broadsword

You have absolutely no way of knowing that. And in any case, the manager wouldn't let the players run the team. He may listen to what they have to say but isn't compelled to act on it.

Ah yes, so easily confused those two. Will remember it for the Africans showing they can play a bit; Argentina (who should have won the thing, to be fair) piddling all over a fairly-decent Sebian side; Brazil being complete no-hopers and Zazzoo Zazzooka dropping teh nut. Other than that, pretty much unmemerable, particularly the knock-out stage.

Trying to influence the manager's tactics by criticising him in public before the biggest tournament in the World? Now that is unprofessional in my book. Can't be bothered arguing anymore, let's just agree to disagree.

Neekoy, you've got some strange ideas about what "being professional" is. To me, being professional is being as prepared as you can be for a game, ready to give your all. Who cares about Steve bl00dy Mclaren. Owen is entitled to his views, and I think they are correct. Perhaps he wasn't asked about the penalty-taking, otherwise he would've criticised that as well. But then again if the tactics had been OK, penalties wouldn't have been necessary against Portugal. As for Manager's being fans, Eriksson wasn't even English so I have no idea what point you're trying to make. Owen's had his say and I was glad to hear it, because at least someone in the camp knew turnip Swede was doo-lally, so it's heartening to know for teh future. I don't think it's unprofessional in any way at all, and more power to his arm for speaking out.

Players aren't allowed to speak out at all, ever, about a manager? I just don't understand the logic. Michael Owen is only human, he did his best for his country, despite having to play for someone who through his own incompetence hampered England's chances of progress. Who wouldn't have been frustrated in those circumstances. Players are supporters too, why shouldn't they speak out after the event? Better that than to make things worse by refusing to play for the manager or rocking the boat while he is still in charge.

What??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perhaps he would've had more chance of that had he been playing for a "proper" manager, rather than a platitude-spewing pocket-lining birch-spanking sauna-dwelling Nordic chancer. Owen has only said what we've all been thinking, and what the media has been stating throughout the whole World Cup anyway. I'm just glad he's spoken up and confirmed that at least someone in the England camp knows something about the game. And he certainly hasn't stabbed anyone in the back ... Svennis has done a good enough job of making the World Cup '06 his managerial valediction. It would take a monied brainless oaf to employ him now, no-one with any sense would employ such a clueless character. What are you talking about? Weeks ago? What, when the tournament began, he should have given interviews criticising the manager? Or before the tournament even? Don't talk twaddle. He was obviously wound up about Sven and for the good of the team waited until after the tournament to get it out of his system in public. Why should it be left to the fans? The players (hopefully) care as well, why shouldn't they have a go in public when it doesn't matter any more? if I had to endure the Swedish imposter's crazy tactics I'd be very frustrated as well. And I'd certainly well have my say.

Have been to Rotterdam. Apparently the outskirts are OK for a beer (didn't have enough time to check), but the centre ... flipping giblets batman, as boring as hell! The airport is a bit bigger than Blackpool's. some geezer emerges from a shed to transfer you to town ... The highlights are a bunch of square houses which look like stacked dice and a great big tower which you can go up and survey the boring boring boring landscape. And there's barely any pubs, just a couple of irish ones. You're better off staying in Amsterdam and training it on the day, think it takes 40 mins or so.

Speak for yourself Alan. Hargreaves has never done anything out of the ordinary for England before. I don't care if he plays for the Mars Select X1, before yesterday he was just Batty without the flair. Personally I would've played Gerrard up front with Rooney and played: Cole-Carrick-Hargreaves-Lennon in midfield. Have to agree with Revidge - 5 years of friendlies and sven still didn't have a clue what side or tactics to use. The team came first - which players were his mates and thus couldn't be dropped whatever; tactics were an after-thought.

Fair enough Matt, I don't mind the laughter. Sven is a tactical ar$e. I'm sorry, but he'd lose at Connect 4 to the bottom of the remedial class, it's that bad.

Nothing to do with the press. He will be hounded out of England, without a shadow of a doubt.

Sorry Rovermatt but you are up your own bum. When it's tournament time, you're like a catholic priest rushing through an orgy trying to stop fornication. "No! No! You have no chance of success!" If you don't agree I'm not surprised and not bothered, but you strike me as another self-satisfied lawyer.

You have a big problem with England, especially when there's a build-up to a competition, you're like a parent telling a kid Santa doesn't exist, rushing around to tell England supporters that really we're crap. "Semi-clever"? Oh please Matt, you're beginning to sound like a typical lawyer, completely up his own passage.

can't really odds what rover the hill has had to say. rovermatt as usual sticking the boot in in his one-eyed way. why is it always so bitter when we go out on pens?!

Get some of those inflatable boxing gloves and make it safe ... Ronaldo ... let's give him a shoeing, me first Lampard ... knackered after long season, Sven was too loyal, should've put Carrick in instead Gerrard ... not bad, but should've played up front with Rooney Owen ... just goes to show how waft modern boots are (see Rooney 2002) Hargreaves ... I take it all back, what pills was he popping? Ferdinand ... cometh the hour, wobble the lip ... definitely eating my words here too In short, lions lead by donkeys. It's painful to write off a future managerial rein as hopeless, but clearly this is the case. The court jester is dead, long live the court jester.

Agree agree agree with Mr Sid. Especially about Dr Who, far more entertaining than lumbering CyberKnobs on the pitch.

A decent team could easily give the Argies a run for their money. I wouldn't agree about them playing at 70% as they would've stepped up and won it in before extra-time otherwise. Of course England look far from a decent team at the moment, so Argentina would probably pummel us. What does Sven do at half-time???

Anyone see a pic of Sweden's second goal? It seems Crouchy responded to it meeting Allback's head by doing the funky gibbon.

Sorry but I just can't see it. McLaren a) is hopeless and b.) is Sven Junior. Hopefully he won't last long. Oh ... and I remember john Fashanu playing for England once!

Better than bare-backed sheep riding though, eh Bob. Although I suppose if it keeps would-be boy-racers out of trouble, can't be bad. If you got hit by a 40 mph daffodil coming out of Cherry Tree Drive you'd probably live to tell the tale, isn't it?

daffodil racing? Hmmmm ... sounds intriguing, tell me more.

The pay-off from teh Newcastle job alone would set him up for life.

Bloody hell. Has Reid still not signed a new contract? I say bloody hell more for the fact that someone could command such a fee. I mean, anyone. It's so ingrained in people's thoughts that players go for millions that they don't stop to think. Reid is a player I like , but he's not Maradona. For someone to bid 6 mill for him is grotesque, think how much good could be done with that money .... but football is obviously more important.

Hmmm, I'm obviously not too clever with the "Ignore User" facility. Jan, whether you're right or wrong, I just find the whole thing so tiresome. Whenever his name is mentioned you're on the scene like a ferret up a trouser-leg. Slagging off his efforts, and deriding those who disagree with you, frequently insulting their intelligence. It's the same old tiresome **** again and again and again. I've just had enough of it, so I'll have another go at using the "Ignore" facility. Ta. EDIT: Hmmm ... well you're on my ignore list, but obviously I just can't get rid of you. Nightmare.

Same old tiresome toss droppings from Jan. The "ignore user" facility just came in handy again.

I have an old Rovers shirt you can have (in good nick), but won't be able to send off until next weekend. Just PM me the address - ta.