so why is walcot there ?

[Sir Bronking]

can someone explain the reason walcot is in the england party.
when it was first announced weeks ago i couldn't see why, and now after the swede game i'm even more perplexed

 

[rolfw]

I think he is there by accident, it was obviously considered in some quarters, that he is a better player than he actually is, or at the least, is not ready for that level of football. Who knows, but the fact that he wasn't considered for today means that he is unlikely to appear during this competition, unless all other options have been exhausted.

 

[Sir Bronking]

ny heart goes out to dafoe, he must have watched the game wondering what the tragically obscenes going on

 

[Licinius]

He was selected on the say so of Wenger who never ever does anything to help England! He didn't even travel to the Champions league final which shows he doesn't have a future at Arsenal, if however he has a good world cup................ his value will double & Wenger will cash in before next season. Personally I feel sorry for the kid, England would rather change formation than field him O-no

The buck stops with Sven! What is it about England managers? They start brightly then lose the plot (Hoddle was a classic example). Sven turned up & put 5 past Germany in Munich, beat the Argies in the 2002 world cup & generally looked like Englands saviour!

Then before you know it we have a world cup sqaud with Crouch, Walcott but not Defoe or Bent

 

[Topper]

Well someone has to clean their boots don't they? Some would say that he is making up the numbers, others would say Sven is going to use him as a secret weapon, my theory is that he will feature at some point as a sub especially after the injury to Owen, but what do I know I can't even tell you if sky italia is open let alone who will play in the next game!

 

[Sir Bronking]

to be honest ive never rated crouch (as far as i'm concerned he's tall.. fullstop) they say he get's in the way of defenders making it difficult for them, but if anything he gets in the way of the likes of terry and gerrard when we have a corner or set piece. and he cannot head a ball

 

[BarMoo]

What is the story with Owen?

The German commentator made a reference to an ITV commentator's comment (odd but true).

I normally turn off when I hear German in an England game - so I missed what he said

 

[Topper]

Switched off after the game but from what Sven said I do not think he will feature again this tournament. When that much sideways pressure is applied at right angles to the normal bend of the knee the ligament just gives. He went straight into a knee brace and they will be have to wait for the results of a scan I suppose. My friend had the same injury through amateur football never had it repaired properly and even years later would just collapse in heap when walking in a straight line as the knee gave way and that is without the aid of alcohol.

 

[Sir Bronking]

England striker Michael Owen is almost certainly out of the World Cup.
The 26-year-old twisted his right knee as he played a pass to Ashley Cole in the first minute of England's 2-2 draw with Sweden in Cologne on Tuesday.

Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the game: "Maybe he's out of the tournament, I'm not sure. It doesn't look good at all."

An England source told BBC Sport Owen would miss the rest of the tournament as the injury was "very serious".


owen will have a scan at England's Baden-Baden base camp on Wednesday, having flown back there from Cologne with the rest of the squad overnight.

England skipper David Beckham admitted he thought Owen's injury was serious.

"I think it's a bad one," he said. "We are going to have to wait to see what the doctors say tomorrow.

"It's sad - Michael's one of those players you need in big tournaments. It's unfortunate for him and for us."

Former England captain Alan Shearer, who played with Owen at Newcastle last season, told Match of the Day on Tuesday night: "I have had a text from him. He's in a lot of pain and he hopes it's not bad."

Owen, who was winning his 80th cap, crawled off the pitch as soon as he hit the ground, suggesting he knew something was seriously wrong.

Ice was put on the knee and a brace was later applied.

 

[BarMoo]

So, we're not quite talking again, but thanks for the update Bronks You too, Topper.

Lets see if Rooney can control himself on-pitch (like tonight), and whether Crouch and Walcot can add to the flavour.

Watched Germany before - and I have the gut feeling of .... er, winning

Sweden were so much better 2nd half (doh!)

.

 

[gameboy]

s*y italia is open

Whow Topper - what a phrase to use -

Wonder how many will finds this thread by mistake? -

 

[Topper]

Whow Topper - what a phrase to use -

Wonder how many will finds this thread by mistake? -

Did that on purpose and sorry you are disappointed anyone who is looking for some magical solution Someone has to get the hit counters moving round here especially after the expense of the new server.

