Thankyou and laku noc...part 2

[girlintheyhat]

In an odd way, I'm glad that England were beaten last night.  So that now, perhaps, we can take a long, hard look at our football team.  Although I feel McLaren was at fault from the offset last night for playing Crouch as the lone striker, as it doesn't work.  Playing anything but 4-4-2 for England rarely works. Not to fault Crouch, because he worked his bum off, even when he was trapped in a system where his play would be ineffectual. The manager complicated things from the outset.  No more of that, as he gets to walk away with £2.5 million in his back pocket. Get fired, get the cash and swan off.  Nothing taken away from Croatia though, as they were undoubtedly the better team. Neat, technical passing and hey - why not have a ping at the goal from 30 yards out with an inexperienced goalie and a muddy, cut up pitch? We gave them far too much space to shoot.  We didn't deserve to qualify. I felt gutted for David Beckham, one of the only English players who consistently worked his bollocks off for the team. Who put in a brilliant cross for the equaliser amd now will probably be unlikely to get his 100th cap.  One of the only players who stayed on the pitch to applaud the fans who paid good money and got soaked. While our now ex-manager cowered under a large England umbrella during most of the first half.

From an Arsenal point of view, surely we need to play Walcott more so he can push for a place, he has the pace, youth and raw talent England needs. Eduardo, what a pass for Olic to score, I feel he also deserves more time in the side. If the rumours are true that Modric is coming to England, then also, yes please on the shopping list.  Despite the lack of England, I feel there will be plenty to enjoy from watching my club's players, which is the only consolation.

Oh and of course, getting Switzerland in the sweepstake again. ;)

It's almost the weekend, and the Premier League will be back, and all will feel well in the football world again.