In Los Angeles?

A few people have said bring back Beckham, but none can name anything England won while he was in the squad. Lennon is several times better. Remember how the team's game improved when he replaced Beckham in the World Cup? The old and overrated must make way for the young and talented.

The reason England didn't win last night was because Israel gave them little opportunity, closing England down whenever they got the ball ... and because of an amazing performance by the Israeli goalkeeper.

England knew they had to win, but I think they underestimated their opponents. They seem to have taken it for granted that this was an easy three points. Big mistake.

There hasn't been any since 1966 - and only then because they didn't tire as much as the other team (having had the benefit of playing ALL their matches at Wembley) !

England need to re-fresh their squad.

Throw away the Nevilles, Carrigar, Lennon worst winger in the premiership, Ferdinand, Rooney is over-rated I think so anyway and Andrew Johnson is no way a internathnal star.

Isreal are real underdogs in football. They kept the ball in play and hold posssion. Yossi Benayoun was intresting to watch and was the man of match always read the game and always in midfield and defence.

Just look at the trouble England breaking down the midfield.

Never bet on football its a funny old game.

I had a bet on the draw. Israel are a good team. They were unbeaten in a strong group in the World Cup qualifiers, and unlucky just to miss out.

As for England's demise, I blame the manager. He's not up to the job. People criticised Ericsson but at least England used to qualify with him, and get through to the last eight which is respectable, and probably as much as we can hope for these days.

anyway - what are Israel doing in the European Championship?

They will occupy anywhere, won't they?

I don't suppose Israel has much choice about being affiliated to UEFA. The prospect of Israel versus Syria or Iran in an Asian World Cup qualifier would be somewhat horrific. A bit of a security nightmare and they'd refuse to play Israel anyway and would consequently be kicked out of the competition.

Admittedly, you don't hear the Israelis complaining. Although they would stand far more chance of qualifying for the World Cup via Asia, I assume it is infinitely more luctrative to be playing their games against European opposition.

Perhaps we should try and qualify by joining the Asian tournament, then?

IF England win convincingly tonight, and they should against a team rated 163rd in the World (can you get any lower?) will the die-hards proclaim it as an indicator that they are back on form?

Or will they realise that one swallow does not make a summer (or 41 summers come to that) ?

Well, I couldn't resist a little bet on Andorra at 120/1 and the draw at 33/1. I expect England will win, but I bet it isn't very convincing.

Only just !

3-0 is hardly convincing (against the team rated 163rd in the world) is it? Did the fat one actually score?

England apparently were boo-ed off at half time.

The England manager job is a tragic position to have.

Arguably, the pinnacle of a football managers career and the lowest ebb.

But unlike many digruntled fans, I do know who I would beg to take the job and it`s Andy Grey.

He would need serious arm twisting as he is very happy in his job at Sky, and would probably be more tempted by a Scottish FA position.

It`s days after an England match, that I am glad I did not get my dream job as a sports writer on a national daily.

Also, I did not like the fans jeering coming back again, whilst, if I was there, I admit, I may well have joined the sheep as it were.

The trip, and the days off work, naturally create this discomfort in fans who have spent a fortune to get there and fund the games and wages.

And , oh yeah...

Boooooo!

3 points was good for the league but it is very tougg battle to finish in the top 2 postion.

Andora is not a football coutry they are semi professional like non league teams the players dont do football for a living they got job in the day i.e builder or plumber.

England need to fight hard.

Indeed.
They are also known for going harder in for a tackle as they have less to lose, I believe this makes the high paid pro`s nervous for their full time jobs with their clubs.

England, technically are a part time line up.

Central contracts need to be achieved for the National team in the same way that it has happened in cricket.

(which we are also wavering at)

Of course for me there always was only one guy who should have been England manager.

Brian Clough; sadly no longer with us.

I seem to remember he turned it down on principle.
Ian Botham should be head of English cricket but is not interested.

JK2006 wrote:
Of course for me there always was only one guy who should have been England manager.

Brian Clough; sadly no longer with us.

Absolutely spot-on, JK!

Things will not improve UNTIL the players have to fight for their places and do not assume that they are automatically "in" just because they have always been there (for example, like Michael Owen did - even with a broken leg !!!!!!!).

Rooney is another classic example - can be good, and sometimes very good indeed - but far too many "off days" (and after all, why should he bother? He'll be in the team anyway - and telling the manager how to run the team apparently !)

I think Jackie Charlton would make a wonderful England manager, even at his pensionable age. He's never been swayed by celebrity status, and he is a good tactician. He'd pick the right men for the job, regardless of which club they played for.

Biggest mistake against Andorra was the selection of strikers. Rooney hasn't scored for England for three years and he's an accident waiting to happen. Johnson doesn't gel with Rooney. For this match, I'd have picked Nugent and Defoe (and I said that to people before kick off).

Oh well .... onto the next match. Maybe things will be different. .... Maybe ...

The Cat wrote:
Rooney hasn't scored for England for three years and he's an accident waiting to happen.

... but still thinks he is an automatic choice (as did Owen / Beckham et al).

<<< Oh well .... onto the next match. Maybe things will be different. .... Maybe >>>

People have been saying that for 41 years now !

But then here we all go, we wanted 10-0, and are complaining about 3-0, my friends.

We may have been happier to not watch it and just view the result.