We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
It's the epitome of a must-win game today. In fact, anything but a win for the Three Lions today will probably mean curtain for Steve McClaren. I'm in the middle of a conference today, but I'll be surrepticiously checking the score and commenting while listening to a variety of speakers droning on about methods in social studies instruction. If you're around, I'll look forward to your comments.
posted by gatorbob @ 12:52 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
97 Comments:
Israel are already 0-2 up at Andorra, so there goes the hope that they might get frustrated by a minnow team. This group really is getting tight.
I am here and ready to follow it on Talksport.
They have just announced the England team. With all the talk of Dyer playing as an attacking full-back, McClaren has bottled it and put in Wes Brown.
The Starting line up is
Robinson
Brown
Terry
King
Bridge
Beckham
Lampard
Gerrard
Cole
Owen
Crouch
Your thoughts?
Scotland are two up after 53 minutes.
The Faroe Islands should have just scored though
Hey Dave! I'm disappointed that we've started with the age-old 4-4-2 in a match in which the challenge for England is going to be putting them in the net rather than keeping the Estonians out.
It's Bridge in for Shorey and Brown in for Carragher at the back. McClaren is keeping the faith with Lamps and Gerrard in the middle but goodness knows why. The evidence surely is in at this point that they nullify each other.
The only thing I like about this line-up is starting Crouch with Owen. They haven't had much opportunity to play together but I reckon it could blossom into a useful partnership. However, I would have put a third forward maybe in the hole or a wide man on with them.
All in all, though, it really should be enough to do over Estonia, right?
Yeah, that Scottish win will put them back up on top of the group. They have a real chance - as do Norn Ireland - of qualifying in a tough, tough group.
I don't know why Carragher isn't playing at right back or even instead of King. King has hardly played all season.
I agree - Ledley looked really rusty on Friday; completely lost his man for the Brazil goal.
What about Roon - is he injured? Suspended? I'd have had him tucked in behind the front two pairing to run at the Estonian defense.
He is suspended. He got booked against Israel.
Right. That's a shame. In that case, I'd have had Downing pushed up ahead of Joe Cole to run at the Estonian fullback and stick some balls over to Crouchy and Owen. 4-3-3.
Do you mean play Downing instead of Cole? If not, who would Downing have come in for?
Bugger, Israel have won 2-0. They are top of the group.
England are six points behind Israel and five from Croatia
No, I'd have a 4-3-3 with Downing pushed up as an out and out winger, Joe Cole behind him, drop Lamps, play Gerrard through the center and Becks out wide right. What do you think?
I don't know why we can't play 3 up front against teams like this
Exactly. You know what they're going to do. They'll stick ten men behind the ball and leave one striker up. They won't expect to win but merely to spoil the game for England. Thus you need as many creative forwards as possible to break them down. I might even go with three at the back!
Scotland have won.
I have Five Live on right now and then change back to Talksport after it cuts out. I wish it wasn't $25 for PPV
This starting line up have only three of the same players that started the qualifier
Good on the Scots.
So, what do we want Croatia to win today? Russia? Draw?
Graham Taylor and Alan Green are both hoping for a nil nil in Croatia
I'm thinking a Croatia win. I know you're worried about that, but I reckon that beating Israel at Wembley will put us over them.
I didn't realize that Finland and Belgium are on FSC right now.
Hop on it, mate. I think the Germans are up after them too.
Did you catch either the Brazil friendly or the U21 match yesterday? I had to miss them unfortunately.
The teams are coming out
The next match is a cracker...
Liechtenstein vs Spain!!!!
I did watch the U21. Let's hope the senior outfit create as much chances.
On Five Live, you can't hear any music but the fans were singing.
Come on England!
Almost time for kick off.
England are wearing red and Estonia is in blue.
They kick off and a split second later, it cuts off.
Off to Talksport
We need an early goal to settle the nerves. Come on!
England have a free kick on the edge of the box after four minutes.
Owen fouled.
Keep you posted.
Becks with an early free kick opportunity....
Becks to take it...hits it wide
England are getting some chances. A knock down from Crouchie to Lamps.
