Match 51 - England vs Ecuador - Round of 16

hj2k_x

hj2k_x

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2006
Messages
32,137
Reaction score
1,893
Location
/\/¯¯¯¯¯\/\
England should really do the business here. Ecuador only went through by beating Costa Rica and Poland- not exactly a great feat. Germany showed up all their weaknesses, cruising to a 3-0 win in the final group game.

England will have to improve defensively from their last game though. Owen is out for anything up to a year, so we will be relying on Rooney and Crouchey up front.

The midfield have to come to the party though. Frank Lampard needs to be reminded where the goals are and Beckham needs to get his crossing back up to the levels of the 1st group game against Paraguay.

Winner to meet Portugal or Holland. England vs Holland is always special...

Kickoff @ 5
 
..and England only went through by beating Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and drew with Sweden. Also not a great feat. :D
 
.geek said:
..and England only went through by beating Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and drew with Sweden. Also not a great feat. :D
Click to expand...
Indeed, my German buddies remind me enough of this all the time. :(

This should be a good game then as both teams have had the same kind of start to the world cup - beating poor teams quite easily but not really being tested...
 
boring game...england midfield lacks tempo. Lampard is useles...

good goal from Beckham tho
 
WOW. What a terrible game. Worst England game so far :(

I know it was hot but really. Ecuador looked as if they were happy just to make it so far. They really were poor- the worst i have seen so far and i have seen all the teams. Even Saudi Arabia were better!

As for England. When will Sven learn that 4-5-1 is not the way to go. Even with Owen out, he is not our only striker!!

Joe Cole and Rooney had decent games as ever and Gerrard and Beckham tried hard. Props to Ashley Cole for denying Ecuador's only chance. Apart from this, everyone was poor throughout.

Frank Lampard should be dropped. He has NEVER performed well in the same team as Gerrard and at the moment he is on the verge if becoming a laughing-stock.

We need to play 4-4-2 to stand any chance. We need Gary Neville back sharpish and Carragher either playing in position or not at all.

Lampard needs to be replaced by the speedy Lennon or anyone else really. And we need a second striker.

:(
 
problem is there is no second striker for england. Crouch is useless...looks so clumsy in front of goals except the odd delivery from backham. if they are to play 4-5-1 midfield has to perform.

Lampard should go...lennon loos pretty sharp to add some spice in the midfield.
 
derekc said:
problem is there is no second striker for england. Crouch is useless...looks so clumsy in front of goals except the odd delivery from backham. if they are to play 4-5-1 midfield has to perform.

Lampard should go...lennon loos pretty sharp to add some spice in the midfield.
Click to expand...
That you lad they brought who hasnt played a game for Arsenal even. They may as well give him a chance. How much worse can he be?!
 
yeah havent even played a prem match as of yet...I dont agree playing him as he has no experience at all. Too much is at stake. Sort out the midfield and england will be good. If they can play full 90 min without losing conc they have a team to win the wc. Solid defence (except for terry's stuff up today), keeper playing well...defensive midfield is holding too...

now just that glue layer...the midfield that supplies the forward(s). JOe cole is playing better, Gerrard played well when he started running on the wing and stretching the Ecuador defence..he should keep doing that. Sacrifice lampard for Crouch (lampard was useless anyways so doesnt matter if crouch is in). At least it gives Beckham more options when u have a ugly tall monster like crouch and Rooney lurking on the side. This will make it interesting.

I dont really like hargreaves tho...still dont understand why carragher doesnt get started more often.
 
I hate hargreaves. He is canadian anyway :(

I would have it like this:

Wayne Rooney
Crouch/Walcott

Joe Cole
Steven Gerrard
Aaron Lennon
David Beckham

Ashley Cole
John Terry
Jamie Carragher
Gary Neville

Robinson
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X