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English national football, where do we go from here?

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
Was ENG missing EURO 08 enjoyable in the sense, that we saw top football. But for once we didn't have to through the pre-tournament overyping of ENG chances, only to support & watch them perform miserbaly?. Yes.

But was ENG missing EURO 08 as ENG supporter was horrible reality check for national side & football in this country, since it was disgraceful our team didn't make that tournament.
 

Furball

Evil Scotsman
Inclined to agree, but ironically the other major tourny we missed recently(ish) was one of the poorer world cups.
USA 94 was my favourite World Cup, think of the rest of the World Cups I've watched only Germany 2006 comes close. Other 3 tournaments were utterly dire IMO.
 

sledger

Spanish_Vicente
2002 my personal favourite. Not entirely sure why, as in a footballing sense it was probably one of the weakest. Enjoyed the runs of Senegal, Japan and Korea immensely though. Always liked Ronaldo and Rivaldo as well, probably had something to do with it. Was the only competition I've seen where as a spectator I've realy felt that England could go on and win it too, but so much for that.
 

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
Ye ENG did surprisngly well in 2002. Given the injuries to Neville, Gerrard & Sven not taking McManaman.
 

sledger

Spanish_Vicente
For me it was about the peak of this generation of England players. Though most of it has gone now I suppose. That said, I do not think the team has ever since been as good as it was around that time. Though the squad man for man is now arguably better, and I use that term quite loosely tbh, I don't think the team as a whole is anywhere near as threatening or solid.
 

Furball

Evil Scotsman
If you'd been in the other half of the draw (did England fail to win their group?) then you'd have reached the final. While I'd have backed Brazil to win, who knows over 90 minutes?
 

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
One of the things which helped.
Well it helped in the sense that McManaman ATT in the early stages of Sven's tenure, really wasn't translating club on to the international stage. Plus i remember in a either a friendly/WCQ in late 2001, he asked to be left out game.

But he was one of the best players we had & i looked at our chances going into the group of death as.."well Gerrard, Neville are out, Becks could be struggling & McManaman isn't commited to ENG, we are going home after the 1st round."
 

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
McManaman was never one of England's best players, no matter what he did at club level.
What would be better to say. He was of the best ENG players who who never translated club form consistently enough on the international stage. Much like the majority of ENGs best players this 2000s era.
 

Furball

Evil Scotsman
Worst rant ever.

His point is complete crap. Rooney has a contract which ends in July 2012. If he doesn't want to commit his future beyond that, that's Rooney's perogative. Manchester United can either choose to accomodate Rooney and play him for the remaining 18 months of his contract, or they can sell him in the next window.

It ****s me off when managers moan about player "disloyalty" when they're never shy of getting rid of players whose contracts are running out.
 

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