Midweek Footie Madness!
How's Don Fabio doing so far? Well, in terms of results, he's done very well indeed. Played three, won three, eleven goals scored, two conceded. However, I think we all want to see England playing better and have questioned some of Capello's choices.It's another big day of WC qualifiers, with England kicking off in Belarus at 2:30 EST. Join me for all the action this afternoon.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 1:40 PM
146 Comments:
As an appetizer, I'm watching FSC's coverage of Holland vs. Norway via the website feed. I'll be stuck in the office doing office hours during the match.
Holland and Norway are at 0-0 at half-time. Meanwhile Russia have walloped Finland 3-0. They're certainly going to give Germany some scares in that group. They turned around a 2-0 deficit in Germany on Saturday.
Here's a shocking factoid: a win today would be a new record for England. That is, no England side has ever won four consecutive WC qualifiers. Let's hope that they're fired up for it.
Here's the England team: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Upson, Bridge; Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Walcott, Rooney, Heskey.
That is, with the exception of the injured and scapegoated Cashley Cole (Bridge replaces him) this is the same side that took on Kazakhstan on Saturday. Gooner brings up a really good point - this selection, which seems appropriate for an away match in Belarus, really challenges Saturday's first eleven choice. These are two really different matches and yet Capello, who let's remember earns £12 a year has picked the identical side of Premiership superstars that any eleven year kid picking his fantasy football team could do.
2,500 England supporters have made the trip to Minsk today.
Jon Champion and Chris Waddle are doing the commentary today.
6˚C in the stadium tonight. That's somewhere in the 40s F, right? Apparently this represents a minor heatwave in Belarus this time of year. Brrr....
Marc Van Bommel has scored for the Netherlands.
The only recognizable Belarussian star Alexandr Hleb is unavailable, and good thing too.
Gerrard is listed as starting on the left in a straight 4-4-2, but how often will that last. Stevie G. was rubbish on Saturday. Let's hope he pulls his finger out today.
Here we go....come on, England!
Belarus strike me as one of those highly technical tight knit sides who've grown up playing together. Could be a tricky outfit.
First free kick for Belarus....
It's straight into James's midriff.
Walcott has his first chance to stretch his legs but he crosses blindly behind Rooney.
First chance for England to launch a free kick into the area for some of the big men at the back. That's been a fruitful exercise under Capello but this time it ends with Upson fouling.
England seem to be trying to slow the pace of the match down.
Rooney had a decent shout there for a penalty. Walcott played a nice ball across and Roon seemed to be held back.
Croatia have taken the lead against Andorra. You would expect them to win today.
YESSSSS!!!!!!!
Stevie G. answers the critics in the best way. Roon bundles his way to the top of the area, the ball comes free to Gerrard who curls a delicious shot into the net.
1-0 England!
Gerrard has another go at goal but this one's wide of the left post. He seems particularly charged up tonight.
That goal seems to have drawn Belarus out of their shells a bit, which should open the match up and create some more space for England to operate in.
This game has the same feel as the Croatia match - let's hope we get the same score. It's interesting that this Capello England seems much more comfortable playing decent opposition away than playing inferior opposition at home at Wembley.
Decent snapshot there by a Belarus player but it's beaten down well by James.
Croatia are up 2-0 now. Three points in the bag, of course.
Stevie Mac is right - the England midfield have stopped working since the goal went in and they're starting to allow some dangerous goal attempts by Belarus.
The first yellow card goes to a Belarussian for a nasty one on Wes Brown. Two-footed challenge - he could have seen red there.
Twenty minutes in and everything's going to plan but we need the midfield to keep up the pressing.
Bridge goes in hard but doesn't draw a card. Free kick in and James somewhat flaps at it but it's cleared by Rio.
Far too much possession for Belarus here.
Belgium have taken a shock lead against Spain.
Sitko is nicely shepherded out by Upson, who's deputized well for JT.
Thankfully Rooney seems to be playing as an out and out striker for a change tonight alongside Ivanhoe.
Heskey posts a lovely ball but Roon just can't beat his man to it at the back post.
