The Eriksson Thread

[phuketsiam]

Bambi, you have made 2500 posts in a few months, let the boys be boys for a while.

I agree with the OP of this thread, we have a good squad and a bad manager, maybe our 1st eleven is not as good as Brazil, but who's is, but Brazil do the biz as team, we are still working out what the team is, well not us but Sven is.

Thats whats so sad, we are going to the World cup with far better team than Bobby Robson had in Italia 90, but with a worse manager, Germany got to the final Japan/Korea, and look at the state of them. The team has to be equal to or greater than the sum of the parts, and thats down to the coaches, thats why we won the Rugby and the Ashes and while we probably won't win the world cup, I hope we do, we can all dream, remember my dream Lampy, no one gave us a chance against Juve, Chelsea and Milan (Kaka was fantastic in that game, tore us apart) me included, but who lifted the silverware?

[BambinA]

Bambi, you have made 2500 posts in a few months, let the boys be boys for a while.

ouuchhh thats hurt .. nice canine teeth and good bite..im bloody bleeding already

what u said sound like i could get a gift voucher from post score ..lol

[mrbojangles]

Also, you shouldn't pay too much attention to some of Brazil's results in their qualifying campaign. They always experiment extensively during this process. When it comes to the main event in Germany next summer, they will have their best team out for every match.

That's exactly what we've been doing. However, my original question was, should he (Erikkson) now stop experimenting and for the remaining friendlies, put out the best team?

Thats whats so sad, we are going to the World cup with far better team than Bobby Robson had in Italia 90, but with a worse manager, Germany got to the final Japan/Korea, and look at the state of them. The team has to be equal to or greater than the sum of the parts, and thats down to the coaches, thats why we won the Rugby and the Ashes and while we probably won't win the world cup

I 100% agree with you there, phuketsiam.

[Fast Eddie]

[

That's exactly what we've been doing. However, my original question was, should he (Erikkson) now stop experimenting and for the remaining friendlies, put out the best team?

[

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He certainly should

[phuketsiam]

Bambi, you have made 2500 posts in a few months, let the boys be boys for a while.

ouuchhh thats hurt .. nice canine teeth and good bite..im bloody bleeding already

what u said sound like i could get a gift voucher from post score ..lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its just that you females always talk during the football, now your talking while we are talking about the football

[mrbojangles]

[

That's exactly what we've been doing. However, my original question was, should he (Erikkson) now stop experimenting and for the remaining friendlies, put out the best team?

[

He certainly should

Marvellous, we've actually agreed Eddie

Now then, what formation best suits the guys we have? I personally think we play best in the good old 4-4-2. We've tried others and not jelled?

[Davey]

[

That's exactly what we've been doing. However, my original question was, should he (Erikkson) now stop experimenting and for the remaining friendlies, put out the best team?

[

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He certainly should

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Marvellous, we've actually agreed Eddie

Now then, what formation best suits the guys we have? I personally think we play best in the good old 4-4-2. We've tried others and not jelled?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would like to see 3 5 2 formation. We have sort of tested it, but I think it could be the formation for us.

Keeper

Robinson

3 central defenders

Terry

Campbell/Ferdinand

Woodgate (when he is fit)

Left wing back

Ashley Cole

Right wing back

Luke Young

centre midfield

Gerrard

Lampard

Beckham (he can do a job as a holding midfield player)

Strikers

Owen

Rooney

I personally would like to see this formation given the chance I feel it deserves, it would certainly rectify our left sided midfield problems somewhat.

What does everyone else think?

[mrbojangles]

[

That's exactly what we've been doing. However, my original question was, should he (Erikkson) now stop experimenting and for the remaining friendlies, put out the best team?

[

He certainly should

Marvellous, we've actually agreed Eddie

Now then, what formation best suits the guys we have? I personally think we play best in the good old 4-4-2. We've tried others and not jelled?

I would like to see 3 5 2 formation. We have sort of tested it, but I think it could be the formation for us.

