Afternoon all, With the focus very much on internationals this week, i thought a thread on how England can do at the European championships would be suitable. It has come after a very positive week for Capello with wins over Spain and Sweden and the emergence of a number of youngsters who seem to be able to cut it on the international stage. So how far can we go? A lot obviously depends on the group, as with the seedings announced today on the one hand we could be with Spain, Portugal and France, or we could have a group consisting of Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic. I'm fairly positive that behind Spain, Germany and the Netherlands we are the 4th best team at the European Championships by a comfortable distance. With the team we have, I even back us to beat one of three aforementioned teams, but the fact that to win it we would probably needs to beat two of them, well I can't see that I'm afraid. Something going for us is that we have a very deep squad, something we haven't had for a long time. Thankfully we can cast the likes of Heskey, Wright-Phillips and probably Ferdinand off, players who do have quality but just not enough to push us further in major championships. Quality young players are emerging such as Wilshire, Jones, Walker and Wellbeck, and i think this is making the likes of Lampard up their game knowing they are no longer shoe-ins as they have been for the past 6-8 years. Also, we have the right tactics. 4-4-2 does not win you international tournaments any more, it is all about the 4-3-3 formation, and finally Capello has realised that. But then we look at the typical characteristics that seem to be lacking in the England squad. Do we really have the players to perform in a high-pressure situation? Will the public and media pressure prove too much for what could be a fairly inexperienced squad? Look forward to your views...
It was good to see some younger players getting a go, but i fear we will go back to the old guard for 2012, and therefore, will probably stumble fairly early on. There's so much work to be done, especially in attacking play..i can't see us doing very well at all... Darn it, i hate being negative! lol
I can see the headlines now: Before the Finals start - New Golden Era - We are favourites - Fabio's boys will bring the trophy home - Youngsters to do the job After getting knocked out in the Quarter Final with Rooney getting sent off: - Fabio out - we need an English manager - Why use these youngsters? We should be playing our most experienced players in the Euro Finals - The FA need to hold an enquiry We will be rubbish as ever and bomb out in the quarter finals to Portugal on penalties...
The media are going to hype you up, then burst the bubble when you stumble! Then it will be whose next for the job, who wants the poisoned chalice At least you are there though, we as in Scotland are lucky to qualify for the qualifiers
i remember when i was a kid, living in Wembley, we weren't allowed out when the Scots were in town lol...but when i watch their fans now, i have a secret yearning to be Scottish!
We have yet to play in a UEFA tournament since Michel Platini took charge, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if something happens between now and then to extend that run, most likely something to do with the Premier League Assuming we do get there, we've got as much chance of winning as the other twelve teams that aren't Spain, Germany and Holland.
That's quite prevalent actually! We'd be only to happy to accept you into the fold, but the citizenship test might put a huge strain on your diet And, of course, we'd have to vote on the name change for the supporters club - Tart an' Army - which actually has a Gaelic ring to it!
Hi All Afraid i've lost the faith when it comes to England. We've had our 'luck' with two fluke goals to win meaningless friendlies over the last few days. Luck will desert us come the real competition and we'll bow out in the group stages or shortley after. Now back to real football, whose lookibng forward to the game againsts pompey? A couple of pints at the Watford Beer Fest before the game & then a proper game-can't wait. WFC63
I can see two things, the first is England will win. The other is they will not get away from their group and come home early. There will be no middle ground. I will support any team with a Watford player or former player, so Marvin get in the team!
If England are to fizzle out I would like to see the Irish do well , who knows I reckon they could take England !
Don't think we can win it. All I'm hoping for is that we give some of the younger players a chance and not resort to the safety first old guard tactics. That we play some attractive football and something close to our potential - however far that takes us all well and good. Something that the next manager can build on. Living in Germany, and having to put up with their crowing (and they certainly know how to do this !) I couldn't take a repetition of the last World Cup. I'm hoping that win, lose or draw that youngsters like Ashley Young have the chance to entertain, and do. And, that anybody wins the tournement apart from Germany
w_y, if the papers do go with Fabio out after our exit, they'll be wasting column inches as our last game in the tournament is his last game as England boss.
What can England do in Euro 2012? Get on the plane there and back....Anything else will be a bonus but I won't have anything on it. Roll on Saturday, back to something to get serious about,2-1 win please.
