2008 European Championships Qualifying

[King Pietersen]

Will be cheering on Scotland today, even though they have Italy today they've got a better chance of qualifying than England, at least Scotland's qualification is in their hands, if only they hadnt lost to Georgia.

England dont deserve to qualify for the Euro, we've been crap, and only when it looked that we'd not qualify did we start to buck our ideas up. We're stuck with a manager who still doesnt have the balls to drop the top stars, even if they're not performing. Even though Beckham was poor last night he'll play in possibly the most important game under McLaren, Young should play instead. Lampard's performances in the Premiership recently mean that he could be in for a place, although he never seems to replicate that form in an England shirt. Robinson shouldnt play, James and Carson are in better form, and although i think Robbo is a talented keeper, he has been making mistakes too often, and that warrants his replacement. We need to get rid of McLaren and try and tempt a decent manager to the position. If our press werent such prats we'd have Scolari and have qualified easily. I still dont understand what McLaren did at Middlesborough to get the England job.

My team for the next England game:

James

Richards
Lescott
Campbell
Shorey

Young
Lampard
Gerrard
Barry

Crouch
Owen (if fit)/Defoe

Beckham will play though, as will Robinson i expect, also i'd be annoyed if Downing or Wright-Phillips played instead of Barry on the left. Barry has been the best England player in the last 3 internationals, and if he is left out in place of 1 average winger and a bit part over-paid over-rated dissapointment, i for one will be annoyed.

 

[Leicester Fox]

The only way England don't deserve to qualify for the Euros is if we get less points than Russia when it's all said and done. Lampard and Gerrard has never worked in the centre so if this game actually meant something playing them together would be dumb. I reckon the England team will most likely be this is the game matters: Robinson, Cole, Campbell, Lescott, Richards, Cole, Gerrard, Barry, Beckham, Crouch, Defoe. I would like to see us play Young and Carson as well as Smith, a lot of the time with Crouch we just resort to long ball football and we're crap when we do that. It's not Crouchs fault but if we do that then he shouldn't play. He will and should play having scored on friday though and he's fine as long as he isn't playing with Rooney. If we do qualify (come on Israel) Foster has the potnetial to be number 1 over the next few years and apart frm the goalkeepers position you could probably pick our best XI now with the exception of the right wing and some amazing young player coming along.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

If there is any justice, England will qualify. Remember, Russia's 'penalty' was outside the box! So, come on Israel!!!!!

By the way, if the Scotties win, do Italy go out? If that's so, FORZA ITALIA!!! (I'm half Italian )

 

[Leicester Fox]

Either way it's Forza Italia as far as I care! Unless the scots go through and we don't in which case it's about time the surname McDonald came in handy

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Mc Donut has got to go, whatever happens.

0-1 Italy!!! Great start by the Scotties!!!!!


Edit: Is anyone going to the Croatia game? How much were your tickets and do you reckon there are any left?

 

[Skater]

Even if England do eventually qualify for the finals they still won't deserve it. The qualification campaign has been terrible, with poor performances and an uncreative manager.

Croatia and Russia have been the most consistent and patriotic teams in the group and I wish them luck in the finals.

 

[evertonfan]

If they qualify for the tournament then they deserve it, as they will have earned more points than those who didn't. Simple.

 

[Skater]

If they qualify for the tournament then they deserve it, as they will have earned more points than those who didn't. Simple.

I am not going to get into an argument, as I know we both have different ideas on what counts. I think performance and patriotism counts, you think winning counts.

 

[evertonfan]

I agree that England have been complete drivel in the qualification stages but that counts for nothing if they actually qualify. If they get the points, they deserve it. If they don't, then they don't.

And for the record I do think the two P's are vitally important. But it's an undeniable fact that they count for nothing if you don't get the other P; Points.

 

[Skater]

I agree that England have been complete drivel in the qualification stages but that counts for nothing if they actually qualify. If they get the points, they deserve it. If they don't, then they don't.

And for the record I do think the two P's are vitally important. But it's an undeniable fact that they count for nothing if you don't get the other P; Points.

You could say Performance + Patriotism = Points, one leads to another.

Croatia and Russia have shown the most performance and patriotism in the group, so they have the most points, and they will qualify for the finals. It all works out.

 

[evertonfan]

Yeah but if England qualify then one of them doesn't. So there performance and patriotism accounts for nothing. Points are always the most important. It's a fact. You don't win leagues and trophies without points.

 

[Skater]

Yeah but if England qualify then one of them doesn't. So there performance and patriotism accounts for nothing. Points are always the most important. It's a fact. You don't win leagues and trophies without points.

The chances of England qualifying are minute and all of the fans are clutching at straws. I don't know why there is so much hype.

It is highly unlikely that Israel will beat Russia this evening.

 

[evertonfan]

I don't really care, i'm saying points are what matters. England's have been total garbage, yet if they scrape through they'll have deserved it because they'll have more points than the rest of the teams in the league.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Israel only need to get a draw don't they, add to that the fact they've only ever lost 4 times at home, if their coach was not playing youngsters we'd have a chance. It's not clutching at straws it's called having a bit of hope, it's what being a fan is about.

1-0 Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep it up now lads

 

[Will_NA]

Yay. Now we can embarrass ourselves in the finals. Suck a fat one, Guus.