England, England, Ra-Ra-Ra...

[boltonboris]

So when we played Spain, did we not 'compete'? regardless of it being a friendly or not?

It's pretty obvious what the gameplan was. That was to defend in numbers, try to stop them getting in behind us and making the most of any chances we can get. Stop the supply to Villa and get tight on Xavi and iniesta.

I can only assume, when it comes to Football, you struggle to know your arse from your elbow

[TANGODANCER]

Cahill in defence on one side and Elmander in attack on't tother should be interesting. Oh, and Willhemson's in there too.

[Andy Waller]

So when we played Spain, did we not 'compete'? regardless of it being a friendly or not?

It's pretty obvious what the gameplan was. That was to defend in numbers, try to stop them getting in behind us and making the most of any chances we can get. Stop the supply to Villa and get tight on Xavi and iniesta.

I can only assume, when it comes to Football, you struggle to know your arse from your elbow

I was just going on your previous post that "it's the only way to compete against Spain".

If it's a friendly match, it's not at the same level as, lets say, the qualifiers? So how can you see this as a fair reflection as "competing" against them?

The tactics might not have been that! That's all I'm saying! It seemed like a bad case of big hoof to me.

Finally, knowing your arse from your elbow is a definate, either you know it or you don't. You couldn't "struggle to know your arse from your elbow".

I don't mind having the piss taken out of me, just do it accurately next time.

[boltonboris]

Okay... It's clearly obvious to me, that you don't have a feckin' clue what you're on about.. Will that do?

[Andy Waller]

Is it clear or obvious? You don't need two adjectives there.

It won't do to be honest, are you seriously saying that, in a competitive match, you'd fancy England over Spain?

[boltonboris]

Not sure. Possibly. Spain can't play at 100% every game, as they probably showed on Saturday. But I think we've shown in this friendly that if we pick the right tactics and personnel, we could beat them. Conversely, they could hit the inside of the post anmd see the ball bounce in rather than out.

What I did see in that friendly though, was us defend valiantly and beat a full strength Spanish side without them causing us too many problems

[Andy Waller]

Not sure. Possibly. Spain can't play at 100% every game, as they probably showed on Saturday. But I think we've shown in this friendly that if we pick the right tactics and personnel, we could beat them. Conversely, they could hit the inside of the post anmd see the ball bounce in rather than out.

What I did see in that friendly though, was us defend valiantly and beat a full strength Spanish side without them causing us too many problems

That's what I think, I just don't see the right personnel being picked.

I've thought for years that the England manager is told who's playing and has to pick a system to fit that.

[boltonboris]

I definitely think he's been told he has to fill a big club quota. Regardless of ability, they're picked based on club.

[Andy Waller]

I definitely think he's been told he has to fill a big club quota. Regardless of ability, they're picked based on club.

Do you think they're leant on by sponsors? Eg Adidas? I couldn't understand why Beckham was there at the world cup, apart from having to have his face on telly. Lampard and Gerrard never play well on the same team, but both Adidas men.

[boltonboris]

I definitely think he's been told he has to fill a big club quota. Regardless of ability, they're picked based on club.

Do you think they're leant on by sponsors? Eg Adidas? I couldn't understand why Beckham was there at the world cup, apart from having to have his face on telly. Lampard and Gerrard never play well on the same team, but both Adidas men.

Not sure they're leant on, but I'm sure the FA feel they have to appease sponsors, TV companies and ultimately, the fans of big clubs, who have large fanbases who'll buy a shirt with 'JONES 4' on the back.

It'll alienate people who support clubs like Tranmere or Leyton Orient. But the FA coulcn't give a flying feck about that, as long as John the Arsenal fan buys his kids a shirt with Wilshere on the back of it

[officer_dibble]

Bet elmander scores tonight

[Wandering Willy]

Why is Zamora playing instead of the Studger?

[bobo the clown]

Why is Zamora playing instead of the Studger?

You'll find that Italian guy buying his son's wedding present in Harrod's tomorrow ... & all will become clear !!

[Wandering Willy]

Load of Gigantico Bollockios.

[mrpiccollo]

looking forward to see how we perform against sweden as they are a team much closer to our ability than spain (shame sturridge isnt playing though) hopefully sweden come with full strenght lineup^

[officer_dibble]

Aye studger or zamora, seems token like davies getting a cap *runs for cover from tango*

[mrpiccollo]

fcking elmander is playing if he scores ......... he better not !

[malcd1]

fcking elmander is playing if he scores ......... he better not !

No he didn't. Cahill pretty solid.

Also on pitch with our Gary and Elmander was Sturridge and Wilhelmson.

[TANGODANCER]

Aye studger or zamora, seems token like davies getting a cap *runs for cover from tango*

Sturridge didn't get much playing time, but KD could have done what Zamora did. "Mastoidmanovitch" is a real clogger. We had the chances and could have had four, but that's far from the best Swedish side I've seen. I'd have started Defoe before Zamora and Sturridge before the pair of them.

[Wandering Willy]

Zamora should be on a beach in Blackpool.