World Football Thread VIII - The beautiful game?

[Footie Mad]

So let's start talking about the WC then, it's like a great adventure looming just around the corner now...

This is how I think the Sweden starting eleven will be for the first game, bear in mind that we have two friendlys before that so things may change.

Goalkeeper: Andreas Isaksson (Rennes)

Left back: Erik Edman (Rennes)
Center back: Teddy Lucic (Häcken)
Center back: Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa)
Right back: Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Göteborg)

Left midfield: Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal)
Central defensive midfield: Tobias Linderoth (FC Copenhagen)
Attacking centre midfield: Anders Svensson (Elfsborg)
Right midfield: Christan Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht)

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
Striker: Henrik Larsson (Barcelona)

The two big unknowns are the right back position and the attacking central midfielder, Mikael Nilsson (Panathinakos) is competing for right back and Kim Källström (Rennes) might be a better choice in the midfield.

As for substitutes we have some nice aces up our sleeve, Markus Rosenberg (Ajax) has had an allright season as a striker, also some strong attacking runners like Johan Elmander (Bröndby) and Mattias Jonson (Djurgården).

Also be wary of our very good goalkeeper who I'm sure will be picked up by a larger club soon.

[MikeH]

Going back to Imran's post about the US squad. It's a shame DeMarcus Beasley is in front of Convey in the line-up, he's had an incredible season for Reading. Looks like a great talent for the future.

Ps, love the banner on this site.

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=search&s=DaMarcus%20Beasley

[MikeH]

Ah, it changes every time you refresh.

edit:

This one

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by MikeH
Going back to Imran's post about the US squad. It's a shame DeMarcus Beasley is in front of Convey in the line-up, he's had an incredible season for Reading. Looks like a great talent for the future.

Well, Beasley had entrenched himself as a starter, at least for the first game, due to his great play in the last WC. Convey WILL see a lot of time, however. Though I will say it is something the US squad has never had to deal with before... a position so loaded with talent that a great player for a CCC winning side (Reading did finish 1st in the CCC, right?).

Now people (well, some fanatics on Bigsoccer, at any rate) are also asking with DeMerit on Watford hasn't gotten a cap yet.

[MikeH]

Yeah, Beasley's also been doing well with PSV, it'd be harsh to drop him.

And yes, Reading did top the league and hopefully Convey'll continue his form against the Premiership teams. Unfortunately Steve Coppell rested the first team against all the premiership sides we played in the cups last season (although they still did really well) so we didn't get to see him against the top sides..

You quite often get "USA" chants at Reading matches, especially when Hannemahn makes a save.

[reds4ever]

The position is "loaded with talent" and a Reading player is the first pick?

[Footie Mad]

Oh yes there's that english arrogance, my english brother in law told me about the commentator for the England - Sweden game in 2002. Saying that Alexandersson was a player who "couldn't even take a place at Everton" and then he scored the equalizer.

[reds4ever]

[Footie Mad]

Seriously though, I cannot believe neither Defoe or Darren Bent were picked for the World Cup. What will you do if Rooney and Owen don't get fit?

Play Crouch with Joe Cole picking up the headers from him? Then throw in the kid who's never played a premiership game to wrap it up on the break.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by MikeH
Yeah, Beasley's also been doing well with PSV, it'd be harsh to drop him.

And yes, Reading did top the league and hopefully Convey'll continue his form against the Premiership teams. Unfortunately Steve Coppell rested the first team against all the premiership sides we played in the cups last season (although they still did really well) so we didn't get to see him against the top sides..

You quite often get "USA" chants at Reading matches, especially when Hannemahn makes a save.

Sweet . I've heard similar stories with Fulham when McBride scores.

I hoped Leeds would have gotten in as well, what with Eddie Lewis and all, would have had at least 5 players on the national team playing in the EPL (McBride, Bocanegra, Reyna, Convey, Lewis). Though maybe DeMerit will get a shot now . And who knows if Rossi for ManU decides to declare for the US rather than Italy.

Unfortunately Convey does play on the same side as Beasley... and Arena has not often favored moving a player out of position for the WC (the only exception I remember off hand is that Eddie Lewis, the left MF for Leeds, plays left back for the US team). Beasley and Donovan are the lynchpins of the offense. Though I expect Convey will play a super-sub part... sort of like what Beasley did last year with PSV.

[MikeH]

Originally posted by reds4ever
The position is "loaded with talent" and a Reading player is the first pick?

Second pick...

And there aren't many US national team outfield players who are good enough to play for Premiership teams, let alone be their player of the season.

[duke o' york]

PA, my mate told me that there was rioting in the town centre, and the police closed all the pubs, but for some reason I can't find any reference to this on any web news site. Weird.
Curiously enough, it was also Leeds fans who were behind the trouble at the England-Turkey game just before Euro 04 - the trouble that caused rumours that England would be booted out of the tournament.

[Barnabas]

Barcelona doesnt need henry, they have plenty of good players.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by MikeH
Reading ... we ...

So you're Reading and Chelsea, Mike? How will you manage that one next season? A team at both ends, or are Reading gonna do a Wigan?

You quite often get "USA" chants at Reading matches, especially when Hannemahn makes a save.

You get them at Arsenal v Man U games too, as the Gooners try and wind up the Mancs.

[reds4ever]

And Liverpool - ManU games.

I've never heard Mike use "we" where Reading are concened before they got promoted.....;O)