Last Saturday:

A.S.O Antibes 1 - 1 Garibaldi F.C

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is also a member of the band "Rawbau". A review of their album can be found here.

wikipedia wrote: * Bilić is fluent in German, Italian and English.
* He also holds a degree in law and plays in a rock group Rawbau in his homeland.
* He is also a big fan of hard rock and heavy metal music; Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, being a West Ham United fan is known to be Bilić's fan from his days as a West Ham United player.
* He is also one of a small number of footballers who smoke.
* Bilić is a big fan of grunge-rock band Pearl Jam; it's reported that Bilic hanged out with Pearl Jam during their concert in Ljubljana in 2000.

Crazy smoking bastard:





Anyway, for what it's worth, here's how I'd line the England side up tonight:



The terrifying thing is that this may well be the side that McClaren picks, meaning for the first time in my life I'd find myself in agreement with him....

I'm sold on the 4-5-1 thing - frankly, is it worth sacrificing a midfield player for the likes of Bent or Defoe? But I'm also very much of the opinion that if we play for a draw, we'll lose. If there's one thing any English side is shit at, it's trying to nullify a game. Let Cole and Wright-Phillips run at 'em, but hold it tight in the centre.

I think it would be risky to play with only Crouch up front. As you said, playing for the draw is probably the worst tactical error that can be made tonight.

BBC news says Beckham and Robinson are to sit on the bench. I'm glad to see Carson given a go, as Robinson is in woeful form. But McLaren should have done this a couple of games ago, not now when there pressure is on.

chairman_hall wrote:I think it would be risky to play with only Crouch up front. As you said, playing for the draw is probably the worst tactical error that can be made tonight.

I think if the 4-5-1 formation is suitable attacking, if Cole and Wright Phillips are really getting down the wings, and Gerrard and Lampard really cutting inside with a few "marauding (tm)" runs, then it could work well. I'm not sure Bent or Defoe would be any good to anyone on an occasion such as this. If the formation's not working, get the midfielder who's seeing the least of the game and looking the least useful off, and replace him with a striker. Defoe, probably.

As for ditching Robinson, you're right - he should have done it a long time ago. He should also have considered bringing Robert Green in to the squad in place of David James - who is often brilliant but simply has never been up to the international stage (and won't suddenly become so either).

simmo wrote:As for ditching Robinson, you're right - he should have done it a long time ago.

There is the problem. Okay, Robinson is out of form and Carson is in form and an excellent keeper (another Leeds youth product, fact fans). But that only means that McLaren should have done this ages ago. Now, true, England have the in-form goalkeeper tonight; but that in-form goalkeeper has only ever played one game at this level. And he hasn't played a game anything like as important as this one. There were three ways to do this: stick with Robinson, who has steadied himself with Spurs lately; go with David James, who has all the experience necessary and is in the best form of his career; or get Carson some games so he isn't coming into this one completely cold.

Instead McLaren has placed undue pressure on a young player in Carson, left Robinson's international career in tatters (and for fucks sake, he hasn't been that bad), and ensured that David James' experience will be entirely wasted on the bench. Good job.

I await tonight's match with interest.

As for Leeds; Leeds were never going to win the FA Cup this season and yes, it's one less distraction/risk of injury out the way; but losing to Hereford in a replay is not something that one should try to put a positive spin on. Although I am more bothered about being knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which considering their form this season Leeds could easily have won and which would have been a nice thing to take away from this tour of Division Three. Assuming, that is, the tour only lasts one season. Ahem.

I think Leeds right now are good enough to be promoted into the Championship but frankly, I don't think our team is good enough to cut it in that league any more. I look at the Championship and it's literally like every team is a candidate for promotion. I'm hoping the gate revenues for this season are going to be enough for some serious spending. I don't think I'd keep many of the players we have right now to be honest. Kandol and Beckford inclusive. They score a lot at this level but they are unbelievably wasteful. If Wise started playing De Vries and Constantine, I wouldn't bat an eye lid.

I don't know if I can see Leeds as a Premiership team anymore. I don't really care to be honest. It's going to be a league of billionaires soon and it doesn't really interest me beyond Fantasy Football.

Shite.

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I already sent this in a text to Simmo, BUT WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU COME OUT UNDER A BROLLY FOR MCLAREN? For fucks sake, the chips are down and you look to the touchline for inspiration and there is the clueless twat clutching a brolly for all he's worth. YOU CANNOT MANAGE AN INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM FROM UNDER AN UMBRELLA.

England would be better managed by Rhianna.

As for Carson - see my post above. It's totally fucking unfair on the guy. If McLaren was determined to drop Robinson, James was the only logical choice. I don't blame Carson, I blame the twat that put him in this position.

Anyway, it's halftime. Beckham and Defoe are coming on. Can a half-fit 'David Beckham' do a 'Sir George' job and 'inspire' 'the lads'? I ain't holding my breath, but then this twat has surprised me before and may well again.

Bring on two free kicks near the penalty area.

Oh huh. I feel bad, the pitch is atrocious.

Well played Croatia! Two excellent goals so far.

Edit - I'm on Gabbly if anyone has a computer nearby.

Edit - Oh, that was never a penalty.