Decent noise coming from the England fans and brass band now amidst the 40K or so home fans in the stadium.
GOAL! Belarus are level and you could see it coming. England had shut off since Gerrard's goal and allowed the home side to play themselves back into the match. Good goal there.
1-1
England need to find their pattern again but quick. We've got a real match on here.
Ireland have taken the lead through Robbie Keane against Cyprus.
Better from England there and Bridge has earned their first corner. We could use a Rio special here.
Ball over and Heskey should have done better with a free header at the near post.
It's Heskey's half ton tonight and he's only managed five goals. Tell's you all you need to know, doesn't it?
Another terrible foul sets up another tasty free kick opportunity here.
Gerrard takes...no, it's Lamps instead. It's a daisy cutter that's collected by the keeper.
The replay of the Belarus goal suggests that Wes Brown ducked just at the key moment as the ball was coming over. WTF?
We need to get Theo more involved in the match.
Rio's limping. That's not a good sign. We need the captain to put in a big performance tonight.
Walcott was nearly played in by Heskey. His pace is frightening. He nearly beat the keeper to it after giving up about fifteen yards to him.
Walcott nearly got in again there. That's better.
Another outlet to Walcott but his final ball was straight at the keeper when Roon was bombing in on it.
Coming up on half time. It would be lovely to get another goal before the half.
Walcott nearly snuck in at the back post again there. England have looked more better toward half time.
Half-time: Belarus 1 England 1
Well, it all started well enough with Gerrard scoring brilliantly. Then it all fell apart for about half an hour. They're just coming back into it and Fabio will have some sorting out to do at the half.
Norn Ireland are leading San Marino. The goalscorer - David Healey of course.
Italy are leading dark horses Montenegro 2-1 at half time.
I am here. The link is running.
LOVELY!
COME ON ENGURLUND!!!
Second half has started. Same as last Saturday please
Second half starting....Becks is starting to warm up but there are no changes as yet.
Welcome, Dave!
The Pompey Little and Large duo are also warming up.
Great run by Roon. Weak shot
Good stuff from Roon there. Shame about the finish.
This Belarus #14 is riding his luck. He's already had a yellow that could easily been red in the first half. Now he's having another chinwag with the ref.
My feed's breaking up - yours, Dave?
YES!!!!!!!!!!
ROONEY!!!
Great work from Hesk
Mine isn't clear but steady
YESSSSS!!!!!!!!
Another great start to this half. Heskey squares for Roooooooooon!
2-1 England!
COME ON ENGURLUND, get another one.
We really need a win today.
Fascinating factoid from earlier
Well done, Ivanhoe. He totally bamboozled the fullback there.
NO WAY WAS HE OFFSIDE. HE WAS BEHIND THE BALL
Isn't that interesting. You wouldn't have thought that four consecutive wins in qualifying would be that hard but apparently so.
They're having a laugh there. You can't be offside if the ball is played BACK to you.
Now the defenders are up off the bench, including Glen Johnson and Lescott. Rio might come off if he's carrying a knock.
I'm not sure that Hleb would be that much of a danger man. He certainly never was for the Arse. Busy little player but he never made the kind of darting runs that Ljungberg or Pires made for them.
Hleb used to make great runs and pass it off to someone.
I'm glad he isn't playing
Ah, it's the "opening four games" that they've never won before. I misheard. That's a little different.
No important game until March!!!
I would luv it to get three points today LUV IT
True about the half time talk seems to make a difference so far.
Wasn't it nil nil with Andorra at half? And Saturday.
Wasn't it only 1-0 with Croatia
England seem to have a better grip on the match now than they did in the middle of the first half. Good sign.
Yeah, I don't know what it is about Fabio's managerial style but he seems to get the most out of this side in the second half. It was 0-0 against Andorra. Saturday as well.
Given away in the midfield by Lamps and Roon phaffing about with it.
Lamps fault
Good challenge by Brown
Roon's dropping deep again.
A bit clumsy by Brown, I thought.
Good back of tracking back by Walcott
Good tracking back by Theo there.
