The Football Thread - Page 2116

**pierrelm** · March 28th, 2018, 05:29 AM

That wasn't a great Italy tonight but the way they closed down and defended was a mark above what we did; we are still too laboured in our build up. Stones still looks like a skilful liability, likely to be making at least one critical error each game - is he going to learn?
Walker did okay but I'm struggling with all the praise. Oxlade-Chamberlain looks out of his depth - he's capable only of frightening the minnows at this level. Ashley Young was okay at the back but offered nothing going forward and we looked unbalanced as a consequence.
Really disappointed Nick Pope hasn't been given a game - surely means he won't make the squad, which for the keeper I've seen as the best English player in his position this season (even backed up by stats, which I loathe), is I think, a big mistake.
Rashford gave one of his frustrating, anonymous performances when he came on...on form, he's awesome, like this he's a dillying waste of a shirt.

Man of the Match by far for me was Sterling, who had his best game at this level; he really looked positive and made use of the room uncharacteristically offered by the Italians.
Lingard did well, has lots of positive energy and looks to have elbowed Alli out of the team; I love Vardy's attitude and consistent determination to be a right pest up front. He always seems to put a shift in and took his goal very well. All three did very well - some positives, which is more than I'd really expected.

We desperately need a playmaker figure rather than our overly cautious centre midfield which reminds me of the Ray Wilkins 'possession is everything' approach: if in doubt, turn around and slow everything down. For a side where our main asset is pace, this seems counter-intuitive.

**old alal** · March 31st, 2018, 08:50 AM

I understand that Former England, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins is fighting for his life after a cardiac arrest. I sincerely hope he pulls through. 61 is no age to leave us Ray come on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.

**mungy** · March 31st, 2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old alal

I understand that Former England, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins is fighting for his life after a cardiac arrest. I sincerely hope he pulls through. 61 is no age to leave us Ray come on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.

Just seen this on Football Focus...big shock.

In the Intensive Care Unit. Good luck Ray.

**pierrelm** · March 31st, 2018, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old alal

I understand that Former England, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins is fighting for his life after a cardiac arrest. I sincerely hope he pulls through. 61 is no age to leave us Ray come on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.

Bless him - used to drive me scatty with his sideways passing for England, but a really likable individual, especially his Football Italia punditry work. He's had his well-documented problems which I fear are now taking their toll. Good luck to the feller.

On a purely footballing result, Sunderland win 1-4 away at play-off hopefuls Derby. Now there's an old-fashioned coupon-buster. Having looked doomed nearly all season, with only the hapless Burton below them, some of the sides above them are in free-fall. Coleman might just cut the mustard after all...*sorry*

**victor meldrew** · March 31st, 2018, 03:00 PM

Young Ray always got plenty of verbal from me if he was wearing Blue or Red, but as has already been said a likeable individual, I wish him well.

We are currently 3-0 up against Southampton and on this form Joe Hart will start at the World Cup, basically he could be sunbathing, apart from the one hoof into the crowd, he has sod all to do. Southampton seem incapable of passing to one another and I doubt, on this performance, survive on Hackney Marshes.
If we fail to claim three points then we deserve to go down.

Watch this space.

Benteke, Anyone?

**Meini Again** · April 1st, 2018, 01:32 AM

Quote:

...on this form Joe Hart will start at the World Cup.....

Gheee-ee-eez NO

Mind you Pickford (Eng GK) was dis-emballed by Man Cty today.... seems a BFS defence ain't working, players out-of-position...Sane alone and in literal acres of space...left-side...minutes later right-side...BAM..4 Minutes and BFS strategy dumped.

Whatever he said a Half-Time worked. Everton's defence grew stronger, Man Cty players avoided injury....they'd already won..but gheez, they played as if they needed more goals.

Best English Side I've Ever Seen

**Motorboater** · April 1st, 2018, 03:24 AM

Everton's problem is that they don't have big club clout.

**pierrelm** · April 1st, 2018, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

. Southampton seem incapable of passing to one another and I doubt, on this performance, survive on Hackney Marshes...

Benteke, Anyone?

Palace seem to be this year's "too good to go down" side, with that one glaring exception. If they had a centre forward who was any use, they'd be 20 goals better off, which would presumably put them in the safe haven of mid-table mediocrity.
As it is, Roy seems to be doing a decent job, but they haven't got enough to capitalise on their chances. Zaha shows every week why he is so important to them but at the same time, why he always appears destined to be a big fish in a little pond - he always looks good, always promises, but too rarely makes the telling difference.

