England v France

[Lofthouse Lower]

OK, positives.....

1) Keiron Gibbs - looked alright defensively, to be honest. The second goal's come from his side, although the entire back line were playing a high line when they shouldn't.
2) Good finish from Peter Crouch. Didn't blast it, the theoretically correct decision is cutting it back across, but for someone seemingly bereft of confidence (based on evidence I saw over the past few weeks), it was a confident thing to do.
3) Andy Carroll showed glimpses that he could be a decent alternative, but it's difficult to stamp any authority as a target man when the movement around you is non-existent.
4) Adam Johnson - that's one wide berth filled. I don't mind which side, because he has the intelligence to use an excellent left foot on either side. Ashley Young - you can be like that if you could get your head up more.
5) Tonight should serve as confirmation that Joleon Lescott should never, ever, ever be higher up any pecking order than Gary Cahill. And that's a positive.

1) I thought he was trying to hook it back, and cocked it up
2) If only he'd stop the diving....

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

The easiest thing to do would be to exclusively roll over shit teams at Wembley until the press get off Fabio's back, but we'll only know if we're getting somewhere when we can compete with teams like France.

Good point well made. We get to play enough shit teams we can roll over during the qualification process of tournaments. It's good to be seeing what we need to do when we're playing France (who remember, until last night, were considered as shit as us), Argentina (rumoured to be friendly opponents in February), Holland (who we often face in friendlies).

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

I think we're now in danger of ripping up th team sheet every other game, to the point where we'll end up playing an U16 side so as we're giving "the kids" a chance.

This. Considering how many times there have been demands for the complete overhaul of English football in the past 10 years (and I reckon there have been three massive campaigns for this in TWO YEARS), without giving the previous complete overhaul time to take effect, it's no wonder we look disjointed.

[CrazyHorse]

Sat through it all. It were terrible.

Players aren't arsed; apart from maybe Andy Carroll though let's face it he'll soon become as apathetic as the rest of them. No team spirit, no creativity, no motiviation.
Manager isn't arsed. Technically brilliant but couldn't give a shiny shite if England win or lose. More interested in counting his money and ticking the days off on his calendar before he can fook off back to a warmer climate.
The FA aren't arsed. Too busy trying to host the world cup. That's more important then getting off their arses to even make sure that Wembley isn't embarrassingly half empty when we play.
The fans aren't arsed. What's the point?

One observation from last night though; I noticed the majority of the pitch side electronic adverts were French. Speaks volumes about which country was more interested in the game.

[Raven]

Funny, what happened to only picking players that played first team football regularly?

Had to pop to Heathrow last night and listend to match on way home (for a bit got bored), would ask if there are worst commentators/pundits than Alan Green and Mark Lawrenson, ones so up himself and thinks he is so clever and funny where the other is incredibly boring, never says anything worth saying and has the dullet voice imaginable, probably the reason I changed channels, did not want to fall asleep driving!

[seanworth]

Slept through it all. Didn't even make an attempt to watch. Did see the under 21's the night before though. Did not agree with the keeper being sent off. Spoiled what could have been a good second half.