Thursday, June 15, 2006

England Part II

Another insipid performance against dogged but limited opponents. Another three points. On we go to the last 16.

But several big questions remain: What happens if Rooney breaks down again? Will Owen end up a half fit passenger? Can we afford to wait for Lampard and Gerrard to replicate their club form, or do we drop one for a holding midfield player and let the other run loose? What was the point in bringing Theo Walcott? Does Erikkson have a Plan B that doesn't involve Owen Hargreaves and a retreat to the edge of our own penalty area?

And then some questions have already been answered. Forget Crouch's goal, he just isn't international class. If Rooney and Owen aren't fit and on fire, England have no chance of lifting the cup. Downing and Lennon are bold, pacy and exciting but consistently let down by poor delivery into the box; the captain is the exact opposite. I stand by my original prediction. It's the quarter finals and good night.

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