England vs Ghana - Tues 29th March
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He's just happy that he got to score a goal for once, maybe a bit too happy...
England v Ghana: Winners and losers
Andy Carroll's first goal for his country and Gary Cahill's impressive audition for the big time were the two standout performances at Wembley
1 Andy Carroll
A momentous match for the striker, who in his second international appearance scored a first goal for his country. It was an impressive finish, with the 22-year-old hitting a firm drive past the Ghana goalkeeper, Richard Kingson, into the far corner of the net. The relief was clear for a player who has somewhat become burdened with expectation since his £35m move from Newcastle United to Liverpool in January and has not been able to show his best form as he continues to recover from a thigh injury. That much was also evident at Wembley as, his goal apart, Carroll looked short of the sharpness that persuaded Liverpool to spend so much on him, but he continued to toil as the spearhead of England's three-man attack until he was replaced on 59 minutes. Winner
2 Gareth Barry
Perhaps it was no surprise that on the day when he captained England for the first time, the 30-year-old should display some early nerves. Barry's assignment was to protect England's defence but as the first half drew on it was the player himself who needed guidance. The midfielder was sloppy in possession and showed a lack of assurance that was remarkable for a player earning his 45th cap. Twice before the interval the Manchester City midfielder missed with two robust tackles, the first of which, on Sulley Muntari, allowed Ghana to develop their most sustained period of possession of the first 45 minutes. Just prior to that, he also slipped in the box and appeared to have given possession away to Muntari only for the referee to deem that Barry had been pushed by Gyan prior to the incident. The stand-in captain's performance did improve in the second half, with his passing in particularly becoming more assured, but this was not a performance that will guarantee his return to Fabio Capello's first-choice side. Loser
3 Gary Cahill
This was in some ways an audition for the 25-year-old given he is expected to leave Bolton Wanderers in the summer and join one of the Premier League's elite sides. On his third appearance for England, and on his first start, Cahill served notice of his potential as a defender of high class. Given England were facing a team with one recognised striker in Asamoah Gyan, it can be argued that this was never going to be a true test of Cahill's credentials, but he did what he had to well. There were two eye‑catching tackles, one that left the Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah strewn on the turf and another that prevented Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu from having a shot on goal. It was a perfectly timed sliding tackle and capped an encouraging display. Winner
4 Leighton Baines
It will take a monumental effort by any player to dislodge Ashley Cole as England's first‑choice left-back and in that sense there is little Baines could have done here to have propelled himself from understudy to genuine contender for a starting place in Capello's regular side. Nevertheless, this was a chance for the 26-year-old to push ahead of the other contenders to back up Cole and he will deem he did not do enough. Initially the player provided incisive width, pushing Ghana's John Pantsil further back. But as this contest developed the player become increasingly peripheral in an attacking sense. Defensively, too, there was also moments of indecisiveness. It was not a terrible display by the Everton full-back, but it was not an eye-catching one. Loser
5 Stewart Downing
The left‑winger may not have appreciated having to start this match on the right of England's attack but there was no sulking from the 26-year-old. Instead he delivered one of his most encouraging displays for the national side, and was rightly named man of the match. There was a willingness from Downing to drive down the line as well as cut inside on to his left foot and indeed it was a central area that the Aston Villa player set up Carroll for England's only goal. The player timed his run from deep perfectly to stay onside and intercept Ashley Young's through pass before nudging the ball into the path of Carroll who finished with aplomb. A curling free-kick from the player that drifted over the bar also showed his capabilities from set-pieces. Winner
Original Article
PS - Mike. - feel free to clean up a little ^^
Andy Carroll's first goal for his country and Gary Cahill's impressive audition for the big time were the two standout performances at Wembley
1 Andy Carroll
A momentous match for the striker, who in his second international appearance scored a first goal for his country. It was an impressive finish, with the 22-year-old hitting a firm drive past the Ghana goalkeeper, Richard Kingson, into the far corner of the net. The relief was clear for a player who has somewhat become burdened with expectation since his £35m move from Newcastle United to Liverpool in January and has not been able to show his best form as he continues to recover from a thigh injury. That much was also evident at Wembley as, his goal apart, Carroll looked short of the sharpness that persuaded Liverpool to spend so much on him, but he continued to toil as the spearhead of England's three-man attack until he was replaced on 59 minutes. Winner
2 Gareth Barry
Perhaps it was no surprise that on the day when he captained England for the first time, the 30-year-old should display some early nerves. Barry's assignment was to protect England's defence but as the first half drew on it was the player himself who needed guidance. The midfielder was sloppy in possession and showed a lack of assurance that was remarkable for a player earning his 45th cap. Twice before the interval the Manchester City midfielder missed with two robust tackles, the first of which, on Sulley Muntari, allowed Ghana to develop their most sustained period of possession of the first 45 minutes. Just prior to that, he also slipped in the box and appeared to have given possession away to Muntari only for the referee to deem that Barry had been pushed by Gyan prior to the incident. The stand-in captain's performance did improve in the second half, with his passing in particularly becoming more assured, but this was not a performance that will guarantee his return to Fabio Capello's first-choice side. Loser
3 Gary Cahill
