The Manager of the Year has taken time out over the summer to enjoy some time with his family, and why not after such a successful season last time out and with the possibility of another big one this time round?
Personally I can’t wait for the start of pre-season either. It’s pretty dire on the news front to be truthful so once everyone gets back to work we might start seeing things moving along a bit, and there is still a lot that needs sorting this summer!
We have the whole saga with Demba Ba to get sorted one way or the other, our right-back conundrum with strong interest in Mathieu Debuchy being rumoured, a bid for a Dutch international midfielder that may or may not be revisited, plus now a firm interest in FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong. There is also the small issue of trying to keep our key players together ready for an assault on Europe.
Things are bubbling away underneath the surface and all it takes is one thing to happen to start a domino effect so that the others start to fall into place. Yes it’s quiet right now, which is less than handy for a blog writer I’m sure you’ll understand, but I very much doubt that will be the case come the end of the summer.
We need this squad strengthened, especially when you look at the numbers of players who are leaving us over the close season. Danny Guthrie is off and it looks like Leon Best may follow along with a few other inconsequential players like Alan Smith and perhaps Nile Ranger and Fraser Forster – not first choice by any stretch of the imagination but still a reduction in numbers that will, hopefully, be sorted by the time the big kick-off comes around.
So Alan Pardew isn’t the only one looking forward to pre-season by any stretch of the imagination. So are we!!!
feckin pens again, wu **** at them…..Italians deserved it like 👿
richietoon(Quote)
agree richie 100%
icedog(Quote)
That was fair tbh, oh well ,but why Young and Cole befor AC 😕 .
The Germans will be well pleased at that ,extra day of rest and them playing extra time too. Wanna see a Germany v Spain final now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim…aye they were my 2 tips at the start so heres hoping…..at least the Germans didn’t knock us out of this one 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
Boring, no imagination, sloppy on the ball. Nothing ever changes 🙁
Jon R(Quote)
Reet, I’m away to inflict pain on the playstation…it gives the cat a break 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Jon R….Ya could be describing my ex wife there 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Richie 😆
Jon R(Quote)
Bless Roy ,he’s right about team spirit but he must know that England ain’t got a cat in hells chance of ever winning a tournament untill we start coaching our up and coming kids the techniques required for this level .
kimtoon(Quote)
Well we were beaten by the better team 🙁 , on another note why is there an ad for Man U’s fixture list at th top of the page 😕 ❓
Andymag(Quote)
Saying we were “a different England” is a load of nonsense though. We were ***** in every single match 🙄
Jon R(Quote)
Think I just read the shortest article ever, still a load of ***** all three sentences of it
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2164113/Danny-Rose-wanted-West-Brom-Newcastle.html
There is no chance of Spurs loaning their players to us, we don’t need a loan and we’re looking at better.
Andymag(Quote)
Andy ,It’s the Daily Fail so we can discount it . 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim
true
well I’m off, got a hard day of school tomoz 🙄 😆
Andymag(Quote)
Sorry Lads!
Poor performance if i should be honest:-(
Denmark, france and England out of The euros.. No point for mé to watch The last games.
Looking forward to pre season now!!!!!
Danishtoon(Quote)
Danish ,no need to apologise mate we was **** going forward ,though thought our defence was good . 😉 Best 4 team,s have progressed tbh.
kimtoon(Quote)
Right I’m off ,laters .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon:
Yeah, but you still rule The waves;-)
And we still wear horny hats..
Danishtoon(Quote)
Speaking with an unbias opinion, England were the most boring and technically deficient team in the competition.
They were out passed by Ukraine, Sweden and France.
I’ll give them credit or excellent defending. But a footballing country like England shouldnt have to resort to winning with Greece like play.
I could understand if they were minnows…
Germany would have murdered them. Spain would have prevented them from even touching the ball…
The best four teams are now in the semis… All on merit.
JJ(Quote)
I had no confidence in Young scoring the penalty, he was **** for the whole tournament. Also is Rooney the most over-rated England player of all time? Old man Pirlo bossed the midfield and the game.
