EURO 2012

[jhonny]

I can see Carroll coming in for Welbeck and Rooney detailed to hassle Pirlo at every opportunity.

 

Agreed, I think Carroll will play from the off.

[Guest Gary C]

"We made a mistake," Uefa's chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, said. "I wish we hadn't made the mistake but we did. Referees are human beings and human beings make mistakes." Collina said the Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai and his team of assistants would play no further part in the tournament, but no blame was attributed to the official. That sounds like blame to me – he was being tipped to ref the final before last night. What about the fifth official? Why isn't he being asked to explain his decision? Or is this proof, as suspected, that he's just some sort of Uefa scarecrow loitering at the side of the pitch.

[Guest Rambo]

Im just as interested in the fact that the officials missed two clear offsides which could have cost us massively. One being the offside that lead to the goal line incident and another clear offside when they headed over the bar.

[Guest Rambo]

Also Stevie "Past it" Gerrard has been alright so far

[jhonny]

Also Stevie "Past it" Gerrard has been alright so far

 

Indeed, his legs are gone but he's working really hard and his passing and deadball deliveries have been first rate.

[Guest Rambo]

I think he's been great so far. If a 22 year old had come in and done what Gerrard has done so far this tournament they'd be the new messiah. I'd even say the notion that his "legs are gone" is ridiculously OTT as well. If your legs are gone you aren't sprinting the length of pitch in stoppage time like he did against Sweden are you. He's physically not what he was 4 years ago but to say his legs are gone, well...... football fans only seem to be able to talk in extremes imo (i.e you're shite or brilliant)

 

 

edit. unless i'm misinterpreting how you mean his legs are gone?

[Kanakori]

I'd even say If your legs are gone you wouldn't even walk at all

[Guest Rambo]

You can walk without legs, mate. Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to know that.

[jhonny]

I mean he doesn't have the turn of pace he used to have to glide past players and play one-twos into the box, but he seems to adapted his game and he's happy to play a deeper role. It's the same transition Beckham and Scholes have made, and it allowed their careers to continue.

 

Yes I am talking in extremes though, he's still quick enough to get up and down the pitch and he's fit enough to last 90mins. Compared to a lot of the Liverpool performances I've seen from him he seems a lot more comfortable in Woy's system. Also England are playing a more considerate pace for much of the game, and that seems to suit him, at least until he's refreshed and injury free for next season.

 

One of the things about Gerrard is that he's definitely a player who looks better in real life (at a game) than on TV. You realise how quick and strong he is, and also how much work and ground he covers for the team. That strength has been a weakness when England managers have wanted him to play a more specific role. Now that he isn't quite the athlete he once was that may be to England's advantage.

[Guest Rambo]

Fair play. I agree with that word for word.

 

On the current set up suiting Gerrard: Scott Parker and Gerrard are by fair our best central midfield partnership. Parker is perfect for Gerrard.

 

I'm loving this tournament. Not just talking about England now. The whole thing has been excellent so far.

[Guest Gary C]

Henderson and Rodwell need to man the fuck up and become real footballers.

 

Wilshere will be the shit for England over the next decade though.

[Blir]

Milner is a sack of shit.

[jhonny]

Yeah the question is who to partner with Wilshere, as he really is the transition from the 'golden generation' to a more continental and competitive style of football.

[Guest Mirezzi]

I'm loving this tournament. Not just talking about England now. The whole thing has been excellent so far.

 

Yeah, it's been incredibly tasty so far...

[Guest Gary C]

Yeah the question is who to partner with Wilshere, as he really is the transition from the 'golden generation' to a more continental and competitive style of football.

Hm,

 

Hart/Butland

Walker, Smalling/Bennett, Jones, Rose/Gibbs(lol)

Rodwell, Henderson

Wickham/Walcott, Wilshere, Chamberlain/Cleverley

Welbeck/Rooney

[chenGOD]

Cleverley is useless on the wing, he should play in the middle with Wilshere. Also, Jones is no CB.

Henderson is better suited to the wing than playing as a holding midfielder (which is where I think Jones should play)

Is Wickham any good on the right? I always thought he was on the left. Will Keane (from united youth side) would have been brilliant with Wilshere, but he's done his ACL, and he's only 19. That doesn't bode well for his future.

 

Gerrard has done very well this tournament. Reclaimed some of what made him so goddamned good in the past.

Hawkeye tech is the way to go for the goal line, i'm not down with other tech being introduced.

[Guest Mirezzi]

I mean he doesn't have the turn of pace he used to have to glide past players and play one-twos into the box, but he seems to adapted his game and he's happy to play a deeper role. It's the same transition Beckham and Scholes have made, and it allowed their careers to continue.

 

Yes I am talking in extremes though, he's still quick enough to get up and down the pitch and he's fit enough to last 90mins. Compared to a lot of the Liverpool performances I've seen from him he seems a lot more comfortable in Woy's system. Also England are playing a more considerate pace for much of the game, and that seems to suit him, at least until he's refreshed and injury free for next season.

 

One of the things about Gerrard is that he's definitely a player who looks better in real life (at a game) than on TV. You realise how quick and strong he is, and also how much work and ground he covers for the team. That strength has been a weakness when England managers have wanted him to play a more specific role. Now that he isn't quite the athlete he once was that may be to England's advantage.

 

Best post award.

[chenGOD]

Except Beckham never had pace, and was always overrated. ;)

[chassis]

England - Italy.

 

Oh dear.

 

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

 

Italy are shit.

[jhonny]

Except Beckham never had pace, and was always overrated. ;)

Except Beckham never had pace, and was always overrated. ;)

I don't think he was overrated, but I do think he was a choker in the big games/tournaments. He never had pace but he had the fitness to work the wing. When he got past 30 he started to lose that and so he moved into a deeper and more central position.

 

Thinking about it, it makes you realise how super-human Ryan Giggs is. I know he can't play twice a week, but his energy when he does play is unbelievable. And he's still rapid too!

[chenGOD]

of course he had fitness, he's a goddamned professional athlete. And my opinion as a virtually life-long United fan, he was always overrated. He was a good player, but never what you could call a superstar.

[Guest Mirezzi]

Having narrowly defeated Sweden and the Ukraine, I wouldn't expect THIS level of cockiness leading into the Italy match, but then again, you're Englishmen so I guess I should have!

[chenGOD]

Having narrowly defeated Sweden and the Ukraine, I wouldn't expect THIS level of cockiness leading into the Italy match, but then again, you're Englishmen so I guess I should have!

 

I think you know my expectations.

 

 

Is cum-chum too friendly

I mean gay

?

 

[Guest Mirezzi]

of course he had fitness, he's a goddamned professional athlete. And my opinion as a virtually life-long United fan, he was always overrated. He was a good player, but never what you could call a superstar.

 

This is an interesting debate and comes down to the value you place on a free kick specialist. He was virtually shit at everything but set pieces. That's a heavy price to pay in the modern game.

[Guest Gary C]

Czech 2 - 2 Portugal.

 

Portugal win by a goal from Pepe in extra time.