Reply to: Were England tulipe or Were England tulipe?

[wendigo100]

As you said yourself, England lack an opportunistic striker - Rooney's track record for England - quite simply - is dire - I think it has been 15 matches since he scored - and I predicted that he would be sent off during the World Cup - and still he has problems with his temper.

McClaren should drop Rooney - he is club rather than an international player.

Maybe, although I'm never sure whether he is a striker or not.

Anyway, I don't think we English should care as long as those chances get put away. Our best available strikers are at a club in the relegation zone, a reserve at a perennial mid-table club, and Everton. Doesn't auger well, does it.

Congratulations to Scotland by the way, for retaining the Unofficial World Championship.

[AlfredJPruffock]

No, England weren't tulipe. Poor up front, but they had two thirds of possession, played most of the game in Israel's half, and made several good chances.

If they had any fit, international-class goal-poachers available, they would have been playing and perhaps they would have taken one of those chances. The result would be one-nil, who's next.

The trouble is that, as usual, the English fans and press over-react to everything. It is absolutely laughable to hear fans and pundits all over the press with their wildly different ideas of how to manage England, who to "pick" in their ideal team, and even what to say just before the game to players whose profession they only have a vague knowledge of.

The truth is that England cannot be managed to success. England is club-centric, clubs play too many games, and now there are too many non-English players at the top clubs. Just like Spain, those other perennial under-achievers.

Having said that, McClaren has lost two of his first eight games - not disastrous - but it's worth remembering that only one other England manager has ever made a start to his tenure as bad as that, and he didn't do too badly in the end.

As you said yourself, England lack an opportunistic striker - Rooney's track record for England - quite simply - is dire - I think it has been 15 matches since he scored - and I predicted that he would be sent off during the World Cup - and still he has problems with his temper.

McClaren should drop Rooney - he is club rather than an international player.

[wendigo100]

No, England weren't tulipe. Poor up front, but they had two thirds of possession, played most of the game in Israel's half, and made several good chances.

If they had any fit, international-class goal-poachers available, they would have been playing and perhaps they would have taken one of those chances. The result would be one-nil, who's next.

The trouble is that, as usual, the English fans and press over-react to everything. It is absolutely laughable to hear fans and pundits all over the press with their wildly different ideas of how to manage England, who to "pick" in their ideal team, and even what to say just before the game to players whose profession they only have a vague knowledge of.

The truth is that England cannot be managed to success. England is club-centric, clubs play too many games, and now there are too many non-English players at the top clubs. Just like Spain, those other perennial under-achievers.

Having said that, McClaren has lost two of his first eight games - not disastrous - but it's worth remembering that only one other England manager has ever made a start to his tenure as bad as that, and he didn't do too badly in the end.

[freakydancer]

No, only 50,000,000 - the jocks, welsh and irish must be loving it!

The taffs are a rugby nation. Apparently.

They're not very good though.

They think they are though, which is quite amusing.

[wendigo100]

The police would have 60,000,000 potential suspects!

Oh, and the Pakistan cricket team - allegedly.

No, only 50,000,000 - the jocks, welsh and irish must be loving it!

[Zippy]

Do you think anyone would do a "Bob Woolmer" on McClaren?

The police would have 60,000,000 potential suspects!

Oh, and the Pakistan cricket team - allegedly.

[Hart-floot]

Is McClaren up to the job?

Do you think anyone would do a "Bob Woolmer" on McClaren?

[DaveB]

Combined Counties Football League Premier Division, thats real football

[Cowboy Bob]

I though they looked quite good against Kenya, coming into form at the right time.

Oh you meant the football... Overpayed, diving pansies. I'm rapidly losing interest in anything above the Championship to be honest.

[BrilloPad]

What's happened to Venebles as McLaren's side-kick? I almost had hope when he was brought on board. Haven't seen him at all recently. Has he gone back managing the aussies or some other team before it all goes properly pear-shaped?

Is he in court again?

[PAH]

Time to only have English players in the premiership/league. And pay linked to national team performance.

There's more chance of only having English people in the House of Commons. Brown stuff will screw up this country, devolve Scotland even further then jump back over hadrian's wall for pats on the back for a job well done. I'm convinced that's his game plan.

As for McLaren's game plan. You can see him writing it on a scrap of paper during each match. Probably trying to recall what he used to read in Roy of the Rovers.

What's happened to Venebles as McLaren's side-kick? I almost had hope when he was brought on board. Haven't seen him at all recently. Has he gone back managing the aussies or some other team before it all goes properly pear-shaped?

[DimPrawn]

I think Gordon should put a big tax on losing. That would be "fair".

[BrilloPad]

I just hope this means not qualifying for Euro 2008. I used to love football as a child, and always try to support England in any sport they play, but the sight of all the over paid nancy boys makes me sick.

Time to only have English players in the premiership/league. And pay linked to national team performance.

[freakydancer]

Is McClaren up to the job?

Nope.

[Diestl]

Is McClaren up to the job?