DJG(Quote)
bad luck England, I never thought in my wildest dreams that you would be knocked out of a football competition via a penalty shoot out loss, my heart goes out to you …….. really it does……..really…….
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
JJ, you could scarcely be more wrong.
1. Fanatical adherence to a particular style of football is no more unbiased than a one-eyed belief in a particular team.
2. You’re over-stating the technical deficiency. Ireland are clearly a worse team, and there were other arguable cases.
3. Sweden’s 497 to 493 superiority in passing was not much to write home about – particularly as the lead was driven by a 63 to 56 lead in long passes.
4. England’s defending isn’t actually that good. They conceded the second-highest shots per game (just after Ireland) A vulnerability in set-piece situations was quite apparent in the game against Sweden.
5. You rate England as the least technically gifted side: why are you complaining about them not trying to play like the more skilled sides?
6. You rate England well outside of the favourites: why are you complaining about them not playing like the favourites?
7. Imagined results may be whatever one wishes. But try to recall November, April and May before translating possession into victory.
Wellington(Quote)
icedog says:
June 24, 2012 at 16:31
RICHIE think we better before that aussie lays claim to it
richietoon says:
June 24, 2012 at 16:34
Ice…we’ll be safe enough, if it happened it would take at least 2 days for it to register with Aussie
😥 😥
I thought we used to be friends 👿 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Wellington
You are making poor statements.
What I was simply saying is that for a country as fanatical about football as England, with a massive population and perhaps the mist popular league in the world. They really should be performing at a much higher standard and playing a far better technical style of football.
To compare them to Ireland is a joke. The two countries are on different scales in terms of potential. Ireland did well to qualify.
JJ(Quote)
JJ – if it’s a joke to compare England to Ireland, you should be talking to the guy at 244. He was the one that suggested Ireland are the technically better team! 😉
And my main point, regarding your style bias, stands. You are essentially promoting the idea that Chelsea should emulate Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Wellington(Quote)
Aussie@246…thanks, I was feeling a bit down but that message of condolence that came straight from the heart has made me feel so much better 😆 …..and @248 Ice made me do it 🙁
richietoon(Quote)
Wellington
My statement that I am unbias was purely political because I’m South African.
In truth, despite my English heritage, I can’t stand and English International sports team 😉 , so yes I’m not really unbias… 😆 😆
I did find it funny however, how the English journalists were accussing Spain of being boring to watch, when they play remarkable football (IMO) to watch.
I stand my the rest of my statement. England (whether by a couple passes) were out passes by Ukraine, France, Sweden and Italy.
They may have conceded the most chances, but chances and goals are two very different things. And so, their defence was impressive, considering how their midfield was so bossed during the tournament.
Bit rich when from my point of view, England can sometimes make Greece look like Barcelona.
JJ(Quote)
The truth is and has been for a while now is that we have so many overseas players in the PL that we are left with few really good English players to choose from. It’s the same with the Scotland team as well ,just think back to the years befor the PL I can remember great English and Scottish players. The reason the PL is so watched and admired is because of the overseas talent on display if we are being honest ,just look at Toon ,our outstanding players are Cisse, HBA, Tiote, Colo, Cabaye, Ba ,. Most teams are the same in that there flair players are not British. We have a fundemental problem at youth level as we seem to coach any individual flair out of youngsters less they seem to be too selfish in play! when the truth is these types of players turn a match and win you games.
When a flair player does break through such as Gazza we overhype them and put them under immense pressure to the point they crack such is our lack of these players. Truth is we need to emmulate the Spanish way of coaching youth and plough more money into coaching at youth level at lower league clubs. Ian Holloway wrote an article in the Sunday Mirror on this very subject ,suggesting we use PL t.v money to that end and it was a good article ,reccomended reading .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon
Joe Cole, was one of the most talented players I’ve seen. He went to Chelsea and got pushed out of the team by better overseas players.
As such he never developed into anything close to what he could have been had he got regular football.
It is a shame.
