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Did I enjoy that?
England 2 Turkey 0
Yes I did!
Now you'll have to forgive any typo's, I've been on the beer train big-time tonight. :o)
James' save at 1-0 sticks in my mind tonight. That's the moment we can say "Thanks Seaman, you've been great, but we've found someone who can keep goal. Well done."
His awareness in the box was great too, but then again, he's had a great deal of practice this season, playing behind the worst defence in the Premiership. I doubt that West Ham's back four for the early part of the season would have kept out a second division side, and on many an occasion have James saves made the difference between 1 point and three, or indeed 0 points and 3.
Two consecutive clean sheets for England, plus, what 3 for the Hammers, he's a keeper on form.
That was one hell of a save though, from the header. Top stuff.
And Heskey? Surely we have proved that we really don't need him?
The thing is, pundits keep asking "do the strikers work well together?" but I'm not sure that's an issue with England, considering the strength of our midfield. Our strikers aren't feeding from each other, but from the balls the midfield supply. So if we have two pacey strikers that can beat defenders, good, they have the support they need. Both Rooney and Vassell proved this point.
Rooney was outstanding, when he was able to move with the ball. For a 17 year old it was an amazing performance, and to think that he'll make progress over the coming years is a mouth watering prospect. Honestly though, can we remember that it was Vassell that got the goal? Once he appeared on the field, he too was awesome. He's not afraid to take on players, and more often than not, he beats them. What's more, he has an excellent record of scoring for England, from limited chances.
When our midfield are on fire, we have the talent to put the likes of Rooney, Owen and Vassell free. They're all excellent finishers too. We're spoilt for choice up front. As I said in the topic title, "Goodbye Heskey".
Can't fault the passion shown either, and I credit Beckham with this. Turkey started well, and we could easily have gone into a defensive mode, but Beckham was always pushing on, even though he did have to pick up a really lame booking for it.
The second half performance is the best I've seen England play in recent years. Better than the performance in Munich, because that was a display of fantastic counter attacking, taking the most of opportunities. Better that the Supporo Dome (whatever...) in Japan, as against Japan, we were on the back-foot, defending at our best. Here we took a team that were full of confidence (though I said in an earlier post, had proved nothing) and reduced them to a handfull of chances.
With a lesser keeper than Rustu in goal, it could have been 4, or 5, on the second half performance alone.
But perhaps the second penalty wasn't deserved. Dyer was stumbling before he got into the box, but then again, there were two blatent Turkey handball incidents during the game before-hand anyway. When Rooney headed the ball across from a Beckham corner I was sure that Campbell's header was going in, but, was in Emre? kept it out with a raised hand.
Have we finally found a formation that works for us? The diamond gave our defence more protection, Butt did well, and both Beckham and Gerrard pushed forward to great effect, delivering fantastic balls to the forwards. Scholes was good in the attacking midfield role too, testing Rustu on a number of occasions. Shame he couldn't put one in.
But on th esubject of Rustu, I'd certainly be happy to see him in a Man Utd jersey next season. His close range save from Vassell, and the fre ekick from Beckahm were fantastic stops. With both goals he had little chance, Vassell slotting away after a decent initial effort from Ferdinand, and Beckham's penalty, well, I'm not sure I've ever seen a better finish from the penalty spot. Simply unstoppable.
All in all it was a fantastic performance, passioned showed, as Beckham was so certain of confirming in his after-match interview, great performances all over the pitch, especially Rooney, Gerrard and the centre backs. I reckon Ashley Cole will do a better job at left back, but Bridge certainly deserves his place in the squad, and Butt could be in the same formation come the next match in June, when I imagine Dyer will step in for Beckham, and do a good job. Hopefully, we'll see Owen as Captain setting up Roponey for his first England goal, or should that be Vassell slotting in his 5th? He hasn't gone far wrong with the chances given so far.
But we're that much closer to Euro 2004. If we win all of our games before the Turkey one, we'l be sure to go through with a draw away. If Turkey drop points we may even be able to afford a loss. We've just got to show this kind of performance against lesser opposition.
Best England match I've watched in a very long time.
Well done lads.
England 2 Turkey 0
Yes I did!
Now you'll have to forgive any typo's, I've been on the beer train big-time tonight. :o)
James' save at 1-0 sticks in my mind tonight. That's the moment we can say "Thanks Seaman, you've been great, but we've found someone who can keep goal. Well done."
His awareness in the box was great too, but then again, he's had a great deal of practice this season, playing behind the worst defence in the Premiership. I doubt that West Ham's back four for the early part of the season would have kept out a second division side, and on many an occasion have James saves made the difference between 1 point and three, or indeed 0 points and 3.
Two consecutive clean sheets for England, plus, what 3 for the Hammers, he's a keeper on form.
That was one hell of a save though, from the header. Top stuff.
And Heskey? Surely we have proved that we really don't need him?
