Anyone fancy us resembling Germany?

[Somud]

With DJ as the pure defensive midfielder like Khedira, Yaya as our Schweinsteiger, an all action box-to-box midfielder with real technique and passing (unlike some) and Silva as our Ozil, a fast and quick off the mark, skillful playmaker, able to quickly switch positions, hold the ball and combine one-twos.

I desperately think we need to play 3 players in midfield like Germany, no serious team these days play 4-4-2. Two towers at the back and a quick RB that bombs forward like Lahm.

 

[Bonol]

Germany are no great shakes. We made them look good. The Argies will murder them.

 

[johnny crossan]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.supersport.com/football/2010-world-cup/news/100627/Loew_salutes_slick_German_display" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.supersport.com/football/2010 ... an_display</a>?

Germany coach Joachim Loew hailed his young team's "magnificent" display in a 4-1 World Cup second-round demolition of England on Sunday before explaining exactly how they targeted a suspect English rearguard.

"First of all, we've put on a magnificent display against a very experienced England side," a deadpan Loew told reporters.

"Today we were dominant, we were successful in luring John Terry out of defence with (Thomas) Mueller and (Lukas) Podolski penetrating the wide defence.

"It is a very young team and I am very proud that they coped with the pressure and kept the pressure on England," he added.

After an even start to the match, Germany's Miroslav Klose was gifted an opener after a sloppy England defence failed to deal with a long ball. It quickly got worse for England as the German front-three of Mueller, Klose and Podolski went to work.

England centre-backs John Terry and Matthew Upson failed to cope with Germany's pace or movement with Podolski adding a second before Mueller's second half brace.

Loew said that was all part of the plan. "We knew that the midfield is (Steven) Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard, who always support the forwards, and that their midfield would be open.

"So our objective was to set Terry up with Klose to force him to come out of the defence. We knew that the fullbacks would be very much to the sides and create spaces between the England defenders that would help us penetrate their defence.

"We wanted to do this and we were successful there," he explained.

MAJESTIC MUELLER

With opposing manager Fabio Capello standing in the background, head bowed and waiting to meet the press, Loew went on to praise the thorn in England's side -- man of the match Mueller.

"When it comes to the 18 yard box he is totally cool in hitting home when he has the opportunity. I really love the way he dives into that area and finishes chances off. This is quite impressive, he is only 20," Loew said.

England fans raised a cheer when Upson's first half header brought the score to 2-1 and they went crazy seconds later when a Lampard lob beat Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, hit the crossbar, bounced over the line -- only not to be given.

"I have to say this ball was across the line, so it should have been given as a goal," Loew said.

A business-like Loew quickly switched his attention to a pending quarter-final but played down talk of his side being tournament favourites.

"This is a tournament like any other. We, of course, can enjoy this victory but as of tomorrow we have to work hard again," he said before later shaking Capello's hand as he exited.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

No magic to the way the Germans played. England are the odd one out in the knock-out stages in that they have great difficulty in taking the pace off the ball when it is passed to them - the ball always seems to bounce a yard off their foot - Barry, Rooney, guilty.

They then play the most appallingly SLOW game. Decades ago Eddie Firmani (most won't know Eddie) after an England international match said that England would be world beaters if the goals were on the touchline at halfway. The stats people really need to add to their figures with "Passed back to the player who first passed it to me'.

English footballers seem incapable of taking on a man and making space when he is out of the game.

The present crop of 'talent' might not be able to play any other way, it might be that the Hoddles, Bowles and Le Tissiers of this nation are persuaded to play what is an unnatural game for them by the nation's world beating coaches.

 

[mancitypj]

Germany are no great shakes. We made them look good. The Argies will murder them.

^^^^^ I agree with this !

 

[mcfc83]

Germany are a good side playing free flowing football, we made them look better than they are yes, but we deservedly lost to a good side and one City and England should emulate!!