I note that several of the main French players, including Henry and Vierra, have pulled out of tonight's friendly against England. We've selected a poor team who wouldn't have a hope against a full strength France squad. I wonder if there is some connection.

I'll stick my neck out and predict
France 2-0 England.

Well, England have Beckham (who only managed 5 games last season !) - so that shows the strength of the opposition !!!

JC, since when have Henry and Viera (not Vierra) been key players for France...? These two have been past it for years and the French DO NOT depend on them.

Granted, there are a number of players who won't be pulling on a blue shirt, but the French have an excellent pool of players to choose from, and any team they field will be strong and difficult to beat.

ITK, you are a man (or woman

Well Pete - thank you for that lengthy and informed dissertation!

Hopefully the players don't smoke ANYTHING!

As a genuine Beckham fan and believing his magnificent shooting abilities to be mesmerising, I too hope he wins his 100th and goes on to get many more - and I reckon he's a fine example as a Captain too.

Mind you I'm also a big Stevie Gerrard fan too...

But the best player in the UK at the moment is Portugese.

I have to agree with you there JK. Old winky, twinkly toes has won me over this season..

Although, give Cesc a couple more years, and I think it will be him...

Pete Clarke wrote:
[quote]
ITK, you are a man (or woman

Pete Clarke wrote:
This person will turn a bunch of talented losers into a team of winners. And this person is Fabio Capello.

You were saying, Pete ?

HT France 1-0 England

Pete, I merely noted that French players including Henry and Vierra had pulled out. I did not imply that France relied on them. I'm aware of France's abilities on the field, which is why I predicted a France win.

I also recall that free kick against Greece. It was Beckham's third attempt from just outside of the penalty box, having missed with his others. I'm sure there are many English players who, given repeated chances, would score from that position. Some would even score first time (Le-Tissier comes to mind). I don't doubt Beckham's dedication or loyalty, but I think his talents are highly over-rated.

No need for a furious response. You've already made your views on Beckham very clear. I'm just sharing mine.

Pete, a bit rich criticising JT when Gallas is such a great example for your Gooners. Our boy doesn't kick hoardings and sit on the pitch crying after a draw or threaten to score own goals! Even worse he had the audacity to sign my Chelsea Legends book before he bogged off to Cashburden Grove alongside legends like Chopper Harris and the God Ossie!!.

Despite the constant tabloid efforts JT remains a superb captain, leader and a great player as he proved again on Sunday whilst beating a team of Frenchmen 2-1!.At last count I made it two English players at Arsenal with occasional runs out for Theo & Justin so I guess you're happy with a French win (although we did manage 3 in their team as well tonight!)

Personally I'd prefer it if Capello never picked Terry, Lampard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge et al so they can all be fresh for the Blues!

Well Terrylamps. Unlike you, I don't let my club jealousies cloud my judgement when it comes to England.

Terry is an idiot. But you're absolutely right. He IS a great player (except tonight - he was average) and (usually) a great leader. But what kind of example does he set trying to grab a card out of a ref's hand? I've never seen anyone else do that. Besides that, he's an idiot because, if he wants to be England captain, he surely must be aware by now that his behaviour both on and off the pitch will be under Fabios's microscope. I think it's fair to say that his demeanour has been questionable on just as many occasions this season as that of Gallas.

Anyway, I'll happily watch Gallas occasionally kick an advertising board, because 99.9% of the time, he is f*cking mustard on the pitch. And crying after the Birtmingham draw..? If you'd seen your mate's leg broken in two you might be a bit upset. Anyway, I've certainly seen JT blubbing when losing a game. Or how about crying like a baby when your manager leaves the club....? Football is an emotional game Terrylamps. For us all.

And yes, I am sorry JC. My ire was really directed at ITK, who sees fit to pass occasional snide comments on a game he has confessed to not being a fan of, and therefore will not understand too well.

Tonight's game? We were poor. Frarcenal were just too damn good!!!!

zzzz....

Paraphrase me in 2 and a half years...

Pete Clarke wrote:
My ire was really directed at ITK, who sees fit to pass occasional snide comments on a game he has confessed to not being a fan of, and therefore will not understand too well.

Tonight's game? We were poor. Frarcenal were just too damn good!!!!



I understand it all too well - but am not gullible (as most England fans appear to be).

As for France being "too good" - thats been the problem for over 40 years - the opposition has always been too good !!! Ha Ha Ha

Yes Pete I'd rather see Chelsea win than England and as a team that actually provide six England regulars I'd still rather see us beating the Arsenal!

