England vs Cameroon

Former Member

Got up at 7 for this and it hasnt been too good so far. First half, Cameroon were very much the better side. Owen was looking like he was going through the motions but at least he will be fit for the finals. Vassell increased his goal tally further with a neat finish after Cameroon went one up. Second half so far, a lot of substitutions surprisingly <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> and Cameroon carrying on how they were mostly.......

Ohh awful defending by us just then as James and Brown collided <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> No goal thankfully

But back too where I was a great Cameroon free kick putting them 2-1 up deservedly so. We're playing a little better now, Joe Cole coming into the game nicely and a few half chances coming our way,
I know it is a friendly and not a lot of continuity with the substitutions and the result isnt all that important but you'd like too see better passing from us this close too the finals. Psychologically I guess it would help to grab an equaliser here. Mind you Cameroon look good value too win their group based on this and their performances in the African Nations, leaving Germany and the Republic too battle out second.

Still a chance we could sneak an equaliser.....5 mins too go

Former Member

Yesssssss!
Please forgive me the double post <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
Last kick of the match Fowler sticks it in after Sheringham knocked it down and gets us the draw,
Only a friendly but much better going into the World Cup without a loss in the last match. Now its time for the real stuff, no team substitutions or lacklustre play- just football <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

I think what was evident from todays game is that Becks and Dyer are needed, urgently.

I am always the one that laughs at people that say we cant win anything without becks but from South Korea and Cameroon we need some wide players that can change the game either with their electric pace or crisp crossing and passes.

The Midfield looked shocking with no battling and passing. (scholes wasnt too bad.) Butt should be back for a battling Midfielder. Dyer will patrol the left wing. And "goldenballs" will roam around the right and anywhere else he fancies.

Cameroon looked very creative switching side all the time. England seemed to struggle with this, particularly Brown (more of a center back). Sven must address this before Sweden.

What really bugs me is the fact if you watch Brazil, Argentina, or France, when they havent got the ball they close the opposition down very quickly and force mistakes. England just seem to stroll over to the oposition and wait for the ball to come.

And finally all above mentioned teams counter attack at pace and carve out opportunities and get many chances, England just seem content with a slow build up passing around and slotting the ball home. It is so much harder to break the opposition down this way. Lets have a bit of excitement in the game.

Sorry about such along post but once I get going I just cant stop.

Despite all the above I am heavily confident of winning our group and going on to play Brazil/France in the later stages and hopefully securing the Cup in the final against Argentina.

COME ON ENGLAND

Former Member

Originally posted by Lino:
<STRONG>
Despite all the above I am heavily confident of winning our group and going on to play Brazil/France in the later stages and hopefully securing the Cup in the final against Argentina.

COME ON ENGLAND</STRONG>

Thats impossible <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Right, I really don't think its important how we play in frendlies, the biggest and most important thing today was to avoid injuries, we'll be closing down when the tournament kicks off <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

I wouldn't judge a single thing about any of the recent frendlies Lino, they are irrelevant, you'll see an entirely different team come next sunday, playing a differennt style <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

And finally all above mentioned teams counter attack at pace and carve out opportunities and get many chances, England just seem content with a slow build up passing around and slotting the ball home.

We have to play to our strengths, we don't have the individuual talents to split teams open in a second, under Sven we look comfortable in possesion and are happy to be patient, in much the same style as the Italians, this is the better way of tackling the likes of France, fly at them in all out attack and they'll pick you of on the break like sitting ducks, if we keep the ball, fustrate them and try and sneak a goal our chances of success are vastly improved <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Butt should be back for a battling Midfielder

Hargreaves is much better, just a battler isn't good enough for a team like ours now, in the past yes, but the days of Ince and Batty wandering around kicking people are thankfully long gone.

Former Member

Sorry I forgot about Hargreaves. But I still feel a defensive style midfielder would add balance and authority to an otherwise attack biased midfield. I am not saying Hargreaves is not defensive but I think there should always be a hard Tackler in a team that can sit just infront of the defense and cut out trouble.