Have I told you that I love this website!!
A month ago we would have to be following text!!!
Snap!
Yes, indeed. It is magical.
What's going on with Portugal? They're at home to Albania and they're drawing 0-0.
I think Waddle said the same thing as I was typing
SWP on for who?
Half an hour left here in Minsk. Come on, England!
Walcott?
You'd think Theo, right?
Czech Rep still drawing 0-0 with Slovenia at half time on FSC
Didn't he come on for Barry on Sat but they should leave him in for defensive purposes
Crouchie on too. Maybe Heskey off?
Crouch to come on too.
SWP on for Walcott
That Czech game must be tape delayed. I was watching a bit of it earlier. It's already finished.
I didn't know that
SWP is finally on for Theo
They're holding up the substitutions because of paperwork?
I won't tell you the final score then.
Bridge made a great run but he wasn't spotted there
I'd love to see another fizzer from Gerrard. His goal was a peach.
More fun and games from Calamity. He does like to give us heart palpitations.
Is Lamps playing? I think the only time I have notice him is when he lost the ball with Roon
Crouch on for Hesk
What the bloody hell are the Belarus fans doing hopping up and down arm in arm. You're losing, you plonkers!
Yeah, Lamps is on, amazingly enough.
Twenty minutes left - come on England!
Man Utd vs WBA.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!!
Great stuff on FSC this weekend. Arsenal at 10 and then United at 12:30.
Come on, you should be able to put the Baggies to the sword, surely?
Sit down, Goldenballs!
Should Becks be worrying about playoff qualification for the Galaxy?
Roon's shot is closed down. Shame.
Lamps touches the ball!! Dribbles and gives a two yard pass!!
Come SWP or Roon. Get a shot off
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Four goals in two games!!
Keep it up wearing RED
YESSSS!!!!!!!!
3-1! Roon with his second. He's on fire for England. That goal owed it all to Roon's dummy. He let Gerrard play him in, beat his man and finished with aplomb.
Croatia three up. As are No. Ire.
Wales still drawing 0-0 after the hour
I do believe that England are well on top of all other countries in this qualifying competition in terms of goal difference.
14 goals scored - 3 conceded. Marvelous.
Let me guess. David "Bloody" Healey.
Heskey has an icepack on his hamstring.
That is why he is off
This just in from Luton......
I've just heard....
78' Well, what another funny England game. In patches they've been irresistable, in other parts pathetic. But if they keep winning, who cares?
Your aunt is ill?
...that my aunt is ill. Possibly gastroenteritis, maybe just catarrh.
I know. I feel the same way. They're not lighting things up consistently. But they keep winning. And running up big scores. Can't say fairer than that.
I agree - good changes in the second half. I don't like how Capello starts a match but he does seem to be able to reboot.
That wasn't my comment by the way. It was from soccernet
That wasn't my comment by the way. It was from soccernet
That wasn't my comment by the way. It was from soccernet
Goldenballs coming on for his 107 cap. One behind Charlton, B. now. A bit cheap, don't you think?
Bloody hell, Gerrard should have had his second. He flicked it with the outside of his right boot rather than left footing it into the net. Hits the post.
Open goal missed by Stevie.
Same again for Costa at the weekend
Should have been 1-4 there. Shame.
Becks off for could be hat-trick boy
England corner now. Beckham on now. Bring the big boys up again. Let's have another one, lads!
Rooney off. Just as well. He had a silly tackle the other minute. The last thing we want is for him to pick up a silly card now.
What a great second goal by Roon
Bugger, the Germans have scored
Into stoppage time now....
It was brilliant, yeah.
Becks wins a corner.
The Irish are four up... I don't know if it is B..DH
You what?
That's it!!!
Well done England!!
Four played, four won!!!
Could not be better!!!
Full-time: Belarus 1 England 3
Well, bravo Fabio! I've questioned his selections for squad and starting XI but I can't argue with success. It's been fun to watch them for a change.
Nice chatting with you, mate. I'm off home. Cheerio!
Bloody David Healey
Take care
Post a Comment
<< Home