JJ(Quote)
Kim you are right on the over-hyping. Players like Rooney are made to think they are better than they are. Rooney is a great Premier League player but not imo international class. Look at his record in internationals. Yet he is an automatic choice. As for Young, how did he continue to get picked after the first game? Milner performed better yet was withdrawn.
Groucho(Quote)
Maybe we as fans are also to blame. We criticise players like Enrique and Colo when they try to play football out of defence. Same with Benny when he loses the ball trying something different. In short we encourage hoof ball and kick and rush. Not all fans are guilty, of course.
Groucho(Quote)
The last world class player England had was David Beckham. He was an incredible player.
JJ(Quote)
I think the next best was Paul Scholes. He was the closest thing England had to Xavi.
JJ(Quote)
JJ, Exactly why should he of made way ,it’s not right.
Groucho@255 ,Rooney is the most overated England player ever and was woefull last night ,his legs were gone ,AC was dropping back laying balls off for him to run onto when it should of been the other way round tbh. How Defoe never got on I dont know ,what was the point in taking him ?. As for Rooney I have never seen him have a really good tournament . Also I am still puzzled why Young and Cole stepped up to take a pen befor AC ! very strange that. As soon as Young stepped up I knew he would miss it ,same with Cole. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
JJ@258 Totally agree on Scholes ,wonderful player ,on Beckham he was a master of deadballs and had real presence . Much as I hate him I have to give JT credit and Stevie G also ,I thought they were both immense for us in the circumstances. Fact is I’m not blaming the players ,they are what they are and the spirit was there for all to see ,Roy did a brilliant job .But we are miles off Spanish ,Italian ,German and Dutch levels. The Dutch and French went out because of egos not skill imo. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Richie, I’m glad that message picked you up mate 🙂 A few days back when we were talking the finer art of football (bullshitting) I mentioned that the England / Italy game would end in penalties.. one day England will come out the right side of a shootout. 🙂 🙂
In all seriousness England have a very talented ‘group’ of players… sadly no team…
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Beckham was ***** in my opinion… took a good free kick and could swing a cross but apart from that he was average.. Giggs leaves him for dead in regards to being a complete footballer… at least he can dribble with the ball.. Becks would have to be the most over rated plyer ever…
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Gerrard is brilliant, but just too injury prone and has too many off games. On his day he is an incredible driving midfield dynamo.
I think Hart has potential to be a great. Ashley Cole is usually excellent too. There are some very good players. But they can’t play as a team because there are too many technical weaknesses.
If I picked the England Starting eleven, this is who I’d go with…
_____________________Hart_______________________
Kyle Walker______Terry________Rodwell_________A Cole
_________________Parker____Scholes_______________
____________________Wilshere_____________________
___S Gerrard_____________________Oxlaid-Chmberlain__
___________________Rooney________________________
Subs: GK? Defoe, Adam Johnson, Lescott, Welbeck, Lampard, Walcott
JJ(Quote)
JJ ,no AC then 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Aussie,
Beckham’s crossing was the best in the world, his passing was outstanding, he didn’t need to beat his man because he could find his strikers from anywhere.
He was incredible from set pieces. Had a good engine too.
I’d say during his time he was in the top three right sided attacking midfielders in the world.
JJ(Quote)
Kimtoon,
Not in that team no… with Scholes, Wilshere, Gerrard, Rooney and Oxlaid- Chamerlain/Johnson, I’d have to believe there’s enough technique to pass the ball around the park, rendering Carroll redundant…
I might have him in the squad and shove him on against Spain… 😉
JJ(Quote)
JJ, if you call perching yourself on a wing a crossing it as soon as you get it, than yes, he was great.. not my type of footballer.. he never tried to beat a man because he couldn’t. not saying your opinion is wrong mat but becks ability levels were boomed up via the press..
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Aussie 😉
England will never get any better under the current set up, they should have overhauled the whole set up from top to bottom after the last WC, it’ll never happen, They’ve caused teams problems on the odd occasion they tried to play football, problem is they try it so rarely. We seem to be quite happy to let teams come at us and hit them on the break which is fine if you have a pacey world class midfield and forwards…we don’t.
