[Driver X]

Last week in the playoff final Wright saw a shot hit the bar, hit him and go in. This week it was a penalty that cracked a post and went in off the back of his head. Two OGs by a Keeper in Two Games? Is that a record? He did indeed concede two pens - first one he went to save a ball, mistimed it completely, missed the balkl and cracked the player. Second time he missed the ball again, bringing the forward down in the box. This time though, he avoided embarrassment and saved with his legs. Definite plus point is Nick Barmby. He simply has got to start - he was dropped after scoring against Moldova in 1996 when he was out of favour with Hoddle, and who knows how we might have done with him in the team. He was lively and made the Heskey goal. Heskey again looked good, showing that the people who think that to do well you have to have two out-and-out scorers are completely wrong.

 

[KilledInAction]

Yea the 2-1 win was very unconvincing, especially with Euro 2000 in a week.
But do you think this will undermine the team or will it strengthen the team to work harder in Euro 2000?

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[Driver X]

Not sure, in 98 England also played a couple of poor warm-ups before the WC and everyone thought that England would still be strong contestant for the WC.

England didn't play well at all in the group stages against weak opposition such as Tunisia and Colombia, where they needed so many chances to score.

England better find first gear next week in Eindhoven against Portugal or else they'll have another early exit from a major tournament.

The talent however is there to possibly go all the way, but even the simplest things such as passing against the minnow Malta was very poor.

 

[KilledInAction]

Yea...but it WOULD be very unfortunate to see England exit the competition too early...and if it were through penalties
England have a great potential with many great players but to preform when its most needed and work well as a team, is something they will need to improve. If all goes right, England DO have what it takes to go all the way.

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