Norm_D_Ploom wrote:
Jazz Maverick wrote:
Only 27 hours until England stink the tournament out, eh norm?
What's your prediction for that shower?
Were gonna win it mate

!
IF we can get through the 1st 15 or 20 mins without letting a goal in then I think we can keep it tight deny them space in front of our centre backs, force them wide and make them cross it which should be meat & drink for Terry & Lescott shouldn't it ?
The plan is obvioulsy to frustrate them and catch them on the break.
Did you see any of the French warm up games ?
I saw the 1st two but missed the last one, they have some good players and in Benzema a guy who could well be top scorer, BUT in both the games I saw the defence was exposed (Iceland & Serbia btw).
Mexes is an utter turkey, how that guy has made a living as a centre half is beyond me he cant defend, Evra is a busted flush I think we can get at him in particular if we can give Walcott or the Ox 25 at him in late the 2nd halfwith the game still there.
Do you honestly think we can be any worse than in the group games in South Africa ?
The Cahill injury is a shame as that back 5 looked very good, I think Lescott has had a decent season but his past games for England have been much better with Jagielka alongside him.
No I didn't watch any of the warm up games except the England ones.
From the highlights I've seen France look to be in a similar situation as us - nowhere near as bad as the south Africa disgrace but still far from competitive. There's no reason on paper we can't beat them, although I can't say I have the unwavering faith in terry or lescott (or any of our centre halfs tbh) that you do.
I think your optimism re. Walcott is misplaced too. He will do his run fast/fall over routine all day long and make all the right noises, but his final ball and finishing will be as horrific as ever. As for chamberlain - im not convinced yet. He strikes me as another one of the Walcott/wright Phillips/ lennon esque players that we get all excited about in this country but who never go on to do anything.
Think a draw is most likely, but if someone wins it's more likely to be England.
I would take 0-0 now mate to be honest I think France are a decent team and will go a long way.
Re the centre backs I would be happy with Terry/Cahill or Jags/Lescott but not Terry/Lescott. JT for all his faults is a decent reader of the game and actually a good centre back, but he has no pace, add Cahill who does have pace and is a decent reader of the game and they make a good pair, same with Jags & Lescott who played together for a while at Everton and usually did ok.
But Terry & Lescott as a pairing I agree with you to be honest that is a worry.