World Cup

[Tarbicus]

I want an assessment of this guy's report:

http://powerlineblog.com/archives/014510.php

Is his interpretation accurate? All I get is snippets off the web.

Did England really mess themselves over?

Travis

It's a good report, but he fails to mention that once Lennon came on things picked up for us in terms of posession and keeping Ecuador distracted (my opinion, it won't be others'). The lad obviously has barrels of talent, but the question is could he go the full 90 minutes playing like he does against a team like Portugal? I suspect yes, so long as the more experienced players were watching over him and didn't let him burn out midway through the second half.

On the notes about Rooney, he's missing Owen obviously, but yesterday he wasn't playing on top form. Even then he managed to still be 80% Incredible Hulk and another 80% ballet dancer.

Lampard winds me up. When he gets it right he's brilliant, but yesterday's efforts were not what is expected of him at all. We could have won 3-0 easily if he hadn't Lamped It. He had perfect opportunities, and I think he's the weak point of the team right now.

"And Frank Lampard can't keep missing goal-scoring opportunities much longer, can he?"

Well, he can really.

But yes, we need another centre forward, and definitely use the midfield more. It was great to see Beckham work his old magic with a beauty. However, I think they should make Gerrard captain, as he's far more organised on that front and has a better eye for the overall picture. Right now he looks like a subordinate not getting the chance to prove himself.

What worries me most about Portugal is Scolari.

Here's a good link: [url:5d7hwvaq]http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28794-2243688,00.html[/url]

England have not beaten Portugal in a competitive match since the 1966 World Cup semifinal

added: 1966? Let's hope history repeats itself, with that chapter a bit earlier in the book, but the final chapter the same


:wink: