Eddie

I don't see the defense being too much of a problem, I have more worries about the midfield and goal scoring. Despite his performances for Arsenal Henry has yet to produce on the international stage, if he doesn't then they are in a bit of trouble. Personally, I don't see them getting that far, but I see them as one of four teams that could win it if things go their way and everything clicks, when you have players of the quality of Henry and pals then anything is possible on the right day.

I think the United States have a decent squad, but no more than that. My problem is I struggle to see a player there that will put fear into the hearts of the opposition and have produce that moment of magic in a close game against quality opposition. Now don't say that is because I don't know American players of the MLS because im relatively familiar and also don't say that is because foreign nations won't because every player in your squad will have been scouted so well that opposition teams will know the cereal he eats, especially after what happened in 2002. I have a lot of American fans and for me what gets annoying isn't the fact that they seem to have hope, but more that they seem to have expectations. It is as if the achievement of reaching the quarter finals has meant that from now on that is what you should expect, despite being in a group with two of the best teams in international football.

For me it is between England, Brazil, Argentina and France. That isn't to say that there won't be plenty of surprise results (probably fewer than last time), but those seem to be the four strongest squads that also include that extra bit of quality for those tight games. I know that abroad the threat of England is being taken seriously, I think we are the one footballing nation going into this that seriously doubts its own potential and instead spends more time praising the likes of Brazil and Argentina. I will be surprised if Brazil win the world cup, there defence is simply not good enough and if teams can put them under pressure I can see them shipping in goals. For me the fact that they are being called the best team ever and that they are being likened with teams like the Brazil of '70 make them one of the most overrated sides ever going into a world cup.

nevermind

Not quite.

Rely implies that he is our only hope, which he most certainly is not.

Shouldn't have been their throw.

The thing for Sven is that he has nothing to lose. Personally I'm not looking forward to him leaving, but he doesn't have to worry about his job anymore so he may as well take a risk. Don't think Walcott should have been included as he hasn't even played a game in the Premiership, but SGE knows more than I do so I'll wait and see what happens.

Oh what might have been.

I think a lot of you are blind to what he has done that is good. He falls into a category alongside players like Bentley, Savage, Todd, Zurab, Gray, Neill and Amoruso (to name but a few) who are picked on by the board from time to time. Just as my blind optimism may be over the top those of you who think he is useless have obviously either forgotten or couldn't see the times he has come on this season and looked one like one of the few players we had who could actually move the ball forward and run at a defence. If we can get decent money for him then I think it is right to sell him, but there is something there and we don't have a big squad or a lot of money so unless 2-3 million or more is being offered I don't see much point, and I can't see that happening.

No. I think he's looked very good at times this season and I still think that he could come up with the goods. I just don't think we'll get enough money for him to make it worth while given the size of squad we have anyway.

Can't wait, I'll be there for at least one or two of them. Don't really mind who we get, but I'm looking forward to us taking it seriously for once and let's see how far we can go.

To be fair SWP didn't even appeal for the penalty. As for the Lampard one I thought that was there best shout. The crespo one both players had hold of each her and it always happens in the box nowadays so you're unlikely to get them.

I would have been appealing, but none of them were dead certain. I admit that having had three you'd expect to get one, but I never thought to myself that they were robbed. They were all some that you get sometimes and don't others.

Close this thread.

All I can say about Neill is that he was class on Saturday and class again today. We can read into his comments all we like and he can have them taken out of context or whatever it is, but he's done the business and that is all I really want from him. Now if he could put his name to a new contract I'd be very happy.

When was Friedel relegated? He's played in a lower division but he was never in a relegated team.

Newcastle aren't in it anymore. It is just between Bolton and us.

This has nothing to do with Sven. I think his reaction is just about the same as all of ours. Without Rooney, a player who may well be the best in the world quite soon, and without Owen our frontline looks so weak you wouldn't believe it. Goalscorers win tournaments, without those two we don't have any.

Technically I don't think that there is one. However, fracture is often used when the damage done to the bone is a a thin break, something like a hairline fracture. I've found that when the media reports something as a break or a fracture the fracture tends to be less severe.

I thought he broke it last time, this time it is a fracture. I think.

Idiot.

We just kept control of the game very well.

A draw would suit me. Put Bolton quite far behind us and also means that Spurs could easily lose 4th spot. Perfect.

Well, just back, great atmosphere, well done to all who were there, didn't hear a thing from the Charlton fans for most of the game. We were in total control of the match.