The Pointless Farewell - Day 17 Round-Up

Ah, the inevitable goodbye follows slightly earlier than we're used to.

Again, two games today, and we got a bit of a belter to start with. Germany, Group D winners, against England, Group C runners-up. It was always going to be a good game, but I didn't expect the first half to be as good as it was. Now, as I'm English, I shall be referring to them as 'we', so apologies Germans... Germany did, however, start as the much brighter team, and exposed John Terry and Matthew Upson as two of the number of weak links in the team today. They began to run rings round them, and eventually, Miroslav Klose managed to squeeze the ball into the net after 20 minutes. It was the beginning of the end, because England were now deflated, and the ball just stayed at German feet, and the English really couldn't be bothered to go and get the ball. They expected it to come to them. And it was almost karma that Germany stuck another one in, with Lukas Podolski finding the net after just half an hour. It was a sucker punch, but Capello got the team back up on its feet, and Matthew Upson scored from a corner, and things looked a little brighter. It only took a minute for us to score again, with Frank Lampard putting the ball well over the line, but alas, karma struck back, and the Uruguayan linesman didn't spot a thing. A good two foot over the line, and didn't see it. Idiot. But that was that for England, and they near enough shut up shop before half time. The second half was a lot of possession play, and Germany always looked the more likely to score, and after 67 minutes, Thomas Muller did exactly that. And again, in the 70th minute. Steven Gerrard proved how poor a captain and a team player he is by taking a shot every time he received the ball, so as he could write the headlines and become the hero. Nob. They are a top team, and I really do hope that the quarter lives up to all expectations. To watch the match highlights, click here.

The next game of the day was between Group B winners, Argentina, and Group A runners up, Mexico. The South American derby had a lot to go to to beat the other game, but it sure as hell was going to try. Mexico did in fact start the brighter team, but it took 25 minutes for the Argentinians to break them down, with a highly controversial goal from Carlos Tevez. Having been nearly 3 yards offside, the assistant referee allowed for the goal to stand, before all the Mexican players saw a replay on the big screen. The ref then looked to have cancelled out the goal, but then allowed for the goal to stand! Very, very bizarre. It only took 8 minute for Gonzalo Higuain to score a perfectly legitimate goal, but the game was dead thanks to that stupid decision. After the restart, Tevez scored an absolute stunner, and then Javier Hernandez pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go, but it certainly was too little, too late, and Argentina progress to play Germany thanks to the 3-1 victory. To watch the highlights of the game, click here.

I have to say, after today, I have become a big advocate of goal-line technology. I always thought it should be in the game - it works for other sports - but Sepp Blatter is far too ignorant and too absorbed in his own ego to allow for it to happen. Today just proves it certainly should be involved in football, before the Beautiful Game dies a horrible death.

A Nation Mourns

That's what is going to be on the front of one of the newspapers in the morning. That, or 'DISGRACE'.

And rightfully so. We were poor. Very poor. But why? It has to be something along the lines of pressure.

Think about it. We played incredibly well as a team, and gelled up until the point of arrival at the World Cup. Yes, these over-paid idiots should be prepared enough for the pressure, but what kind of an impact does a waiting nation and the impatient media have on them? It can be nothing but negative.

Having a reporter in your face the minute you go out for a training session. Having the WAGS splashed across every newspaper (thanks Mrs Heskey), even though Fabio told them where to shove it. It just seems like a massive over-reaction. Maybe we should let them get on with it in 2012 and 2014, and then go mental if we win the thing.

Some things need to change. Some don't. But the press need to get their heads out of a camp where they're not wanted.

Farewell Fabio?

So, with England now duly out of the World Cup, I'm on Part 2 of my analysis of the game, and the tournament so far. And the one question that now needs answering is this - should Fabio go?

I've been a big fan of Capello, but have always seen that the one problem we faced as a team was a lack of change. I genuinely believe that the best football we played under Capello was when we changed to 4-3-3 for 20 minutes against Japan. We've won 19 of the 27 games under his tenure, but he still insists on playing very defensive, very cautious football, and it's not how England should be playing.

We typically play 4 across the back, and a flat four midfield, but we should be playing to our strengths - and we have an abundance of wingers to get in the team. So why not play them?! I would have played 4-3-3 from the start at this World Cup, with Lennon and Joe Cole on the wings, Wayne up front by himself, and Gareth Barry in a holding role, with Gerrard and Lampard in front of him. It would have played to our strengths.

But will Fabio resign? Will the FA even go as far as sacking him?

I think he will stay, certainly until the start of Euro 2012 qualifying. Should we start poorly, he will walk. The FA don't have the money to kick him out themselves - not after Sven and Steve McLaren. We shall see what happens next, but Fabio certainly needs to change things around a bit.

