‘Mommy! The Swedish Man’s Hurting My Feelings!’: Lil’ Mick

“somebody please tell me whether the guy who writes these blogs is actually english.”

He’s not. And apparently he’s been following football since around 2001/2, according to his bio.

Posted from  United States

Dear (aptly-named) Troglodyte,

Firstly, if you managed to read the bio AND could add, you would realize that I had been following the game since the mid-’90s. And in a full-immersion sort of way, actually. So while I never saw Geoff Hurst play, I know a fair bit about him. For instance.

Secondly, if you had read the HUNDREDS of posts that I’ve made on this blog since it started, you would see that this is the style I settled on: read the papers for their takes, then spin the news with brief entries of my own. As it happens, I haven’t reckoned much of Owen or his mettle for years now, and I have no qualms with sharing that sentiment. And sarcasm is part of the style. There’s plenty of just-the-facts places to read if you can’t tolerate it.

Thirdly, let’s leave off the personal stuff, okay? Among my amazing powers is the power to ban IP addresses off this entire site. Disagree with me about any single point that I make and the worst that you’ll ever get back is a counter-argument on the facts. But when you go after me, as you have in all three of your posts on this thread, you make me all defensive-like.

Lastly, I do support England and hope they perform well, but not blindly, and not to the extent that I will refrain from calling bullshit on them when they behave or play in bullshit fashion. I am not a cheerleader. I’m an observer with some biases — most of which favor England. But the Crouch business got under my skin badly, and I have found Michael Owen a pest for years.

End of rant.

Posted from  United States

Hey Shawn… you’re ok in my book… I had a little looksie at the Italian blog and I much prefer your style to the style of those absolute idiots… especially that Josh dude.

As for England, it is obvious that it should be horses for courses, and Sven avoided that bar the Rooney injury… however I think he will make changes for Sweden.

First off he will rest Gerrard. Regardless of what the LFC man wants… he was utterly shattered in the quarters of euro2004, and resting him, especially on a booking is wise. I wouldn’t ever play Hargreaves except against Germany when he could be used to mark Ballack, his ex Bayern team mate.

So really i think I’d play Becks at right back, Lennon right midfield, Rooney instead of Crouch and Carrick instead of Gerrard.

… and we should still beat Sweden… they look poor.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Do you think England will throw the Sweden vs England game so that they won’t have to verse Germany?

Posted from  Australia

after watching ecuador i would sooner play germany

Posted from  United Kingdom

I agree with Alan, Germany’s game is much more familiar to us.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I think it would be a shame to play Germany this early. Mainly because I think we would beat them, and they could end up getting knocked out of the whole tournament. I generally wouldn’t ever complain at seeing those flukey Germans knocked out, but as the host nation it would be a shame. Sweden… hmmm… I think we could beat them if we played Lennon and Rooney. Not because Rooney is this lucky charm we sometimes think he is, but because he and Lennon were the inspiration to wake up a very lethargic England side in the last game… Anyone else think Ferdinand plays like he’s bored most of the time.

Posted from  United Kingdom

who is to say the germans will win the group? ecuador look a very strong team.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I would never consider it a shame to beat Germany any time… and we will def not throw the Sweden match… winning begets winning… it’s a habit. Thus far England have won 9 in a row i think… staggering really.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Playing with Crouch is like having a team with four best midfielder in the world trying to pass the ball to the worst attacker in the world!

Owen is not good, but that doesn’t mean that Crouch is better. The goal is pure luck!

Posted from  Hong Kong

since we are all getting testy here, I’m going to give my credentials first. I am American but you wouldn’t know it. We moved to England when I was 3 and I even got to see (but barely remember) the 66 final. I first saw a league game when I was 7 – Aldershot against somebody – they were in the fourth division then. I ahve supported England for 39 years. I have watched football for 39 years. I have played football for 35 years (my back no longer lets me play).

OK – it is an ENglish tradition to be all over a couple of the players. Where you are from and what club teams you support usually decides that. So, I don’t rate Lampard for example – even I have to concede that Terry deserves a spot.

Crouch is annoying and not very good, but he is awkward to deal with, has a knack for making an impact and he’s what we’ve got. Michael Owen is clearly not back on form – I would play him just to keep pushing for a match edge and fitness. Rooney didn’t look good the other day either so give hima game too. And yes, put the young kids in – this is theor best chance to get a feel for it and it will pay big dividends in 4 years.

And, finally, I really dislike Sven, but I have a lot of respect for him as manager – he’s made some very good decisions and his record speaks for itself. The tabloids have almost ruined him and ruined the job. Two potential world-beating coaches have turned down the England job because of the tabloids. I now immediately discount absolutely any comment/repot/etc. that originates with the tabloids. Sadly, in the last two years, the big papers have followed suit.

