England 0 Brazil 2 is my tip.
Keith Iddon ● 6574d13 Comments
I was indeed in Tallinn for the game Jim and what a wonderful place it was to visit.We arrived on Tuesday afternoon and it was just a 10 minute taxi ride to the Old Town where our hotel was situated.The locals were so friendly and you are correct that it would seem many were Russians especially the bar staff and waiters.The Old Town itself is like a scene from a chocolate box and is absolutely spotless,and it was obvious the people are extremely proud of their City.A decent result for England I thought and with four home games to come at Wembley plus a trip to Moscow in October,I am now a lot more confident of England qualifying then I was a couple of months ago.The "pretty blonde ladies" were in abundance as well you will be glad to hear but I was only looking of course.The only minor hiccup during the whole trip was being delayed in Stockholm last night on the way home and having to return to work today but never mind it was worth it.
Paul Fisher ● 6567d
Wait 'til Beckham plays in a tournament(he has let England down badly in the last 3)although in fairness all our'world class' players have shown themselves wanting when in competition against the best.
Keith Iddon ● 6567d
Once the dust has settled I think that people will start to realise that far from strengthening MacLaren's position what happened last night means he is even more likely to get the boot and deservedly so.He could have just dropped Beckham from his first squad or team when he took over but instead he wanted to make a grand gesture and led Beckham to believe that his international career was over.Beckham would never have signed the contract in America if he thought he would be playing for England again. England are now faced with the propect of a key player possibly not being available for vital qualifiers and even if he is arriving severely jetlagged for the matches.
Andy Jones ● 6568d
GarethThe game confirmed what we knew all along - Steve MacLaren is a genius. Stuart Downing showed Beckham how it should be done when he came on.I presume your assessment of Steve MacLaren was with "tongue in cheek"? Wasn't he the one who dropped Beckham in the first place, and brought him back because of outside and player pressure? he was a hairsbreadth away from being sacked....genius?.............nah!He may become a genius when he has won something......and that is a looooooooong way off!
Account suspended ● 6569d
A pretty good effort from the TW8 pundits and a very effective performance from England. Also I think the game proved David Beckham's critics right - okay he delivered two sublime crosses into the box that laid goals on a plate for Crouch and Owen and was at the centre of nearly everything else England created despite clearly having limited mobility due to a damaged ankle but apart from that nothing. I ask you can we really afford such luxury? The game confirmed what we knew all along - Steve MacLaren is a genius. Stuart Downing showed Beckham how it should be done when he came on.Jim - the commentator did say that several of the Estonia side had Russian names so I guess it was an ethnically mixed team. Despite getting spanked they weren't a bad side defensively.
Dan Evans ● 6569d
Same as Andrew..I reckon 3-1 as well.Have any of our Forum readers ever been to Estonia? Lucky Paul Fisher is believed to be there now ..in Tallinn..and I hope he gets a chance to visit the pretty old town, the bars and restaurants in the medieval buildings..and observe the pretty blonde ladies.It would be interesting to know how many of the 30%+ "Russian population" were in the crowd, and whether they sang the Estonian National Anthem!!But I'm going off topic..have a good time Paul..and let's hope England play well and win well.
Jim Lawes ● 6569d
Oh ye! of little faith; England 3 Estonia 1
A bit of an optimist me thinks..on the grounds that England rarely play well in two consecutive games I'll gp for a struggling 1(perhaps 2)-0 or a 0-0 draw would not surprise me.Again, I really hope I am wrong and we win 7-0!
Keith Iddon ● 6569d
Fair play to you for sticking your neck out but the mood in the England camp seems to have decisively changed. I think they would win comfortably tonight if Owen was match sharp but I'll go for 2-0 anyway with Beckham scoring one providing the other.
Andy Jones ● 6569d
Blimey! I should have said "here"
Account suspended ● 6573d
I say 1-1, with Brazil scoring a jammy goal in extra time, I'll put my shirt on it!If Becks plays as good in the next match, we will qualify, don't forget you heard it hear first!!!!!!
First Half a bit of a bore. Second Half somewhat better. Beckham's free kick, and the subsequent goal first class.Will we qualify? Just about! Win the title? Doubtful!
Colin Vaughan ● 6573d
You're wrong Keith!
Phil Andrews ● 6574d