The Sweden Match: Some Aftermath Notes

There is no killer instinct from this side. Period. This is the second game in the group where they have dominated early only to be back on their heels for most of the second half… not to mention the T&T game where they wasted a lot of chances.

I think Gerrard should have been the focal point of this team from 2004 on. The midfield should be a diamond with him up top. Lampard is a world-class player for club, not country, and should come off the bench. Right now, he is interfering with Gerrard’s best position. Carrick should be holding with Cole and Beckham on the flanks.

I think Ecuador beats them on Sunday unless they somehow get it together. I really was hoping for Germany because they seem to rise and play their best football against the “familiar foes”.

Posted from  Canada

I hope Owen can recover quickly.Although he didn’t play well as before, he still is the player I like so much.

Posted from  China

I agree with simon. i’m a swedish fan, but stevie gerrard is, in my opinion, the most dangerous midfielder in the world, and I think should be the focus. his shot is always dangerous, and with rooney making runs to the goal england should be set if they play their cards right. good match today, and good luck!

Posted from  United States

I think England is going to choke agian.

I hate seeing Rooney on the field, he classless.

Posted from  United States

Simon,ErikJ19–> i couldn’t agree with u guys more(^_^)

Posted from  Malaysia

germany vs england is always something special, i have a feeling we will meet sometime

Posted from  Canada

Very disapointing second half , Sweeden looked like the side who most wanted the win. Gerrard, proved his class, england brightend up a little when he came on. I know Sven was forced into his subsitutaions but Lennon should have been on from the start. he gave them a little bit of gloss in a very dull performance against T&T.
pity T& T are out they were a good tight unit

Posted from  United Kingdom

Mo | June 21st, 2006 at 8:46 am

I find it hard to comprhend how swen decides his tactics or squad for that matter.
No one seems to mention that an extra striker would have been very usefull especially when you consisder Michael Owen was never fully fit and unlike rooney has hardly played for a large part of the season.
Also am i the only one who beleives that englads balance in midfield is way off and that they do not create enough chances.
I beleive lennon should play with Beckham and either Lampard or gerrad (excuse the spelling!) in the middle and cole on the left.
As for the attack , the amount of chances crouc squanders is terrible but he’s all we got now as it seems wallcote will be lucky to get a look in.

If we are serious about winning the cup we have to be adventerious and tkae chances or wimpper out!!!!!
I would be interested for some feed back

Mo

Posted from Australia

Posted from  Australia

No Mo, you’re certainly not the only one who believes England’s midfield is unbalenced but why no mention of Hargreaves? His refusal to join in belting out God Save the Queen was not his only admirable contribution to last night’s game. He’s quick (which gives him the edge over Carrick in the holding role), snaps into challenges and pases intelligently. He even joined in the attack once or twice in the first half. I think he should keep his place and without Owen England should go with a five man midfield, bringing Lennon into the team. This would give Beckham more space to ping the ball around and Lennon’s speed will concern any defence.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I would suggest to Mr Eriksson not to play Rooney any more in this WC…. he is so rude…WHERE IS THE FAIR PLAY !!

Posted from  Malta

Peter Crouch as you’ve never seen him before… very very funny:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/uz49

Posted from  United Kingdom

The game definitely looked rigged.It looks like you cannot beat an European team to get to the second round. This ‘draw’ now makes sure that Paraguay, a better team will not make it to the second round.

More proof, look at the number of yellow cards and ‘red’ cards are being shown to ‘Non European’ teams, when they are playing against an European team. Just check the statistics, and you will know. This happened in the Portugal Mexico game today. Portugal will win because of this.
My prediction for group G, where another European team ‘France” is in trouble, Switzerland will beat South Korea or at least have a draw, South Koreans will be shown a ridiculous number of yellow cards. But I really feel for Togo. Togo will be shown probably a huge number of yellows and a few reds, so that French can beat them by a large number of goals, to put them ahead of Korea, in case there is a tie.
This cup should be renamed the
“European’s cup” instead.
No sir, Brazil does not stand a chance, nor does Argentina. It will go to an European team, by ‘hook’ or by ‘CROOK’

Posted from  United States

Andrea dont get hung up on conspiricy theorys , its just universal paranoia we all suffer from it .
As for Argentina not standing a chnace - i think you may find they will probably win the darn thing.
you americans do get vexed when things arnt going your own way . let us not forget the world serries base ball ( your the only ones in it - now that is a con!)

Posted from  United Kingdom

Ha, ever think that the non euro teams are just dirtier?? Go and play some basketball or something. A sport which hardly ne countries bother with, thats the American way, ur the best

Posted from  United Kingdom

Lol, Baggy. Andrea, did you see the game USA against Italy. You think Europeans do not get any cards? Hmmm? Did the Italian player walk of the field because he’s had it?

Posted from  United States

It could be “post match blues” talking, but I can’t see us getting past the play-offs based on last nights second half performance. The team looks on the brink of collapse to me and although Ecuador aren’t anything special I sense a shock result coming.

Or maybe I just had too many beers yesterday.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Binarybloke, that is not very English to doubt your team??? Whazzup with that? I am a Germany fan and am very nervous too. It is the world cup and the best teams are playing. Anything can happen.

Posted from  United States

I agree with Fabio and John. Rooney has and will always be a spoilt little tosser. The boy should grow up and realise how lucky he is and show more respect!

Posted from  United States

Well it seems like all the other nations don’t want Rooney to play because he’s rude. Too bloody bad that he’s 100 times more intense and has a winning attitude and plays for ENGLAND and not bloody Malta!!!
Thanks for the tip though, we’ll think about it… NO…
ROOOOOONEEEEEEY RRRROOOOOOOOONEEEEEYYYYY

Posted from  Canada

King roon couldn`t agree with you more, it`s just because he wants to win every game he plays in, unlike some other players who just stroll around and can`t cut it any more. Hope that Michael has a quick recovery from his injury…

Hey the ROON thinks he’s good, but in my view he’s like RONALDO in the last 2 matches difference is RONALDO’s still the greatest striker in world football and he has’nt played for 7 months you do the math, Rooney is damn good but only in the eyes of the english, the opposition not enough to attract 3 to 4 defenders like RONALDO in the recent past still score! AS YOU WOULD PROPARBLY REMEMBER WHAT HE DID @ OLD TRAFFORD (HAT-TRICK-1st Half), I’m an english fan but the truth has to be spoken, lets not diss countries that are more capable OR might look superior than ENGLAND, just shut that hole and wake up we wont win it!!!

Futebolblinger, you’re not England fan talking crap like that. And your head is too far up Ronaldos butt to pass comment on Rooney.

Posted from  United Kingdom

haha Andrea.

You’ll notice a lot of the cards that have been given out to the ‘lesser’ world sides such as T&T, USA and Togo have been for fouls where a player playing in top class leagues has skinned a player playing in lesser leagues, whos accidentally brough him down. Most of the Euro sides tend to have more players with ‘big game’ experence, so play against these skilled players more often.The exceptions are dirty bastards like Essien and Lucas Neill, who have reputations for being a bit rough.

Also the World Cup is reffed, and the refs are given strict instructions, much like the chapions league is, so if you play in that, you know what to expect.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Champions Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina
could be relegated from Serie A and forced out of European
competition if found guilty.

Posted from  Ukraine

Very dissapointing