Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Quickies

A police helicopter landed in the parking lot outside my building. Less than 50 yards away. There are guys in black T-shirts and fatigues standing in a rectangle around it. Helo takes off, flies away...comes back and lands. Some guys get off, some guys get on. It looked like one of the guys getting on had a rifle slung over his shoulder. I'm about to leave for home. Think I can get a lift? Think I'll get shot? It's pretty cool, actually. Rather noisy.

Joe Cole's goal was fantastic. For all England's trouble finding someone to play on the left, he's been stellar. England played well during the first half, which is all I saw of the game. Sounds like the rest was pretty awful, which has been the English motif. I don't know if I've said this before, but I'll say it now--a nation that trots out Peter Crouch under any circumstances has no business being considered a serious contender. I know he scored the winner last game. The guy is 6'7" and every time he goes up for the ball he has to push off the defender. He's hopeless with the ball--what, he's gonna run at the defender and beat him off the dribble? He reminds me of Bernie Kosar lurching around out there.

If Owen is done for the tournament--and his knee twisted ickily--what is England to do? What CAN they do? Erikson selected two guys with broken feet, Crouch, and Walcott. Walcott hasn't played...hardly at all. In his LIFE. He's only 17, for Chrissakes, and didn't get on the pitch for Arsenal. Maybe the talent is there, but if Erikson doesn't have the confidence to start him ahead of CROUCH, what's the point of having him on the team. I didn't watch much footie this year so I can't speak to the form of Jermaine Defoe or Darren Bent, or any number of Albion strikers, but is this really the best England could come up with? Jesus.

Taking Thursday off to watch the USA, USA, USA game. Need a result. Now I need to go home. Sounds like the helicopter is gone, means I gotta walk. Damn.

posted by Gene @ 5:32 PM   |