Zero

So that's why I said, drop him. The reason is because our defense collapses from the right first. Easy, just think, right midfield exposed, Smith and Barton are going to cover the right, and then left side exposed and Derby start attacking there. Sam's defense quality is largely depends on pressing. If this fails then our defense simply collapses and that's why I am singling out Martins. We cannot have anyone on the pitch that isn't fully committed to the pressing. Just three points and you will understand the importance of pressing 1. The pressing is excellent versus Arsenal, you can see the difference. 2. That's the true value of Sam, the reason why Bolton's defense was so good despit having many shit but committed players. 3. During SBR era we also play this kinda defense, did anyone realize this?

You can see our pressing was much better in the first half, but very bad in second. Watch the game again, Butt, Smith and Barton also did it during the start of second half, but they realized something's missing, the pressing wasn't effective and so they stopped. And what makes our pressing effective again is when Duff comes in and restore our midfield in 4 players, with Milner back to the right. Face it, Martins has to bear the blame. And playing out of position doesn't mean no defense is required. What kind of logic is that? Smith is playing out of position much of the time but there's even not a second in his game that he isn't defending. The best solution is drop Martins, he contributes nothing this season with just a few close range lucky goals. Bring back Duff and play Milner on the right and lets see how our pressing performs.

Well, I agree, but the point is, at the very least, and I am 100% sure Fat Sam has done, is to ask Martins "please track back and help our defense" If he didn't do that he must be fired, and I simply don't believe Fat Sam will commit such kinda error---in Bolton even Diouf the wanker has to track back. So the fault of Fat Sam is, he doesn't have the ball to drop Martins. He wants to keep Charles, James and Obefami all happy and make such kinda unbalanced team. But of course if I said "drop Martins" people here will fire me down to the hell.

Because Martins didn't play like a right winger. Or he just play like a right winger during attack.

He should NEVER GOING TO TACKLE THE BALL. The best and only option is to slow down Kenny's play and wait for support, but not trying such a risky tackle and cost us the goal!

The core problem lies on Martins. Sam is playing whole pitch pressing but some lazy bastards didn't do their job and let our midfield become exposed. Whole pitch pressing cannot be done without every player's commitment and as a result the pressing simply failed, and let our midfield become Derby's heaven. Remember the shot which Derby almost get 3-1 ahead? Beye was helpless in that play because he is 1 on 2. Martins doesn't track back, fucking hell.

Actually the midfield and forward aren't that bad. They played ok today, not spectacular but average performance. It's the two piece of shits in our central defense that cost us 2 points.

Rozehnal is a piece of shit.

I think Barton plays ok though. Yes his control isn't fully recovered yet, but his position is immense. He appears exactly where his teammates want to and link up the play very well.

He is for centre back. Probably a long term understudy and a replacement for Ramage. Not a bad thing isn't it?

Honestly we just lose Beye only, the other players aren't that important to us.

I would say the approach was wrong but FS was too lucky to get all 3 points. I understand that we have the strongest defensive power in midfield when playing Barton/Geremi/Butt, but that's only Fulham ffs. I would have no complaint if our opponent is any other top 6 teams which we'll play a counter-attack style football like what we did vs Arsenal, but now it's only Fulham, a match which we should have at least half of the possession. FS should play Emre instead of Geremi/Barton, or in extreme cases, N'Zogbia in middle is also a good idea. Too lucky to have 3 points, but we really need them. Sorry Fulham.

Beye is simply immense. He can be our legend if he continues such level of display. If only his long ball can be better...

He even doesn't have the technique to hold down a ball.

Martins' performance is worrying. What's worst is that he seems no longer that fast anymore.

He doesn't deserve such kinda treatment. Not a lazy rebel bastard, just fake passport...

Sincerely hope that one day he will be welcomed as an honourable guest in St James before match. A true legend, and arguably our best player during the SBR era.

I can understand the logic of playing Milner on the left IF he is allowed to cut into the middle and try long shots.

It's insane if we sack Sam after such performance.

Well, the point is, Given's worth is on his miracle saves. Other than that he is just a normal keeper in every aspect. So what's left if his miracle saves have gone?

You gotta understand that all the Germany's tactics are managed by Lowe. Klinsmann is just responsible for the general setup and picking the starting 11, as well as motivating the players and set up basic strategies. That's why Germany can perform well in 2006 even if Klinsmann isn't a established manager. Who can backup Alan then? If no then it will be 100% a mess.

Consider his age and his consistent performance this season, he simply deserve at least 1 more season before saying that he's shite.

The point is, German players have much better tactical sense than English players. They are also much more versatile, like Lahm, Marcel Jansen, Borowski, etc. Klose and Ballack are world class performers with very balanced abilities as well. It is damn true that in terms of technique, or individual ability, England isn't that far from Germany, or you can say they're the same I don't care. But football is more than an individual game. The real problem of English players is, they couldn't adjust to any tactical changes and can only perform well when the team's tactics are building around them. For example, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, Owen...nearly all of your attacking players are "core" players rather than "squad" players. It is not that all core players in the world couldn't play well with each other, but England's exceptional - the over emphasis on physical ability and attractiveness of individual effort but not teamwork. The players simply don't have the mental to accompany each other. In this sense it is correct to say they are shit players. A player who could only perform under restricted circumstances can hardly be classified as "excellent players", eh? Believe it or don't, the English players in international games do play like Luque in Newcastle. He is shit players right? Actually I don't think England can be compared with Germany in international level. Check their past records in the previous 20 years, they are hardly in the same level. Such kinda comparison is already an overrated action imo. Bashing expected but this' what the other countries believe, take it or shit on it as you like.

He is right. You have no excuse after so many shitty performances in the qualifying round.

fuck no. It's fucking obvious that so called "Chelsea rejects" are all waste of money.