Lets Do The Zidane Again
“God Only Knows” proclaimed the Beach Boys which in a slightly different context is exactly what most people feel about the England team. Nobody can quite work out how we’ve got this far playing so badly and stand a good chance of reaching the Semi Finals with Portugal seeming as though they will be missing one third of their team, Deco and Costinha definitely out, Ronaldo doubtful and if Luis Figo is not suspended then FIFA may as well shut up shop because they would be even more of a joke than we already think they are.
It is impossible to know if Eriksson is lucky or a complete Charlatan. The tactical nous that he was supposedly hired to bring to the England team has been conspicuous by its absence during his reign, save for the 5 – 1 thrashing in Munich. Certainly during the first half of the Ecuador match, he got away with it. If Ashley Cole had not proven his match fitness with a last ditch intervention, we would probably not be looking forward to Gelsenkirchen on Saturday. Beckham was anonymous for most of the time he was on the pitch, his contributions being the goal and a quick puke on the pitch. England were held together by Rooney’s determination, Carrick quiet diligence and Gerrard’s endeavour. For the second half, things improved but I still cannot believe Beckham’s free-kick hit the back of the net nor I suspect can Mora in the Ecuadorean goal. The defence looked nervous again and I believe that part of this is explained by Robinson’s inability to command his area. For someone who has been consistent for a number of seasons, the Yorkshireman has picked a plum time to display the jitters that cost David James his Number One spot. Let us pray that the Tottenham ‘keeper improves and quickly. In midfield, Lampard needs to be more judicious in his choices about when to shoot or pass. It speaks volumes for his performances that he is the top of the list of shots on goal and has yet to hit the back of the net. It is starting to reach Jensen-esque proportions. All this will be forgiven and forgotten if he scores the winner on Saturday.
Eriksson’s constant reminders of the Golden Generation of English footballers are proving to be shallow. All of the other Quarter Finalists are at a higher performance level than his charges and of those to still qualify, only Australia have shown less skill levels, having battered their way through the Group phase.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Germany seem to be the form team so far in terms of consistency. However, their opponents have on the whole rolled over and begged to be beaten. This will not be the case for the Argentina match. However, as Mexico proved, the Argentines are not the “Invincibles” that certainly the English media portrayed them to be. Mexico were unlucky to lose, Heinze should have walked for his cynical foul in the first half. Germany will have noted the Mexican tactics and will no doubt re-employ them to a degree. This will be a tough match to win for the hosts but I have a feeling that they may just do it, bringing to an end their abysmal run of results against the top nations.
The Dutch meanwhile are on their way home, contriving to lose a match that they should have won. Four players off, and another thirteen receiving a yellow, this one will rival the Battles of Berne in 1954 and Santiago in 1962 in the annals (or should that be anals?) of World Cup notoriety. If Graham Poll is on the first flight out of Germany this week, Ivanov will not be too far behind. Deco and Costinha deserved to go for their moronic choices, Boulahrouz was correctly booked twice whilst the second for van Bronckhorst was unlucky but given the referees performance, it was entirely expected. Van Persie has given Wenger food for thought. Without doubt he was the star player this tournament for the Dutch. His wide play was exemplary and although he may need some more maturity before he makes consistently the right choices, he is in my book, ahead of Reyes for the left wing spot at Highbury. Kuijt would struggle in the English game if he continues to throw himself with such gusto. Indeed, if he had put as much effort into putting the ball into the net, he would not be heading home so early. And Robben? Well, none of his antics were a shock, continuing on his dubious methods from last season.
Current Transfer targets have changed if the papers and various rumour sites are to be believed. Apparently Hatem Trabelsi has been offered a contract by the club. Whilst I am not convinced that he is needed, I can see where the story has come from. Lauren is supposedly not going to be fit for the start of the season and / or going to Sevilla. Gilbert is considered to need to go on loan to gain experience. This would leave Hoyte as cover for Eboue and whilst he did reasonably well at Sunderland, he may need another season to fully come into the first team. Yaya Toure is apparently happy at Olympiakos which is a surprise as last week he had not been paid for six months and was angling for a move back to the Ukraine. However he still wants a transfer to Arsenal. Appiah is another midfielder that is heavily linked with the club – all of a sudden we have money to spend and everyman and their whippet are going to be gracing the turf at Ashburton Grove.
The one that surprised me to some degree is the media story that Arsenal have already contacted Juventus about Buffon. Now I don’t believe that the club have approached them for one minute but it is the kind of signing we need – Lehmann has played well in the World Cup and for last season but age is against him. A good quality youngster for one season as a reserve or someone to replace him now is required. I suspect that he will retire at the end of 2007 / 08 if he is still Germany’s Number One or maybe at the end of the new season if he is not. However, top priority is a central defender. The club cannot hope to muddle their way through next season, relying solely on Djourou, Senderos and Toure to fill the centre of defence. As 2005 / 06 proved, cover needs to run deep in the squad. I still think that Wenger will bring in another three or four players, Curtis Davies is consistently linked with a move to Arsenal but I have not been totally convinced by him. More likely, I think the transfer market will quieten down until the punishments for The Italian Job are meted out. Then there could well be a mad scramble for the players. If the punishments are handed down as expected on July 9th, teams have 21 days to sign and process the paperwork before the International Transfer Window closes on July 31st.