Average players, average manager, **** set up, not really a recipe for success 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
You must be right Rich, because you certainly know a lot about recipes 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Sorry about the last post Rich, I forgot it was Monday and it was you abuse free day 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
I didn’t see any abuse, I don’t bother reading your posts……you should have worked out the “slight” flaw in this comment in a day or 2 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Rookie error Aussie,
Richie, at least you have Spain to support 😉
JJ(Quote)
JJ… I said Spain and Germany before the start of the tournament, was just hoping England could surprise me 🙁
richietoon(Quote)
Richie,
I was hoping England would meet my expectations, and they did… good on them… 😀
I just can’t bring myself to support a team consisting of players from teams I despise.
Would like to see Germany win… I don’t see anyone beating Spain though.
JJ(Quote)
Whats up Toonsy?
Can’t you drive a bus and type a story at the same time?
I tell you what, I might bang one out this afternoon for you… And then I might try type an article too… 😀 😎
JJ(Quote)
JJ…Poor as they were I bet they still surpassed your expectations 😉
…at least they got the “never having beaten Sweden” monkey off their backs 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
Richie, I don’t read your posts either so there is little chance of me finding that ‘slight’ flaw 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Apparently we are interested in the polish defender Boenisch.. free – ex Breman… more speculation me thinks…
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Helloooooooooo anyone out there…. I’m surprised Troy hasn’t posted actually, when there is a bad result, he is all over it, ready to tell us how he would have done it 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Fossie, trying to stir the pot again, getting all excitable waiting for his next nibble on my rod 😳 😯
Do you enjoy nibbling on my rod Fossie?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
😆 😆 😆
JJ(Quote)
Aussie drops the bait and the white whale Troyby **** strikes.. quicker than I anticipated I must say, I knew he would be lurking just under the surface 🙂 as far as your rod goes..well I just had a steak for dinner so I am in need of a toothpick 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
AMF at last someone with a footy brain re; becks most overrated player ive know yes dead balls crossing v good end of, best thing red nose did was him ship out never known anybody play the press up like him did he ever tackle anyone in his life,couldnt wait to pass the ball in case someone slid in and spoiled his looks,yes giggs was twice the player he would ever be
icedog(Quote)
richie has twice his class too (its monday) 😉
icedog(Quote)
@Luis_RMC follow this bloke on twitter hes interveiwing yohan this afternoon and also in english 😉
batty(Quote)
Good idea for an article perhaps because the conversation it sparked was good; with players like Lover, Guthrie and Smith leaving can we get away with just having youngsters step up, or do they need replacing despite the fact they probably played ten games between them.
Brendan(Quote)
Yeah Ice, I never bought into the Becks hype. Saw him play centre mid against Australia in a game once and he was feckin inept.. I see Richie dumped you in it earlier,I was surprised because he is not normally like that 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
danny played 16 games last season and played well 😉
batty(Quote)
AMF snake in the grass come to mind 🙂
icedog(Quote)
two players to sign this week,three to go out,i feel it in my water 🙂
icedog(Quote)
Ice 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
I reckon it will be a couple of weeks before we see a new face through the door.. those going out maybe sooner 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
AMF theres talk of that aussie c/h lad comeing to toon,heard oot over your end???
icedog(Quote)
Nothing new Ice.. been keeping tabs on it but it has gone quiet.. Curtis Good is his name… the only newish thing is apparently he was granted an extension to his 10 day trial while with Newcastle. Read into that what you may 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
I see Troy has swum under a rock after biting like dung bettle on a turd 🙂 🙂 woo hoo hoo
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
I see Barton has lost the qpr captaincy.. fined six weeks wages and has a new clause in his contract stating that it will be terminated if he re-offends.. glad we don’t have to deal with that nonsense now days..
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Aussie @295,you have such a nice turn of phrase 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
So we can assume Bartons contract will be terminated around the 10thgame of the season then when he comes back. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim, I save all my best & classy stuff for Troy 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Kim it also depends on how his night clubbing goes 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)