Benteke is a lumbering misfiring nelly who is still living off one good season with Villa and serial underachievement ever since. I'm surprised he never signed for Arsenal, as at one time they used to specialise in misfiring overpriced goalscorers. There again, LFC outbid them.
Palace's best hope is that he looks good for Belgium in the WC and they can cash in and try to find someone who knows where the goal is and stays fit. Not as easy as it sounds - rarely do the two coincide...

Meanwhile, Stoke and Southampton are seriously competing with the forlorn Baggies for the freefall title, which might be the only thing to redeem Palace, Swansea and Huddersfield all of whom look as if they could scramble enough points to survive another season in the top flight...just.

Who'll replace them? Wolves are stuttering but surely will keep going to the title. That Warnock could take Cardiff up is bewildering but increasingly likely - if so, they face a torrid time next season...there's generally one side who go up on team spirit and confidence as much as ability and I thought it was going to be the Blades this year but they faded and up stepped Cardiff who keep snatching results.
The third place is where it gets tasty; I'd go for Fulham, who have potential matchwinners in their side; Villa will push them all the way and from out of the mire, Millwall are another club who have found some form from somewhere and are the side nobody wants to play at the moment. A contest to keep an eye on.
Oh, and speaking personally, I'd do away with 'play-offs'. If you do well enough to finish third, then up you should go.

**victor meldrew** · April 1st, 2018, 01:23 PM

A half time team talk to gee up the life less Gooners or sat in a corner preparing more lame excuses.

**m100** · April 1st, 2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

A half time team talk to gee up the life less Gooners or sat in a corner preparing more lame excuses.

or a quick word with the ref? Makes no difference the gap to fourth is too big and it's not looking good for chelsea either.

March 31st, 2018, 08:50 AM	#21152
old alal Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Posts: 3,197 Thanks: 22,904 Thanked 35,082 Times in 3,165 Posts	I understand that Former England, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins is fighting for his life after a cardiac arrest. I sincerely hope he pulls through. 61 is no age to leave us Ray come on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless. __________________ Old alal's First Rule Of Breasts To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. When you've seen one pair of breasts.........you want to see every pair of breasts!

March 31st, 2018, 03:00 PM	#21155
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,776 Thanks: 531,871 Thanked 179,991 Times in 15,764 Posts	Young Ray always got plenty of verbal from me if he was wearing Blue or Red, but as has already been said a likeable individual, I wish him well. We are currently 3-0 up against Southampton and on this form Joe Hart will start at the World Cup, basically he could be sunbathing, apart from the one hoof into the crowd, he has sod all to do. Southampton seem incapable of passing to one another and I doubt, on this performance, survive on Hackney Marshes. If we fail to claim three points then we deserve to go down. Watch this space. Benteke, Anyone? Last edited by victor meldrew; March 31st, 2018 at 03:06 PM..

March 28th, 2018, 05:29 AM	#21151
pierrelm Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Midst the fen mists Posts: 5,450 Thanks: 55,798 Thanked 72,920 Times in 5,422 Posts	That wasn't a great Italy tonight but the way they closed down and defended was a mark above what we did; we are still too laboured in our build up. Stones still looks like a skilful liability, likely to be making at least one critical error each game - is he going to learn? Walker did okay but I'm struggling with all the praise. Oxlade-Chamberlain looks out of his depth - he's capable only of frightening the minnows at this level. Ashley Young was okay at the back but offered nothing going forward and we looked unbalanced as a consequence. Really disappointed Nick Pope hasn't been given a game - surely means he won't make the squad, which for the keeper I've seen as the best English player in his position this season (even backed up by stats, which I loathe), is I think, a big mistake. Rashford gave one of his frustrating, anonymous performances when he came on...on form, he's awesome, like this he's a dillying waste of a shirt. Man of the Match by far for me was Sterling, who had his best game at this level; he really looked positive and made use of the room uncharacteristically offered by the Italians. Lingard did well, has lots of positive energy and looks to have elbowed Alli out of the team; I love Vardy's attitude and consistent determination to be a right pest up front. He always seems to put a shift in and took his goal very well. All three did very well - some positives, which is more than I'd really expected. We desperately need a playmaker figure rather than our overly cautious centre midfield which reminds me of the Ray Wilkins 'possession is everything' approach: if in doubt, turn around and slow everything down. For a side where our main asset is pace, this seems counter-intuitive.

April 1st, 2018, 03:24 AM	#21157
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,325 Thanks: 41,491 Thanked 38,250 Times in 4,299 Posts	Everton's problem is that they don't have big club clout.

April 1st, 2018, 01:23 PM	#21159
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,776 Thanks: 531,871 Thanked 179,991 Times in 15,764 Posts	A half time team talk to gee up the life less Gooners or sat in a corner preparing more lame excuses.