The Mail Bag
Our Bainesey
Comments (51)
Has anyone read today the tripe, the utter tosh about our Lad at left back for England in the sewage papers?
The thing that got me was the fact that they were all agreed that Baines would be on the plane because at left back there was no one else good enough to fill the position and infering that he wasn't that good.
Well, there was one blindingly obviouse reason that our lad had a nightmare of an evening and that was because of one person. People I give you one S. Gerrard.
Apparently he was supposed to be the guy who was playing left attack mid. But for all of the time this fraud was on the pitch I never saw him once track back and help bainsy.
He was left to his own devices and did anyone suss out that it was only when a real class footballer called Adam Johnson came on that Leighton Baines started to fall into the Everton mode. Shame on you Gerrard and shame on you Cappello you were both negligent of your professional duties.
We started to see (because I was on the look out) after what had gone on, prior to Johnsons arrival, Bainsey starting to dictate things down the left flank.
Now maybe with Cappello it was a pre-planned tactic to suss out whether LB could handle it. I would go for the BOTD. But please any journo's reading, your evaluation of the full facts were at best dire since your hero Rio played like a pub centre-back and man of the moment although he scored, both let our country down badly and both of them were in fact SHITE.
Jon Cox, Posted 25/05/2010 at 17:59:17
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It took Baines a while to settle at Everton and I think it's going to take time for him to get a handle on playing for England with different players and different coaches. He's a confidence player who might not be the type to settle into any situation quickly and that isn't ideal at international level.
Be nice for him to make the trip to SA but, if Ashley Cole is fit and stays fit, he'll play every game anyway... so it may end up moot who travels as the back-up left-back.
Who gives a fuck about England? Can't wait to see this overhyped group of shite get knocked out in the quarters. Roll on the domestic season.
Exactly the same happened in his last game when I don't think the red twat passed to Baines the whole game.
Anyway, if he doesn't go to South Africa, he won't get injured/tapped up before the start of next season, and it will make it a lot easier to laugh at the greedy over-rated prima donna bastards when they get humped by the USA.
We are repeatedly told by the press, and the so-called experts on Sky etc, that Leighton will be going as understudy to our Ashley, the darling of the media. I just hope that Bainsey makes the trip, enjoys a nice holiday, and comes back fit and tanned.
As for the so-called first eleven, does he really have a clue? What eleven?? So many carrying knocks, and doubtful if they can play two games on the run. My feeling is that they will fall when starting the knock-out stages.
No surprises. Put a real left midfielder in front of him and he looks classy. Put anyone else there and he backs off, his lack of real pace and height are exposed, and as the defender he takes the blame for any mishaps. Tony Hibbert is a better defender, but Baines is a better midfield support and overlapping full back.
But then you could say the same for Glen Johnson as well, except he is a better athlete so he gets away with more. Johnson and King were both also badly exposed last night but goals masked their flaws.
I still think Baines will go, but he won't play. Good news is it should stop any transfer talk, but if City offer £24m for him, we should take it. ;-)
But then you could say the same for Glen Johnson as well, except he is a better athlete so he gets away with more. Johnson and King were both also badly exposed last night but goals masked their flaws.
I still think Baines will go, but he won't play. Good news is it should stop any transfer talk, but if City offer £24m for him, we should take it. ;-)
To be honest I don't care about England and twats like Cashley Cole, John Terry and that cunt from across the park... In fact, I hope Donovan scores the winner against them. The only team I will be cheering on in the World Cup is Australia with our Timmy.
Didn't watch it as I couldn't care less about the England team.
To be fair, I have read on a few footy sites the same defence for Baines — and even the manager saw it and moved Milner wide at half-time. But I have to say he was not marking tight enough and allowing too many crosses to get over.
Agree with the sentiments of Ryan, Ian, James. I'll be backing the kiwis come June. It was a long, long time ago when I felt remotely patriotic about that bunch of mercenaries. As much as I relish the spectacle of a World Cup, the hype and hysteria surrounding 'our boys' does nothing for me. These days, it's more likely to make me cringe.
Agreed, he was generally marking two players at any one time.