 

[Shahid]

Hi footy fans. Please be positive about England. We had a briliant first half v SWEDEN. Owens freak injury could be blessing in disguise. We will hammer the Ecudorians on in the last 16 knock out match. 4-5-1 formation might be. Theo and Rooney could may be just could be HERO'S. Then we wil forget 66 and remember 06. BE POSITIVE, SUPPORT THE 3 LIONS. Thank you. Also a biyt off topic, I saw the game on Premier HD and chose audio (2) with John Motson. I have never heard obscence words from players with such clarity. I know Sky Sports carry a delayed feed to block it out. It was all to hear on Premier. )

Shahid.

 

[jimbo]

Here's the Premiership top scorers .... spot the English players

Thierry Henry Arsenal 27
Ruud van Nistelrooy Man Utd 21
Darren Bent Charlton 18
Robbie Keane Tottenham 16
Frank Lampard Chelsea 16
Wayne Rooney Man Utd 16
Marlon Harewood West Ham 14
Craig Bellamy Blackburn 13
Aiyegbeni Yakubu Middlesbrough 13
Henri Camara Wigan 12
Didier Drogba Chelsea 12
Collins John Fulham 11
Ahmed Mido Tottenham 11
James Beattie Everton 10
Hernan Crespo Chelsea 10

You could make a case for Darren Bent but .............. Defoe?

 

[BarMoo]

Hi footy fans. Please be positive about England. We had a briliant first half v SWEDEN.

Me thinks idea is to have two good halves - to show how good we are; not bugger everything up in the second half. LOL.

Similarly, I'm getting just a little pissed watching Germany win with admiral goal margins. Yep, and I looking forward to the Sweden v Germany game on Saturday - just to establish how bad we ended-up being the other day.

If England don't leave that pitch on Sunday with a decent result, I, I, I, ... (keep mouth shut and think positive!).

Premiere HD - lucky sod.

 

[Salty25]

Here's the Premiership top scorers .... spot the English players

Thierry Henry Arsenal 27
Ruud van Nistelrooy Man Utd 21
Darren Bent Charlton 18
Robbie Keane Tottenham 16
Frank Lampard Chelsea 16
Wayne Rooney Man Utd 16
Marlon Harewood West Ham 14
Craig Bellamy Blackburn 13
Aiyegbeni Yakubu Middlesbrough 13
Henri Camara Wigan 12
Didier Drogba Chelsea 12
Collins John Fulham 11
Ahmed Mido Tottenham 11
James Beattie Everton 10
Hernan Crespo Chelsea 10

You could make a case for Darren Bent but .............. Defoe?

very good point indeed.

Well Sven has got two formation left to try:

- 442, with either Crouch (long balls) or Walcott (untested)
- or 451 with Hargraves or Carrick (untested) in the holding position, or if Neville is fit, put Carragher as holding. I'd love to see Downing (left wing) or Lennon (inside right of Beckham), but who would drop back - Gerrard or Lampard?

 

[BadWithComputer]

Wallcott is a waste of space, how can you have somebody who has never played at a premiership level play in the world cup. I hope Sven know what hes doing (Though i very much doubt it...)

 

[jimbo]

I hope Sven know what hes doing (Though i very much doubt it...)

There's never been any doubt about Sven ..... he has absolutely NO idea what he's doing.

 

[Shahid]

Wallcott is a waste of space, how can you have somebody who has never played at a premiership level play in the world cup. I hope Sven know what hes doing (Though i very much doubt it...)

Walcott is the Ace of Spades

Thats Svens trump card. wait and see. u will eat humble pie.
PS. Monday 10th declared BANK HOLIDAY reason: England World Cup Champions 2006. Enough said.

Shahid

 

[BarMoo]

There's never been any doubt about Sven ..... he has absolutely NO idea what he's doing.

Bit below the belt.

Is it true?

.