Post by Mac on Sept 11, 2008 5:57:59 GMT -5
Quite a good performance and for once, England played like our Premiership teams have been playing in the CL - get stuck in for the first 20-30mins then try and impose your own game.
The whole media hype thing will go into overdrive now though - people turning round saying that there were 11 stars out there last night? James was shaky as ever, Brown gave the ball away too much, Terry showed that if he isn't up against a burly centre forward he doesn't have a clue, Barry and Lampard anonymous for large parts of the game, Joe Cole's main contribution being a hilarious bash to the head followed by an even funnier stagger and flop to the floor... need I go on? The only players who gave a decent account of themselves were Ferdinand for holding a shaky defence together, Walcott for providing something that Owen and Rooney used to do for England and giving some space, Heskey for running his arse off all the way through the game with little support for large parts of the game and Rooney, who showed that when he gets stuck in he's still capable of changing a game.
On the Rooney thing, this isn't me being biased at all, but does he seem to have lost a yard of pace somewhere? He used to be lightning quick and that seems to have faded a touch. He also hasn't had a decent game in an England shirt before last night for ages, yet seems untouchable (or is there just a real dearth of talent?)
I always enjoy watching a game of football, whoever's playing, but in case you think that for a person who said he doesn't like England in particular I'm getting worked up about it, I still don't feel that spark when your team scores a goal.
For example, if Liverpool had been 3-1 up I'd have stayed tuned wanting to see more. Instead, knowing that the game was all but over, I turned over and watched Scotland instead. I wouldn't do that if Everton were on the other channel for example. I just can't get excited about England because it isn't 'my team', or at least it doesn't feel like it.
BoJ - your point is well-made, the Scottish team in particular seem to inspire the whole country as opposed to just the south of it. Do you think that's due to the relative lack of success of your club teams (outside of the Old Firm)? For example, look at any England match and you will see England flags with Grimsby, Bognor Regis and Bournemouth for example. Do you ever see any saltires (is that the name for the flag?) with Dumbarton, Forfar and Fife on them for example? Genuine question, no dig intended. Club or country first mate?
The whole media hype thing will go into overdrive now though - people turning round saying that there were 11 stars out there last night? James was shaky as ever, Brown gave the ball away too much, Terry showed that if he isn't up against a burly centre forward he doesn't have a clue, Barry and Lampard anonymous for large parts of the game, Joe Cole's main contribution being a hilarious bash to the head followed by an even funnier stagger and flop to the floor... need I go on? The only players who gave a decent account of themselves were Ferdinand for holding a shaky defence together, Walcott for providing something that Owen and Rooney used to do for England and giving some space, Heskey for running his arse off all the way through the game with little support for large parts of the game and Rooney, who showed that when he gets stuck in he's still capable of changing a game.
On the Rooney thing, this isn't me being biased at all, but does he seem to have lost a yard of pace somewhere? He used to be lightning quick and that seems to have faded a touch. He also hasn't had a decent game in an England shirt before last night for ages, yet seems untouchable (or is there just a real dearth of talent?)
I always enjoy watching a game of football, whoever's playing, but in case you think that for a person who said he doesn't like England in particular I'm getting worked up about it, I still don't feel that spark when your team scores a goal.
For example, if Liverpool had been 3-1 up I'd have stayed tuned wanting to see more. Instead, knowing that the game was all but over, I turned over and watched Scotland instead. I wouldn't do that if Everton were on the other channel for example. I just can't get excited about England because it isn't 'my team', or at least it doesn't feel like it.
BoJ - your point is well-made, the Scottish team in particular seem to inspire the whole country as opposed to just the south of it. Do you think that's due to the relative lack of success of your club teams (outside of the Old Firm)? For example, look at any England match and you will see England flags with Grimsby, Bognor Regis and Bournemouth for example. Do you ever see any saltires (is that the name for the flag?) with Dumbarton, Forfar and Fife on them for example? Genuine question, no dig intended. Club or country first mate?