Well, after the build-up games what do we think of Englands Euro2000 chances in:
1) qualifying from their Group
2) progressing beyond that

What do we think KK's best formation would be?
Who should play in that formation?

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

Answers

spoke to a chap who makes most of his living by sports betting and he advised me bookies were offering 2-1 that England wouldn't get passed the group stage.....He reckons that is excellent odds but no one will take it 'cos it not patriotic....make of that what you will.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

The News Quiz on Radio 4 this week (the forerunner to the TV "Have I got News for You") spoke of us making national heros out of failures. I forget the exact list - something like Eddie The Eagle, Scott of the Antarctic, etc. "Even now" they said, street parties are being prepared for England's return from Euro 2000 after the first round" (-;

I hope they do well but I'm afraid, as far as I'm concerned, it's becoming much more "they" and not "we".

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

I noticed that the "Hun" beat the Czech Republic yesterday. Here we go again. They always get it right when it counts and I wouldn't be surprised to see them and Portugal go through. I hope I'm wrong mind and one look at the Corinthian League table will tell you that I usually am.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

Clarky,

In answer to your questions:

1) Easy-peasey!!!

2) Nee bother!!!!

Ever the optimist! I recommend that Mr. Kegan play a 4 4 2 formation. Suggest he puts Seaman in goal. Defense to comprise Adams, Campbell, Gary Neville, Keown. Midfield, Beckham, Wise, Scholes, MacManamanmanaman. Strike force, SHEARER!!!!! plus Owen. Reserves, Wright, Southgate, Ince, Phillips, Fowler.

There you go - dead simple - no way will we get knocked out in the first round. England saved their first game for Yelli`s birthday, they are not going to ruin her special day now, are they! So, as far as I`m concerned, the sky`s the limit!!!!!

Enough positive vibes in there? (:o)

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

AAAhhhhhh....of course its Yelli's birthday on the 12th......we'll have to start a double birthday thread as there is also another among our illustrious number (or should that be illiterate number)with a birthday that day........ah well.....whatever, a birthday is always worth celebrating, no matter how young (like Yelli) or old (like the other one).....

(;0)

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

"Cos you're only a cockeyed cyberoptimist" - that song from South Pacific must have written about you Galaxy.
I think Englands group will be very tight and that we'll struggle to qualify. While not being overly prone to wild, unabashed optimism, I'm going to say that England will qualify - 'cos I want them to, so there!
We won't reach the Final, indeed I expect us to get KO'd in the quarters.
On formation, we just have to play 4-4-2. We don't have the required defensive talent to play 3-2-3-2. We don't have any WB's in the squad, and the CB's don't have either the wit or the skill to play that system - viz the 1st half charade v Ukraine. As to who will play against Portugal, little seems to be truly settled. I think Seaman will play in goal, although I would give Martyn the nod.
We have essentially no strength at FB which is amazing. IMO, Warren Barton really should be there AND playing. As it is Garry N. is certainly the lesser evil of the two evil gnomes and must play RB. There is just no way I could consider PN ay LB, but believe he will play all the same - he's arguably the least talented footballer ever to play for England.
I would play Adams and Keown at CB - they link well together and have a good understanding. Campbell has been all over the shop in the three friendles, however I would play him LB, after giving due consideration to playing Gareth Barry there. I would have Barry on the bench in case things got sticky, and would be prepared to blood him gradually as the tournament progressed.
In m/f, Becks has to play wide right - IMO, he's bloody useless in the centre. I'd play Scholes and either Ince or Ernie - there's not much between them, and they should share the holding role in this tournament. For wide left, I'd resist the clamour for McMananamanamanaman - he can only play in Scholes position, but Scholes offers more and is more consistent. I'd play Barmby on the left - he's looked like Pedro in the last two games, and I can pay him no higher compliment. If he doesn't work out in any particular game, either Ernie or McManaman could deputise.
Up front, only AS and Owen deserve to be in the team. Heskey is a big pudding, but provides a option coming off the bench. Even trying to be dispassionate, I can't see the other two strikers contributing anything.
I only hope Big Al is fit to play. If his knee injury were to rule him out, then I'd have to revise my initial forecast, because I just can't see anyone else but him and YMO scoring goals against good class opposition.
There - off the fence: neck out a mile!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

If Big Al`s not playing.......I`m taking my ball back!(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2000

By the way Clarky - I do actually think that getting through to the next round is going to be a really hard slogg. If, sorry when, we do, I have no doubt that we`re in with a good chance. (:o)

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2000

Malta 1 England 2 ? What happened to the missing zero(s) from the England score ?

Who actually organises these friendlies ?. I can't believe the FA went cap in hand to the Maltese authorities and asked to play their national team as a serious training session in preparation for a tournament that's probably only marginally less important than the World Cup.

It surely must have been the other way round. And shouldn't have been accepted if the intention was to have just a warm up in preparation for the real thing. Brazil, yes. But not Malta.

I reckon they'd have been better off, even if only psychologically, having nowt to do with any game where the opposition had absolutely nothing to lose and we, very little to gain. We beat them, so what ?

For me, a game like that should be what gives the main squad a chance to strut their stuff and come away having humiliated the opposition, leaving nobody in any doubt as to our intentions.

As it is, as far as I can tell, we're very little further forward. Being the internal pessimist that I am, it doesn't bode well.

One ray of sunshine, though, is Nick Barmby. He looks like he might just come good at the right time. I've liked what I've seen up to now, although I didn't see more than just snatches of the Malta game, so me bum could be right out the window on that one - and no doubt I'll be left with no illusions on that score, if Barmby doesn't deliver.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2000