Croatian NT Thread (1 Viewer)
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metalhead said:
I saw England's match against Macedonia yesterday and I have to say, I love to see that team suffer. The so called best individual talents in the world got fed their arses after their lucky win last month 
Macedonia play very well and they deserved even more.
Anyways, Croatia can beat England especially having played a practice match yesterday against Andorra.
Even worse for England is that their best player Gerrard is suspended for the match, so there will be none of those long range shots. No Becks to deliver good crosses and FKs. Rooney is in bad shape. And that Ledily King is a Joke
Macedonia play very well and they deserved even more.Anyways, Croatia can beat England especially having played a practice match yesterday against Andorra.
Even worse for England is that their best player Gerrard is suspended for the match, so there will be none of those long range shots. No Becks to deliver good crosses and FKs. Rooney is in bad shape. And that Ledily King is a Joke
I'm afraid I have to say it, "I told you so:
I love seeing those full of sh it English/Priemiership players come crashing down to earth. When they had Ericsson, they complained about the bad play, but at least they qualified to major tournaments. Becks was saving their arses with his FK and crosses but becomes a scape goat for some reason :eyebrows: Now Mr "I want character...pride... passion... attitude" Mac Laren is struggeling to even qualify
I like the fact that McClaren wanted to show "tactical flexibility" by switching formation to 3-5-2.
Firstly, I can't think of any important club or national team which has played that formation successfully for some time. But secondly switching from a rigid 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 using the same full-backs instigated by an overload of central defenders is not a show of tactical flexibility.
Such a change is more infrastructrual and does more damage than good. It's primary change is in the defensive configuration - an area England are already strong in. It does not alter the attacking options in the final third or how a team attacks - at least not how McClaren changed the team.
To do that England doesn't need to use three centre-backs but instead fluidity in midfield and attack. Those can be gained with 4-4-2(diamond), 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or even a 4-5-1. So many permutations but those unknown to English coaches and supporters - what Jeeks is referring to in the mentality of English football followers.
Slaven Bilic was partly correct after the match in saying that "systems are dead in football". Whilst strictly not true days of setting out rigid formations such as McClaren did today and expecting them to expose teams doesn't work. Players need to be flexible and show technical skills and intelligence - something England lacks.
The only player who is capable of this has missed all of McClaren's matches in charge. No not Rooney - but Joe Cole. Even under Eriksson and the most rigid 4-4-2 he managed to give England that dynamism Bilic is talking about - a player that makes the difference not the position.
Rooney tonight and his antics at the WC proved to me despite his skill levels (in my opinion less than Joe Cole) is as English as all of his peers. His reluctance to adapt his role (i.e. the link striker) makes him one of the least flexible fowards in Europe. As shown in the WC he was frustrated (ultimately led to his dismissal against Portugal) when forced to play a role which most skillful strikers revel in - yet when playing with Crouch who needs that player to use their pace ahead Rooney could not move away from his comfort zone.
The comfort zone is where all England players are - too scared too change what they appear good at doing, just getting by with fantastic moments to cover their weaknesses. From Beckham to long-balls, crosses, free-kicks. Lampard and his goals but no-performances from midfield. Michael Owen with his goal scoring average and nothing else. Now Rooney with his one-sided skillset.
Fantastic...WC winners again in 2066?
Firstly, I can't think of any important club or national team which has played that formation successfully for some time. But secondly switching from a rigid 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 using the same full-backs instigated by an overload of central defenders is not a show of tactical flexibility.
Such a change is more infrastructrual and does more damage than good. It's primary change is in the defensive configuration - an area England are already strong in. It does not alter the attacking options in the final third or how a team attacks - at least not how McClaren changed the team.
To do that England doesn't need to use three centre-backs but instead fluidity in midfield and attack. Those can be gained with 4-4-2(diamond), 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or even a 4-5-1. So many permutations but those unknown to English coaches and supporters - what Jeeks is referring to in the mentality of English football followers.
Slaven Bilic was partly correct after the match in saying that "systems are dead in football". Whilst strictly not true days of setting out rigid formations such as McClaren did today and expecting them to expose teams doesn't work. Players need to be flexible and show technical skills and intelligence - something England lacks.
The only player who is capable of this has missed all of McClaren's matches in charge. No not Rooney - but Joe Cole. Even under Eriksson and the most rigid 4-4-2 he managed to give England that dynamism Bilic is talking about - a player that makes the difference not the position.
Rooney tonight and his antics at the WC proved to me despite his skill levels (in my opinion less than Joe Cole) is as English as all of his peers. His reluctance to adapt his role (i.e. the link striker) makes him one of the least flexible fowards in Europe. As shown in the WC he was frustrated (ultimately led to his dismissal against Portugal) when forced to play a role which most skillful strikers revel in - yet when playing with Crouch who needs that player to use their pace ahead Rooney could not move away from his comfort zone.
The comfort zone is where all England players are - too scared too change what they appear good at doing, just getting by with fantastic moments to cover their weaknesses. From Beckham to long-balls, crosses, free-kicks. Lampard and his goals but no-performances from midfield. Michael Owen with his goal scoring average and nothing else. Now Rooney with his one-sided skillset.
Fantastic...WC winners again in 2066?
To Vlatko and Mark...congratulations on Croatia's win today int: :toast:
I like the Croatian team...especially Kranjcar and the Kovac brothers. I watched Modric play vs. Italy in the friendly and he was impressive. Looks to have a promising future. I followed Croatia during the WC and was disappointed to see that they didn't advance...though if they beat Australia they would have faced Italy I believe.
The new coach seems to be successful so far. I will keep following them. They are my next NT after the Azzurri of course. And they both won today. It was a good day.
int: :toast: I like the Croatian team...especially Kranjcar and the Kovac brothers. I watched Modric play vs. Italy in the friendly and he was impressive. Looks to have a promising future. I followed Croatia during the WC and was disappointed to see that they didn't advance...though if they beat Australia they would have faced Italy I believe.
The new coach seems to be successful so far. I will keep following them. They are my next NT after the Azzurri of course. And they both won today. It was a good day.