The thing is, pundits keep asking "do the strikers work well together?" but I'm not sure that's an issue with England, considering the strength of our midfield. Our strikers aren't feeding from each other, but from the balls the midfield supply. So if we have two pacey strikers that can beat defenders, good, they have the support they need. Both Rooney and Vassell proved this point.
Rooney was outstanding, when he was able to move with the ball. For a 17 year old it was an amazing performance, and to think that he'll make progress over the coming years is a mouth watering prospect. Honestly though, can we remember that it was Vassell that got the goal? Once he appeared on the field, he too was awesome. He's not afraid to take on players, and more often than not, he beats them. What's more, he has an excellent record of scoring for England, from limited chances.
When our midfield are on fire, we have the talent to put the likes of Rooney, Owen and Vassell free. They're all excellent finishers too. We're spoilt for choice up front. As I said in the topic title, "Goodbye Heskey".
Can't fault the passion shown either, and I credit Beckham with this. Turkey started well, and we could easily have gone into a defensive mode, but Beckham was always pushing on, even though he did have to pick up a really lame booking for it.
The second half performance is the best I've seen England play in recent years. Better than the performance in Munich, because that was a display of fantastic counter attacking, taking the most of opportunities. Better that the Supporo Dome (whatever...) in Japan, as against Japan, we were on the back-foot, defending at our best. Here we took a team that were full of confidence (though I said in an earlier post, had proved nothing) and reduced them to a handfull of chances.
With a lesser keeper than Rustu in goal, it could have been 4, or 5, on the second half performance alone.
But perhaps the second penalty wasn't deserved. Dyer was stumbling before he got into the box, but then again, there were two blatent Turkey handball incidents during the game before-hand anyway. When Rooney headed the ball across from a Beckham corner I was sure that Campbell's header was going in, but, was in Emre? kept it out with a raised hand.
Have we finally found a formation that works for us? The diamond gave our defence more protection, Butt did well, and both Beckham and Gerrard pushed forward to great effect, delivering fantastic balls to the forwards. Scholes was good in the attacking midfield role too, testing Rustu on a number of occasions. Shame he couldn't put one in.
But on th esubject of Rustu, I'd certainly be happy to see him in a Man Utd jersey next season. His close range save from Vassell, and the fre ekick from Beckahm were fantastic stops. With both goals he had little chance, Vassell slotting away after a decent initial effort from Ferdinand, and Beckham's penalty, well, I'm not sure I've ever seen a better finish from the penalty spot. Simply unstoppable.
All in all it was a fantastic performance, passioned showed, as Beckham was so certain of confirming in his after-match interview, great performances all over the pitch, especially Rooney, Gerrard and the centre backs. I reckon Ashley Cole will do a better job at left back, but Bridge certainly deserves his place in the squad, and Butt could be in the same formation come the next match in June, when I imagine Dyer will step in for Beckham, and do a good job. Hopefully, we'll see Owen as Captain setting up Roponey for his first England goal, or should that be Vassell slotting in his 5th? He hasn't gone far wrong with the chances given so far.
But we're that much closer to Euro 2004. If we win all of our games before the Turkey one, we'l be sure to go through with a draw away. If Turkey drop points we may even be able to afford a loss. We've just got to show this kind of performance against lesser opposition.
Best England match I've watched in a very long time.
Well done lads.
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As long as we don't lose against Turkey, we should qualify, providing we don't slip up to one of the lower teams.
I was sure Beckham was going to get sent-off! It just wasn't like him to play like that... As vice-Captain for 'United, he's obviously been taking a few lessons from Roy Keane! :D
But I still thought it handled it well later on, and those "remarks" he made towards the end of the game are only gonna get him murdered in Turkey!
David James was surprisingly good, though. Although, he never really seemed to have that much to do, as our defence looked rather solid. But aside from THAT great-save, I still don't think he is quite the right choice for England's No.1. But he's definitley got to be up there with Seaman. I want to see how Robinson does, now...
I disagree with Eriksson's midfield for that game, though. The diamond-shape can work well for us with players like Beckham, Gerrard, and Scholes available to us; but playing Steven Gerrard on the left was a big mistake! We looked so weak out there! And it only forced Wayne Bridge to come forward - which would weaken our defence every-time, and is something we shouldn't be made to do! We were just lucky Hakan Sukur and Hakan Sas both started on the bench!
But I think Kieron Dyer would've been better-suited to that tucked-in, left-midfield role. He did well against Lithuania out-wide on the left, and he's been playing brilliantly for Newcastle in the centre all-season.
How could it not be right for him?!?
And I still have doubts about Wayne Rooney. He may have played very well, but that was because he knew what it meant to the team. I still feel he's way-too-young and in-experienced to get rushed into things like this, on a regular basis. And voting him as the Man-of-the-Match was rubbish, really! Clearly, it should've gone to Rustu, in the Turkish goal! If only everyone didn't love Wayne Rooney so much...
I reckon Eriksson's only picking him to make himself look good....
But I still thought it handled it well later on, and those "remarks" he made towards the end of the game are only gonna get him murdered in Turkey!