If Rio had tracked his man for the goal, people would be crediting Baines with a goal-saving clearance on the line. But that thick twat's actions mean that is forgotten.
If Rio had tracked his man for the goal, people would be crediting Baines with a goal-saving clearance on the line. But that thick twat's actions mean that is forgotten.
As already said above, it was exactly the same last game. No one passed to him until all the prima donnas were subbed and the decent "team" players came on. Miller was the one last game who looked good going down the line with him. Stevie Me Laaaa (No Forehead) can kiss my tube!
I did not see the game yet it is puzzling that so many were able to recognise that Leighton Baines got so little support from his left midfield partner.
After a similar situation at last year's FA Cup Final, I seemed to be the only one on here to sympathise with Hibbo when Osman hung him out to dry. Maybe that was because Hibbo is not flavour of the month while Ossy is everyone's golden boy.
Deary me, we really do work our selves into a lather at times over Gerrard. Using the same logic of "not liking players who play for teams my team has a tribal dislike of" he wouldn't have been passing to Carrick, Ferdinand or Rooney. As intimated in the original post, I suspect Capello's tactics perhaps had a lot to do with the positioning and way that Gerrard played.
Also, Capello is well within his rights to test out the capabilities of a player — if he needed to see how Baines handled being exposed then so be it. Baines didn't play well — I think it was a combination of strategy, his own limitations and nerves / confidence as Lyndon suggests.
I really think some folk need to stop being so precious about our players. Hopefully he'll learn from the experience — to Everton's advantage. Hopefully if Moyes was watching he'll take something from it tactically too.
I think Cappello's got enough nouse to know that the most important thing about playing full-back is the space in front of him and how it is filled.
Too much space and he stays back, they get a run at him.
Too much space and he goes forward, and it's in behind him.
Either way, egg-on-the-face time.
Too much space and he stays back, they get a run at him.
Too much space and he goes forward, and it's in behind him.
Either way, egg-on-the-face time.
Name me ANY England player who did play well yesterday?
Bainsey was not alone.
MF were a shambles and the whole defence looked shaky.
Bainsey was not alone.
MF were a shambles and the whole defence looked shaky.
I was actually at the game and have to admit I was very excited to see Baines in an England shirt.
Unfortunately, he didn't give a good account of himself. He was embarrassingly skinned a couple of times and I don't think he made a single tackle in the first half.
He improved in the second and even made a really great burst forward which got the crowd going but it wasn't enough to make up for a very disappointing display.
The really bad thing is that several members of the crowd around me started giving Baines a tough time. He couldn't hear it because there was 88,000 people there but, believe me, there were a few voices starting to jeer him and it only takes a match to start a forest fire.
The annoying thing is that Baines is a much better player then that. I honestly believe that England fans have only witnessed Baines at 60% effectiveness.
Maybe its nerves, maybe its the occaision getting the better of him, he's a quiet unassuming guy. He really needs to believe in himself more and I'm sure he'll be more effective.
Capello will take Baines because he's probably proved in training that he's better then Warnock. But I don't know if England will ever see the best of Baines. Will he ever adapt to that level mentally?
He's not as good as Ashley Cole, you wouldn't ever suggest he was but he's got the ability to be a capable back up. He's just got to believe in himself, give a better account of himself and silence those England doubters.
On a side note, the England fans that were getting on Baines back also booed Carragher when he came on and then cheered him at the first tackle he made. So maybe they are just ignorant morons.
Unfortunately, he didn't give a good account of himself. He was embarrassingly skinned a couple of times and I don't think he made a single tackle in the first half.
He improved in the second and even made a really great burst forward which got the crowd going but it wasn't enough to make up for a very disappointing display.
The really bad thing is that several members of the crowd around me started giving Baines a tough time. He couldn't hear it because there was 88,000 people there but, believe me, there were a few voices starting to jeer him and it only takes a match to start a forest fire.
The annoying thing is that Baines is a much better player then that. I honestly believe that England fans have only witnessed Baines at 60% effectiveness.
Maybe its nerves, maybe its the occaision getting the better of him, he's a quiet unassuming guy. He really needs to believe in himself more and I'm sure he'll be more effective.
