WC 2006 Official Thread

[bababui]

Originally Posted by The Funk

Easy pickings.

Ahh,,,the fluttering hearts for those matches

[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by The Funk

England should drop Lampard. He and Gerrard just don't quite click. They should play Carrick in a more defensive role as he can pass the ball well and it would allow Gerrard more freedom to get forwards. Or maybe even try Crouch and Owen up front with rooney in the hole.

I think the problem with Gerrard/Lampard is that Gerrard is just better at every aspect. In the first half against Paraguay when we were playing well, Gerrard was actually playing fairly deep a lot of the time, and hitting some great through balls (on the ground, or switching wide). He can also tackle, which Lampard is pretty poor at. Gerrard doesn't need total freedom or to be started too far forward, he plays well as a box-to-box player and is at his best carrying the ball from deeper. The problem is, Lampard doesn't track back enough, and can't tackle when he does, so Gerrard doesn't get forward as much as he should because he feels that he should stay deep. It's funny, that it's Lampard who needs to play with a holding player; Gerrard just needs another Gerrard.

With Gary Neville out, it might even help to have Gerrard as a narrow right-sided player and Beckham at right back providing the width, at least against Sweden to see how it goes.

[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by bababui

Arent they on track to play Holland and Brazil?

No, Germany or Ecuador, probably followed by Argentina. That could be a good game.

[The Funk]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

I think the problem with Gerrard/Lampard is that Gerrard is just better at every aspect. In the first half against Paraguay when we were playing well, Gerrard was actually playing fairly deep a lot of the time, and hitting some great through balls (on the ground, or switching wide). He can also tackle, which Lampard is pretty poor at. Gerrard doesn't need total freedom or to be started too far forward, he plays well as a box-to-box player and is at his best carrying the ball from deeper. The problem is, Lampard doesn't track back enough, and can't tackle when he does, so Gerrard doesn't get forward as much as he should because he feels that he should stay deep. It's funny, that it's Lampard who needs to play with a holding player; Gerrard just needs another Gerrard.

With Gary Neville out, it might even help to have Gerrard as a narrow right-sided player and Beckham at right back providing the width, at least against Sweden to see how it goes.

Yeah, and that's why Lampard needs to be left out. He's great at what he does - attacking, shooting from distance, but he's wasted when he plays defensively. So as you say, picking him and Gerrard together takes away much of Gerrard's game as he has to cover for Lampard. To me it's an example of picking the best players instead of picking the best team.

[The Funk]

I definitely think Beckham has to play somewhere. He's always liable to produce a moment of magic, and with his set pieces, if England can keep it tight defensively they've always got a chance. Full back might be quite good for him as he'd have plenty of opportunity to whack it long, as he's wont to do. Lennon's exciting but inexperienced, and I think he should be used as an impact player. Of course he is England only midfielder with real pace, apart from Downing perhaps, which is a bit of a problem. Pace is good.

[redmarkYankees]

Yep, with Neville out it's worth a try. Like you say, Beckham needs to be on the pitch for his set pieces if nothing else; he's also hardly been our worst player so far.

Another (less likely) option would be 3 at the back; with Neville out and Ashley Cole as good as out. Don't know how he's escaped the attention, but A Cole looks bloody awful at the moment. A bit like the Ronaldo discussion, Cole's game is based on pace and fitness. He hasn't got it, and it shows. If he's not doing anything, why play him? Could have a back three of Carra-Rio-Terry, with Carrick or Hargreaves brought in to release Gerrard and Lampard. Alternatively, if we need to attack, can switch to 3412 with Rooney behind 2 strikers.

[bababui]

Where are our lineups?

[redmarkYankees]

France
16 F Barthez
03 E Abidal
05 W Gallas
15 L Thuram
19 W Sagnol
07 F Malouda
04 P Vieira
06 C Makelele
10 Z Zidane
11 S Wiltord
12 T Henry

South Korea
01 W Lee
02 Y Kim
03 D Kim
04 J Choi
12 Y Lee
05 N Kim
07 J Park
13 E Lee
17 H Lee
14 C Lee
19 J Cho

Ref: Benito Archundia Tellez

If in doubt, www.bbc.co.uk

[redmarkYankees]

I think Lee might have a good game.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

France
16 F Barthez
03 E Abidal
05 W Gallas
15 L Thuram
19 W Sagnol
07 F Malouda
04 P Vieira
06 C Makelele
10 Z Zidane
11 S Wiltord
12 T Henry

South Korea
01 W Lee
02 Y Kim
03 D Kim
04 J Choi
12 Y Lee
05 N Kim
07 J Park
13 E Lee
17 H Lee
14 C Lee
19 J Cho

Ref: Benito Archundia Tellez

If in doubt, www.bbc.co.uk

You didn't put up the top line though did you? And where are the updated standings?
You're Fired!!!

[Sdpm100]

Updated Standings

Group F		P	W	L	T	F	A	Pts
Brazil		2	2	0	0	3	0	6	Q
Australia	2	1	1	0	3	3	3
Croatia		2	0	1	1	0	1	1
Japan		2	0	1	1	1	3	1

[Sdpm100]

Game 29: Group G, France (0-0-1, 0-0, 1 pt.) vs. South Korea (1-0-0, 2-1, 3 pts.) (Zentralstadion, Leipzig)
France

* 16 F Barthez
* 03 E Abidal
* 05 W Gallas
* 15 L Thuram
* 19 W Sagnol
* 07 F Malouda
* 04 P Vieira
* 06 C Makelele
* 10 Z Zidane
* 11 S Wiltord
* 12 T Henry

South Korea

* 01 W Lee
* 02 Y Kim
* 03 D Kim
* 04 J Choi
* 12 Y Lee
* 05 N Kim
* 07 J Park
* 13 E Lee
* 17 H Lee
* 14 C Lee
* 19 J Cho

Ref: Benito Archundia Tellez

[bababui]

Thanks for the standings

[Sdpm100]

In the previous game, whilst not kicking into top gear Brazil were clearly the better side and deserved to win.
Kewell should never play again after missing that open net which could have tied the game.
The ref spoiled the game by giving a lot of what seemed to me phantom calls, especially in favour of Brazil.
But in the end the better team did win, irrespective of what Markus Merk did or didn't give, but if Brazil play like that (and against Croatia) for much longer they won't live up to my prediction of winning the tournament.

[Sdpm100]

From the game against Togo, we've still got five Lee's in the Korean 11, but now there are three Kim's as well.

[theasfl]

you had us all worried

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

From the game against Togo, we've still got five Lee's in the Korean 11, but now there are three Kim's as well.

There are no women in football!!

[Hageneezz]

Go Korea!

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by theasfl

you had us all worried

I somehow doubt it.
I needed to have some time away to think a few things over, that's all.

[bababui]

I love these Korean fans!! Go Korea as well!