David James was surprisingly good, though. Although, he never really seemed to have that much to do, as our defence looked rather solid. But aside from THAT great-save, I still don't think he is quite the right choice for England's No.1. But he's definitley got to be up there with Seaman. I want to see how Robinson does, now...
I disagree with Eriksson's midfield for that game, though. The diamond-shape can work well for us with players like Beckham, Gerrard, and Scholes available to us; but playing Steven Gerrard on the left was a big mistake! We looked so weak out there! And it only forced Wayne Bridge to come forward - which would weaken our defence every-time, and is something we shouldn't be made to do! We were just lucky Hakan Sukur and Hakan Sas both started on the bench!
But I think Kieron Dyer would've been better-suited to that tucked-in, left-midfield role. He did well against Lithuania out-wide on the left, and he's been playing brilliantly for Newcastle in the centre all-season.
How could it not be right for him?!?
And I still have doubts about Wayne Rooney. He may have played very well, but that was because he knew what it meant to the team. I still feel he's way-too-young and in-experienced to get rushed into things like this, on a regular basis. And voting him as the Man-of-the-Match was rubbish, really! Clearly, it should've gone to Rustu, in the Turkish goal! If only everyone didn't love Wayne Rooney so much...
I reckon Eriksson's only picking him to make himself look good....
Foreman wrote:
> England are surely looking favourites to win the group now.
---
I wouldn't say so.
They're travelling to Turkey soon, and if Turkey win that, it's advantage to them.
And without Rustu, England would've won 10-0. :-D
> England are surely looking favourites to win the group now.
---
I wouldn't say so.
They're travelling to Turkey soon, and if Turkey win that, it's advantage to them.
And without Rustu, England would've won 10-0. :-D
Nah beckham was rubbish all game. Would have taken him off for Dyer earlier but sven couldn't do it as it would have been blamed as the reason if we'd lost.
Beckham had a really bad patch in the second half, for a good period in it his passing was off by about 5-10 yards. It was amusing to watch the rest of the team, used to getting passes dropping almost right where they want them, suddenly turn around and realise it missed them entirely.
Totally agree with the Heskey point. I've never been able to understand why he keeps getting picked game after game when all he does is fall flat on face and blast the ball into row Z for 90 minutes. Rooney surprised me with how well he played and for someone so young he is very powerful and deserved a goal which he should have got if it wasn't for that Turkish player playing sweeper keeper.
As far as James goes i'm still not convinced. Sure he made that great save but before that he was spilling the ball everywhere and almost gave a goal away before scrambling and getting the ball back off the turkish guy's feet. However least he can save stuff that goes higher than his head which is always good for a keeper (take note Seaman)
As far as James goes i'm still not convinced. Sure he made that great save but before that he was spilling the ball everywhere and almost gave a goal away before scrambling and getting the ball back off the turkish guy's feet. However least he can save stuff that goes higher than his head which is always good for a keeper (take note Seaman)
Aye, i always remember Shearers pen against Poland ;) Took a brilliant one against Fulham earlier this season too ;) not to mention his penalty miss against Sunderland a few seasons back ;)
Van Nistelrooy takes the best pens. side netting across the floor is the place you want them.
Van Nistelrooy takes the best pens. side netting across the floor is the place you want them.
Beckhams penalty the best you have seen?
Watch shearer's penalies for england they are in the top corner, now that is stunning. some have touched the bar and post as they go in. sheer perfection
Watch shearer's penalies for england they are in the top corner, now that is stunning. some have touched the bar and post as they go in. sheer perfection
Great performance by all the players, but I was very concerned with Wayne Bridge. He didn't look very comfortable, until the last 15-20 minutes of the game.
I like the way we played and would stick with the same team against Slovakia. Rooney was outstanding, and is sure to be the next Pele. He is very fast and powerfull and also has great awarness. Vassell scored once again and is showing that he should be a England regular, with his pace and power, which means that Owen could find his self on the Subs bench.
Also impressed with David James who kept a clean sheet, although he did one mistake which Turkey failed to cost him.
England are surely looking favourites to win the group now.
I like the way we played and would stick with the same team against Slovakia. Rooney was outstanding, and is sure to be the next Pele. He is very fast and powerfull and also has great awarness. Vassell scored once again and is showing that he should be a England regular, with his pace and power, which means that Owen could find his self on the Subs bench.
Also impressed with David James who kept a clean sheet, although he did one mistake which Turkey failed to cost him.
England are surely looking favourites to win the group now.
WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> Rubbish!
>
> After the Lichtenstein game, there's no way that was England
> tonight.
>
> Someone has obviously kidnapped the entire England squad and replaced
> them with a bunch of look-alikes who can actually play football.
I know what you mean. :0)
We need to show this kind of performance against the poor team too.
> Rubbish!
>
> After the Lichtenstein game, there's no way that was England
> tonight.
>
> Someone has obviously kidnapped the entire England squad and replaced
> them with a bunch of look-alikes who can actually play football.
I know what you mean. :0)
We need to show this kind of performance against the poor team too.
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