Footballroos 2 - Bafana Bafana 2

[devilsadvocate]

Decent game at Loftus Road last night, but we have PLENTY of improvement left in us, particularly the second string players.

After going 1-0 down from some Benny Mcarthy brilliance, Vinnie Grella set up Mile (Vanilli) Sterjovski for a clever dink over their keeper. Bresciano put in a cracking cross from a set piece straight onto Kennedy's head for the second. Early in the second half, the Safa's equalised through a thunderbolt and scores remained 2-2 at the final whistle.

We dominated large patches of the first half, Sterjovski, Bresciano, and in particular Neill were excellent for us in the first half. I thought McDonald always looked a threat up front too.

In the second half, Pim took off Neill, Chipperfield and McDonald for Milligan, Carney and Holman and the difference showed as Bresciano, Grella and Culina all drifted out of the game at the same time.

Our defence is quite ordinary, but it was Coyne's 2nd appearance last night, so plenty of improvement to come. IMO our midfield is the problem. We get caught too deep and the Safa's had plenty of time to run at us with the ball in central midfield without anyone coming to close them down until just outside the area. More protection of Schwatartzer's goal is required.

On a positive, it was great to see Bruce Djite get a run, did a couple of good things and had a good run at the Safas defence with the ball, but disposessed as he was about to fire a shot. He's a massive unit, so hopefully he keeps improving and starts scoring some goals for us.

Finally, it was a suprisingly piss-poor attendance with only about 1/4 of the ground filled. All good fun though, it was great to see the boys live.

[Dirko]

Thanks DA. Forgot this was. Sounds like the Aussies did OK.

Will be better with Kewell, Cahill & Emo in the side....

[devilsadvocate]

Yeah, really missed Emmerton last night IMO.

Will chuck up some pics later.

[Dogwatcher]

Good to see Kennedy back.

[Pidge]

Good to see Kennedy back.

Kennedy is a quality player and it was thanks to Guus Hiddink who was the person that found him and took him to the world cup.

[devilsadvocate]

Yeah agree RE: Kennedy. Looks better and better each game.

The partnership Kennedy - McDonald looks very good. I hope they can start to score plenty of goals to get us through the Asian Qualifiers.

[RoosterMarty]

Hopefully Kennedy can stay fit because he's one of our most important players with his height.

Mile is a class act, what a gun, that deft lob was superb.

[Dirko]

Hopefully Kennedy can stay fit because he's one of our most important players with his height.

Mile is a class act, what a gun, that deft lob was superb.

The Goals

Miles goal was fantastic....too good for Derby

[devilsadvocate]

Yeah Mile Vanilli's goal was outstanding. It all happened in slow-mo live, but everyone at the ground loved it.

Would like to see him in the EPL. Would be a handy pick up for a Hull, Stoke, WBA, Fulham, Wigan, Bolton etc.

[devilsadvocate]

I went to Wembley last night for the England v Czech game. Gotta say first what an outstanding stadium it is. Absolutely amazing. Everything about it was class A (except waiting 10 mins to take a leak at half time ) Hearing God Save the Queen was a definite highlight. I've got it on vid, so will try to chuck on the tube.

England were same old, same old. What is Capello doing? Gerrard on the laft of midfield? WTF? He's Englands best and most influential player and he sticks him on the left. FFS put him in the centre of the pitch and let him direct play.

Beckham is calss. from open play, his switches hit players either right on the chest or at their foot and he basically makes players look brilliant by his accuracy. His dead balls were a bit ordinary last night, particularly corners, but it was pissing down most of the night.

Barry was ordinary IMO, as was Ferdinand and Lampard was deplorable. Rooney is a long way from his best, Bently had little impact and John Terry....at his mediochre thuggish best?

Wes Brown looked good and could have scored 2, and dare I say it, Ashley Cole was brilliant a total class act, but jeez he's a wanker!

Cech was great for the Czechs and their midfield was better IMO, particularly in the second half.

Will chuck up some pics of the stadium when I get my bloody home net connection sorted.

[johntheclaret]

Read in the Shanghai Daily, Harry Redknapp said this was the worst England performance he had ever seen.

Sure he is wrong. I can't believe that England haven't player worse

[devilsadvocate]

It wasn't the worst JTC. The second half was bad, but the Croatia game last year was worse because so much hinged on the result.

[Dirko]

Hey DA or JTS...

Off topic, albeit slightly..

Has there been any talk on what the Poms are gonna do in regard to the Olympics in 2012 and the Football ?

[devilsadvocate]

Sir Alex 'the Red Nosed Reindeer' Ferguson was approached to manage a GB squad for 2012. He later said he won't do it.

At this stage I think there will be a GB team, but that's still not 100% confirmed.

Would be great to see Stevvie G lead them out.

[Dirko]

Sir Alex 'the Red Nosed Reindeer' Ferguson was approached to manage a GB squad for 2012. He later said he won't do it.

At this stage I think there will be a GB team, but that's still not 100% confirmed.

Would be great to see Stevvie G lead them out.

Yeah...can see Becks getting a gig too ! He'd only be 37/38

The best bit would be the Scots smacking the Brits out in training whilst the Irish drink pi55 and laugh....

[devilsadvocate]

The best bit would be the Scots smacking the Brits out in training whilst the Irish drink pi55 and laugh....

I'd love to see Alan Hutton box on with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. I'd say Hutton would smack them both!

Robbie Keane would be laughing until Super Al gave him one in the chops from all Spurs fans for good measure.

[RoosterMarty]

Sir Alex 'the Red Nosed Reindeer' Ferguson was approached to manage a GB squad for 2012. He later said he won't do it.

At this stage I think there will be a GB team, but that's still not 100% confirmed.

Would be great to see Stevvie G lead them out.

Stevie Me as captain?
That would be a disaster.

[devilsadvocate]

Stevie Me as captain?
That would be a disaster.

He's Englands best player by a long way. There's daylight, sunshine, moonshine and twilight before the next best.

Cashley Cole
Rio Ferdinand
Joe Cole
and maybe Rooney if he can remember how to play are decent, the rest have BIG question marks IMO.

[RoosterMarty]

By a long way? Are you serious?

He is generally pretty damn ordinary for England. With Liverpool he fades in and out and only takes the game by the scruff of the neck against the lower teams. He is hardly sighted when playing a big team.

He does have a knack of bobbing up at the right time and scoring crucial goals for Liverpool, but doesn't do enough in my opinion.

[devilsadvocate]

The only reason he may seem ordinary for England is because he's alway played out of position.

He was great in last weeks game despite being played on the left (and contrary to what not so Fab Capello says, England played a 4-4-2 with SG on the left - no doubt about it) and in fact in almost every game I've seen him play in an England shirt, he's usually the only one who can come off with his head held high.

On the Liverpool front. I think he actually shines against the better sides and can be liable for quieter games against the lesser sides. Especially when Liverpool go behind, he stands up and takes the game by the scruff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Liverpool hater, but Stevie G is a rare talent.