Quoted Text
England out...what can I say
Overall I think its been a good world cup so far. The hosts have done a brilliant job with the organisation. Great stuff.
As far as England goes or is it gone (?)...
There were some good or even great performances by individual players, but England just did not play as a team. Tactically it was bad. Easy to see in hindsight, but going with only 4 recognised strikers, two of which not truly match fit was a mistake. Playing with one up front was not clever. We just didn't play to our full potential.
Owen Hargreaves did a fantastic job wherever he was asked to play in my view. Carrick shone also in the one match he had.
I think David Beckham has been a fantastic captain off the field. A great ambassador, but on field it just didn't happen. He has not had a truly great game since being made captain.
France had a very quiet start but have improved with each game and must now have a good chance of the title, but I fancy Germany. They are playing as a team in every respect.
Normally at world cups a few new or underestimated players burst on to the scene to become the next stars, but this time it has not happened.
Cheers and good luck to the 4 teams that are still in it.
Peter
:-)
I agree with most of what your saying, but with reference to Beckham i believe that the 5 man mid and 1 up front was a big mistake, it didn't allow beckham the room on the flanks to move and deliver crosses into the box, 1 man up front was just stupid 1because Rooney wasn't completely fit and 2 every time he got near a ball he would have at least 2 men marking him, as he was alone. They would have been a lot more effective with a 3-5-2, that's if he had to have the 5 man mid!
