[Cyrus]

"The protection of goalkeepers is just getting ludicrous, any fan or player will argue this with you."

I doubt that. The keeper was always protected inside the small area (he is not supposed to be challenged inside it - and that's official, that's what the small area is for).

FIFA eliminated some "keeper privileges", such as grabbing the ball after a back pass. (And keepers now get immediately sent off for handling outside the area.) This is complimented by a little more keepr protection. The package of new guidelines as a whole makes for more plays away from the keeper! This is the opposite of the old-style British game (lobbing the ball close to the goal and have your bulky centre forwards lurch for a header, elbows flying) and it helps create more enjoyable plays.

"[Wayne Rooney] is good but not the finished article."

I agree, of course. But I insist "I don't see any other player I the squad that is capable of the things Rooney is". I'm not referring to skill or world-class abilities, but his role as someone who keeps both the center and the opposite back four honest. Someone who can roll the ball forward from the center and thus create opportunities for runners.

"I remember the same hyperbole over Owen when he scored against the Argies (not to mention Barnes) and he has failed to deliver on the grandest stages."

Barnes, I believe has delivered. (The Barnes story is a drama in itself, BTW.) As to Owen, I think he is burned out from too many games. Which is the major point you should have brought up about England's defeat. The star players simply had too many matches in their bodies when that tournament started.

Becks the heaviest weight of all. Remember Real Madrid's fiasco of a "world tour" last summer, right after Beckham joined the squad? The man has not rested for the last 12 months! You can't expect world class performances from your world class players when they are utterly exhausted (Beckham) or just plain fat (Rooney, very shortly).

"Who's being results orientated?"

You. Except for Beckham's, would you want the England players next time to strike their penalties the way they did against Portugal? Wouldn't you rather have them shoot with the calm confidence and the skilful placement of the Portuguese? (That slowly-rolling one was a marvel. Reminded me of the Czech Panenka's classic.)

"They practice."

Yeah, at wanking. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]