As to JT & Gallas yes both great players but give me the leadership of JT over Will any day, and judging by the latter's statement that Walcott is too predictable or indeed;

Arsenal captain William Gallas has revealed he has no "mates" at the Emirates. "They are more like acquaintances," he said. "Really, it's the guys at [former club] Chelsea. It always gives me pleasure to see them again." (The Independent)

I think I know who I'll stick with........also funnily enough I don't remember JT crying when the Special One left, he was the one blamed by the redtops for arguing with Jose and thus hastening his departure!

I do not know what everyone is worried about, we had the four top teams playing on Sunday, which were bound to hamper both teams (given the amount of French players that Arsenal and Chelsea had and the amount of English players, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea had).

At half time Rooney, Joe Cole, Terry and Gerrard came off (obviously a hand-shake agreement between Capello and the forementioned teams managers) and the game just lacked a bit of entertainment.

Was pleased for Beckham to win his 100th cap, and he will win more as Capello is not the sort of man to pick players on sentiment and as long as he plays well for LA Galaxy (I know it's a inferior league, but if he plays regularly), he'll be picked.

At the end of the day, it is just a friendly and it was treated as such, we all knew in the back of our mind that it would be a boring game, which is why I had a crossword book handy.

The time to judge Capello and England will be in September, when the World Cup qualifiers come round and he will have a clearer idea of his team and captain.

I would like to know why Theo Walcott was in the England squad, considering he has scored 2 league goals in two years for Arsenal. None of the Arsenal players wanted to pass to him when he came on as sub against Chelsea and I found myself feeling sorry for him. It seems that he does not fit in at Arsenal and it was a bad career move considering the non-English policy. A club with fine traditions, yet had more French players in the squad than English. Wenger is to applauded for the good football he has brought to the Premiership, but has not enhanced our national side one bit.

I have a couple of American friends who are LA Galaxy fans. They tell me they are still waiting to see what Beckham can do on the pitch. He was a business deal which paid off in merchandise. His contribution to the actual game is minimal.

The overall English performance last night was poor. I watched both the English and Scottish games. Scotland played with spirit and determination - even though the squad had played for their clubs at the weekend - but England didn't seem to have the drive or desire.

You can only spend so much time flogging a dead horse before you realise you have to buy a new one. Capello chose mainly the same players who have consistantly failed to deliver over the past few years.

To sound some slight positive notes - Joe Cole weasn't bad but was frozen out by the French defenders. Stuart Downing brought some life to left field, and Gerrard strung a few good passes together.

If we'd had someone like Wright-Philips on the right we might have had better balance. A strike force of Andy Johnson and Theo Walcott could have sliced through the French defence. We do have the players available, they just don't get selected. Beckham was sluggish and he was worn out before half time. We need players who can last 90 minutes and are able to keep pace with the opposition.

I can only assume this friendly was sacrificed for the sake of Beckham's 100th cap. Hopefully there will be big changes before we get to play our next competitive game. We'll win nothing on sentiment.

The Cat wrote:
I have a couple of American friends who are LA Galaxy fans. They tell me they are still waiting to see what Beckham can do on the pitch. He was a business deal which paid off in merchandise. His contribution to the actual game is minimal.

Beckham was sluggish and he was worn out before half time. We need players who can last 90 minutes and are able to keep pace with the opposition.

I can only assume this friendly was sacrificed for the sake of Beckham's 100th cap.

I believe he only played (a part) in 5 games all last season !

Bye Bye Becks
You've got all our respects
You were tetchy and lacked pace
But you still deserved your place

So long Dave
You made people rant and rave
But you stood all that baloney
After kicking Simeone

Ciao Mr Posh
You've made shedloads of dosh
At least you could kick a ball
I mean your wife can't sing at all

Farewell David B
You'll go down in history
With your shades made by Police
And your free-kick against Greece

Kiss kiss and toodle-oo
And the teachers all thank you
For now every single class'll
Know about the metatarsal

See you, home yer go
To Brooklyn, Cruz, and Romeo
You'll always have your palace
While you work with Mr Lalas

And to you Signor Capello
Say goodbye, and don't say hello,
To a tireless old right-winger
Whose left foot was just a swinger

If you treat the others gently
(Shauny, Lennon and D. Bentley)
We could stop this veneration
Of a golden generation
Of overpaid young chaps
Who just never hit their straps

When the tough should've got goin'
We had crocks in Becks and Owen
We can't say you didn't try
But it's still time to say goodbye

Cos it's obviously quite hard
To move further than a yard
And it would only bring you down
To play right side with Wes Brown

So it's Bye bye, bye bye Becksy
Though me missus found you sexy
I just think it's wrong
To see a bloke in a sarong

Cheers, Becks. Give me regards to Tom and Katie. Take some pies home for the wife. And good luck to you, son.

copyright Robbo Robson
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A33899269