Capello will take Baines because he's probably proved in training that he's better then Warnock. But I don't know if England will ever see the best of Baines. Will he ever adapt to that level mentally?
He's not as good as Ashley Cole, you wouldn't ever suggest he was but he's got the ability to be a capable back up. He's just got to believe in himself, give a better account of himself and silence those England doubters.
On a side note, the England fans that were getting on Baines back also booed Carragher when he came on and then cheered him at the first tackle he made. So maybe they are just ignorant morons.
Chris Dean, good shout about the all-whites. I would love to see them get through the group stage.
I always enjoy the World Cup, I just can't stand anything to do with the England team or its moronic followers. The thought of cheering on Terry, Cole, Ferdinand, Gerrard etc makes me feel sick.
I always enjoy the World Cup, I just can't stand anything to do with the England team or its moronic followers. The thought of cheering on Terry, Cole, Ferdinand, Gerrard etc makes me feel sick.
Did I watch a different match? NOBODY mentions Baines set up England's first goal out of nothing.
Well the game was just a shakeout. Everyone knew that ahead of time, both coaches said it. So a lot of trial and error. Plus guys are still playing for spots on the team.
I watched the whole game and WAS surprised at how many times a Mexican player was behind everyone and on top of the keeper. Didn't expect that at all. So brighten up. The keeper looked good.
As far as Baines, I know he's the center of discussion because he's EFC. But I thought right down the middle was where the Mexs were pouring through. Hardly his fault.
Anyway, just a shakeout game. Things will tighten up, no doubt the next couple of weeks.
ps: You think Baines was bad, you should have seen our left back abused repeatedly tonight against the Czechs.
I watched the whole game and WAS surprised at how many times a Mexican player was behind everyone and on top of the keeper. Didn't expect that at all. So brighten up. The keeper looked good.
As far as Baines, I know he's the center of discussion because he's EFC. But I thought right down the middle was where the Mexs were pouring through. Hardly his fault.
Anyway, just a shakeout game. Things will tighten up, no doubt the next couple of weeks.
ps: You think Baines was bad, you should have seen our left back abused repeatedly tonight against the Czechs.
It just goes to show that, like a lot of other people, footballers and their coaches are just as hypocritical, pot calling the kettle black as most of the rest of us (present company excepted of course).
No doubt there was wailing and gnashing of teeth by Cahill and the rest of the dressing room, when Pienaar and Johnny H got dealt to by the RS and Villa respectively.
But put on a different shirt and all is fair in love and war, which is mostly what football is.
Seems to me that the Aussies did their homework, like it was hard right on their own door step and that the two better players on the All Whites team, Bertos, aka Baines and Brown got dealt to.
Both England and the Aussies where crap, BUT, after all that is what pre-tournament games are all about.
As to the chances of the All Whites?? With Italy, holders or not, as noted historical slow and erratic starters.
Goes out on a limb.......
NZ could get 1 W, vs Paraguay, 1 D, vs Slovenia and a narrow loss to Italy... Lots of ifs and maybes, it could all come down to GD and who gets a pasting off Italy if they wake up.
The Aussies?? A real group of death, but in a close game — and the bigger the better — we all know what Tim can do.
England?? who gives a shit? overpaid chavs to a man (except for Baines).
No doubt there was wailing and gnashing of teeth by Cahill and the rest of the dressing room, when Pienaar and Johnny H got dealt to by the RS and Villa respectively.
But put on a different shirt and all is fair in love and war, which is mostly what football is.
Seems to me that the Aussies did their homework, like it was hard right on their own door step and that the two better players on the All Whites team, Bertos, aka Baines and Brown got dealt to.
Both England and the Aussies where crap, BUT, after all that is what pre-tournament games are all about.
As to the chances of the All Whites?? With Italy, holders or not, as noted historical slow and erratic starters.
Goes out on a limb.......
NZ could get 1 W, vs Paraguay, 1 D, vs Slovenia and a narrow loss to Italy... Lots of ifs and maybes, it could all come down to GD and who gets a pasting off Italy if they wake up.