OK – rant off – and props to Shawn for posting a lot – better than many of the other country boards here – only Ecuador is clearly outdoing you.

Posted from  United States

Cheers, Mek and Owen!

You know, I’ve both written for and been written about by a wide variety of British papers (I say ‘British’ to squeeze the Scots in there as well), and I have found it an amazing experience in a number of ways, not always pleasant.

Example: The Daily Mail ran four days of “excerpts” from one of my books AND DIDN’T USE ONE WORD I WROTE EXCEPT FOR THE TITLE! They slapped my name on it and paid me and probably helped sell a lot of books, but I was absolutely stunned. On the other hand, the Guardian, Independent and Sight and Sound (a film monthly) have been long-time, respectful and remunerative outlets for my work, and I have real friends at all three publications.

For a journalist working under one set of rules in the States, the Fleet Street (ok, technically Canary Wharf and Farringdon Road, but still…) atmosphere looks more like pro wrestling. It’s exciting — and far less sensational than what you find in Italy — but I can understand that anybody who wants in his or her heart to form a bond with a team would turn a deaf ear and eye to what the papers say.

Save for sheer amusement at the shameless cheek of it, of course!

Posted from  United States

Hi Mek,

don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t cry if beat the Germans ten nil… it’s traditional after all, to hate the Germans (only with regards to football I mean) But, it would be shame if Germany, who haven’t played a decent game yet, even worse than our lack lustre performances, were knocked out so early. It would spoil the world cup party for the host nation, and that would put a damper on it for everyone.

Posted from  United Kingdom

hi Joanna… I think the last thing we need is Germany getting on a roll. They are not good, and just because they are hosts doesn’t give them a right to progress. What would worry me is if there was the same sort of home bias that saw Japan and South Korea go as far as they did last time.

Shawn… the Daily Mail… really… what did u expect? hehehe!

As for England… it is patently obvious that their best game is with Rooney and Owen passing the ball on the deck. That way after 70 minutes Crouch comes on and the change in the style of play is so marked that the opposition will always find it hard to deal with.

I personally believe we should play as 10 men and ignore rooney, let him do whatever he wants!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Joanna, Joanna, Joanna. Think twice before you write that England will beat Germany. Not in your life time.

Posted from  United States

LLC, you are on to something.

Posted from  United States

Hahahahah Words Of Wisdom!!!! Don’t be silly, they have beaten Germany inmy lifetime… not that long ago actually… 5:1.

OK, it’s an opinion. I guess we will have to wait and see. Germany and England are both performing badly actaully. I think the difference is, that England actually have the potential to do anyhting about it. I think Germany would struggle…. but as I say… we will just have to wait and see.. If history is a guide… Germany and England will meet sooner or later…

Posted from  United Kingdom

Oh Lord, my typing is terrible… sorry..

Posted from  United Kingdom

If history is a guide:
Germany 3 times world champion and, I believe, seven times in final match. How’s your math, Joanna?

Posted from  United States

I am not talking about games outside the WM (cup). I know, Germany also lost to Italy 4:1. I am talking about playing in zee vorldcup. That’s were England has no chance against Germany.

Posted from  United States

And the German hating tradition you write about, is an English thing. I live in California and many people here root for Germany since they do not believe that the USA will make it all the way. Most people don’t hate the Germans… the Irish don’t, the Mexicans don’t, the Americans, don’t… it is your narrow land (translated Eng (narrow) land (Land

Posted from  United States

So anyway, I think we need to stick with Mick. I mean if Brazil can still roll out Ronaldo given the shape he’s in, surely Owen deserves more time to find form.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Owen,
“I now immediately discount absolutely any comment/repot/etc. that originates with the tabloids.”

And that’s sound policy.

To Shawn,
As far as adding goes, I just estimated from your comment about following football since researching your book.

As for the rest, I’ve been simmering at this whole blog experiment for awhile now. Look at the front page on any day and you’ll see the “World Cup Photos” are invariably a snap of some moderately, but unremarkably, attractive girl who has probably not given anyone permission to take, let alone post, her picture.

It’s embarassing.

The Owen stuff caught me on a bad day. But I don’t think I really crossed into anything other than “letter to the editor” territory”.

Though I still think that so far you’re doing a bit too accurate an impression of a self-loathing Englishman. Across the groups, England don’t look any worse than the other supposed favorites.

Posted from  United States

Troglodyte:

I extend the hand of peace. Let’s kick some Swede ass and move along!

Best,

Shawn

Posted from  United States

Shawn… it’s arse not ass :p

words of wisdom… amusing… i think if we play germany maybe we should not turn up, simply because they won the 1954 tournament hahahahah :p x1000

Posted from  United Kingdom