*Official* English Football Season 2005-06

[Tom Halsey]

My immediate thought is mistake, hope I'm proved wrong.

 

[twctopcat]

I think he weighed up Defoe or SWP. Not a bad choice, i would think it won't be a particularly strict formation, i'm glad Gerrard will be given more license to go forward.

 

[twctopcat]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4206450.stm

Finally a bit of technology may well be on the cards, no more Russian linesmen needed. I like his point about having too much technology taking away the "fascination" of the game, i agree. Always love dodgy decisions!

 

[sledger]

So 4-5-1 then - what's people's thoughts on that change of heart by Sven?

potentially a good move for this match as it is only wales, a good move i say, although i would be very suprised if he doesnt revert to older methods once owen is available again.

 

[sledger]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4206450.stm

Finally a bit of technology may well be on the cards, no more Russian linesmen needed. I like is point about having too much technology taking away the "fascination" of the game, i agree. Always love dodgy decisions!

yeah have to agree with that, its become part of the game to me, same goes for cricket as well, although they can be infuriating when they go against you, but do usually balance themselves out.

 

[Craig]

So 4-5-1 then - what's people's thoughts on that change of heart by Sven?

Don't like 4-5-1 myself, personally he is best off with sticking with the same formation.

 

[Craig]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4206450.stm

Finally a bit of technology may well be on the cards, no more Russian linesmen needed. I like is point about having too much technology taking away the "fascination" of the game, i agree. Always love dodgy decisions!

Disagree IMO.

The way that I view it is that is no different from having a 3rd umpire in Tests or ODIs or the TV ref in rugby (both codes) so if the technology is there why not use it?

I suppose cricket is less fascination that we have the 3rd umpire? Of course not and the way this Ashes has been going definatly not. In time IMO it will be accepted and seen as a good thing.

 

[marc71178]

Don't like 4-5-1 myself, personally he is best off with sticking with the same formation.

I can see its advantages.

My only concern is that although Cole will be used to the left sided role, SWP hasn't played in it enough at Chelsea yet.

Beckham as a holding midfielder is an interesting option, and I'd much rather he play there with SWP on the wing than Hargreaves be given a start!

 

[twctopcat]

Disagree IMO.

The way that I view it is that is no different from having a 3rd umpire in Tests or ODIs or the TV ref in rugby (both codes) so if the technology is there why not use it?

I suppose cricket is less fascination that we have the 3rd umpire? Of course not and the way this Ashes has been going definatly not. In time IMO it will be accepted and seen as a good thing.

I suppose but you never know how it will work until it is tried. I just find the refereeing calamities funny and a good part of the game, even though it sometimes ****es me off in the short term!

 

[James]

The bad word filter is setup for a reason, please don't try and get around it.

 

[twctopcat]

The bad word filter is setup for a reason, please don't try and get around it.

Will do, sorry.

 

[James]

Cheers

 

[Craig]

I can see its advantages.

My only concern is that although Cole will be used to the left sided role, SWP hasn't played in it enough at Chelsea yet.

Beckham as a holding midfielder is an interesting option, and I'd much rather he play there with SWP on the wing than Hargreaves be given a start!

Out of interest how many times has Beckham played in the holding role for England?

Personally if you are going to play 4-5-1, I tend to prefer playing 4-2-3-1 instead which could probably suit England better.

 

[Craig]

Lol at Wigan trying to sign Michael Owen.

Would have been funny if he had done so.

 

[marc71178]

Out of interest how many times has Beckham played in the holding role for England?

Personally if you are going to play 4-5-1, I tend to prefer playing 4-2-3-1 instead which could probably suit England better.

Although he's not done it for England he has played in that sort of role for Real a fair few times.

For me it keeps him involved (as we often see he's prone to drifting infield anyway) and as he said, it allows him to pass down left, right and middle (something playing wide doesn't)

Can see the 4-2-3-1 point, but in effect we're almost doing that here, as one of Lampard and Gerrard will be getting forward lots I expect.

 

[Craig]

So can we see that as a new role for him in the team and perhaps if they choose that formation in some key matches?

He is turning into a vertisle sort of guy - remember he played at right back for Real last season for one game (shouldn't happen now since they brought Sergio Ramos).

 

[marc71178]

I think it's more of a one-off formation to be honest - Owen's return will change things.

And speaking of versatile - Henrik Pedersen of Bolton deserves a mention!

 

[Pothas]

1-0 and job done i didnt see the game as i was at lords and dont really wish to see it but 3 points thats all that matters

 

[Craig]

How did Beckham go in his holding role?

Sam is happy with Italy's 1-1 draw with Scotland () which gives Norway only two points behind the Italians and BTW did anybody see Okan Buruk's goal against Denmark? Man it was a stunner rom a small angle he had to work with.

Watched Australia beat the Soloman Islands 7-0 and the decision to let them into Asia was the best thing that has ever happened to this country. It was more boring (and perhaps meaningless as the result was kind of obvious) then one England's friendly's that Marc avoids so much. Their 'keeper made howlers that even a goal keeper in the Ryman Premier would have done a better job.

Although Viduka's goal was brilliant.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Although Viduka's goal was brilliant.

Can't have been better than Pedersen's chip over the keeper in the 92nd minute. The sheer arrogance...