoon thread :-)

I am off to Specsavers.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 05:37 AM

I think you should definitely take up refereeing if you don't do so already, Villain!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 11:58 AM

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 03:21 PM

I should have added that in June I am 65 and suffer with arthritic knees. I would make a damn fine referee LOL :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 04:03 AM

Nah, you have got to have defective vision too!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 07:27 AM

hi alan

doh !! yer just beat me to it.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 08:31 AM

While I completely missed it ...

... hey ... maybe I could apply!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 08:42 AM

I have defective vision as well and my eyes only see claret and blue :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 09:02 AM

Bloody hell, I didn't realise you were that bad Les! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 12:35 PM

hi villan

What you support Burnley ???? !!!!!! lol

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 03:51 PM

That bad John :-)

I am glad I am not a Burnley supporter at the moment Mike :-)

After Villa's match last night, I am more than ever convinced that James Millner should be in the England team.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 04:12 PM

Villa are going to rock the boat next season ... its been coming a long time but it will happen!

Even this season they are not out of the running for a champions league spot yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 04:31 PM

So why Villan would support West Ham is beyond me ... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 05:16 PM

Or even Scunny!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:10 PM

Martin O' Neill is a great manager, as all Leicester City supporters will tell you.

It was once suggested during his time here though that someone buy him a dictionary of synonyms, to avoid repeating the word "fantastic" - have a count next time you listen to him interviewed!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:55 PM

"as all Leicester City supporters will tell you."

And Celtic ...

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 07:04 PM

Don't beleive them :-)

He will only be a great manager if Villa win the Premiership and go on to win the European cup and get rid of Heskey :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 07:19 AM

Hi Villan

I see that MO'N is already thinking about a replacement for pesky Heskey.

He is reported to be "chasing" Rodallega from Wigan.

I have seen him twice this year and in one game he looked very very good....in the other he just didn't play.

But MO'N would soon fix that.

Drogba might be on the market too......!!!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 07:57 AM

Thats right Mike. He is seemingly also interested in on loan Robbie Keane.
Les

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 10:43 AM

hi villan

Interested in Keane ?? Course MO'N knows him well. If Keane's scoring lately for Celtic is anything to go by it would be a good deal.

Strikers are all news at the moment. Seems Chelsea are trying once again to persuade Torres to move to them.

And the other day Fergie was saying that Ronaldo might be on his way back to Man U. Don't it myself but I suppose the media have to create some headlines.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 11:05 AM

It's just a GAME fellas!

Unless of course it's Leeds United, then it's Life And Death. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 11:08 AM

hi bwn

Or if you are Bill Shankley and "it's much more important than that"......

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 11:30 AM

lol! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 12:15 PM

I hear on the news that Becks is going - as an ambasador for the team and to, presumably, keep the rowdy elements in check! As long as it's not teaching them how to shoot penalties...

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 12:15 PM

"Professional football is no longer a game. It's a war. And it brings out the same primitive instincts that go back thousands of years."
Malcolm Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:22 PM

hi dave

He always was going - one way or another. He is a major ambassador to try to win the right to have the World Cup over here in the UK in 2018.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Arnie
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 08:03 AM

After last night's performance against Juventus, I think that Fulham striker Bobby Zamora should be on that plane to SA - and Fabio Capello was watching the match. Unfortunately for England fans, the goal of the match was scored by Clint Dempsey who will also be on the pitch for our first match on June 12th - unfortunately he's an American striker!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 10:54 AM

hi arnie

I noted Dempsey's goal. I rate him highly. He had a couple of great games when I saw him play against Man U last year. He has pace great awareness and can and does score goals.

I don't think that England can think that playing USA will be easy. They have several very good players over here. I saw Donovan a couple of weeks ago and he is going to be influencial too.

Just getting ready for our Sunday clash with Liverpool !!! We haven't beaten them for three matches so......gloves off on Sunday.

I will be there.....no sofa to hide behind Dave....lol

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:56 AM

Well Man U had better damn well win this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:13 PM

Hi Villan

We will do our best for you. We would rather have Villa finish fourth than all the others.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 02:06 PM

That's what I like to hear Mike :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Raedwulf
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 09:12 AM

Coming to this slightly late...

"considering he is supposed to be a centre forward, who in my opinion should score lots of goals. He sadly lacks that."

Sorry have to disagree with that. An awful lot of football fans talk an awful lot of bollocks. The old trueism that strikers hunt in pairs seems to have been forgotten these days, but let's see if I can't resurrect it...