The Aussies?? A real group of death, but in a close game — and the bigger the better — we all know what Tim can do.
England?? who gives a shit? overpaid chavs to a man (except for Baines).
The unfortunate thing is, when a Blue gets into the England squad, whether it be Jags or Baines, they look as if they don't belong. They seem to think they don't deserve to be there and therefore don't give a "usual" performance by their standards, when in all honesty they deserve to be there a lot more than the likes of Terry, Gerrard and Carragher who have all had very average seasons.
I can see where you're going with that, Simon. But I think part of the problem is the elitist mentality among the English national stalwarts like Steven G, Terry, and Lampard, which is a product of the Sky Four phenomenon. I think the players, fans, and media feel that if you don't play for a Champions League squad then you're not good enough to play for England. In their eyes if a player WAS good enough for England then that player wouldn't be at Everton or Villa; he'd be a Man U player or a Chelsea player which we all know is crap. Tottenham has been the exception to the CL criteria (except for this season of course), but the media has always loved them so their players get the same privileged treatment. And as a result, it's hard for a guy like Baines to just walk in and be accepted. It was nice though to read Mark Lawrenson's comments that basically called Steven Gerrard out for letting his teammate face multiple attackers throughout the first half.
And James Flynn, yeah how about the game for us tonight? Phew. I think we'd be better off playing one of the backup goalies and leave whomever wins the left back lottery as the absolute last resort.
And James Flynn, yeah how about the game for us tonight? Phew. I think we'd be better off playing one of the backup goalies and leave whomever wins the left back lottery as the absolute last resort.
We are allowed to say if someone actually had a bad game. The reason Baines got slated in the press is because he was shit. Whether you get cover or not from the midfielder in front of you is irrelevant. If you're world class then you deal with it. Baines didn't. As much as I detest Ashley Cole, he is world class and can deal with it. I would take him over Baines any day.
It's why players should be very careful when looking for moves elsewhere (Pienaar) becuase they fit very well into a specific system at Everton and are given very specific instructions from the manager . Take them out of the system and they don't look good enough. Also the football played in the Premier League, although a high standard, is very familiar to the players - the systems teams play are the same. At international level, the sytems are different, the style of play is different and a lot of the players are unfamiliar. It's why a lot of players who look good in the Premier League get found out at that level.
It's why players should be very careful when looking for moves elsewhere (Pienaar) becuase they fit very well into a specific system at Everton and are given very specific instructions from the manager . Take them out of the system and they don't look good enough. Also the football played in the Premier League, although a high standard, is very familiar to the players - the systems teams play are the same. At international level, the sytems are different, the style of play is different and a lot of the players are unfamiliar. It's why a lot of players who look good in the Premier League get found out at that level.
I'd love to blame Gerrard as he is a c@nt but his position is NOT left mid and Baines simply put, looked poor to me.
He didnt get close enough to the winger and too often just jockeyed with his hands behind his back in that annoying manner he has developed. I dont think he was told not to get forward - he was half way up the wings for Englands (I nearly said "our" then..) goalkicks - but instead decided to play safe.
I dont blame him for the goal - it would have gone in anyway if he hadnt been on the line - but he should have cleared it!
I'm a big fan of Baines at Everton and dont give a monkeys if he plays for England but, as a low browed, hoof it, left back myself, I'd have been disappointed with a game like that!
He didnt get close enough to the winger and too often just jockeyed with his hands behind his back in that annoying manner he has developed. I dont think he was told not to get forward - he was half way up the wings for Englands (I nearly said "our" then..) goalkicks - but instead decided to play safe.
I dont blame him for the goal - it would have gone in anyway if he hadnt been on the line - but he should have cleared it!
I'm a big fan of Baines at Everton and dont give a monkeys if he plays for England but, as a low browed, hoof it, left back myself, I'd have been disappointed with a game like that!
Derek Thomas, post 21?
I dont get any of that???
Murf
I dont get any of that???
Murf
I don't get this thread....Baines was poor the other night - in a formation that Capello is likely to use...
What's the problem?
What's the problem?
