England v FYR Macedonia - TalkSoccer

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Rio Ferdinand's absence with a back injury meant Ledley King made his first England start for 11 months in the 2008 European Championship qualifier against Macedonia at Old Trafford.

The Tottenham defender's last appearance in the starting line-up was in the memorable 3-2 win over Argentina in Geneva last November, although he was a substitute in the friendly international against Uruguay at Anfield in March.

Coach Steve McClaren was forced into another change following Owen Hargreaves' broken leg. The holding midfield slot went to Michael Carrick.

The biggest roar of the capacity crowd was reserved for the announcement of the return of Wayne Rooney who had been absent from England's opening three games of the campaign through injury and suspension.

England: Robinson, G, Neville, Terry, King, Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, Downing, Rooney, Crouch
Subs: Kirkland, P, Neville, Carragher, Parker, Wright-Phillips, Defoe, Bent

FYR Macedonia: Nikolovski, Noveski, Petrov, Sedloski, Lazarevski, I, Mitreski, A, Mitreski, Sumulikoski, Maznov, Naumoski, Pandev
Subs: Pacovski, Tasevski, Jancevski, Vasovski, Stojkov, Popov, Sakiri

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)

Looks like it will be 4-4-2 after all.

**kyan** · 07-10-2006, 03:58 PM

sounds like the crowd want to make macedonia feel as uncomfortable as possible right from the start.... tbh they probably deserve it though after the receptions england got over there

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 04:08 PM

5mins in and Motson as already told twice that Igor and Alexander Mitreski aren't related.

First off who gives a fuck, secondly we heard you the first time you senile out git.

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 04:11 PM

Rooney is looking lively. No where near as sluggish as he was the last few games for United.

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 04:28 PM

Rooney has been good , so has the full backs. i cant stand downing it just seems after 5 mins he goes away from the game, + hes a nobber only played because mclaren wants his babies.

King in the defence makes a differnce i like it, like to see it more.

yeap downing is shit, crossing ment to be best part of his game and hes done fuk all.

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 04:29 PM

Carrick has been ok though, still perfer a More defensive player.

**kennethlindheim** · 07-10-2006, 04:50 PM

Downing is way out of his depth at International level.

**kyan** · 07-10-2006, 04:53 PM

he hasn't got the pace imo. every time he gets the ball he turns around and plays it back to terry/cole. altho he did play a good through ball to lampard which gave england their best chance of the game...

speaking of lampard he hasnt really had too much of the ball but hes been alright with it.

i think carrick, king and especially gazza have done well so far in the game.

in contrast i think gerrard has been surprisingly poor so far, been moving too central too often, not tracking back properly, poor crossing/passing...

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 07-10-2006, 04:57 PM

Come on England.First half was poor.Have to do better in the 2nd.

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 05:29 PM

scotland beating france lol.

Downing is shit lol

Ashley cole has been awsome.

Swp much better poffensive player then downing just cant shoot for shit.

Lampard has been ok tbh better then last games, hjust need to get Bent or defoe on for Crouch

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 05:32 PM

Rooney off shame tbh, thought he was doing better then crouch.

This is why we need Joe cole Back vast improvment on Downing and swp.

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 05:55 PM

Crouch had three chances with headers where he should of at least hit the target, SWP should of scored, if Rooney's first touch had been better he would of scored, Gaz should of scored, Lampard should of passed to Crouch would had an open goal to aim at. Then Gerrard goes and hits the bloody bar!

England didn't play well but created more than enough chances to win this one.

Oh and SWP >>>> Downing.

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 05:56 PM

makes you feel bas that Scotland beat the second best team in the world 1-0 at home and we couldnt even beat marcedonia who not even top 100 team rankings at Old trafford.

its embarrising.

**Sven** · 07-10-2006, 05:57 PM

Maybe lampard thought passing back to crouch ment the defending clearing it so proberly was the better choice to put it infront of him. still good chance missed.

**russe||** · 07-10-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvenD

Maybe lampard thought passing back to crouch ment the defending clearing it so proberly was the better choice to put it infront of him. still good chance missed.

He knew where Crouch was, he was right next to him. Lampard didn't have the space to lift the ball over the keeper so the pass was the only option.