England - Will we, won't we? [Archive]

N. Herts Wolf

14-11-2007, 10:20

Only realised the other day that if Croatia lose in Macedonia, then we beat Croatia 2-0 or more we qualify no matter what Russia do on Saturday. Can't see it happening myself, but another slight chink of light!

That might well be a better bet than the Israel route.
We're probably screwed either way though.

wesley

14-11-2007, 10:29

9/1 England and Scotland both qualify - only for the brave!

stever

14-11-2007, 10:32

no way will russia lose, after seeing how poor Israel were against england I cant see it happening. If England and Scotland dont get through we will have no british isle entry for euro 2008. a sad state of affairs!!

kennyB

14-11-2007, 10:41

I won't mind if we don't qualify as long as it means McClown gets the push. Not sure he will though even if we don't qualify, the FA suits won't like admitting it was a bad appointment.

Toon Wolf

14-11-2007, 10:42

Given the comments by Israel's goalkeeper coach, who is Russian born, then the odds are slim. He said they are going to give games to some inexperienced players and that he wants Russia to win!

Jamboon

14-11-2007, 10:49

We will do it.

Believe!

glasgowwolf

14-11-2007, 10:52

England to go through, Sweaties to get stuffed by Italy.

Munich_Wolf

14-11-2007, 11:01

I won't mind if we don't qualify as long as it means McClown gets the push. Not sure he will though even if we don't qualify, the FA suits won't like admitting it was a bad appointment.

I don't think he'll get sacked either, especially with dimwits like Phil Neville coming out in support of him.

Oldgoldwulf

14-11-2007, 11:05

Can't see Russia NOT beating Israel to be honest.

Not sure that we would get the win against Croatia either...

I wouldn't be surprised if the Sweaties sneak a win against Italy though...

Here's to a bloody depressing summer 2008.

Langdale Wolf

14-11-2007, 11:11

No British teams will make Euro 2008 in my opinion.

I hope I'm wrong, but Russia have so much at stake, and with a coach link Hiddink, I can't see them dropping points in Israel.

We have no-one to blame but ourselves - when the group was drawn, I thought we'd be comfortably through, and the fact we're not is nothing short of a disgrace.

I'd love the jocks to get through, even if we don't. Can't see them getting anything against Italy either.

I've just read this back - what a depressing post this is!!

Ettingshall Wolf

14-11-2007, 11:29

I reckon Russia will draw with Israel, the country celebrates! but then England will throw it away in Croatia.

Powelly

14-11-2007, 11:31

Ever the optimist...

There arent too many tougher games in European football than Israel away.. their home record speaks for itself, 2 defeats out of about 20-25 games in the last few years... Russia's away record this campaign has also been poor, they've only won in Estonia.

If the Israel's approach the game in the right way then i can see it being a draw, Russia only beat us because of a mad 5 minutes panic.

Croatia also have a tricky game in Skopje and the game is a local derby.

If Israel or Macedonia can do us a favour then Wembley on wednesday could be a great occasion and the place might finally get an atmosphere... If its back in our hands then we will qualify and beat croatia comfortably.

Just need to find a bar in vienna on saturday with Skysports!

Essex Wolf

14-11-2007, 11:34

Englands only hope is for Israel to do them a favour and either draw or defeat the Russians, other than that it's all over for them before the Russians even play Andorra, well all bar a miracle.

glasgowwolf

14-11-2007, 11:50

Where are London Based wolves fans watching the Croatia game.

I would love to go but not sure i'll get a ticket

poor mans finch

14-11-2007, 12:07

i can't understand why we are waiting to qualify for the euro's by looking for the result of 2 countries not in europe!!!

poor mans finch

14-11-2007, 12:11

Where are London Based wolves fans watching the Croatia game.

I would love to go but not sure i'll get a ticket

you'll be ok for a ticket if russia win as no-one is buying them, BUT if israel win they will be snapped up like wildfire.

on the london thing, i have no idea

Powelly

14-11-2007, 12:38

Where are London Based wolves fans watching the Croatia game.

I would love to go but not sure i'll get a ticket

Always plenty of tickets available on Wembley way.,..

Even more than usual if results go against us on saturday

Powelly

14-11-2007, 12:39

you'll be ok for a ticket if russia win as no-one is buying them, BUT if israel win they will be snapped up like wildfire.

on the london thing, i have no idea

The game is already a sell out...