This was in some ways an audition for the 25-year-old given he is expected to leave Bolton Wanderers in the summer and join one of the Premier League's elite sides. On his third appearance for England, and on his first start, Cahill served notice of his potential as a defender of high class. Given England were facing a team with one recognised striker in Asamoah Gyan, it can be argued that this was never going to be a true test of Cahill's credentials, but he did what he had to well. There were two eye‑catching tackles, one that left the Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah strewn on the turf and another that prevented Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu from having a shot on goal. It was a perfectly timed sliding tackle and capped an encouraging display. Winner
4 Leighton Baines
It will take a monumental effort by any player to dislodge Ashley Cole as England's first‑choice left-back and in that sense there is little Baines could have done here to have propelled himself from understudy to genuine contender for a starting place in Capello's regular side. Nevertheless, this was a chance for the 26-year-old to push ahead of the other contenders to back up Cole and he will deem he did not do enough. Initially the player provided incisive width, pushing Ghana's John Pantsil further back. But as this contest developed the player become increasingly peripheral in an attacking sense. Defensively, too, there was also moments of indecisiveness. It was not a terrible display by the Everton full-back, but it was not an eye-catching one. Loser
5 Stewart Downing
The left‑winger may not have appreciated having to start this match on the right of England's attack but there was no sulking from the 26-year-old. Instead he delivered one of his most encouraging displays for the national side, and was rightly named man of the match. There was a willingness from Downing to drive down the line as well as cut inside on to his left foot and indeed it was a central area that the Aston Villa player set up Carroll for England's only goal. The player timed his run from deep perfectly to stay onside and intercept Ashley Young's through pass before nudging the ball into the path of Carroll who finished with aplomb. A curling free-kick from the player that drifted over the bar also showed his capabilities from set-pieces. Winner
Original Article
PS - Mike. - feel free to clean up a little ^^
Ahhh my bad.
If it isn't Photoshop then I'm guessing he really thumped the ball & the camera got a shot of the muscles bendin or something.
Don't think I agree with those points in that article Joss: quite apart from the fact that Downing wouldn't complain since he's playing on the right for Villa anyway, Barry and Baines both did well in my opinion. Lescott did badly though, and Jags was caught out a couple of times.
You suggesting he has some kind of prehensile muscled ***** of d00m or something?
'Cause I wouldn't put it past him.
You suggesting he has some kind of prehensile muscled ***** of d00m or something?
'Cause I wouldn't put it past him.
You're not already? <)
nope i could only turn him Bi, Going to try harder when he comes to visit.
I
iNickStuff
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I can't really say that I am disappointed with the result. Ghana are a very good team, and we rode our luck at times to come away with a very narrow win. It was quite obvious that we were going to have those quick counter-attacks again and again from them due to their pace down the flanks and pressing a fairly high line at times.
But the positives from the tactical side of our game is in an abundance. The use of a new and intriguing 4-5-1 system that can now have constant inter-changes, overlapping and a trio midfield that is centered to quell opposition danger breathes fresh air into what was a poorly-drawn 4-4-2 nine months ago in the World Cup. If we can play a stronger side than we did last night against Switzerland or Holland in a few months time, then we can see if the 4-5-1 is the better or poorer option against strong opposition.
But the positives from the tactical side of our game is in an abundance. The use of a new and intriguing 4-5-1 system that can now have constant inter-changes, overlapping and a trio midfield that is centered to quell opposition danger breathes fresh air into what was a poorly-drawn 4-4-2 nine months ago in the World Cup. If we can play a stronger side than we did last night against Switzerland or Holland in a few months time, then we can see if the 4-5-1 is the better or poorer option against strong opposition.
westham234
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I was there last night, had free club wembley tickets. The match was OK I say okay because England matches never really appeal to me unless its competitive, but outside it was a spectacle of one nation, it was as if the match was in Ghana the amount of Ghanaians. But not bringing any racism into this, but I think it's a bit of a joke as all these fans live around the corner, it's alright for them to live here in our country, but if their so passionate and patriotic as such, why are they living here? Not being racist I am just asking. Not taking away but their support was fantastic.
What the ****?
So you're saying if you lived in Ghana, you shouldn't be allowed to be proud of the fact of your English roots and heritage? If England played in Ghana, you shouldn't be allowed to wave your flag and support your team? oO)
Fairly sure we drew 1-1 oO)
I love Scotland but I don't want to stay here all my life. I plan to immegrate like they have. Tbh, I look at that as racism no matter how many times you've said it isn't. There are several reasons to justify why they live 'around the corner'.
Off the top of my head I would imagine a better standard of living, better education for children, better income, free healthcare. The list could go on.
Didn't see the game or highlights, was going to go to the bookies but meh, cba. Was hoping for a Gyan goal though.
Oh I don't know, maybe, just maybe, because England is one of the wealthiest/most powerful countries in the world & if people get a chance to live here, or in Europe generally, they'll take it.
They should be allowed to live wherever they want, and support whoever they want as a national team. Same applies to anyone Scottish, French, American etc. except that no one complains about them being immigrants staying in our country - there's tons of reasons why they live here - just because you're patriotic doesn't mean you should live in your home country if it's signifcantly poorer and you're going to have a better life somewhere else.
suprised you even took the time to answer something so daft and irrelevant, and frankly quite bitter.