Estonia just had a shot wide
Apparently Crouch is winning everything. It's just a matter of someone getting onto it to finish them off.
Great cross from Becks almost gets Owen on the end of it
Estonia are trying to get forward unlike the Andorra match
The fans are "ole"ing already
That's actually a good sign for England. They want to keep the match open and flowing.
Both full backs are pushing forward
Talksport agrees with you. It is helping England with Estonia going forward.
It sounds like England is playing good stuff for a change. They just need the finishing product.
Becks is holding his ankle... please be ok
Uh oh...come on Goldenballs!
Good chance for Crouchy there, sidefooting just wide.
Doesn't seem to much
How are you following the match?
I'm here in the conference with my laptop, trying to look like I'm paying attention while I'm sneaking a quick look at football365.com and blogging.
I take that back, he still seems to be struggling with his left ankle
good on ya
Dyer looks like he is warming up for Becks
Estonia almost gets through
Almost a pen for Estonia
Yikes!
It's a real shame that Becks may have to go off - he's been involved in everything.
Becks seeems to be ok, everything seems to going through him
Still 0-0 in Croatia. Greeny will be pleased.
365 has confirmed that Becks is playing on a twisted ankle. What a trooper, but he'll certainly have to come off at the half if not before.
Alexi Lalas is cursing Steve McClaren.
ENGLAND HAVE SCORED
COLEY!!!!!!
Yes! 1-0. Joe Cole!
A sensational strike on the turn according to soccernet.
Germany 1 Slovakia 1
From a flick on by Crouchy after a throw.
Half time
So far so good.
Good enough for now? Or not enough goals given the possession? Will they rue the missed chances?
Still 0-0 in Croatia at the half.
Italy have just scored against Lithuania
Germany have gone ahead just before half time
Liechtenstein's national anthem is on FSC as I type. IT IS GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!!!!
Will Becks be back on... surely they could have fixed it during half time.
He is back on but is STILL limping
Second half has started
Italy have scored a second
Bloody hell, give Becks a break. The MLS bosses's must be doing their nuts!
How about Real for their last two games?
England get another!!!!
Cross from Becks and Crouchie puts it in.
France have scored
Robbo just had to make a decent save
Great goal by David Villa, his second goal in the first 13 minutes. An over head kick!!
Marvelous! That's just what we needed. Somehow Crouchy is transformed when he puts on an England shirt. I think that's his 12th or 13th goal for England in something like 15 or 16 games. Amazing strike rate!
Again, Lamps doesn't seem to be that involved tonight.
MICHAEL OWEN SCORES!
Made by another brilliant Becks cross
Yes! The floodgates are opening. 0-3! That's pushes Mikey closer to Lineker's tally.
England need a few more goals to catch up in the Goal Difference column.
So far, England have scored four goals with Beckham back. He has assisted on three of them.
PLEASE GET HIM TO A TON OF CAPS!!!
How close is Owen to Lineker? Charlton?
From Soccernet.
"I'm not Beckham's biggest fan, but he's had a blinder tonight. Despite his ankle knock, he's been all over the park and provided some sublime crosses and passes. It gives a selection dillema ahead of next season."
What dillema??? He has to play!!!
Becks has come off for Dyer.
Well done DAVID!!!
That's Owen's 38 goal for England ten behind Lineker, who of course was one shy of Bobby Charlton's total of 49.
The table this minute
Croatia 7 17 +12
Israel 8 17 +10
Russia 7 15 +10
England 7 14 +10
YIKES!!!
Downing on for Cole
Yes, but we've got all of those three to play. Some of those must be six pointers for us, particularly Croatia and Israel at home. Fortress Wembley!
Next four games are at Wembley and then Russia away.
Dyer and Downing are now on.
Crouch picks up a silly yellow card. He misses the Israel match. At least Rooney will be back
Owen off for Jenas. How does that man get ENGLAND CAPS!!!!
I don't know. He is rubbish.
Oh I forgot, he plays for Spurs!!!
John Terry clears one off the line
It's over.
A Three nil win.
Very satisfying.
Great to spend the afternoon with you Bob.
Start concentrating on the conference!!!
Good stuff, Davey! I'll get back to my work then.
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