Gutted
Monday July 3, 2006
Still.
Other Opinions Part 1
Friday June 23, 2006
By Ben Smithard
I’ve been off work ill today, don?t worry I?m not looking for any sympathy, but it meant that I could watch the Ghana v USA group game this afternoon. I?ve been quite disappointed with the World Cup so far, after looking forward to it for so long, it just seemed to be lacking that cutting edge? that big story. The biggest story so far has been how slow and fat Ronaldo is these days but this afternoon Ghana have changed all that. Everybody loves an underdog (Peter Crouch anyone?), and Ghana showed today that they are certainly no pushovers. They look pretty well organised, skilful on the ball and very unpredictable. Good luck to them, I say.
Whilst watching Sky Sports News, it really hit me just how much the England boys are getting a beating in the press at the moment. Boy, do we love to slate them. We build them up and give a world class side confidence going into a major tournament and then instead of getting behind them, knock them down. We won our group, which does not normally happen and are still unbeaten. Job done, surely? David Beckham?s contribution is being questioned? I think he?s done well, every time he?s on the ball he creates chances for us, what more do we want from him? Peter Crouch is scoring, Joe Cole looks menacing, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand look solid, Rooney?s back and we?ve got Steven Gerrard , a player who every other nation would kill for. For sure, we haven?t played that attractively, do you care? I don?t. Did any Chelsea fan care when they were scabbing 1 ? 0s every week in the Premiership?
I think Owen Hargreaves will play a major part in our World cup now, and good luck to him. I?m not a fan of him, but I don?t agree with the boo boys. He?s wearing an England Shirt and we are England supporters, why people don?t get behind him is beyond me. If someone was standing next to me whilst I did my job booing me and telling me I was poor it would get to me and probably distract me. We all respond to encouragement.
I can?t not mention how great it has been to see Jamie Carragher playing on the world’s biggest stage this past week. Jamie is my favourite player and watching him turn from a Liverpool squad player to a world class centre back has been fantastic. His mentality is unbelievable and he deserves to be out there playing his part for his country.
We are getting to the business end of the competition now, the most exciting part and I think there are a few more shocks out there. Just for the record, I think England will be in the final on July 9th? what happens then? I honestly don?t know.
Say something: [1]
Completely Bonkers
Friday June 23, 2006
It’s a bit mad and crazy considering this is a blog, but I’m opening up the World Cup section to include articles and opinions from me pals. I figure footy is something that we all have strong opinions on so it’s interesting to get other points of view, especially now we’re all feeling World Cuptastic.
Ben is the first to give his twopenneth – he’s a Liverpool fan don’t you know. Hopefully more to come soon…
Sweden 2 - 2 England
Wednesday June 21, 2006
Okay we’re through, we won the group and therefore avoid Germany, and somehow managed not to lose. Job’s a good’un?
I know we would’ve taken a draw before the game but this had to be one of the most frustrating matches I’ve seen in a while. We are just rubbish in the second half of games. I really would love to hear the blood-pumping, emotion-uplifting, pride-giving, monotonous drones that Sven calls a team talk.
Frustrating points of note (to me) include:
- We definitely should have taken a fifth striker. If Sven’s even hesitant to put Walcott on in a game where Owen’s been injured and Rooney’s knackered, a game that didn’t really mean that much (let’s face it) and your only other option is a striker on a yellow card, when the hell should you try him out?
- Why, WHY GOD WHY, do we persist in putting the smallest member of our team on the line at corners?!? Ashley the Giant was at fault for both of the goals (okay the first wasn’t entirely his fault, it was Beckham’s, but he’s still a bit too dwarven) surely it’s obvious to put… a… tall… man… on… the… posts…
- England have become the Doncaster Rovers of defending against set pieces (believe me, I was at the 4-0 stuffing by Forest). Conceding from a throw-in. A throw-in! At the World Cup!
- Gareth Southgate couldn’t be a worse commentator. I honestly didn’t think you could get worse than Graeme Le Saux, but wow Southgate’s crap. Owen’s stretchered off with a twisted knee; “Well I don’t want to be the Grim Reaper, but…” But what? it’s a fatal injury? Owen’s gonna die?? Other Southgateisms include the fact that Joe Cole will “Put in a shift for you”. Eh? Perhaps a, I dunno, 90 MINUTE SHIFT? What are you on about you idiot?! Perhaps you should’ve put in a penalty practicing shift in ‘96… Or remember your own performance in the UEFA Cup final. Or be getting your FIFA badges. Or something.
- Owen going off with what looks like a serious injury.
- Rio going off, probably for some jaffa cakes. Oh he does love those jaffa cakes.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t just slate the team; I was still cheering the lads and I genuinely do support them. Even Hargreaves. Positive things included Cole’s peach of a volley, Gerrard outshining Lampard by far in just 10 minutes or so and obviously the return of ROOOOOOOO-NEEY who had some great little touches. We avoid the home nation in the next round and get an extra day’s rest. We’ve not played particularly well and yet are unbeaten, which as the cliche goes, shows the sign of a great team. Hmm.
There’s no doubt we’ve got to get better. But I still think we’re going to amble our way through against Ecuador. But then come the likes of Portugal (wonder if Big Phil has something to prove to the British press?), Holland, Brazil and Argentina.
Thank God we’ve got Owen Hargreaves.
