England vs. Belarus Live!
Usually a B international vs. Belarus wouldn't be much to care about. But this is the pre-WC international season so every game matters. And this is a chance to assess Michael Owen's fitness and perhaps a first look at Theo Walcott.
I've just arrived home from work at half-time. Join me if you're around and watching.
~Bob
posted by Anonymous @ 3:54 PM
4 Comments:
Bloody Hell, poor Robert Green is the most snake-bit keeper since that Nickie Weaver bloke up at Man City. Shelled all last season with Norwich in the Prem, more of the same this season in the Championship, and now a World Cup ending injury. Mind, after he bobbled that one straight off, it was unlikely that Sven was going to make him first choice after Robinson.
That gulf you're speaking of is widest at the keeper position. God help us if Robbo goes down or off. Calamity was up to his ridiculous worst during his 45 minutes, and Scotty Carson looks greener than grass.
I thought Aaron (why is he Ah-ron? Is he Israeli, Mr. Gubba?) Lennon started both halves brightly but really faded after 15 minutes both times. He was spurred on a bit by the Belorus second goal, and he was subject to the rudest of their attentions, but that sort of in and out doesn't bode well for his inclusion from the off. Downing too, did too little to justify a true claim.
Carrick was mostly competent. He gave away possession cheaply early on but settled. Jenas was useless apart from the heading equivalent of a tap-in. I thought Hargreaves did well. He got forward, he got back, he tackled, he's Mr. Utility.
Owen looked sharp and I think Sven was exactly right to limit him to 45 minutes. Crouch was excellent, just a little overeager and his goal correctly brought back for off-side.
Cashley passed his fitness test here and I think he's a shoo-in to start against Paraguay. Campbell and Carragher were untested I thought. The second Belarus goal was completely Dawson's fault and can't be pinned on either Carra or Sol, but I did think Carra looked nervy.
Theo did just fine. I think if he hadn't been cynically scissored down he'd have put a shot on goal and the shot he did get was a screamer. Either side of their keeper and the keeper would have had to work to get to it.
I don't think a loss is any great catastrophe. England B lost it, not the guys we'll see against Paraguay, and that's the difference between this result and the USA's loss against Morocco.
Agree with you entirely, Gooner Steve. The only worry about this outing is, "what happens if..." because the only guys on the pitch yesterday that you'd want to see at all during the WC are Owen, Ashley Cole, and possibly Carragher (starting) and Crouch (off the bench). If Sven is forced to dig deep into the squad for reinforcements, the quality just isn't there.
We'll see how the "A" team is faring on Tuesday.
~Bob
Watched the match on the tape delay last night . . . Awful! . . . Even the commentator had a bad match . . . How many times could he refer to the challenges of the Belarus as "cynical" . . . not even the Onion Bag could match that . . .
John
Johnno, my favorite Tony Gubba gaff was his his pronounciation of "Argentin-ia"
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