[polishgenius]

That rumour goes round at every international sporting event that England or Britain are involved in. While maybe it's happened to the odd person at times, I'm pretty certain it's grossly over-exaggerated.

[Tiste Simeon]

No man there was an incident where a pub was told to take its flags down...

[Thelomen Toblerone]

To be fair, the Glasgow branch of Wetherspoons probably wasn't the best place for the company to trial it's St George's Cross decoration style.

[Cause]

So whose coming to visit SA

[Macros]

A lot of overpaid idiots who will be chasing a ball around

[Thelomen Toblerone]

I've failed spectacularly to get a) the time off work, and tickets. Both key components.

I get Walcott didn't get selected because he's generally a bit poo. But if he's not in, how the flying beetle-ridden granny gash is Shaun Wright-Phillips in the squad?

They're more or less the same player, except that one is younger (and therefore has an England career ahead of him that it might be worth getting him used to), and actually plays for his team (a team in the Champions League and who finished higher in the league, I'd add).

[polishgenius]

I'd say one reason is because while both SWP go through phases of being mentally unable to run directly at a fullback when the opportunities there and when they're not in that phase Walcott is better, at the moment Walcott is in that mental state and SWP isn't. Seriously, how many times did Walcott isolate the fullback against Japan and just mug around till others got back?

Also, SWP looks a mite more confident off the left, if only because he can cut in and belt one occasionally.


Johnson should have gone, though, given that he's keeping SWP out of the City side, but what can you do.

[caladanbrood]

 

Thelomen Toblerone, on 01 June 2010 - 07:50 PM, said:

I get Walcott didn't get selected because he's generally a bit poo. But if he's not in, how the flying beetle-ridden granny gash is Shaun Wright-Phillips in the squad?

Because he can play on the left. That's pretty much it. Also, in the two friendlies where Walcott got more opportunities than any fringe players to make a mark, he did bugger all.

I'd love to have seen a few less experienced players. Johnson and Dawson for SWP and Upson being the main two changes. But I'm not entirely shocked he's gone for those with the most caps.

[Salamander Cake]

I'm apprehensive and excited all at the same time.

Last time the Motherland (Greece) made it to the World cup we got pummeled. I think hoping for a Euro 2004 miracle is a bit much to ask for. Just please God score a goal this time.

[dktorode]

Friend of mine is driving 8 hours through the night to go watch the greece vs korea game.

[Salamander Cake]

dktorode, on 03 June 2010 - 07:44 AM, said:

Friend of mine is driving 8 hours through the night to go watch the greece vs korea game.

Wow, I'll be disappointed if they lose watching at home. An 8 hour night drive....

[Aristai]

Heh. I'm surrounded be millions of Chinese who will be actively cheering on whomever South Korea and Japan play...

[Tiste Simeon]

So, erm... Why is Heskey still around?

[Tapper]

Tiste Simeon, on 03 June 2010 - 10:23 PM, said:

So, erm... Why is Heskey still around?

I've wondered about that for years and years and years as it can't be his qualities as a player, so I think he's either a groundsman or maybe team mascott.

[Kanubis]

The theory seems to be that whenever he plays for England, whoever the 'main' striker is scores more. It's backed up statistically and seems to be unaffected by his current degree of ineffectiveness for his current club.

That said, if we're starting with two up front I'd still much rather see Crouch there, the adorable lanky git.

[Use Of Weapons]

Aristai, on 03 June 2010 - 05:04 PM, said:

Heh. I'm surrounded be millions of Chinese who will be actively cheering on whomever South Korea and Japan play...

But not North Korea? *grin*

[polishgenius]

Heskey plays because Rooney's scored nine goals in the last ten games with him and two in eleven without him (unless you count the five minutes at the end the other day, in which case it's nine in eleven and two in ten, a massive swing) - and his overall performances tend to be better as well, creatively. England need top-form Rooney more than they need whatever goal advantage Crouch, Defoe or Bent give over Heskey.

[Aristai]

jitsukerr, on 04 June 2010 - 10:42 AM, said:

Aristai, on 03 June 2010 - 05:04 PM, said:

Heh. I'm surrounded be millions of Chinese who will be actively cheering on whomever South Korea and Japan play...

But not North Korea? *grin*

I dunno. Possibly indifferent. Most don't seem to differentiate between the two.

[dktorode]

Yea rooney tends to play better (for england at least), and scores more goals with a big guy up front with him who can hold up the ball a bit....or something like that...

[Tapper]

dktorode, on 04 June 2010 - 11:40 AM, said:

Yea rooney tends to play better (for england at least), and scores more goals with a big guy up front with him who can hold up the ball a bit....or something like that...

In which case Carlton Cole is a whole lot scarier