I don't get this thread....Baines was poor the other night - in a formation that Capello is likely to use...
What's the problem?
What's the problem?
Never read so much shite on here.
"Wont support England because they are an overpaid gang of mercenaries."
Heres the rub. All footballers are an overpaid gang of mercenaries. They would all to a man fuck off for a bigger pay packet aka Lescott, Barmby, soon to be Pienar and a good few others.
The only reason Cahill is still with us is that no one has come in for and offered him more money.
The Ausies have had some of the biggest mercanary players ever in the prem. Remember Bosnich, Viduka and Lucas Neill, who went to WHU for no other reason other than money.
To support another country over the one you where born in because you have a player in the squad is quite frankly sad.
Do any of you for one minute think the Aussies would adopt this mindset. NO is the answer, they are proud of what there international teams achieve and so they should be.
Same goes by the way for all you ex pats.
Support your country, no way would an Aussie support England over there country of birth because they lived in said country.
No wonder the countries in the state it's in.
No Dunkirk spirit. And that last comment was not a piss take.
"Wont support England because they are an overpaid gang of mercenaries."
Heres the rub. All footballers are an overpaid gang of mercenaries. They would all to a man fuck off for a bigger pay packet aka Lescott, Barmby, soon to be Pienar and a good few others.
The only reason Cahill is still with us is that no one has come in for and offered him more money.
The Ausies have had some of the biggest mercanary players ever in the prem. Remember Bosnich, Viduka and Lucas Neill, who went to WHU for no other reason other than money.
To support another country over the one you where born in because you have a player in the squad is quite frankly sad.
Do any of you for one minute think the Aussies would adopt this mindset. NO is the answer, they are proud of what there international teams achieve and so they should be.
Same goes by the way for all you ex pats.
Support your country, no way would an Aussie support England over there country of birth because they lived in said country.
No wonder the countries in the state it's in.
No Dunkirk spirit. And that last comment was not a piss take.
Dave,
I was born in England as my Scottish mother was there at the time; I have an Irish father and Austrian and Welsh grandparents. Not unusual for a scouser to be a bit of a mongrel.
You support (and play for) who your heart tells you to
Imagine telling Bruce Rioch, born in Aldershot and speaking with a posh English accent, that he wasn't Scottish!
I was born in England as my Scottish mother was there at the time; I have an Irish father and Austrian and Welsh grandparents. Not unusual for a scouser to be a bit of a mongrel.
You support (and play for) who your heart tells you to
Imagine telling Bruce Rioch, born in Aldershot and speaking with a posh English accent, that he wasn't Scottish!
Phil.
My name is Lynch on my fathers side and O'brian on my mothers.
Doesn't take a genius to work out where my ancestry comes from.
But i was born in England, educated in England and am proud to be English.
England gave me my values and identity, i love this country for all it's faults and am not about to jump on the ancestral bandwagon to justify who my loyalties lie with.
They lie with England.
My name is Lynch on my fathers side and O'brian on my mothers.
Doesn't take a genius to work out where my ancestry comes from.
But i was born in England, educated in England and am proud to be English.
England gave me my values and identity, i love this country for all it's faults and am not about to jump on the ancestral bandwagon to justify who my loyalties lie with.
They lie with England.
Dave,
I'll "lean towards" England in the world cup but I've never "supported" the national team, nor any other.
Its nothing to do with nationality nor ancestory nor who is picked by which ever manager happens to be in place at the time.
Its just that I cant get into any other team but Everton.
To me its the same as those people who support Wycombe Wanderers and Man United. I cant have two teams. Just dont get it!
The comment made earlier about "rather win a corner for Everton than the world cup for England" is, albeit exagerrated, about right for me.
Not because I dislike the England team - I just only have room for Everton.
And I know many Evertonians who feel the same way - I would even say the majority I know! Possibly due in some way to Phils views above.
So long as Baines plays as well as he did last season for Everton I dont care how he plays, or how the press sees him play, for England.
I'll "lean towards" England in the world cup but I've never "supported" the national team, nor any other.
Its nothing to do with nationality nor ancestory nor who is picked by which ever manager happens to be in place at the time.