Moira Stewart

14-11-2007, 12:58

Come on boys, you can do it. McLaren can still take us to the promised land of Austria and Switzerland next summer!!

poor mans finch

14-11-2007, 13:16

McLaren can still take us to the promised land of Austria and Switzerland next summer!!

thats the motor sorted all we need now is the results and a new manager

Paul76

14-11-2007, 13:25

We still have a chance as Israel are very difficult to beat at home.

Hopefully a couple or rockets will hit in the second half and kill half the Russian team.

Our hope lies with Fattah and Hamas.

Templeton Peck

14-11-2007, 13:39

Israel have only lost once in 19 games and we could only draw there so I think Russia will draw and we will beat an already qualified Croatia. McLaren is still a $$$$ though IMO whatever happens. All this 'he's grown into the job' guff is nonsense. He only dropped Lampard after injury and when Parker, Carrick and Hargreaves were injured who else could he choose other than Barry? The same can be said of Heskey with Crouch suspended and Ashton and Rooney injured and he still puts his faith in a man who now plays against teams that include Robbie Williams.

Flying Fish

14-11-2007, 15:14

I don't care if we qualify because if we do and keep McLaren in charge we will go out softly in the group stages anyways.

So save us the bother and good luck to the teams that earned their place in the finals of the tournament. If you can qualify easily out of that group then you have no chance at the final stages.

I'm going to have a large bet on one of the nations I feel can do well so I have a small interest in the thing.

What a sad situation with the talent we have at our disposal

stuj4z

14-11-2007, 15:24

we wont do it, and we don't deserve to. the only thing is it could be a blessing in disguise, sort the academy systems out, get a centre of excellence sorted.

none of this will happen though will it, we'll just not qualify and nothing will be done as usual

kal1000

14-11-2007, 15:38

Normally I would say Isreal would get a result at home to Russia due to their home record which is fairly good however Guus Hiddink is not a man who fails very often in these big games and hence im not too hopeful for Saturday now. The hardest thing is getting over the finishing line and Russia will find that out on Saturday, if they do it then they deserve it.

Essex Wolf

14-11-2007, 15:42

GoldenHorseshoe

14-11-2007, 15:43

Answer: Will not

Comment: Don't care!

Woburn Wolf

14-11-2007, 16:40

I won't mind if we don't qualify as long as it means McClown gets the push. Not sure he will though even if we don't qualify, the FA suits won't like admitting it was a bad appointment.
I agree it was a bad appointment Kenny but who do you suggest. The special one has said he is not interested who else?

Wolv3nsam

14-11-2007, 16:45

My question is why the bloody hell are we playing a friendly Friday night?

Moira Stewart

14-11-2007, 16:51

Should England fail I just hope to God the FA see it as a very good reason to get rid of McClaren.

Should they qualify McClaren will be virtually unouchable until after the Championships at least and only then should they do poorly.

The players want him to stay, the people who run football want him to stay and people who know about football want him to stay so he'll be staying.

Ginger Chimp

14-11-2007, 17:03

So, it would appear that even if Israel "do us a favour", we all (the country in general) think that the Croatia result is a foregone conclusion?

I don't. I think that's a tough game and Croatia, qualified or not, will want to stop us qualifying.

duanepipe

14-11-2007, 17:55

people who know about football want him to stayWho?

This is about as cut and dried decision as any board should ever have to make.

He took over an experienced international team, in an easy group with a brief which MUST have been to build on or improve what Sven had left.

In performance he failed to even get us through qualifying.

He should be sacked on the pitch. England fans have a right to demand his sacking, and they should.

This is as bad as what Roeder did when he took West Ham down. It's not forgivable and all players always come out and support managers saying 'blame us'. Well, heres the thing, we DO blame you your underperforming turds. We can't get you sacked though. McClaren though, the fans can easily get him the sack. And they will.

wolfie smith

14-11-2007, 19:12

My question is why the bloody hell are we playing a friendly Friday night?

because we need to injure the players keeping lampard out of the side so mclaren can get him in without dropping anyone.

seeing as russia must win i think they will, but knowing us it will be a draw and we'll then be 1-0 up against croatia in the 89th minute just so beckham can take a free kick and save the world, frankly we dont deserve to qualify, so called world class players have let us down, in my eyes they will never be world class...even phil neville

Papper

14-11-2007, 19:14

Come on boys, you can do it. McLaren can still take us to the promised land of Austria and Switzerland next summer!!

