***Official England v Algeria Thread***

[ryanmjo]

England team:
James; Johnson, Terry, Carra, A Cole; Lampard, Barry; Lennon, Rooney, Gerrard; Heskey


Waiting to hear about the Algerians. Heard the goalkeeper is a fitness doubt.

[BlueinBosnia]

What is it with goalkeepers at this world cup? There's about 10 teams with 'keepers injured, doubtful, or not fully fit. It never seems that bad in league football, or am I just being naive?

[Kyle]

The algeria keeper is probably just a doubt due to him being whipped by the entire team for his mistake last game! The mind boggles as to what would happen if the North Korean keeper made the same mistake...

[Dameerto]

I quite like these FIFA previews so I'll stick one in again (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/ro ... eview.html)

Preview
The tussle for the top two spots in 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Group C will intensify when England take to the field against Algeria on Friday. For Fabio Capello’s men, the mission will be to put their underwhelming draw against USA behind them, while their opponents need to bounce back from their loss to Slovenia knowing that a second successive setback would spell the end of their qualification hopes.

The match
England-Algeria, Group C, Cape Town, Friday 18 June, 20.30 (local time)
The Three Lions let two precious points slip between their fingers when they kicked off their bid against the United States. Overall, they looked short of ideas going forward, but that could all change with the return of Gareth Barry from an ankle injury, the midfielder's presence allowing Steven Gerrard to get further forward after spending most of England’s opener chasing the ball. Despite Barry’s return, the spectre of fitness worries nonetheless continues to hang over the squad, with centre-back Ledley King a doubt for the rest of the tournament after suffering a serious groin complaint against the Stars and Stripes.

At the other end of the pitch, Algeria will be anxious to give a more convincing account of themselves than they managed against Slovenia, although they will have to cope without forward Abdelkader Ghezzal after he saw red in that game. Coach Rabah Saadane could turn to Rafik Saifi to fill the void, with the striker seemingly fit again following the ankle injury he picked up during his late substitute cameo last time out. Above all, Les Fennecs will hope for a sterling showing from their defensive quartet of Madjid Bougherra, Anther Yahia, Rafik Halliche and Nadir Belhadj, who all boast experience in Europe. Belhadj will be particularly familiar with the England line-up, having spent the last two seasons with Portsmouth.

Players to watch
Steven Gerrard v Karim Ziani
The battle for midfield mastery ought to be an enthralling contest, with England captain Gerrard coming up against Algeria’s beating heart in Ziani. The former will look to demonstrate his quality as he did when he opened the scoring early on against the United States, while Ziani will be focused on helping his team-mates spring a surprise and claw their way back into the qualification equation. The Wolfsburg man already boasts the upper hand over his Liverpool counterpart in terms of completed passes, having picked out a colleague 70 per cent of the time compared to Gerrard's 59 per cent success rate.

The stat
2 – The number of goals England have conceded in five matches against African teams at the FIFA World Cup. Cameroon fired both those efforts in a memorable quarter-final at Italy 1990, making them the only side from Africa to have found the net against the Three Lions on the global stage. Cameroon nonetheless lost that encounter, with England's record from the five matches reading three wins and two draws.

What they said
"We have a lot of players who can score goals, but for us to get a better result I'll need to play better than I did last time and score. I don't feel any pressure because the team are playing well," - Wayne Rooney, England striker

"We have several talented players who can make things happen. We're going to pose the England team plenty of problems and we'll be more ambitious than we were against Slovenia. It's a role that suits us well." - Anther Yahia, Algeria defender and captain

The question
Algeria's only FIFA World Cup strike against a side from the United Kingdom came against Northern Ireland at Mexico 1986. Will the Desert Foxes be able to get their first goal of the tournament and become only the second African team to register against England?

[Mark (Blue Army)]

We need a good win tonight, i think we can bag a few goals against these.

[Dameerto]

Not too happy about Gerrard playing on the left, BUT it might mean Cole gets involved from early on, since Gerrard tends to come inside anyway.

[btajim]

A player like Gerrard is never going to be getting chalk marks on his left boot during the Match so it's natural he'll drift in towards the centre.

I think one of Crouch or Defoe are going to need to start before too long. 0-0 at half time and Heskey will have to make way.

[Dameerto]

I just think back to the friendly (think it was Mexico) where he started on the left though - he was one of the reasons we were playing so crap for 45 minutes.

[btajim]

I was at the Mexico Match. Glen Johnson played very well. Quite an underrated Player.

I'd edge Lampard over Gerrard in the middle of the pitch because he's got a better record for England - but I believe Gerrard is the better Player overall. Just. Without Barry to sit back then one would have to be on the Bench.

The crowd are in good voice. Perhaps the England Fans have been shoving those Horns where the sun doesn't shine.

[Beefymcfc]

Gareth Barry, MoTM for me!

I miss Shaun.

[Beefymcfc]

The problem with the back 4.................................they still don't trust the keeper!

[Dameerto]

That's how you catch the ball

[Beefymcfc]

And where the fuck is the right-wing cover!

[shawzy]

Is Barry the only one playing in MF.....Lennons been shit so far.How he got the nod over Johnno or SWP

[Beefymcfc]

That's how you catch the ball

Good take, and we need more of that, we need trust at the back.

[dazlebluefrog]

when do the england players come on the pitch to play 25 mins gone only 1 goal attempt fcuk what is going on

[carl_feedthegoat]

Rooney - 120 mins he has played in this WC and he has been the worse player on the pitch.

Overhyped wanker.

[Beefymcfc]

when do the england players come on the pitch to play 25 mins gone only 1 goal attempt fcuk what is going on

Looks like the attacking part of the team have left it to the defence to sort out!

[Dameerto]

Thank fewk for Barry

[DoomMerchant]

Rooney - 120 mins he has played in this WC and he has been the worse player on the pitch.

Overhyped wanker.

he is shit so far this WC. What will he do when he actually plays a back four? Hope you don't meet Serbia or Uruguay, etc

cheers