Keeper

Robinson

3 central defenders

Terry

Campbell/Ferdinand

Woodgate (when he is fit)

Left wing back

Ashley Cole

Right wing back

Luke Young

centre midfield

Gerrard

Lampard

Beckham (he can do a job as a holding midfield player)

Strikers

Owen

Rooney

I personally would like to see this formation given the chance I feel it deserves, it would certainly rectify our left sided midfield problems somewhat.

What does everyone else think?

Looks good on paper Davey but when we tried it out, i don't think the players knew what they where supposed to be doing? Which is a bit of a tragedy really, seeing as they are so poorly paid The issue for me is, Erikkson has tweaked with this and that, too much and with only 5 friendlies to try anything out, i don't think we've got the time.

[phuketsiam]

Nah, Beckham is to useful on the wing and too poor a defender to play holding midfield, thats the problem with Gerrard and Lampard together, neither does the holding job properly. Gerrard should be treated as cover or tatical sub for Lamps, and a specialist holding player used, trouble is who, King, Smith, short of of natural option really. Also Owen and Rooney together is not a match made in heaven, both need to play of a lead striker, as neither play well with back to goal, but are good at coming forward from space, with the ball or latching onto passes. We are short of lead striker and holding midfielder of world class ability, but we have an abundance of talent elsewhere. If Crouch played as lead sriker, he's a target for crosses and he does get his knock downs and lay offs right, just isn't going to score, but with Rooney, Lamps etc running on the goals should come from other places. I see Owen as tactical sub, good poacher to have around if the games going badly, or if Rooney loses it again.

[Davey]

Nah, Beckham is to useful on the wing and too poor a defender to play holding midfield, thats the problem with Gerrard and Lampard together, neither does the holding job properly. Gerrard should be treated as cover or tatical sub for Lamps, and a specialist holding player used, trouble is who, King, Smith, short of of natural option really. Also Owen and Rooney together is not a match made in heaven, both need to play of a lead striker, as neither play well with back to goal, but are good at coming forward from space, with the ball or latching onto passes. We are short of lead striker and holding midfielder of world class ability, but we have an abundance of talent elsewhere. If Crouch played as lead sriker, he's a target for crosses and he does get his knock downs and lay offs right, just isn't going to score, but with Rooney, Lamps etc running on the goals should come from other places. I see Owen as tactical sub, good poacher to have around if the games going badly, or if Rooney loses it again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't forget Scott Parker could do a role as a defensive Midfielder. Also, you think Owen would be good as a tactical sub? you must be crazy to leave him out with his scoring record, Owen has to start. Also, I think Owen and Rooney is our best partnership. Rooney is creative enough to carve out openings for Owen to run onto.

Also, Beckham can still be an effective player going forward despite being in the defensive role. When England have the ball, Beckham can drift on to the right slightly to deliver a ball. Also, when we played N.I Beckham was in that position and probably our best player, he played some good cross field balls.

I think perhaps you are right mrbojangles, we did try it and it wasn't the best performance I've ever seen, but I would still have faith in it. I know it isn't going to happen over night, and we will a few games until we see any progress with that formation, but unfortunately I just do not think there is enough time for it to work before germany, so I guess the basic 4 4 2 will prevail, unfortunately, because we are incredibly boring playing it, although probably most effective. I will not give up faith though, one day I would like to see England playing 3 5 2, I'm sure it could work for us, after all, it does work for me on football manager!!

Edited October 18, 2005 by Davey

[phuketsiam]

Yeah Scott Parker is an option, I just think Rooney and Owen play better when there is man leading the line, if Rooney is to get possesion where he does the most damage, Owen has to lead the line, an he's not big or strong enough for that. Beckham is not good enough defensively to play holding midfield, he might get away with it against 'lesser' teams, but not against the top teams. Owen had good record, with Shearer or Heskey around, strong players who lead the line, thing about Shearer was he could score, thats what were short of, a big lad up front who can get a few goals. Also when Owen starts he rarely finishes, he's a bit delicate really, better to give him 60-30 mins a game IMHO

[Pie Boy]

Scott Parker may well be an option for us fans but ther's no chance of Sven seeing him as a viable option for the startin' eleven.

Let's face it the swede has his startin' eleven/formation sorted and only injuries will change it.

[mrbojangles]

Scott Parker may well be an option for us fans but ther's no chance of Sven seeing him as a viable option for the startin' eleven.

