Croatia

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I haven't seen the match yet. They wanted $25 via PPV to see it live. I wasn't ready to cough up the cash and glad I didn't.

Are they underachieving or overrated? I believe they are overrated and the expectations are unrealistic. At least they finally gave up on Paul Robinson.

I'm sure McClaren is gone now, but who will replace him and what will the replacement be able to do with this group? Time to scrap the old guard and look to the youngsters for 2010.

I think it is a bit of both. We know the 'big' players can play at the highest level, but at an internationl, they just seem completely unconcerned about the whole thing.

Gerrard and Crouch were speaking after the game and it was like they didn't care. I'm sure they do, but the way they spoke, their emotions... it was like they were relieved more than anything.

The passion just isn't there.

As a team, they are massively overrated. No doubt about that. They are no better than average, i have been of that opinion for a few years now. England had the easiest qualification group out of the lot and couldn't even qualify. The situation is laughable.

I agree that Steve McLaren has been very poor, but more blame should have be put on the players. They need players with guts, passion and heart. Who cares if they pick players that don't play form Liverpool, Manchester Utd or Chelsea.

These players are pampered these days, and for no reason.

No qualifiying is the best possible thing for England. It might not seem like that now, but in the long term they will look back on this and it could be the turning point.

I'm happy they were beaten.

I have no idea who will take over as manager. Jose Mouriniho, perhaps??