What would you rather have? Two strikers who can score 15 goals each? Or a strike partnership where one gets 10 & the other gets 30? Heskey is NOT a total waste of space. He's a very, very good footballer. He creates huge problems in the opposition defence, which makes space for his team mates to profit from. Remember the Heskey / Owen partnership at Liverpool? Would Owen have scored as many goals without Hedley? I doubt it.

Having said that, no I don't rate Heskey as an international. My principle objection to him is that, notwithstanding his size & bulk, his balance is appalling. He falls over far too easily. I might have him in the squad, but he has more caps than I think his ability warrants. Nevertheless, I thought I'd redress the balance a little! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 09:39 AM

Well having watched every Villa match this season, I am sorry to say that Heskey would definately not get into the team if I was manager. Because I don't think he is good enough, I spend time watching him, to see if I am being unfair to him. I haven't changed my mind ever since he joined Villa. Just not good enough.

I think you are talking the B******* Raedwulf

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Raedwulf
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 11:16 AM

And his career before Villa you never paid much attention too, it would seem, and presumably utterly discount. You've never managed a Pemiership team, neither have I; but Martin O'Neill, who has your team challenging for a Champion's League spot, has and he apparently rates Heskey far more than you do. Guess whose opinion I'd give more weight to?

"Total waste of space" - no, Villan, you're the one talking bollocks. OK, so you don't rate him, fair enough. But total waste of space? That's foolishness.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 11:30 AM

He has done FA for the Villa

You are only as good as your next game.

I am only commenting on him since he has been at the Villa. His supposed reputation before does not concern me. Its what he does on the pitch.

You have your opinion and that's fine. It's a load of B*******, but I can't help that. I just don't agree with you and there aren't that many Villa supporters who would agree with you either.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 03:49 PM

Funnily enough, the beginning of the decline of Heskey's, Michael Owen's and Robbie Fowler's careers was when Heskey was brought into Liverpool. Both Owen and Fowler had been scoring prolifically until Owen was dropped - and eventually sold - to make room for Heskey. Neither Fowler nor Heskey lasted long at Liverpool after that. Strikers do seem to hunt in pairs, but that does not mean that there should be a non scoring partner. As a brave, unselfish man, it is difficult not to like Heskey. I do not think he is going to give the world's leading defences very much to lose sleep about though.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Raedwulf
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 08:55 PM

My. How arrogant. You presume to speak for all, sorry, "most" Villa fans, do you? Martin O'Neill 1, Villan 0. Heskey is better than you are willing to give him credit for. Apparently, so is Martin O'Neill. The total waste of space? Not him, not me, not Mr O'Neill. You, maybe?

And let's be clear, Villan, I'm not saying I rate Heskey particularly. I don't. But your dismissal of him is both arrogant & ignorant. If you really believe the "You are only as good as your next game", you deserve everything you get. Unfortunately, with O'Neill in charge, I don't think you'll get what you deserve...

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 03:55 AM

:-) Oh sorry Raedwulf, I didn't know they were your relatives.

Bottom line is that Heskey is not good enough for England or the Villa. Rumours are that he won't be at Villa for the start of the new season.

Anyway you think what you like Raedwulf and I will do the same, becuase we ain't going to agree.

So let's talk about who England will take to the World Cup, assuming thay don't get injured beforehand.

Players who should already be on the plane.

Rooney
Terry
Gerrard
Lampard
Barry
Milner
Agbonlahor
Crouch
Defoe

I'll get me breakfast

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 06:54 AM

hi villan

Hope you enjoyed your breakfast.....lol

I would certainly add Ferdinand, James, Ashley Cole and Lennon.

That means there are still 10 to go !!!! Not counting the "Mascot" Beckham.

I see that Barry is going to try to talk Bridge into going.....I am not sure I would take him anyway ??

It needs at least 2 more central defenders Upson & Lescott???
Plus two keepers perm any two from the English keepers in the Premier League. I wouldn't take Foster even though he plays ( sometimes ) for Man U.

Ashley Young looked good yesterday and could have impressed Capello.

My worry apart from Barry there doesn't appear to be any real grafters. History has shown us that we need one or two.

As for Heskey - don't think he is good enough BUT Capello likes him !!

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 07:03 AM

Hi Mike
Ashley Young is a good player and I would take him along as a bench player. I don't think he has been so good this year. A bit in and out.

I like the way Downing is performing.

Anyway big match today Man U V Liverpool. After Villa's game, it's even more important for a Man U win :-)

You mention Ferdinand, but his back problem gives cause for concern.
Les

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 09:30 AM

The goalkeeper question is a tricky one.

