World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

rubecube · 03-09-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBC

Not sure that I agree with Lennon's fitness being of paramount importance to England's WC ambitions. He is by no means - fit or not - assured of a spot in Capello's squad. Right now he's easily behind Milner and Beckham and possibly Wright-Phillips in the pecking order. Plus if given the choice of playing on the left or right, Gerrard easily chooses the right.

In what world is he behind Beckham and Milner? When healthy, he's been the best winger in the PL all year. He has world class pace and his crosses have been terrific this year. Look at Spurs struggles to score since he's gone down.

Pastiche · 03-09-2010, 11:30 AM

Anyone but Italy and England. Italy is the Vancouver Canucks of international soccer and England is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

rubecube · 03-09-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastiche

Anyone but Italy and England. Italy is the Vancouver Canucks of international soccer and England is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Except that Italy have actually won something. A more apt comparison would've been Portugal.

d_phaneuf · 03-09-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBC

Not sure that I agree with Lennon's fitness being of paramount importance to England's WC ambitions. He is by no means - fit or not - assured of a spot in Capello's squad. Right now he's easily behind Milner and Beckham and possibly Wright-Phillips in the pecking order. Plus if given the choice of playing on the left or right, Gerrard easily chooses the right.

Defensive concerns are the biggest issues that Capello faces. The health and fitness of Cole, Ferdinand and Johnson is more important to the success of the squad than Lennon, who will be hard-pressed to feature at all if the squad is healthy.

It was all ready said but in no way is Lennon behind Milner and Becks

He has been by far the best winger in the PL this year and Capello wants speed on that right side. Its why he started Walcott in the friendly last week against Egypt because he is the most 'like for like' player with Lennon. Although Walcott is nowhere near Lennon in talent.

Lennon being hard-pressed to feature in the squad is healthy is comical, he has started every game for England that he has been healthy for the past year.

He is first choice RM, Gerrard doesn't choose his position, Capello does and everytime he has Gerrard has been LM or CM

NBC · 03-09-2010, 03:02 PM

I hardly think that stating, "Walcott is nowhere near Lennon in talent" is either a fair or unbiased comment. Seems to me that Walcott has scored more goals - 20 to 19 - in 71 fewer professional matches, and has 3 more goals at international level, albeit in the same match. This would lead me to believe that statements such as the one(s) above are patently untrue.

I think that this has more to do with promoting Spurs players for England than anything else. Especially when it comes from CP's 2 biggest Tottenham supporters. But I guess if my local club had a few players jockeying for position within the England set-up, I'd probably be trying to promote them from first team action. Then again, maybe I wouldn't.

You Need a Thneed · 03-09-2010, 03:15 PM

Go Holland Go!

d_phaneuf · 03-09-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBC

I hardly think that stating, "Walcott is nowhere near Lennon in talent" is either a fair or unbiased comment. Seems to me that Walcott has scored more goals - 20 to 19 - in 71 fewer professional matches, and has 3 more goals at international level, albeit in the same match. This would lead me to believe that statements such as the one(s) above are patently untrue.

I think that this has more to do with promoting Spurs players for England than anything else. Especially when it comes from CP's 2 biggest Tottenham supporters. But I guess if my local club had a few players jockeying for position within the England set-up, I'd probably be trying to promote them from first team action. Then again, maybe I wouldn't.

Quote:

Chris Waddle on Walcott on BBC 5 Live:

"I've been analysing Walcott's wing play and I've come to the conclusion he does not understand the game"

After last weeks friendly against Europe http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/b...-england-egypt

Quote:

Sparingly used by Arsène Wenger, he has made only seven starts this season, three of them since the turn of the year, with just one goal, against Blackburn back in October, to show for his efforts.....

One of the problems of playing Walcott on the wing is that, unlike Lennon or any specialist in the role, he has no tricks – and, bizarrely, in three years under Wenger, playing almost invariably on the flank, he does not seem to have picked up any. On several occasions, facing his marker with the ball at his feet and space waiting to be exploited behind the defence, he was comfortably dispossessed at the first time of asking by Said Moawad or Hossam Ghaly

Also after last weeks game http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...d-cup-squad.do

Quote:

Only a dramatic upsurge in form will now secure Theo Walcott a place in England's World Cup squad this summer.

A surprise inclusion in Germany four years ago, the 20-year-old Arsenal winger's lack of regular match practice could cost him his place in Fabio Capello's 23-man party for the World Cup.

I could care less if Spurs players made England, its not like I am suggesting Jermaine Jenas make the team, I want the best England team possible and that involves Theo Walcott nowhere near the team.

This year Lennon has 3 goals and 9 assists (the most assists for a winger and tied for 4th in the league) with 18 appearances in the league.