More like Israel can. If i had the money i would bribe the Russians to lose :rolleyes:

Evolution Wolf

14-11-2007, 23:15

Come on boys, you can do it. McLaren can still take us to the promised land of Austria and Switzerland next summer!!

didnt think id hear those together

Gratters

14-11-2007, 23:24

The players want him to stay, the people who run football want him to stay and people who know about football want him to stay so he'll be staying.

If you were a player hoping to stay in the squad/get picked wouldn't you say you want him to stay ?:rolleyes:

If you ran football and had make a ridiculous appt wouldn't you want him to stay ? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

and people who know about football want him to stay :confused: who might that be then ?

There is absolutely NOTHING on McClarens CV that should have got him that job.

Will England qualify ? I think they might as Israel must surely start as slight favs at home between 2 pretty poor sides.

Do I care if they qualify - don't give a monkies ! I'm bloody annoyed I can't see the Wolves this weekend as a result of dull dull dull international football !

Paul76

14-11-2007, 23:52

I feel the same way. I don't care if England don't qualify. I don't even know why I feel this way. I couldn't give a crap about our national team anymore and I think that's do with Sven and now McClown.

kidder_wolf_II

15-11-2007, 00:11

A Euros without england would make a boring summer so im really hoping we do it. But lets be fair we will win nothing under McClown.

There are many reasons why the players backed Sven and McClown and thats down to the fact that if they are getting picked week in week out of course they will support the boss. They dont care if they dont win aslong as they are England starters so they get bumper sponsorship deals.

Another reason would be if they are asked if they want the boss to stay they cant say anything other than yes or they will be out the team.

Will we do it? will we $$$$

ROVERT47

15-11-2007, 07:41

Hmm,lets see.
Jewish Russian Oligarch,massive Russia fan,multi Billionaire.
I think Russia will qualify.

Powelly

15-11-2007, 10:44

My question is why the bloody hell are we playing a friendly Friday night?

So Tv revenue is maximised and that we get an extra day of rest before Wednesday's game.. the squad always fly straight back after the game as well so they will be back in England by about 2am at latest.

John

15-11-2007, 10:58

So Tv revenue is maximised
On a friday night?
Thought those games always had the worst viewing figures?

Powelly

15-11-2007, 11:12

On a friday night?
Thought those games always had the worst viewing figures?

Normally for club games but Sky are always guaranteed X number of viewers for an England game..

If the game was on sat this week and kicked off at say 5pm then it would be up against the Scotland game and the Israel game.. would be lower viewing figures as most people would be more interested in one of the other game.

The Austrian FA have also stumped up a big contract to the FA as we are the first "big" nation they have played since adjustements to the staiudm in preperation for euro 2008.

Bedford Wolf

15-11-2007, 12:10

I hope the lads enjoy their game in Austria. We won't be playing over there again for a long time...

Langdale Wolf

15-11-2007, 12:19

Who?

This is about as cut and dried decision as any board should ever have to make.

He took over an experienced international team, in an easy group with a brief which MUST have been to build on or improve what Sven had left.

In performance he failed to even get us through qualifying.

He should be sacked on the pitch. England fans have a right to demand his sacking, and they should.

This is as bad as what Roeder did when he took West Ham down. It's not forgivable and all players always come out and support managers saying 'blame us'. Well, heres the thing, we DO blame you your underperforming turds. We can't get you sacked though. McClaren though, the fans can easily get him the sack. And they will.

Couldn't agree more.

When the group was announced, I was pleased as punch - we couldn't have been given a better group.

The 2 results/performances that really annoyed me were the 0-0 v Macedonia and the ridiculously bemusing 3-5-2 we used in Croatia.

McClown is the one to blame. To be in this position with one game left is unforgivable and he should be sacked ASAP.

If we fail (which I firmly believe we will) he'll be gone.

If we should scrape through, I'd still get rid and get someone in who knows what they're doing.

The whole thing is a shambles from Barwick at the top down to the 'commitment' of the players and things need sorting out.

Also - Ginger Chimp was right - even if Israel do us a favour, we still have to beat a particularly stubborn Croatia side.

jlovatt

15-11-2007, 22:54

9/1 England and Scotland both qualify - only for the brave!

ironically the same odds as lewis hamilton and england rugby team losing out not too long along! :D

Mugwump

16-11-2007, 05:23

We aint gonna qualify. Once its confirmed then get rid of mclaren and move heaven and earth to get either big phil scolari or the special one

Devil's Slide Wolf

16-11-2007, 05:53

I cant get excitedabout this england team, my lack of enthusiasmis matched by their lack of passion. So I'mopting for a "dont give a flying $$$$"

Salisbury Wolf

16-11-2007, 11:22

Should England fail I just hope to God the FA see it as a very good reason to get rid of McClaren.