If FB takes a look at the championship, Chris Weale has been playing a blinder for Leicester City all this season.

He can score as well (though in the clip it isn't actually for Leicester)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Na62jbWvQ

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 01:45 PM

Villan,I hope you done mind me correcting you on the basis of yesterdays match.
the following three villa players missed chances[Downing whom you admire]Dunn and Carew.
milner? scored an own goal meanwhile the much maligned heskey did what he was good at,held up theball to sidwell.so that villa could score a goal.
Iam not a 100 per cent admirer of heskey ,but i think he raise his game generally for internationals,he is good at holding the ball up he is strong and he intimidates defences,i think he will work well with rooney,and is a serious alternative to crouch,and should be in the squad along with crouch and rooney.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 01:48 PM

goalkeepers; james and gunn.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 01:48 PM

sorry james and green

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 02:16 PM

Dick, i think you failed to mention that Heskey missed heading the ball in defence that allowed the Wolves player to score a goal. But we won't mention that eh. :-)

Anyway can we please stop talking about Heskey. He is not my fabourite cup of tea and don't want to talk about him anymore.

Let's talk about England and the exciting young players that are available for England.

As I have said already, I think we will do preety well and at least get to the semi's, if not the final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 02:17 PM

hi les

Well we did our bit.......2-1   yipeee
But I guess for you Man City are a concern too. Mind you we have to play them soon so we will try to put a hex on them.

I agree about Ferdinand's back. I was there todat and at times he looked very stiff and less mobile than usual. It is his speed and mobility that makes him such a good defender. Let's hope that he will get fully fit soon.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 03:30 PM

Yes good result for Manu Mike.

Man City are the problem now for Villa

Dick
You might like to look at the rankings for the Premiership for this season. Heskey doesn't even come in the top 100.

However, Agbonlahor (5), Millner (20), Young (21), and Dunne (13) all appear in the top 21 of the 100.

As for Downing, he has just come back from a very serious injury and is starting to put consistant matches together.

Tell me Dick, how many Villa matches have you watched this season?
Are you a staunch Villa supporter?
You obviously know best.

Watching one match is not a way to judge players. As said I have watched all the matches and am very excited about Villa's future with all the young players that are coming through, and will be future England players.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 03:34 PM

OOps Missed out Cuellar who is 16th

http://www.premierleague.com/page/ActimIndex

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 03:46 PM

Oh Dick just based on the one match Sky Sport ratings are as per this link, http://www.skysports.com/football/user_ratings/0,19768,11065_3240313,00.html and its interesting to see that Heskey got a 5 from Sky and a 4.2 from supporters or people who watched the match.

http://www.skysports.com/football/user_ratings/0,19768,11065_3240313,00.html

Maybe you watched a different match to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 05:47 PM

Villan,I thought you didnt want to talk about Heskey.
I cant give you an exact number,but i did see yesterdays match,and i have seen him fairly often playing for other teams.I am not interested in ratings i can make up my own mind.
Heskey would not be my first choice but i DO think he should be in the squad,He is more like an old fashioned inside forward but with good aerial abilty and good at holding up the ball ,plus he is very strong and works very hard,tracks back defends etc etc,he is usefuland has a good work rate.
handy to come on as a sub or if one of the three main striker get injured

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 06:33 PM

Don't agree. I am now stopping posting on this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Acorn4
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 08:56 PM

A shame as the discussion was an interesting one.

It seems to depend on who you put Heskey with.

When he was at Leicester, he worked very well in the "Little and Large" partnership with Tony Cottee.

In only one game did he play alongside Stan Collymore, and the result was a 5 -1 thrashing of Sunderland - the partnership looked truly awesome, but in the match after, against Derby, Collymore broke his leg. Soon after that Heskey moved to Liverpool, and was soon followed by Martin O' Neill going to Celtic.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 07:44 AM

Years         Team         Apps†         (Gls)†[HESKEY]
1994â€"2000         Leicester City         154         (40)
2000â€"2004         Liverpool         150         (39)
2004â€"2006         Birmingham City         68         (14)
2006â€"2009         Wigan Athletic         82         (15)
2009â€"         Aston Villa         38         (5)
National team‡
        England U18         8         (5)
1996â€"2000         England U21         16         (6)
1998         England B         1         (1)
1999â€"2009         England         57         (7
PLUS 7 GOALS IN 57 INTERNATIONALS,Heskey is a versatile player who can play as left winger and apart from scoring goals is agood provider of goals,he is not just an out and out striker,in fact that is not his best role.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 09:24 AM

Iam not totally convinced about ferdinand as a defender,he is agood attacking defender going forward,but he has on occassions made defensive errors of judgement,he along with neville were responsible a for allowing liverpools goal to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 10:27 AM

hi dick

I have just said that I was at the match and I agree that Ferdinand was not as mobile as he usually is.