Its just that I cant get into any other team but Everton.
To me its the same as those people who support Wycombe Wanderers and Man United. I cant have two teams. Just dont get it!
The comment made earlier about "rather win a corner for Everton than the world cup for England" is, albeit exagerrated, about right for me.
Not because I dislike the England team - I just only have room for Everton.
And I know many Evertonians who feel the same way - I would even say the majority I know! Possibly due in some way to Phils views above.
So long as Baines plays as well as he did last season for Everton I dont care how he plays, or how the press sees him play, for England.
This ambivalence towards England appears to be quite prevalent in the northwest....
I wonder is it a hangover from a large degree of Irish ancestry...
Interesting.
I wonder is it a hangover from a large degree of Irish ancestry...
Interesting.
Or as my wife calls them Ciaran.
Plastic Paddys.
My wife by the way is 100% Irish who also speaks fluent gaelic
Plastic Paddys.
My wife by the way is 100% Irish who also speaks fluent gaelic
I would reserve the term 'Plastic paddyism' for those who've never set foot here and are about 4 or 5 generations removed - yet claim to be Irish.
usually Americans.
usually Americans.
Plenty of them here also mate.
Ciarán, I think its more down to the fact that until fairly recently England were viewed as a "southern team".
I dont live in the North West these days but I guess that there are probably more England fans now amongst the younger generation than when I grew up there in the 60's and 70's.
Its just always been Everton, and only Everton, for me.
I dont live in the North West these days but I guess that there are probably more England fans now amongst the younger generation than when I grew up there in the 60's and 70's.
Its just always been Everton, and only Everton, for me.
Interesting viewpoints and each to their own, no problem
I am an Evertonian, I don't have a second team, I appreciate good play from whomever but, in general, dislike football as it is today
This is a common view amongst my Evertonian mates
I cried when England got beat in Mexico (Ball, Wright, Labone etc) but the last time I took any interest in the England team was when, because of losing Robson and Wilkins, the manager(?) had to play the Everton lads and they saved England from an early flight home
My passport, by the way, states my nationality as "British Citizen"
I am an Evertonian, I don't have a second team, I appreciate good play from whomever but, in general, dislike football as it is today
This is a common view amongst my Evertonian mates
I cried when England got beat in Mexico (Ball, Wright, Labone etc) but the last time I took any interest in the England team was when, because of losing Robson and Wilkins, the manager(?) had to play the Everton lads and they saved England from an early flight home
My passport, by the way, states my nationality as "British Citizen"
My passport states the same Phil.
As does everyones from the British Isles.
Try telling a Glaswegian he's British and he'll tell you in no uncertain terms he's Scottish and rightly so.
Just like i'm English.
As does everyones from the British Isles.
Try telling a Glaswegian he's British and he'll tell you in no uncertain terms he's Scottish and rightly so.
Just like i'm English.
Dave,
As we agree, don't tell Bruce Rioch he's English!
Your choice who you identify with
My Dad told me the tale of his Gunner's regiment being paraded before a visiting general in Africa in WWII
He was going on about `fighting for England', `keeping the Hun out of England', preserving the `English way of life' - this to a regiment containing Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan etc
He said the muttering in the ranks sounded like a swarm of angry bees - the stupid general had to be told by the RSM what the problem was
As we agree, don't tell Bruce Rioch he's English!
Your choice who you identify with
My Dad told me the tale of his Gunner's regiment being paraded before a visiting general in Africa in WWII
He was going on about `fighting for England', `keeping the Hun out of England', preserving the `English way of life' - this to a regiment containing Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan etc
He said the muttering in the ranks sounded like a swarm of angry bees - the stupid general had to be told by the RSM what the problem was
"My passport states the same Phil.
As does everyones from the British Isles."
-------------------
Not quite. Ask your wife.
As does everyones from the British Isles."
-------------------
Not quite. Ask your wife.
It appears some of the people on here wouldn’t pass good old Norman Tebbit’s cricket test!
Notwithstanding the above Scottish example, generally I think it’s a bit strange not to support the country in which you were born and the one in which you live. But we human beings can be complex.