Let's face it the swede has his startin' eleven/formation sorted and only injuries will change it.

Gotta agree with you there Pieboy. I just hope that, the useless "Crouch Potato" isn't in his starting 11

[mrbojangles]

Argentina v England (friendly)

Wed 12 Nov, 1635 GMT,

For England fans, the fixture will always be associated with the World Cup heartache of 1986 and 1998.

On the first occasion Argentina prevailed through the inspiration of Diego Maradona, and on the second won on penalties against a 10-man England side after David Beckham was sent off.

But when the teams last met in the group stages of the 2002 World Cup, England triumphed through a Beckham penalty.

In contrast to his usual policy on friendlies, England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has promised to use the best players available to him.

And with Argentina one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, the game provides an excellent opportunity to gauge England's own chances of success in Germany next year.

Source:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/m...day/4401016.stm

[gbt71fa]

USA...USA...In your Face! Uh, does my country even play soccer...I mean European footbal? I think we beat Mexico, right? USA...USA...in your Face!

[mrbojangles]

does my country even play soccer...I mean European footbal?

No, your country plays Netball, Rounders and "Tig Off-Ground"

[eddie11]

USA favorite sports

Monster trucks

gladiators

american handball

any other meat head game you can think of ?

[mrbojangles]

Michael Owen believes a contest between the England World Cup teams of 1998, 2002 and 2006 would see the current side run out ultimate champions.

Owen is preparing for his third World Cup finals at the tender age of 25 and he is adamant this is the best chance we have ever had of lifting the famous trophy.

In fact, he is so encouraged by the strength in depth of the Three Lions squad that he has named the current 22 as the best World Cup squad he has played in.

"Which team would win between the three sides? Well, if everyone plays to their maximum, then I think this one," he insisted.

"We have such good players, the standard in training is unbelievable. If everyone is on song in any particular match then I wouldn’t be scared of anyone.

"I think the 1998 team was full of real experience and for a lot of players it was their last big tournament. Then the next time we had a really inexperienced team - and this one is in the middle of that.

"I think we’ve got a bit of everything. Ability wise I think this team is a fantastic team when it is playing and functioning. I think it is a top team."

Owen hopes Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men will prove just that when they take on old rivals Argentina in Geneva on Saturday and he believes the signs are good ahead of next summer’s World Cup Finals in Germany.

He said: "We’ve shown that we can play well as a group, not as often as we would like but we have shown it. The important thing for the manager and players and everyone else is to peak at the right time.

"That’s the challenge to everyone, we know that if we can peak in the seven games in Germany then we have a great chance. But everyone is wanting the same thing, it’s all about how we play on the day."

Owen, in fact, is so impressed by the quality of the England squad that he believes it would be more than a match for the best club sides in the world.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently claimed that the Champions League has overtaken the World Cup as the biggest stage in football, and that Europe’s top clubs would beat even the likes of England, Brazil and France.

But Owen has different ideas and reckons England have greater strength in depth than even his old club Real Madrid.

So who would win that fantasy battle?

"It’s hard to make comparisons," he said. "You would love to see Chelsea play England or Madrid play Spain one day but you are never going to get it.

"But what I was saying is that although there were some top, top players at Madrid that everyone knows about, in the England squad we have got players who are in that same league - but when you get out of that first 10 or 11 then what you’ve got underneath this team is very, very strong as well.

"In Madrid we had the Galactico thing where we had five or six world beaters and then the rest of the lads were good hard working pros. But with England there’s 22 players and every player is top notch.

"http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/09/England_MichaelOwen_preArg.htm

[mrbojangles]

Well, it looks like Eriksson got it right this time.........or was he just lucky? I personally believe he got it right. He didn't meddle too much, for once and let his best players go out and perform.

Although i do think he shouldn't have played Wayne Bridge so soon after coming back from injury. He was the weakest link on saturday but i have no doubt he will be right for the next "friendly".

Lampard wasn't at his best and missed a couple of shots that he would normally have buried.

Still don't believe Crouch should be in the squad, though.

Rooney, absolute class act.

So, how do you think we are going to fare next year?