Should they qualify McClaren will be virtually unouchable until after the Championships at least and only then should they do poorly.

Steve $$$$ing McClaren eh! The grinning $$$$ should be embarrassed at taking the job in the first place...

Mister Rabbit

16-11-2007, 13:02

I don't think England will qualify and I don't really care.

Something changed for me in Euro 2004. I remember being in a pub when France won in the last minute against England. People were chucking plastic beer cups at the screen, and I will always remember this one big lump of a bloke, probably in his 40s, his bald head and his face contorted in the same way as a toddler having a tantrum. I couldn't take it seriously after that. Maybe a tournament off will bring back some of the magic for next time!

Paul76

16-11-2007, 14:37

I heard Mcclaren this morning saying the pressure on Russia and Israel to perform is massive. I agree Russia will be playing under pressure but why are Israel?

Is this Mcclaren's feeble attempts at physiological war fare?

Ettingshall Wolf

16-11-2007, 15:06

Israel are playing for pride, so im not sure what pressure hes talking about. i would have thought the only pressure Israel are under is from England.

OldWolvesfart

16-11-2007, 16:28

We're doomed I tell ya, doomed.

I feared the worst when Mclaren was appointed and even more when Venables joined him. Between the two of them they managed to employ tactics that made the players they picked even more inept than I thought possible.

My choice for and English manager at the moment would be Redknapp but the board would never have him.

Paul76

16-11-2007, 16:45

Looking around at the mangers available to us I think we need to go foreign again.

If we pick another English manager he's just going to go of reputation again where IMO we need a man who's going to look at all players without a biased or preconceived opinion.

Devonwolf

16-11-2007, 19:26

No, we will not qualify

Paul76

16-11-2007, 19:33

No, we will not qualify

According to the Mackerel he's confident that England will qualify.

I don't where he gets his confidence from but I'm sure the Russians are being entertained by his drivel.

johnybig32

17-11-2007, 10:24

one word...NO we wont...

and i teach maths ;)

Paul76

17-11-2007, 13:53

one word...NO we wont...

and i teach maths ;)

What's the square route of Mcclowns head?

Munich_Wolf

17-11-2007, 14:35

What an absolute tool this guy is. How can he be confident of qualifying? That's the type of thing you say when it's in your own hands, not when the most optimistic he should be is "hopefull"

He can't even say the right thing now.

Paul76

17-11-2007, 15:01

He is setting himself up for a bigger fall.

He must be a gambling man.

stuj4z

17-11-2007, 20:45

i have never celebrated another country scoring like i did tonight.
but i now have a horrible feeling things will go wrong on wednesday night

Dewsburywolf

17-11-2007, 22:07

Crouch & Defoe upfront, you know the Strike force we had for first two qualifying games which we won easily. Not even McClown can screw this up.

Essex Wolf

17-11-2007, 22:47

Crouch & Defoe upfront, you know the Strike force we had for first two qualifying games which we won easily. Not even McClown can screw this up.

Don't count on it DW.

England only need a draw in reality to qualify unless Russia put 9 past Andorra but with the way England play at times then losing at home to Croatia is still a very good possibility.

Deutsch Wolf

17-11-2007, 23:01

It doesn't matter how many Russia score, it comes down to head to head results if points are level, which we win (3-0 vs 1-2). So we only need a draw, whatever happens.

Akaman

17-11-2007, 23:38

Just hope that Mclown doesn't set out for a draw against a 'very talented and technical' Croatia side (dunno if he's said it but he's bound to come out with it at some point)

ice cream head

17-11-2007, 23:43

I imagine he's hoping 'Stevie Gee' will be up for it.

Powelly

18-11-2007, 23:55

Cant see us messing it up now after given 2 lifelines last night.

Ive said all along judge Mclaren's qualification on November 22nd and not before then.. it doesnt matter how we qualify as long as we do.

Watching the Israel game and Scotland game in Vienna last night was all the more sweeter when there were 2 tables of Russians and a few Jocks in the pub..

duanepipe

22-11-2007, 09:10

The players want him to stay, the people who run football want him to stay and people who know about football want him to stay so he'll be staying.

Bet he isn't. :D

Ginger Chimp

22-11-2007, 13:23