chicago_shearer

That's us jinxed then.

Watched 10 minutes. Just terrible.

He made some mistakes. Only young English players, preferably with the last name of 'Milner' or 'Taylor' get to do the same and live to tell the tale.

6 or 7 million for a European U-21 left back with lots of potential but no experience in the Premiership. That sounds familiar somehow.

For me it's directing peoples thoughts. That's exactly what the press does in England, a large chunk of the population think how the press tells them to on issues. The internet generation is a little more savvy but there is still a sizeable few who's main window on the world outside big brother is what is printed in the red tops. I don't think it's any different in the US. In today's world power is all about the control of public opinion -- never an exact science, and particularly not in a democracy, but huge amounts of time and money are spent trying to influence the media agenda in the US, successfully to a degree. I don't think it is the same, because you've identified two different problems. I don't know which is worse. The media over here frequently seem to be in the pocket of powerful interests, but they are essentially conservative, weak and afraid to rock the boat. We get watered down coverage of the war, Obama's glowing media coverage, the Edwards affair gets swept under the rug....there are many recent examples. The organization is also different, because there is essentially one national daily - USA Today - and nobody reads it. TV is the source for news in this country, and the style of journalism is basically just to read the major local headline, give the sports scores, the weather, the traffic etc. Every nightly local television newscast in the US usually ends with a cuddly human interest story about a cat in a tree being rescued or a child with some disease making a miracle recovery. The media in the US get told the agenda to pursue, as you said. That means that we don't get people like Paxman on TV. When it comes to sports, you simply don't get the level of media criticism that you find in the UK. That may be because sports coverage is local, people rarely travel to support their team away from home and you don't find national dailies. The closest you get is cable sports coverage like ESPN, and lots of annoying Alan Oliver types covering their individual market and occasionally contributing to national television coverage. But on the whole they have no personal or collective agenda. It is more entertainment/show business than journalism. Unlike the US, the media in the UK seem to decide the agenda they want and also have the power to influence popular opinion. They are a law unto themselves. Who The Sun decides to back in an election apparently seems to matter. In the US, we know that Fox News is conservative and MSNBC is a little more liberal, so you just decide which slant you want. Of course, there are columnists and reporters that matter when it comes to national politics in America, but there is no "Fleet Street" equivalent that can really affect national or local sports coverage. If Henry Winter or Martin Samuel don't like Capello's choice for captain, they can spend the next year undermining him during the qualifiers. As I said, the closest equivalent in America is ESPN or talk radio but even then it just isn't the same level of influence or intensity.

I don't think he's a good captain (I would have preferred David James) but I don't think Terry is England's biggest problem either. Defending doesn't seem to be the big issue. Rio, Terry, Richards, Woodgate....plenty of really good options that I'd be happy with. Same at right-back and left-back. Capello's real challenge between now and the important qualifiers is to work out some midfield chemistry that doesn't fall apart against a decent side like Croatia and to unearth a consistent goal scorer for the national side. Hopefully Rooney will actually score a few this campaign, but maybe Ashton, Bent, Defoe or even Agbonlahor can step up and earn a regular place (I'll include Owen in that list for now). At the moment they are all completely average given the quality available to other top sides in the world. Until someone comes along, I'd be happy playing Rooney by himself. England have the midfield talent to make a 4-5-1/4-3-3 exciting and competitive but it just hasn't been used properly yet. I'd rather give the likes of Ashley Young, Joe Cole & SWP regular caps in the qualifiers than run of the mill strikers that haven't scored regularly in the league. The likes of Defoe & Ashton (even Rooney really, despite his ability) should be earning their place by banging in the goals. Instead, all of the top scorers in England are foreign.

Aaaahahahahahahaha. mackems.gif Ameobi, you are a constant source of amusement and the butt of every joke. Well played, you big lanky, awkward oaf.

Coloccini will need a crash course in how to defend against strong, physical English sides with zero technical ability whatsoever. Man Utd and then Bolton couldn't be more different propositions for a defender, so he is going to need to be on his game. If Taylor isn't fit then I'd probably put Beye in at centre-half and then Geremi at right back.

Wrong thread.

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/EMP-6248099.jpg Superb wallpaper material.

Derdiyok & Inler.

Let's not be silly. Do you expect anything more than the performance he put in today?

I would wager that Louise is tapping away at her keyboard as we speak, struggling to find the negative angle and avoid "airbrushing" any sort of accuracy into her match report. "Keegan sat slumped in his seat, head down, no doubt agonizing over the TURMOIL and IN-FIGHTING at the club that may - according to sources - be sold to a Sudanese war criminal billionaire later this week."

He looked very shaky in the opening half hour, but improved as the game went on. I was impressed.

Given - 9 Beye - 8 Coloccini - 7 Taylor - 7 N'Zogbia - 6 Butt - 5 Guthrie - 8 Milner - 6 Jonas - 10 Duff - 7 Martins - 7

I had him in my team. His performance today was apparently only worth 2 points.

Let's not get carried away.....no, actually let's get carried away. That was a fucking 10 out of 10 performance from him today. I was sat next to a bunch of Man Utd supporters and they were jealous as fuck, asking why they hadn't been in for him.

http://www.redcafe.net/f9/barcodes-sign-coloccini-214171/ http://www.redcafe.net/f9/keegan-hopes-its-javier-saviour-la-toon-214361/ http://www.redcafe.net/f11/european-champions-vs-newcastle-united-barclays-premier-league-213519/ You get so swept up in this transfer bollocks and all that meaningless speculation, but browsing through those threads just helps to put the priorities straight. I'll get to the pub tomorrow morning and it will be packed with those same sad, glory-hunting twats and it's only then that you really remember just how badly you want to wipe the smiles off their faces. I. Would. LOVE IT. If there is any team in the history of sport that deserves to be beaten, it's them. Do us proud lads.

I don't really care if he does well at Blackburn, but I'd be willing to bet that when Capello goes (probably after 2010) the FA will look to appoint a relatively young, English, ex-player as the national team manager. If he does well, he will definitely be the favourite.

I'd be tempted to go with something like: ------------Given------------ Beye-Taylor-Cacapa-Enrique -------Butt-Coloccini-------- ----Jonas-Guthrie-Milner---- ------------Oba------------ Maybe Geremi instead of Butt depending on which side he turns up to play for (no repeats of the FA Cup semi thanks). Playing Colo just in front of the back four in his first game in England, against the European champions no less, probably gives him a little more margin for error and might allow him to get a feel for things rather than saying "Welcome to England, now mark Wayne Rooney". Plus it gives a very experienced extra man to help out Taylor and Enrique.

Alves misses a sitter.

Shola?

She's been busy this afternoon it seems.

I decided to send Louise a little constructive criticism after reading that. [email protected]

I think selling Faye was a stupid move, but Taylor, Colo, Cacapa & Edgar should be good enough tbh. Cacapa looked very poor last season, but you don't get to captain Lyon by being as bad as he was against Pompey. We would have looked oustanding had we held on to Faye, but as it stands I think we have enough depth to be competitive.