England National football team thread

[puddleduck]

And Zidane, Ronaldo and Ronaldo were all 6 foot and over...

 

[MasterBlaster76]

And Zidane, Ronaldo and Ronaldo were all 6 foot and over...

Well, when you get the whole package of athletic build and superb technique, there's no argument. The problem comes when you go with those over 6ft simply because they're big, strong and can bully other players off the ball.

 

[puddleduck]

I don't think results and league tables should be important until they reach a certain age. The first few years of properly playing should merely be about the love of the game and the inherent child innocence of just playing. Too many adults dilute this with their experience of defeat through life that they somehow feel can be replaced by their kids victories.

Masterblaster, Ste is right though that teaching technique shouldn't matter what size the player is. If they eventually grow to be big and strong, then fair enough, but that can't be the priority and there should be no discrimination against different sizes just because one supposedly produces better footballers.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

The problem comes when you go with those over 6ft simply because they're big, strong and can bully other players off the ball.

And you don't see the same problem of favouring shorter kids?

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Too many adults dilute this with their experience of defeat through life that they somehow feel can be replaced by their kids victories.

I really hate it when people do that.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

I don't think results and league tables should be important until they reach a certain age.

Once kids can count they will keep score themselves.

Why are we having this discussion in the first place? Because the results matter. The whole driving force behind sport is competition. Complete dissociation of the importance of the result won't be beneficial, but the balance isn't right now.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

And you don't see the same problem of favouring shorter kids?

Give everyone a chance, but favour the ones who are better natural players and/or have the correct attitude to dedicate themselves to overcoming their shortcomings. Note: I'm not talking about five year olds here, or even ten year olds. The primary objective should be to get them enjoying playing football at that age.

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Too much emphasis is placed on winning and losing with kids these days. It's changing slowly, but smaller pitches, tiny goals and a complete lack of regard for the result are all steps in the right direction.

Yeah, I was shocked to learn that until fairly recently, we were playing our kids on pitches that were far too big for them - too big for their energy levels and too big to ensure that each child actually gets to see the ball.

 

[War]

Martin Samuel: Milton Keynes Dons Dan Micciche reveals coaching methods | Mail Online

Just the kind of stuff English football needs happening at the lower levels.

Rio can be like Baresi... Hodgson has run out of arguments to leave him in the cold

Yes sadly, Hodgson is certainly running out of creditable excuses, although i think its fair to say the entire saga made it difficult for Hodgson when he came in as manager @ that late stage.

But if as predicted, Ferdinand continues his solid injury free season with United winning the league, then no sane "football reason" will exist for not picking him.

 

[War]

England v Brazil: Ashley Cole will richly deserve his 100th cap - he is the perfect player at both end of the pitch - Telegraph

Hansen on point. If one is to pick an England all-time football XI, Cole these days would have to be considered the country's best ever in the position now over past stalwarts kenny sansom and stuart pearce.

-------------------------------Gordon Banks-----------------------

Jimmy Armfield------Billy Wright------Bobby Moore---------Ashely Cole

----------Bryan Robson-----Paul Scholes----Duncan Edwards---------

------------------------------Johnny Haynes------------------------

-------------Bobby Charlton------------------Jimmy Greaves---------

 

[Haarithan]

Henderson's long ball to Ince (who was eventually brought down inside the box to earn a penalty bringing England's third goal) in yesterday's magnificent 4-0 win over the Sweden U21's was almost Gerrard-esque. Had a great game, the skipper.

Honorable mentions to Wisdom and Robinson too - the former looked so much more assuring in his natural CB role.

Shelvey meanwhile deserves a nomination for the miss of the season award.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Henderson's long ball to Ince (who was eventually brought down inside the box to earn a penalty bringing England's third goal) in yesterday's magnificent 4-0 win over the Sweden U21's was almost Gerrard-esque. Had a great game, the skipper.

Honorable mentions to Wisdom and Robinson too - the former looked so much more assuring in his natural CB role.

Shelvey meanwhile deserves a nomination for the miss of the season award.

Funnily enough, both Henderson and Downing are actually looking like real players at Liverpool!

 

[Skater]

I can never understand why people put crap music over Youtube videos.

 

[War]

Henderson's long ball to Ince (who was eventually brought down inside the box to earn a penalty bringing England's third goal) in yesterday's magnificent 4-0 win over the Sweden U21's was almost Gerrard-esque. Had a great game, the skipper.

Honorable mentions to Wisdom and Robinson too - the former looked so much more assuring in his natural CB role.

Shelvey meanwhile deserves a nomination for the miss of the season award.

Ye the 21's looked good, arguably the best under 21 group of all the recent teams. Depending on how Sir Hodgson & coach Pearce decides which young player will player in the summer tournament instead of flying to that friendly in brazil - the 21's could have a pretty strong looking first xi & squad this summer.

Butland

Clyne Wisdom Caulker Rose/Shaw

Shelvey Henderson

Powell

Sterling Wickham Oxlade-Chamberlain

Steele, Ameobi, Zaha, Ince, Luke Shaw, Tom Carroll, Craig Dawson, Ryan Bennett, Rodwell, McEachran, Townsend, Landsbury

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Ashley Cole on winning his 100th cap for England | FATV - YouTube

 

[Haarithan]

Funnily enough, both Henderson and Downing are actually looking like real players at Liverpool!

True. Both of them along with Jose Enrique were slated directly/indirectly at the beginning of the season by Brendan Rodgers - who questioned the trio's 'passion' for the game then.

Henderson during the summer got told he was free to leave the club and was even used as a makeweight in our attempt to lure Clint Dempsey from Fulham, which thankfully didn't materialize!

Butland

Clyne Wisdom Caulker Rose/Shaw

Shelvey Henderson

Powell

Sterling Wickham Oxlade-Chamberlain

Steele, Ameobi, Zaha, Ince, Luke Shaw, Tom Carroll, Craig Dawson, Ryan Bennett, Rodwell, McEachran, Townsend, Landsbury

Ince simply has to start over Alex Chambo/Sterling. Looked excellent yesterday. And doubt Shelvey will be handled a deeper role at midfield, considering he's looked comfortable only when employed behind the striker. Yesterday was another one of those nights where he got into outstanding positions upfront, but as always came up with some ordinary finishing.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I can never understand why people put crap music over Youtube videos.

I hate that, especially when I'm trying to find out about a game so I want to see and hear it in action, yet instead of sound all you get is some crappy music.