midds

I'd pick Torres and Drogba up front which would mean Rooney missed out btw. He would make the bench though.

Can't believe most people would choose those 5 players in their World XI's tbh. It's on a complete tangent to the thread but only Rooney would be close imo. The other 4 are very good but you wouldn't pick them for your World XI.

Woah, hang on, I'm not having that like! 5 or 6 in the best world XI in world fotball? Wow, that's a bold statement. We've got Rooney, who would stand a chance.

Fair point. I just like managers to be single-minded and stand or fall on the results they get. Capello has pissed the qualifying so he's doing something right and is fully entitled to call ALL of the shots. If the players don't respond or question the manager's selection/tactics then they should be sent home. In my opinion obviously.

I think he's fucking great.

As long as he's still picking the team then that's just about ok.

Is this the case? No idea, hence the very first word of the bolded sentence.

Really hope Capello has kicked a few arses tonight. Managers manage, players play and that's the way it should stay. If the likes of Terry are going in there having a pop and telling Capello what they think the team should be then I hope he tells the lot of them to fuck off. They should be doing what they're told to the best of their ability.

John Barnes.

Wouldn't that mean 2 strikers were constantly up against 4 defenders and a goalkeeper? Not exactly a recipe for a goalfest is it?

Exactly this. the players are good enough to get to at least the quarters. poor tactics and organisation is the big failing here. They're struggling to control and pass the ball on a consistent basis. Doesn't help when the boss is chopping and changing the team, granted, but they're not getting the job done. Capello will get the stick but his players are letting him down badly imho. true in that they are letting him down but only as much as he is letting them down. we've seen these players play a lot better in our domestic league against frankly better opposition. if its true he not announcing the team till 2 hrs before then it follows that the team he wants to use isn't regularly working together in training. for all we say they are pros on stupid ammounts of cash so they should be able to play anywhere etc when really we know deep down that they need time to settle in and get used to new ideas. we all also know this squad isn't suited to 4-4-2. we know player for player we are better than the other teams in our group. right now i'm putting the majority of the blame on capello. That's all fair enough but the XI he has chosen have underperformed badly. Doesn't really matter what the formation and tactics are if the players can't perform the basics of the sport to a competent level. and why cant they do it when we know that they can when we see it week in week out. it seems to me that the whole team is uncomfortable the way it is set out. That's the $64,000 question at the minute. Don't mind Capello getting a bit of stick when it's deserved but the players need to up their game drastically.

Exactly this. the players are good enough to get to at least the quarters. poor tactics and organisation is the big failing here. They're struggling to control and pass the ball on a consistent basis. Doesn't help when the boss is chopping and changing the team, granted, but they're not getting the job done. Capello will get the stick but his players are letting him down badly imho. true in that they are letting him down but only as much as he is letting them down. we've seen these players play a lot better in our domestic league against frankly better opposition. if its true he not announcing the team till 2 hrs before then it follows that the team he wants to use isn't regularly working together in training. for all we say they are pros on stupid ammounts of cash so they should be able to play anywhere etc when really we know deep down that they need time to settle in and get used to new ideas. we all also know this squad isn't suited to 4-4-2. we know player for player we are better than the other teams in our group. right now i'm putting the majority of the blame on capello. That's all fair enough but the XI he has chosen have underperformed badly. Doesn't really matter what the formation and tactics are if the players can't perform the basics of the sport to a competent level.

Exactly this. the players are good enough to get to at least the quarters. poor tactics and organisation is the big failing here. They're struggling to control and pass the ball on a consistent basis. Doesn't help when the boss is chopping and changing the team, granted, but they're not getting the job done. Capello will get the stick but his players are letting him down badly imho.

Exactly this.

There always seems to be bother when the players know the manager is leaving.

Geremi's playing quite well. Doesn't look a day over 50.

and the nose.....and ears. Well yes obviously, the fact that he looks like someone's been chopping logs on his face played a part in picking him.

Gordon Cowans. Not mobile at all but there's a little bit of ability there. A little bit.

Some people are only ever happy when they've got something to be miserable about. Massive over-reaction from some people. Put up with them and enjoy the football man!

Aye, i'm a bit surprised by how ott some people are going! Is that ok with you like?

Can't believe the amount of whining and whinging some people are doing. Jesus! They're only plastic trumpets ffs. If it's that bad turn over. It's their tournament, not ours.

Shouldn't have qualifyied for Eng IMO. You Germany will continue to take the piss with this cause they have very fluid borders. Surely the rules are at fault rather than than ze Germans for exploiting them? Midds...Middy...Midder...Ze Germans are ALWAYS at fault. Aye, for World Wars but not for footbaal.

They can't qualify with the benefit of the rules now anyway. [/cheapshot]

Shouldn't have qualifyied for Eng IMO. You Germany will continue to take the piss with this cause they have very fluid borders. Surely the rules are at fault rather than than ze Germans for exploiting them?

John Barnes was born in Jamaica too.