Walcott has 2 goals and 1 assist with 15 appearances in the league

even Arsenal fans are losing patience with Walcott, and he is nowhere near Lennon's class at this point. He has the potential to be, but he isn't right now.

North East Goon · 03-11-2010, 12:16 PM

England all the way baby! You just know that they are going to lose to the Yanks though, they never make it easy on themselves.

wpgflamesfan · 03-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Go Slovenia. Hopefully they continue to play strong defence and can get past the first stage.

narbeZ · 03-13-2010, 01:48 PM

Im actually a bit scared of England this year. If I was a German fan I may be a bit nervous.

Rooney has been in unbelievable form this year. All he needs is a touch it seems like.

IceMan · 03-14-2010, 10:12 AM

FORZA AZZURRI! It's finally good to see Italy not in a group of death for once.

What an awesome tournament we had in 06' with our only goals against coming from an own goal on a free kick and a penalty shot in the final. It's going to be tough to repeat but if we can make the final 8 anything can happen. I'm so pumped and can't believe it's only a couple months away.

Pagal4321 · 03-14-2010, 04:26 PM

Reports indicate that David Beckham as ruptured his Achillies Tendon.
If true, he's definately out for the World Cup. Yikes!!

Anthony Soprano · 03-14-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Reports indicate that David Beckham as ruptured his Achillies Tendon.
If true, he's definately out for the World Cup. Yikes!!

He wouldn't have played anyway. Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, James Milner, and Theo Walcott were easily ahead of him on the depth chart anyway. The system Capello plays requires speed on the wings which is something Beckham's never had, even in his best days ten years ago.

valo403 · 03-14-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Soprano

He wouldn't have played anyway. Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, James Milner, and Theo Walcott were easily ahead of him on the depth chart anyway. The system Capello plays requires speed on the wings which is something Beckham's never had, even in his best days ten years ago.

Except for the fact that Capello has shown an interest in drawing him to pretty much every squad recently. Convenient to forget that.

Anthony Soprano · 03-14-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Except for the fact that Capello has shown an interest in drawing him to pretty much every squad recently. Convenient to forget that.

The English media have drawn him into every squad, not Capello. Capello did everything he could to keep Beckham out of the squad. You seriously underestimate the pressure that the English media has. Look at what they've done the every English manager since Alf Ramsey. Remember when Capello left Beckham out of his first squad? The backlash was enormous and he didn't dare do it again.

Capello is thanking his lucky stars tonight. Without the distraction of Beckham, England will become a much stronger team.

d_phaneuf · 03-14-2010, 07:01 PM

This is terrible, Beckham out + still no clue on Lennon except Rednapp saying he is a "long ways out"

Theo Walcott may make the team by default

If Lennon isn't healthy I would switch up the team completely

go to a hybrid 4-5-1 with something like

.......................Rooney
.............Gerrard..............SWP
....Barry........Lamps........Carrick
Cole.....Terry.......Rio.........Johnson
..................Green (though I would prefer Hart, Capello says he is too young)

Addick · 03-15-2010, 01:56 PM

Some confirmation.

Quote:

Surgeon confirms Beckham KO

The surgeon who has operated on David Beckham has said it will be four to five months before he is able to even run again, ending all hope of a place in England's squad for the World Cup finals.

It is estimated that the player will be out of top-level football for six months.

Beckham flew to Finland on Monday for surgery after tearing his Achilles tendon at the end of the Serie A clash with Chievo on Sunday.

The former England captain arrived in Turku on a private jet on Monday, leaving the plane on crutches and heading to Mehilainen hospital.

Earlier on Monday, Dr Sakari Orava had said there was the slim hope that the midfielder could be fit in time for the World Cup.

Complete Article

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Soprano

He wouldn't have played anyway. Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, James Milner, and Theo Walcott were easily ahead of him on the depth chart anyway. The system Capello plays requires speed on the wings which is something Beckham's never had, even in his best days ten years ago.

While his system may require speed, sometimes after 75+ minutes of not making any in-roads the team will need a few quality balls to be whipped in and that is why Beckham would have been on the bench. Capello knows that Beckham may be one-dimensional like that but that part of his game has never left and is still as strong as it was years ago.

d_phaneuf · 03-15-2010, 02:35 PM

I agree on that, Becks would have been the perfect impact sub to bring on in the last 20 minutes

especially coupled with someone like Crouch

Beckham is still the best dead ball hitter in the world, and has proven in the past that he can come through in the clutch

Pastiche · 03-16-2010, 10:53 AM

Maybe a Team England thread would be appropriate.

Finny61 · 05-05-2010, 05:36 PM

St George's Cross all the way, I'm fine with this being a Team England thread.