Israel
Thursday, November 15, 2007
So England's next two matches, both potentially being of no importance. Before that, I'd like to respond to this report in all the newspapers with them stating Israel are going to field a bunch of unknown and untried youngsters against Russia. Here's the thing, if you still don't have a clue. England need Israel to hold Russia to at least a draw, better a lost, and of course, win against Croatia, to qualify for the Euro 2008 Austria-Switzerland final. Thus everyone that is concerned, both positively and negatively, with England, have their eyes set on the Israel-Russia match. For the Israelis to come out and say that they don't care about England's chances, but is only bothered about their future with their young talent. Well for one, I can't really blame 'em. The Israelis have nothing to lose, they do not have the slightest chance of qualifying. So I don't blame 'em for having the thoughts of fielding their unknown young talent to face the experienced Russians. Its a good learning and valuable experience these young Israelis can garner to improve their game and eventually help Israel to a major tournament in the future. I don't see what's wrong with that.This trying out youngsters against the mighty Russians thing is really a 50-50. It either miraculously works, or it doesn't pay off, without any huge damages to Israel. It could work for England in a way that, with these youngsters wanting to prove themselves, wanting to shine to get a move abroad to a major European league, so they may try their very best, and might find themselves with a shock 1-0 win or tight draw at the end of the 90 minutes. It could also back fire against England, as these inexperienced youngsters get outplayed, or is told that the result isn't important and these young Israelis are totally relaxed and unprepared. The Russians come out 2-0, 3-0 winners, and England are essentially playing a friendly against Croatia.
So back to the England part, they first have to deal with and come away injury-free in their friendly against Austria, one of the hosts of that tournament. This is the line-up that is already confirmed by Steve McClaren, and its still a 4-4-2.
Why not 4-3-3?
Scott Carson (on loan to Aston Villa, from Liverpool)
Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
Joleon Lescott (Everton)
David Beckham (LA Galaxy, USA)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, C)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Michael Owen (Newcastle United)Peter Crouch (Liverpool)I just don't know why McClaren isn't playing some fringe players like Wes Brown, Ashley Young or Stewart Downing in the First XI. Nicky Shorey should be allowed a chance to come on, so too the former three and an oh-so-famous David Bentley, or Betnley. Haha... Jermaine Defoe and Alan Smith should come on too. They should be given the chance to show what they can do and hopefully give McClaren some problems ahead of the Croatia game, should Israel deny Russia a win.
The holidays... So many things happening. Renovations at the other units, large-scale whole building wall-cleaning and painting, probably just to revamp the whole structure of the building. I've finally got a hang of FIFA08, hehee... Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was also completed a few days back, I don't know whether I'm going to try Crysis... Yes, its not Crisis, Crytek can't spell, can they? Played finished Portal some time ago, and also got engaged in Counter-Strike Source some time ago too. Football Manager 2008 is also on top of my gaming list. But being at home isn't as nice as I would have liked. Can't wait for the chalet next week. No pictures for these post. Kinda lazy. Happy reading... Happy holidays...
Bye~!
my thoughts at 11:59 pm