I watched the match with my Wales supporting Swansea friends and they were more excited about England winning than I was. Bang goes a myth although as they had been involved in sport themselves I think they are therefore less partisan than the usual anti English Celts.
But they easily could have, against opposition considerably worse than them? There's certainly nothing to be happy about, England were matched and didn't at all out perform Sweden...
France are not considerably worse than us, if anything they're considerably better. I think people don't want to change a team that's yet to lose.
I was talking about Sweden, but England were lucky to get a point against France. It's more the fact people are proclaiming how elated they are with England playing so well when they've, er, not been playing well...
Have to admit that I turned off the TV at 1.1. Am a very nervous viewer, even though England losing isn't as painful as Saints losing. England are not perfect but have players who can turn the match. In an ideal world we would be brilliant and win, but it's better to be suspect and win than be good and lose. Winning games is all that matters in tournaments...I'm fed up with being talented losers. Remember that England weren't that good in '66, but just turned it on when they had to.
I have to say I disagree with you. I think Welbeck is an exciting talent and his pace, strength and manoeuvrability makes him a player who could go on to great things. He has done well whenever I have seen him play up front for England, however it is tough when you are leading the line on your own. I am sure Rooney will start but whether we play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 I do not know, although I expect the latter with Rooney behind Welbeck.
England were shocking at times last night and for the rest of the game they were poor or ok. Nothing more. It was nerve wrecking to watch, but thankfully we played against a really bad team and got the result. I want us to win, however we were and are a very poor side.
I just don't see it. To me, he lacks the positional and general football sense to reach "great things". I've only been impressed with him for England for that goal he got in one of the friendlies which he took very well, other than that I honestly don't get the fuss. It's hard to tell with little service but both games this tournament he's done very little to impact the game, if we ignore the goal last night which I definitely will. He's just done nothing of note that I've seen.
Really? I am amazed. I think he has looked shaky. His passing is unbelievably bad for a professional footballer and he has just looked nervous and awkward. I couldn't believe how many times he launched the ball forward last night when not under pressure. If no-one is showing, then play the ball short and keep possession. I don't think he has played well in either game. I don't think Terry has either.
Well that's something the whole team needs to learn, not just Lescott. I think he's been decent so far. The only player I really have a problem with is Milner.
I agree with Joe.......Milner is the biggest weak link in my view. You could all argue that the first goal started because of an error by Cole not heading a ball away when an opportunity arrived. As a consequence the opposition took possession and we had to foul him to get it off him. The rest is history......but I could not get over the number of times we were caught in possession!! This is very unusual with an England team. The other thing that raised it's ugly head yet again was the amount of times we gave the ball away or the passes we made were poor. Something that has been creeping more and more into international matches especially!
Yep, I agree. The formula is working and doesn't need changing. Despite Rooney's undoubted quality for ManU, England barely gets a half decent game out of the player. I'd stick to the winning formula and bring Rooney on if required later. It might stick a firework up his backside by not being automatically chosen. Then again, Hodgson might be able to work a little tactical magic on the lad.