Whether he was responsible for the Liverpool goal is a matter of conjecture. Somebody was - Torres was totally unmarked.

However watching the goal on my recording it was a mistake earlier and quick re-actions by Torres than took everyone by surprise.

But even if we agree that Ferdinand was partly to blame it still doesn't alter the fact that when fit he is one of the best central defenders in the World.

He has not really been fit all season and there must be a question mark about him going to South Africa.

Finally........ in the Daily Express this morning Fergie comments that it is the pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic that is responsible for United's recent form.....if it is good enough for Fergie it is good enough for me.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 10:42 AM

Iam not sure if there is anyone who is better,but i still see him as a weakness.
I predict didier drogba/chelsea will find him out and the united defence shortly.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 11:31 AM

hi Dick

We'll see.......

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 02:23 PM

wot abaht poor old ireland,cheated out of it,by a frenchman.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 06:21 AM

Uh Oh ...

Et tu Rooney?

Shock Horror ...

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Apr 10 - 04:02 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Apr 10 - 04:26 PM

RIO FERDINAND responsible for one of the Chelsea goals,too slow and out of position,he is just not good enough at defending.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Smiler
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:35 AM

Poor refereeing in the Man U Chelsea match.

Penalties not allowed and a definate Offside disallowed gave Chelsea the win.

Not good.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 04:58 AM

hi smiler

You are right. I was at the game.

There were penalties on either side which in other games would have been given....but that is normal these days - a foul outside the box is somehow never identified as one inside the box.

Drogba's goal was a joke. The "linesman" was dead level and just stood there and watched....why we need them I don't know...they are useless.

Also what doesn't show on TV is that when Joe Cole scored Chelsea's first goal he had a handful of Evra's shirt in his hand.....he clearly fouled him as he scored.

Having said all this Chelsea were the better team and deserved to win...but the refereeing and touch judges were very poor. Not good for a game that could have decided the winners of the league title.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 06:37 AM

you are right about drogbas goal,but there were two penalty decisions that should have been given one for each side,however ferdinand should have prevented the ball getting to joe cole.
my prediction was right,and ARSENAL could still win the league

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:48 AM

All the more reason to use tv technology and/OR to employ two men standing behindor alongside the goal[as in GAA] to Decide on ball crossing the line and shirt tugging, at the same time it would also reduce to a small extent unemployment

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: skipy
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:27 PM

They will come home as loosers, overpaid loosers, that is fine by me that they will loose. However the monies that they are paid to loose! That is differant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Smiler
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 03:11 PM

How will the murder of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche affect the World Cup. Will it be safe?

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Smiler
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 04:12 AM

Well thankfully, it looks as though the situation appears to be calm.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 05:47 AM

"Well thankfully, it looks as though the situation appears to be calm."

I don't know if I'd put it quite like that.

SA still has the highets firearm murder rate of any country in the world including the usual south and central American suspects like colombia or Mexico.

The Fact that Terrablanche survived this long is a mystery.

People are still being shot daily pretty much at random, and carjacked, and kidnapped etc and the gangs still roam the townships with ruthless arrogance.

So will the world cup be safe?

the event will, but the tourists should take care to pay attention to safety advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Smiler
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:34 AM

Agreed Lox. I was commenting on the Terrablanche situation.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:46 AM

I reckon the Terrablanche effect could be even more excessive tightening up of security, and that most ironic circumstance of a Black administration enforcing effective Apartheid against poor blacks and coloureds in order to keep undesirables out of the picture to avoid embarrassment.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:50 AM

Smiler,

What I meant was that it would be hard to gauge whether Terrablanches murder was the cause of a surge in violence as there is already so much that any anomalies would be hard to detect.

I wouldn't anticipate any white supremacists seeking revenge, as it would be far too dangerous and they'd only lose.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: Lox
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 09:28 PM

Tension.


update

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Smiler
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 03:08 AM

At this point it would semm to be fairly mild tension.

As you say, security will be tightened up.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 08:18 AM

Ithink england have afaidly good chance of winning,they have weaknesses,but then so do all the other teams.

Subject: RE: BS: Football ... poor old England ...
From: alanabit
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 05:04 AM

It is no longer possible to win a major international tournament without surviving a penalty shoot out. Unless England practise this properly, their early departure is assured even if they play against teams of lesser ability. Most likely they will go out to Germany in the second round.