England - Where Did It Go So Wrong?

Okay, I'm about to rip the team to shreds. If you don't like poor language, or actually believe that England are a good team, click away quickly.

We were shocking. So, so poor. I am appalled to call myself English this afternoon - they were an embarrassment. Those players don't deserve to wear the three lions on their chests. Who should go?

Well, there are plenty who should never, ever gain another England cap, based on their performances in the last 12 months. John Terry is certainly one - proven to be slow, still trying to lead, and also a very poor defender internationally. Glen Johnson is meant to be a left back, but can't defend. How does that work? Shaun Wright-Phillips shouldn't have even had one cap, let alone 34. Emile Heskey is not a world-class striker - if he was, he'd start every week for Aston Villa. So why does he get the honour of playing for England? Having Ledley King and Jamie Carragher in the squad - where's the point?! Both slow, both old, and both crocked. You leave out players like Ryan Shawcross, whose had a blinder of a season, for some bloke who needs a zimmer to cross the pitch.

Then there are those who certainly shouldn't be wearing the England shirt until they can prove themselves to be vaguely good. Aaron Lennon is a speed machine, but is certainly not a good crosser of the ball. Same for James Milner - it says a lot when he is considered the best winger we have. Robert Green was in no way the best goalkeeper we had, so why play him for the first game?! Is the World Cup not meant to be where the world's best players get to play the other best players?

Players like Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are those who are automatic names on the team sheet, but why? They have been very, very poor this tournament, and thoroughly deserve to be dropped.

But the buck has to fall at both captain and manager. Yes, losing your leader days before the first game isn't great, but Steven Gerrard was not the right choice for captain. And he should lose his vice-captaincy, as Beckham lost his captaincy after the 2006 World Cup. And Fabio? Well well well, your true colours show through now. Why would he have signed a new deal to stay on as manager, and then say his future wasn't certain if he didn't just want the huge pay-out when we're all finished slating him?

Farewell Fabio. Farewell players. Farewell England. Our ship has well and truly sailed, and we can safely become the small team we deserve to be.

A Nation... Celebrates?! - Day 13 Round-Up

I did expect to finish that title with 'mourns', but alas!

Group C were the earlier kick-offs today, with the division culminating with Slovenia vs. England, and USA vs. Algeria. With the former three teams needing a point to finish top of the group, it was all a bit too close to call. With England all over Slovenia, it was only a matter of time, and Jermain Defoe duly delivered in the 22nd minute to give them a 1-0 lead. At that point, it meant England qualified as winners, with Slovenia runners up. One goal in either game could knock one of those teams out of those positions and pull the USA in. And we waited. And waited. And waited. And nails were ripped off left right and centre, and then the whistle blew for the England game. Victory at last, and a progression to the round of 16.But what's this? At the same time as the whistle blew, the USA took the lead through a Landon Donovan slot-in. It broke Slovenian hearts, and meant the USA go through as winners, and England are group runners-up. To watch the Slovenia vs. England highlights, click here, and to watch the USA vs. Algeria highlights, click here.

Then we had Group D, with games between Ghana vs. Germany, and Australia vs. Serbia. With any of the teams still able to qualify as group winners, everything was still to play for. Both games were all level until half time, and then, in the 60th minute, Mesut Ozil put Germany ahead to consolidate their position at the top of the group. Tim Cahill made it the same scoreline for Australia, and Brett Holman added another for the Socceroos with 15 minutes to go. Things looked a bit scary for Ghana, but it was too little too late for Serbia, after Marko Pantelic pulled one back with 5 minutes of normal time to play. It means that Germany go through to the second round as group winners, and Ghana scrape past by the skin of their teeth as runners up. To watch the highlights, click here for Ghana vs. Germany, and here for Australia vs. Serbia.

It's All Kicking Off

After a week of relatively little controversy, we always have a day where everything goes a little bit mad. And for the 2010 World Cup, that day was today.

We started the day with the news that Wayne Rooney went a little mad towards the TV cameras yesterday, after England's bore draw with Algeria. He said 'Nice to see your own fans booing you, that's loyal support...' with a little more after that. Watch it. Good to see the footballers actually reacting to what the fans feel. Then a fan got into the dressing room to really tell them what he felt...



We then heard of Nicolas Anelka being sent home from the France squad, after a bust up with boss Raymond Domenech. Arguably the best player so far for the French, it was a snap decision that I think Raymundo may regret. Still, if that's how strongly he feels, its probably best to do it now, rather than let it linger.

Best One, Worst One - Day 8 Round-Up

Well, that was a day and a half!

