The Great McClaren

[B_i_N]

Could this be a new dawn for England? Two terrific performances and an England team buzzing with confidence. Were many of us wrong about this man? Can he finally put together a trophy winning England team? I'm starting to believe he can. Let's hope he doesn't blow it against Macedonia.

[Jantje]

I think i'l reserve judgement till we play Croatia & Russia & Israel in our group but signs are there that the team is clicking under Steve Mac

[Mallorcabantam]

As with Brasil yesterday – he has blooded some youngsters and removed Becks, a brave move but it worked – I feel we are going forward – Even the big man up front looked good -- I also feel that El Tel has a lot to offer tup:

[baldbantam]

A friendly against Greece and a meaningless kick about against Andorra counts for nothing.

Let's see what happens when they have real opposition in front of them.

[Rick]

Lets not get carried away, we have played Andorra and Greece at home. I'm pretty sure that even Howard Wilkinson would of managed to put an England team together to beat the likes of those.

In my opinion the shite teams should have to pre qualify for the qualifiers. You can't get excited about these games and they are a waste of time.

[baldbantam]

Having said that, Greece are the current European champions to be fair to them.

[Rick]

Having said that, Greece are the current European champions to be fair to them.

Italy are world champions but they failed to beat Lithuania this weekend.

[B_i_N]

But there are no small teams anymore. Some can be damn difficult to beat, especially when it's competitive. Remember England lost deservedly so against Northern Ireland.

[Superfatbantam]

He seems to be getting the right "blend and balance" - I've counted him say that at least 5 times every press conference!

In all honesty, I have concerns that we revert to Phil Neville at right back when Gary is injured. No real strength in depth there, no matter how well he is playing for Everton.

I don't think Downing is anywhere near as good as J Cole and Lampard is still hanging on by his finger nails.

[Mallorcabantam]

Lampard was very quite and I have yet to see somthing in Downing

[B_i_N]

I wonder if there'll be any room in the team for Crouch when Owen returns from injury?

[baldbantam]

Well, Owen isn't expected to play for Newcastle this season, so Crouch has plenty of time to seal his place.

I don't think it's automatic that Owen would displace Crouch now. His goals/game ratio is pretty good, even if it is against crap opposition for the most part.

[Rick]

But there are no small teams anymore. Some can be damn difficult to beat, especially when it's competitive. Remember England lost deservedly so against Northern Ireland.

Every team in pot 6 and below should have to pre qualify, that way they are playing teams of their own strength and will probably benefit from it.

This would allow the European groups to have 6 teams in each group with will allow for 10 games, 5 home and 5 away. This means that every team will play a competitive game when there is an international weekend rather than someone sitting it out like they do with 7 in a group.

[B_i_N]

Well, Owen isn't expected to play for Newcastle this season, so Crouch has plenty of time to seal his place.

I don't think it's automatic that Owen would displace Crouch now. His goals/game ratio is pretty good, even if it is against crap opposition for the most part.

True and the question is will Owen ever recover his form when he returns from injury. But if he does, I believe a fit Owen and Rooney would be far more devestating in attacking teams than Rooney and Crouch.