So, the United States goal means that we are going through in second place - which is exactly what Capello deserves. The decision to send on Heskey and Cole for Rooney and Defoe says it all. We played for a 1-0 victory against a European minnow; tell me, how were we going to score a second without any of Rooney, Crouch or Defoe on the pitch?
The BBC pundits are talking up the performance today but, in truth, we were never much better than modest. Yes there were four or five good passing moves and yes, Rooney and Defoe missed two sitters, but we created just the three clear cut chances in the whole game and Solvenia had their opportunity to score. In fact, apart from an excellent last minute tackle from Upson, I think they would have done!
Capello backers will point to the fact that Milner created the chance and Defoe scored, two good Capello calls, but I will point to the fact that Lennon was preferred to Milner for two games and that Defoe was anonymous for most of the game. Lampard was again average at best, Johnson struggled for pace a couple of times, Barry was ordinary in the extreme and Upson, that one tackle apart (and one excellent pass) was poor. Thank God James was in goal, I wouldn't have fancied Green with all those divots in the penalty box!
We saw in flashes what the players are capable of but it was not the great performance that Shearer and co are trying to suggest. The very minimum expectation was qualification from this group. The terrible truth is that we have finished SECOND behind the United States. Second behind the Yanks. Second in Soccer! That is a disgrace. Some will present Capello as a tactical genius. I think he has failed dreadfully so far!
16 comments:
Superb sliding tackle from Matthew Upson!!!!
Yes, I said that.
We need Carlton Cole out there
Christ you're not happy unless you've got a manager to slag off are you? Not that I like Capello, I just think you're sad and pathetic. What next, "Capello, the cancer of the England team" ??? Im pretty sure you referred to Zola as cancerous too....Get a life, support your country...
Mate, what were you saying about Upson earlier?
Think he deserves to start ahead of Carragher after that performance
nice to have an antidote from gushing pundits. A better side than slovenia would have taken advantage of some very shaky defensive moments for england and rooney's garbage form has to be worrying for capello
Well done England and a good show from Upson. Truth be said, Slovenia were not much of a challenge. They kept losing the ball even when not under pressure. The real test is likely to come in the next match, especially as it looks very likely now to be Germany. I agree with HF that Capello did not prove himself as a manager. Not yet anyway.
1742, Have I called Capello cancerous? I don't think so! Find the evidence and quote me! We beat Slovenia, the fourth smallest nation EVER to be represented in a World Cup finals 1-0 and finished SECOND in our group behind the USA. What do you think we should do, give Capello a gong! My wife could have managed England to finish second in that group! We are paying Capello £6m to do what a blind idiot could do. Although I'm not sure Blunkett wants the job!
Look, it wasn't reat but it was a HUGE improvement and we did enough. Italy and Germany have been scraping through for decades. In the words of Maggie (circa 1982) "just rejoice!"
At times we totally outplayed them. Need to watch the amount of free kicks we are giving away though and suspect that a stronger ref may have given us a few more yellows too!
Rooney got injured.
The Heskey substitution was to use the big man to win balls up front nearer the end of the game.
There comes a time in a game you are up 1-0 when you stop going for the 2nd goal and defend what you have because of the associated risk.
Before this, it is not like they weren't going for it, they were clearly trying to go for the 2nd goal.
Milner was ill before today.
There, all cleared up.
But tell us how bad Barry really is HF? He single handedly almost lost it for us with his dithering and clear lack of class.
Well done to Capello for continuing nip every problem in the bud; the latest being Terry's big mouth which almost split the squad with his lobbying for certain players to start.
Unfortunately not everyone sees the wisdom of this manager. We should thank God that managers likes Sven, McClaren, Maradonna or Domenech were not in charge to handle these problems.
Yeah, good call Dan...Upson did himself proud with a solid performance! Not only for the 'Bobby Moore-esque' tackle but he stood firm and looked assured and focused throughout....he's got to start the next game after that!
Qualifying for the last 16 was the objective...done!!
Finishing 2nd might not be a bad thing...especially if Ghana end up top of Group D?!
The first FOUR times Upson touched the ball, he gave away possession! The first time, embarrassingly so!
Hammersfan, why are you focusing on the first four times Upson touched the ball? Is it because that is the only negative thing you can think of when it comes to Upson's performance?
In that case I take it you liked his performance
Four touches like that against germany and we are dead and buried!
Ok this is it! The real test is next Sunday. If England can beat Germany and then I will become a believer as well. I would not bet on it though. Germany is a much more complete team. They will not be scared to play as Slovenia was today. But it is only 90 minutes and really any outcome is possible. Incidentally, despite Slovenia being so poor, the reason England won today is because Capello had Judas in his team from the start. He is quick and can grab a goal or two. It was a mistake starting with Heskey and Rooney at the front. No real goal threat with Rooney and Heskey leading the attack. Not with good,organised defences such as that of Germany.
Have to disagree about Upson. It wasn't a great tackle, it was a desperate tackle. I don't want to cause unnecessary argument but please do go have a look at it again and pay close attention to the bit of play that leads up to Upson's tackle. The player Upson challenges is the guy he is marking, but loses, before the tackle. This player, number 23 I think he was, has Upson close by and then he back heels it to his team mate. Upson then ball watches and turns away and allows 23 to get away. When the ball is passed back to 23, Upson is chasing the game so has to make a desperate challenge. If you closely analyse Upson, he is chasing the game most of the time.
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