Owen Hargreaves

RE: Good movement?

Yeah, good movement. He was pulling his marker all over the place, leaving Crouch with space. Didn't get involved in the game as much as he'd have liked, but still made a contribution.

 

RE: Good movement?

I was there - he was offside more often than a Dyer/Nardiello combo.

 

Fair enough.

You went to Old Trafford. You've got Old Trafford bugs. Ugh!

 

RE: Defoe.....

hasnt really shone for England has he. at International level, strikers are judged on goals. Defoe has 1 in about 17/18 games. Crouch has 8 in 12. 'nuff said.

it was a shame ashton broke his ankle- id've liked to seen how he would've done

 

I agree 100%. He makes all the difference to that midfield

Playing Gerrard wide on the right is excellent too. Just put Joe cole back in and we're laughing. Downing isn't as good as Cole.

 

RE: I agree 100%. He makes all the difference to that midfield

Thought Downing did ok, But isn't going to challenge joe for a while. Good balance to have on bench though, and you know he's going to get picked regularly in sqaud as e's one of McClaren's boys!!
on another note, does anyone else not really nderstand why Jenas always gets picked? Decent player, but surely theres better options?

 

Downing created 2 goals !

I am not a fan of his by any means , but I really do not see what step-over Cole brings to England.

 

RE: What Joe Cole Brings To England.....

Work rate, Determination, assists and GOALS
Downings not quite there yet..

But Seriously-Jenas?

 

I dont know what Jenas was doing in the World Cup squad.

I am sorry but for me Cole should be an "bench impact player" the team is totally unbalanced with him in the side.

 

RE: What Joe Cole Brings To England.....

Jenas was 3-1 to not play a minute of football at the world cup. Gutted i missed out on that.

 

RE: Downing created 2 goals !

Really not much of a test that right back though, was he? (It always seems that when England do well the opposition were *****, when England lose, it's England's fault - but I genuinely think that right back was all over the place and Downing was exactly 'on fire')

Joe Cole can cut inside, play through the middle, he can beat more than one player, he has genuine pace and the arrogance and determination to try spectacular things (as well as the ability to pull it off). Cole scores from midfield and when the ball is on the right he is always arriving on the back post to follow up on loose balls with a shot (something that never happens with Downing). I think Cole is a far more accomplished player and if it wasn't for McLaren I don't think Downing would really be picking up caps at this stage.

Fair play to Downing though, he didn't play badly at all.

 

Another thing which worries me about england's future is

Right Back. Gary Neville is immense, but when he goes, who is going to take over??? Carragher isn't a right back, Neither is Hargreaves. The only one i can think of who is coming through is Micah Richards, but he's only 17 and will he start for Man.City now they have Trabelsi?

 

RE: I dont know what Jenas was doing in the World Cup squad.

Really don't understand why you think that. Until Joe Cole took the left wing position we were all talking about the problem that we had there. I'll also suggest that of recent times Joe Cole has done more work tracking back too. Since his time at Chelsea Cole works his arse off.

 

Cole hasn't any pace at all , it was the same with Shuker,

just coz a little mans legs look like they are moving quickly doesnt mean they are actually that fast.

 

RE: Cole hasn't any pace at all , it was the same with Shuker,

You must be looking at a different person playing for a different team. Cole has bags of pace and his acceleration is excellent.

 

Good Point , but isnt one of Middlesboro youngsters a right-back

Oh and Bobby Hassell

 

I am formulating my own opinion as opposed being told by others what he can do.

 

We still have a problem on the left, Cole hasn't solved anything.

Its his &quot;cutting inside&quot; that narrows our midfield and closes down all the space in the middle of the park.</p>

Hence he unbalances the team.</p>