England Team Thread

[vocoderfreak]

In a strange way it will do us good not qualifying for Euro. It's a wake up call for us now. We've got until September to get a decent manager, sort our selves out, and be well up for it come September after a painful 10 month wait. Sod Euro 2008, it's all about the WORLD CUP!

I think it is always a wake up call for us! When we made it to the quarter finals in the last World Cup and no further, that was a wake-up call. This isn't an easy group that we've drawn. Croatia took six points from us in the Euro qualifiers and we finished on the same amount of points as Israel. We could easily have been fourth in that group. The eight best second place teams in the group go into a playoff, so from that grouping another four go through (I think). I think we all have to significantly lower our expectations of England, as the last qualifying tournament highlighted!

[MarioMark]

I think we all have to significantly lower our expectations of England!

Yeah it's happening already. Early reactions show that fans aren't saying it's "easy" and "a walk in the park". I think the mentality of England fans, players and press no longer being smug or big headed is going to be a step in the right direction as we go into this qualification campaign.

[Anpanman]

I agree with your earlier point re: it's all about the WC, personally I think everything the FA/PL do should be focussed on this one event.

For example in qualifying and finals years - certainly finals years the Premier League should have the number of teams reduced so the season is shorter and the players wouldn't get as knackered, they could even have a small winter break like they do in other countries.

[Kit]

With the amount of money being thrown at the players/manager/stadium I expect us to qualify by default.

[ascender]

So how much were the English players getting paid during this campaign?

I see the Scotland players got paid 0. They waived win bonuses and appearance fees in favour of a squad pot payable upon qualification which was round about £1.25M in total.

[saturn-gamer]

Expectations, based on what exactly... The semi's in 1996 on own ground?

afaik, England has disappointed on a tournament ever since (although I must admit that they were great in 1998, but eliminated too soon).

The 2010 group isn't a really fun one for England. Scotland certainly has a chance for 2nd place, although I've read they got cocky and think they can beat Holland.. well I'm sure we'll have a capable coach instead of that muppet by then, so No

[Anpanman]

Off topic but it's Holland for me at the Euro's

[vanpeebles]

With the amount of money being thrown at the players/manager/stadium I expect us to qualify by default.

Thats a very good point, its all very well people having a go at fans and the press etc saying expectations are too high, arrogant etc etc but these "professionals" are being a kings ransom and just not doing it.

We shouldn't have to justify poor performances by mega million mega stars by lowering our expectations.

[abigsmurf]

and we shouldn't expect players to play brilliantly every match under every manager just because they're paid lots

[vanpeebles]

oh please. they arnt even playing well for the majority of the time

[Kit]

So how much were the English players getting paid during this campaign?

I read this a while back but I think it?s around ?6000 a game plus bonuses.

its all very well people having a go at fans and the press etc saying expectations are too high, arrogant etc etc but these "professionals" are being a kings ransom and just not doing it.

Exactly, when you see the effort some of them put in it makes a farce of the whole ?money means nothing? argument - If I was getting paid that sort of money I?d be putting maximum effort in regardless of my talent.

[eastyy]

hence why i mentioned perhaps getting some of the best of the lower league players to be a england team

i think there pride for being picked and the effort they will put in will ofset the difference to perhaps the gifted players who dont put that much effort in

[toythatkills]

The answer is to get the best out of our best players, not pick worse players that will try hard.

[VR46]

If the Sky News sources are to be believed, Beckham has been left out of Capello's first squad - "but he still has a part to play in the future"

Proper announcement is at 3.30 today I think.

[Jebus]

Yeah, just read that myself.

Not sure I can agree with it...it's a friendly, he can use numerous subs, couldn't he give him 15 minutes at the end?

Full squad is announced later today isn't it? Will be interesting to see if he uses the same old players or actually picks players who deserve a chance in a friendly from lower teams, to see how they perform with the better players.