Todays Tunes are a trio of Cover Versions, courtesy of Wellerworld.
Billy Bragg - That's Entertainment
Graham Coxon - Billy Hunt
Eliza McCarthy - Wildwood
It is impossible to know if Eriksson is lucky or a complete Charlatan. The tactical nous that he was supposedly hired to bring to the England team has been conspicuous by its absence during his reign, save for the 5 – 1 thrashing in Munich. Certainly during the first half of the Ecuador match, he got away with it. If Ashley Cole had not proven his match fitness with a last ditch intervention, we would probably not be looking forward to Gelsenkirchen on Saturday. Beckham was anonymous for most of the time he was on the pitch, his contributions being the goal and a quick puke on the pitch. England were held together by Rooney’s determination, Carrick quiet diligence and Gerrard’s endeavour. For the second half, things improved but I still cannot believe Beckham’s free-kick hit the back of the net nor I suspect can Mora in the Ecuadorean goal. The defence looked nervous again and I believe that part of this is explained by Robinson’s inability to command his area. For someone who has been consistent for a number of seasons, the Yorkshireman has picked a plum time to display the jitters that cost David James his Number One spot. Let us pray that the Tottenham ‘keeper improves and quickly. In midfield, Lampard needs to be more judicious in his choices about when to shoot or pass. It speaks volumes for his performances that he is the top of the list of shots on goal and has yet to hit the back of the net. It is starting to reach Jensen-esque proportions. All this will be forgiven and forgotten if he scores the winner on Saturday.
Eriksson’s constant reminders of the Golden Generation of English footballers are proving to be shallow. All of the other Quarter Finalists are at a higher performance level than his charges and of those to still qualify, only Australia have shown less skill levels, having battered their way through the Group phase.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Germany seem to be the form team so far in terms of consistency. However, their opponents have on the whole rolled over and begged to be beaten. This will not be the case for the Argentina match. However, as Mexico proved, the Argentines are not the “Invincibles” that certainly the English media portrayed them to be. Mexico were unlucky to lose, Heinze should have walked for his cynical foul in the first half. Germany will have noted the Mexican tactics and will no doubt re-employ them to a degree. This will be a tough match to win for the hosts but I have a feeling that they may just do it, bringing to an end their abysmal run of results against the top nations.
The Dutch meanwhile are on their way home, contriving to lose a match that they should have won. Four players off, and another thirteen receiving a yellow, this one will rival the Battles of Berne in 1954 and Santiago in 1962 in the annals (or should that be anals?) of World Cup notoriety. If Graham Poll is on the first flight out of Germany this week, Ivanov will not be too far behind. Deco and Costinha deserved to go for their moronic choices, Boulahrouz was correctly booked twice whilst the second for van Bronckhorst was unlucky but given the referees performance, it was entirely expected. Van Persie has given Wenger food for thought. Without doubt he was the star player this tournament for the Dutch. His wide play was exemplary and although he may need some more maturity before he makes consistently the right choices, he is in my book, ahead of Reyes for the left wing spot at Highbury. Kuijt would struggle in the English game if he continues to throw himself with such gusto. Indeed, if he had put as much effort into putting the ball into the net, he would not be heading home so early. And Robben? Well, none of his antics were a shock, continuing on his dubious methods from last season.
Current Transfer targets have changed if the papers and various rumour sites are to be believed. Apparently Hatem Trabelsi has been offered a contract by the club. Whilst I am not convinced that he is needed, I can see where the story has come from. Lauren is supposedly not going to be fit for the start of the season and / or going to Sevilla. Gilbert is considered to need to go on loan to gain experience. This would leave Hoyte as cover for Eboue and whilst he did reasonably well at Sunderland, he may need another season to fully come into the first team. Yaya Toure is apparently happy at Olympiakos which is a surprise as last week he had not been paid for six months and was angling for a move back to the Ukraine. However he still wants a transfer to Arsenal. Appiah is another midfielder that is heavily linked with the club – all of a sudden we have money to spend and everyman and their whippet are going to be gracing the turf at Ashburton Grove.
The one that surprised me to some degree is the media story that Arsenal have already contacted Juventus about Buffon. Now I don’t believe that the club have approached them for one minute but it is the kind of signing we need – Lehmann has played well in the World Cup and for last season but age is against him. A good quality youngster for one season as a reserve or someone to replace him now is required. I suspect that he will retire at the end of 2007 / 08 if he is still Germany’s Number One or maybe at the end of the new season if he is not. However, top priority is a central defender. The club cannot hope to muddle their way through next season, relying solely on Djourou, Senderos and Toure to fill the centre of defence. As 2005 / 06 proved, cover needs to run deep in the squad. I still think that Wenger will bring in another three or four players, Curtis Davies is consistently linked with a move to Arsenal but I have not been totally convinced by him. More likely, I think the transfer market will quieten down until the punishments for The Italian Job are meted out. Then there could well be a mad scramble for the players. If the punishments are handed down as expected on July 9th, teams have 21 days to sign and process the paperwork before the International Transfer Window closes on July 31st.
Todays Tunes are a trio of Cover Versions, courtesy of Wellerworld.
Billy Bragg - That's Entertainment
Graham Coxon - Billy Hunt
Eliza McCarthy - Wildwood
posted by Yogi's Warrior at 1:06 pm
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