England -v- Greece (Aug 16 '06) ????!!!!!?

Question

I believe England will win easily against the Greeks on the 16th of August because the Greeks are a very weak team and they have always been a weak team. The danger is that if England wins their egos will be dangerously boosted !!! Greeks are the "champions" of Europe... but they are (and have been always) a weak team... So if England wins on the 16th they might start believing they have Euro 2008 in their pockets and will stop trying to deal with their real faults... and until they do that they will not be real contenders in Euro 2008 and will be disappointed again. My fear is that the problems of England will be perpetuated if they win against the Greeks. --Discuss. Thanks.

Answer 1

Don't think it will goto their heads. I would like to think England will beat Greece, but if we do, it will probably be put down to 'new manager syndrome.' Players work that bit harder when there is a new manager because they will want to impress him and force their way into his plans.

To stop any complacency, all Steve McClaren has to do is say the words 'Greece are European champions, we wimped out in the quarter finals,' then show the players a DVD montage of recent cr@p performances. That should do the trick.

Then there is the possibility of extra competition for places. Scholes returning? Does he use Carrick or Hargreaves as midfield guard dog? Are Cole and Lampard's places now guaranteed? Which goalkeeper does he use? Who can impress in the abscence of Owen and Rooney? Will Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Pennant give Beckham a timely reminder? Which new caps will he introduce? All these things can serve to give the England players a kick up the ****, and after a shoddy World Cup, a few of them might be looking over the shoulders.

As for having Euro 2008 in their pockets, well they have to qualify first, and Israel and Croatia are no slouches. Nor are Macedonia who got a draw in England in the Euro 2004 qualifiers (though that probably had a lot to do with lazy complacency on England's part, rather than actual playing ability).

I think Terry Venables tactical nous will go a long way to helping resolve the 'real faults' as you put it, like keeping possession.

Then, should we actually play at the tournament, a great motivating tool will be a manager's coment going something like; " You have lost now in three quarter finals running. If you are the supposed 'golden generation' then go out and prove it! "

That too should do the trick!

Answer 2

i thought Greece isn't a "weak team" i mean yeah their class maybe one level under England but we can underestimated them...they had several good players who can make John Terry and his mate 'crazy'...
Underestimated other team is a big mistake and also a big sin he he he, well, just look what happen with France when they beat by Senegal at 2002 or how Italians cry because a goal from Rep. Korea at same event...
Anyway England stillshould adaptated by style of their new coach even though Steve McClaren become "2nd" man during Sven Goran Eriksson's era but they had different style...
I think England will win this match but Greece will fight so hard...
=)

Answer 3

Tell your England to be very careful. The Greeks are not the weak team you say they are. They have a good keeper and they play attacking football, meaning that they can and do score goals unlike the English who seem to find every reason not to score.

Answer 4

Neither England will have played competitively since July or the Greeks since June so it will be a freindly match in the real meaning of the game

Answer 5

dude, don't underestimate the GREEKS! if they can kick Portugal's ***, they can kick England's *** straight out the dooor. England is nnooooo competition to them.

Answer 6

win

Answer 7

we lost! get over it!

Answer 8

lose