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England beat Poland 2-1 today to top the group. Although the result may not mean anything, it could mean that England will be seeded in the World Cup and not have to play teams like Brazil and Italy early on.

The performance was so much better than the past 3 or 4 games. It signs that Sven may be getting his act together. Some of his substitutions were arguably slightly odd – like taking SWP off (but I think he was slightly injured) so fair enough.

Pretty much everyone played really well. Rooney was class. King played excellent in midfield – a position he is not used to. It just shows that we need a defensive midfielder playing alongside an attacking midfielder. The problem is its unlikely Sven will drop Gerrard AND Lampard. I personally would play Lampard because he is in form (at the moment) and plays really well alongside a defensive midfielder. Although SWP did well I would still play Becks but SWP is a good option. (Especially when G. Neville is back since they play well together). It will also be good to get A. Cole back since he has a left foot!! J. Cole did well but would be much better if he had a left foot. One thing to come out of this game is that it will hopefully make Sven thing about what is his strongest 11. The main one being “Does he play a defensive midfielder?” (King, Carrick, Butt, Parker,…)

One other thing to is that it was a shame to hear Crouch being booed. He did an alright job – I think some of the boos were cause SWP had been subbed and Sven had once again gone for the defensive option.

As well as the change in personnal, one major thing that changed was the England team played at a much higher tempo and pressurized the opposition (and played much higher up on the pitch) – this was obvious from the very first minute.

I think we will do well in the world cup and we have a chance of winning it but I don’t think we should suddenly think we will win it all etc. (It was only days when we were the worst team in the world!!!).

Seems like I am just talking about football on this blog recently.

Over the last week or so has been the celebrity reality show The Match – the idea is a bunch of celebs train for about a week and play against a team of legends in a big match at St James Park. The legends still have the skill and touch BUT are now older. This is the 2nd year its been done. The legends this year were generally younger so it made it even tougher. The match finished 2-0 to the legends (which as a football fan is good) but it would have been nice to see the celebs score at least one. They had a good few chances including a penalty but Chris Woods saved well. The celebs properly had more chances but Neville Southall saved a few times brilliantly and also missed some good chances. It was pretty entertaining. The celeb team seemed more up for it than the England football team!!!

Another poor lacklustre boring performance by an England team. A team on paper full of world class players. Somehow they just play rubbish for England.

Even going back to a 442 formation didnt fix things. Crouch didnt do much. We were abit lucky getting the penalty (but we were unlucky not to get the 2nd one). Once again Sven’s substitutions were puzzling.

We really needed to start the game with pace and tempo. Especially with the past crap 3 games you would have thought they would have wanted to really have a go and pressure the opposition but instead we just sat back. We play like what Sven is boring, cool and no passion.

Beckham was really unlucky to get sent off – at the very very most the 1st yellow card was just a foul. Its not possible to jump for a ball without lifting your arms. The 2nd yellow card, Becks pulled out from the tackle and may have not even touched the player. I think they are going to appeal so lets hope he doesnt miss the next game.

Thank goodness Rooney is back on Wednesday.

The final score was 1-0 in the end – we were lucky not to concede a goal when they almost lobbed the keeper. The only positive was that we got 3 points. In fact if Holland beat the Czech Republic tonight (currently they are winning 2-0) we are in the World cup. (Not too sure how that works out but who cares!!)

BBC Sport – Whos qualified?
BBC Sport