Ciarán (33) has put his finger on one reason. I think it also reflects: an anti-Southern bias in some people’s minds; and the fact that in recent years fewer and fewer Everton players have been selected for England, and when they are, they can get perhaps get injured, or worse, poached.
By the way, I have worked on a number of projects in Ireland in my time, and I was always told that “Plastic Paddies” were the children of Irish people who had emigrated.
Notwithstanding the above Scottish example, generally I think it’s a bit strange not to support the country in which you were born and the one in which you live. But we human beings can be complex.
Ciarán (33) has put his finger on one reason. I think it also reflects: an anti-Southern bias in some people’s minds; and the fact that in recent years fewer and fewer Everton players have been selected for England, and when they are, they can get perhaps get injured, or worse, poached.
By the way, I have worked on a number of projects in Ireland in my time, and I was always told that “Plastic Paddies” were the children of Irish people who had emigrated.
Is there an Evertonian who witnessed it who didn't celebrate when Sheedy (born in Wales) smashed that in against England (c'mon Dave, just a wee bit, deep down, maybe?)
"Notwithstanding the above Scottish example, generally I think it’s a bit strange not to support the country in which you were born and the one in which you live. "
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Haha, can of worms there Tom - I don't support Northern Ireland - but then again it's designation as a country is debatable..
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Haha, can of worms there Tom - I don't support Northern Ireland - but then again it's designation as a country is debatable..
Right, I am an Evertonian (and a proud one).... I am also a proud Englishman and will support any team that goes on to a football field to play for either of those teams.
Baines didn't have his best game but I still see no problem. He has been picked ahead of Warnock for two games. But that (soon to be divorced) knobhead Cole will always be picked first.
Baines didn't have his best game but I still see no problem. He has been picked ahead of Warnock for two games. But that (soon to be divorced) knobhead Cole will always be picked first.
So Leighton will have a nice World Cup experience, training and being on the bench, but mainly coming back to Everton full of confidence and ready to go without being too knackered.
Baines had a poor game and is over-rated by a lot of Evertonians. He's competent but not class.
Ciarán – A can indeed. Anyone who has ever taken an interest in the subject knows that people can define “country” in different ways on the “island” on which you live.
Phil – yes, there had to be some mixed feelings, although it ended up 1-1 as I recall and in the event didn’t affect England’s prospects (and Sheedy was born in Wales, of course.)
Phil – yes, there had to be some mixed feelings, although it ended up 1-1 as I recall and in the event didn’t affect England’s prospects (and Sheedy was born in Wales, of course.)
I'd be made up if he does not get picked, all it means is that gobshites like Terry and Lampard spend a month telling him how great winning the league and playing in the champions league is.
Ciaran.
My wife has an Irish passport for what it's worth.
My wife has an Irish passport for what it's worth.
Ciaran.
Think iv'e just got where your coming from on the passport mullarkey.
Excuse the the last post iv'e been in work since 6am and i'm tired.
Think iv'e just got where your coming from on the passport mullarkey.
Excuse the the last post iv'e been in work since 6am and i'm tired.
Chris (23). I don't follow the England side except for this year since we have to play them. For a shakeout game, they sure looked good whenever they attacked with determination. That's why I'm nervous after how crappy the US defense looked, especially at left back. Strange, year after year that remains a bad spot for us. On the other hand, England's back defense looked bad too. You know Mexico had to be pissed they weren't up 4-2 at the half. So, we'll see.
Love Baines on our team, but left out to dry Monday or not, he seemed shaky one-on-one. Don't quite get why he was singled out, though, since Mexico was pouring thru the center all the first half. Maybe there is something to this "Sky 4 favoritism" after all. Let's just get Bainsey back healthy for the upcoming season.
Love Baines on our team, but left out to dry Monday or not, he seemed shaky one-on-one. Don't quite get why he was singled out, though, since Mexico was pouring thru the center all the first half. Maybe there is something to this "Sky 4 favoritism" after all. Let's just get Bainsey back healthy for the upcoming season.
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1 Posted 25/05/2010 at 20:08:27
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