We began at lunchtime with Germany vs. Serbia, and that was some game... We began with what looked like a very strong German team, and quite a weak Serbian team. The Serbians were naturally defensive, and Germans attacking (no WWII accusations intended...), and that looked to be how it would go. But it was completely different, and Milan Jovanovic put the ball in the German net in the 33rd minute. Miroslav Klose then got himself a second yellow for a stupid tackle, and Germany had to finish the game with 10 men. Plenty of woodwork hitting then went on, and when Nemanja Vidic conceded a penalty, things looked to become equal again. Lukas Podolski then missed the penalty, and the game finished as we were, at 1-0. If you want to see the highlights, click here.

The next game was Slovenia vs. USA, and it just got better. Best game of the tournament so far. Slovenia took the lead in the 13th minute with an absolute belter from Valter Birsa, and then Zlatan Ljubijankic made it 2-0. Half time obviously went well for the USA, and Landon Donovan pulled one back through rocketing the ball into the roof of the net, and then, with 10 minutes to go, Michael Bradley, scores the decisive goal. Maurice Edu then had a goal disallowed, wrongly, and they were rightfully annoyed. Still, the ref was a bit trigger happy with his cards, and a couple of the players will miss the next game. If you want the highlights, they are found here.

Our final game today was England vs. Algeria. By a living mile, the worst game I've seen of the tournament. England just lacked absolutely everything - no attacking power, no decent tackles, nothing. It was just so so poor. David James hardly had to make a save, so it wasn't like Algeria were all over us, but there was no-one to take charge - Gerrard was abysmal, and even Rooney was poor. Waz summed it up with this - 'Nice to see your home fans booing you'. It leaves every team in Group C on 2 points, so everything is to play for next Wednesday. If you want to watch what very few highlights there were, click here.

Never Mind Favourites....

The favourites to win the World Cup before we kicked off were Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany and England. Only two of the teams have actually shown they could win the thing, but even thern, there are flaws right across their team.

Spain lost to Switzerland. England drew with USA. Germany even lost today to Serbia. It throws the groups completely open, and could lead to some shock exits come the second round.

Brazil looked a brilliant team, but against Korea DPR, couldn't string a set of passes together, and the defence looked quite weak. They didn't seem to be playing the beautiful football we're used to.

Even Argentina looked incredibly dangerous to back. Yes, they have three of the best forwards in the world, and yes, they will score bags and bags of goals, but their chink in their armour is the defence - gaps appear everywhere and things could go bad for them.

So who do I back?

Just wait and find out.....

Outstanding Attacking - Day 2 Round-Up

Having now watched 5 out of the 64 games, we're beginning to get a bit of a feel for how its all going. And how attacking was today?!

First game of today was the Korea Republic against Greece,and it was a brilliant display by the Asian team. They showed that they really have recovered the form of the 2002 semi-finalists, and it was actually a very enjoyable game to watch - makes a change when it involves Greece. Highlights are found here.


Next up on the roster was Argentina vs. Nigeria, and it was the best game so far. First half was absolutely stunning - haven't seen a game of football like that in a while. Messi's jinking runs and Tevez's brute force matched perfectly, and the lack of defence for both teams were only uncovered fully in the last 10 minutes. The passing was brilliant too, and it bodes well for the next month. You can watch the highlights here.

Finally, we had England vs. USA. What a really poor game. When Gerrard put the ball in the net within 10 minutes, I thought we were on our way. But no, however we did it, we let the USA come back, and eventually ended up drawing 1-1, thanks to an absolute blunder from Robert Green. If I were Capello, I'd have pulled him off at half time, and let him know it wasn't acceptable. Second half was a little better, but we brought on slower players and brought the pace of the game right down, making Wayne Rooney a very unhappy bunny. Still, if you want to watch the highlights, click here.

Group C - England

44 years of hurt, and finally, FINALLY, England have a fighting chance of doing vaguely well in the tournament. With a new manager, a new-look team and a new energy around the squad, England could actually go on and do something in this year's competition.

The only problem seems to be fitness. The starting XI is very strong, but should anyone get injured, there isn't a replacement of the same calibre waiting to take his place. It could work against us, and if the teams notice this, targetting could start to occur.

Capital City: London

Captain: Rio Ferdinand
Manager: Fabio Capello
Star Man: Wayne Rooney - Wayne holds 65 million hearts on his shoulders this summer. The team's talisman is the darling of English football, and with him, England are Lions. Without him, they are mere cubs.
Group Games: USA (12th June); Algeria (18th June); Slovenia (23rd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will win every group game, and then the second round. Then scrape through their quarter and suffer heartache again in the semis. 1st in Group C.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham) 

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) 

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City) 

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)