But they have hardly been dominant in any of the games have they? And both Sweden and Ukraine have a bunch of oldies too. So far it's been more a case of, they've done just enough. Realistically, for how long can they keep it up? I'm referring more specifically to Parker. In a faster paced game, he'd get cleaned. Just good fortune we've got Italy next and not Spain.
For me the good thing is that we have a team that has begun playing for each other. Hart seems to grow with each performance and Cole and Parker put their bodies in the way time and again. Gerard proved his worth and Johnson made some good runs though he did get caught out a couple of times. All in all a solid enough performance though the team knows how to keep us on tenter hooks. Reminds me of another team that I know.
If Italy keep playing like they have done they it will be a good game to watch if you're an Italian fan.
I'm just glad to see a never-say-die spirit back again. In previous tournaments they looked lost as if they thought the opposition weren't following the script.
Both Gerrard and Parker were superb. It wasn't the greatest performance but I would much rather win ugly than lose playing great football. Its horses for courses, if we haven't got the players to play attractive football but have those that can grind out a result then thats how we need to play. Russia and Holland played attacking football, had plenty of possesion and shots but they have gone home. The other thing is its great to see the togetherness of the team/squad. Rooney saying his celebration was to Carrol about using his hair product. Good bit of banter and that is UTD/ Liverpool at club level. I think we will probably go out againsty Italy but that little bit of optimism is starting to creep in though. Even if we do this side with ageing and new players have got as far if not further than what was supposed to be a "golden generation" at a major tournament. Well done England and well done Roy Hodgson.
I have a lot of faith in England and believe we have it in us to beat Italy. I just hope we can do it and it would be great if Greece was to beat Germany which I highly doubt will happen.
England were very poor against a very average team. Great result and good team work ethic, but as someone who believes this is our game and the rest of the world is going passed us, I was not happy with how we play. Yes, I know Roy has done well with what we've got but that doesn't make it acceptable. Someone said winning ugly is good? In the short term maybe, but would you rather be Brazilian or Greek? We play football like we used to try and rule the world; launch everything at them and hope something sticks! Joe Hart has been good as someone said but why the bloody he'll won't he pass the ball. All he ever does is give it to their CB.
So theres no such thing as attacking then?, we were painfully slow when we attacked. Be it slow players or Roys tatics, it took us like ten mins to build our attack. Unless we punted it forward which didn't really work with Welbeck did it?. How easy were Ukraine by passing our midfield?, we can't keep on hoping we get a last ditch tackle or block. Something needs to change 4-4-2 is just not working. It happened against Sweden aswell didn't it so it's not like a one off.
What I see, is that Roy Hodgson has been the manager for 5 games. We've won 4 and drawn one. In each game, we have played a bit better. I see no reason we can't beat Italy, who haven't exactly set the tournament on fire.
I think we've played well. And I think we've done better than Czech Rep, Greece and France, about equal with Portugal and Italy and not quite as good as Spain or Germany. And I think 7 points and a minimum QF is a good performance for Roy. And I think we've got a chance of winning. So why complain?
Is it slagging off though? Are we as fans not entitled to offer a bit of constructive criticism? I'm as proud as anyone with regards to the efforts made so far, but to rest on our laurels and say "hey ho! The mighty England are back!" is slightly foolish, is it not? I see a lot of positives, and a lot of negatives. However, in order to improve, it is the negatives that need addressing. Those, in my opinion, at the moment, constitute having two 30+ centre mids, and a donkey at right back. With regard to both I feel we have gotten 'away with it' so far, but you only have to look at the possession in all three games to realise that we are on the back foot and giving chase almost constantly even against mediocre opposition. However, having said all this, it is difficult to see what we can do with the current squad we have. Regardless, we have done very well in this competition, and we can once again hold our heads high.
FYI, that isn't constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is fine, its just the constant harping on about the negatives (without even acknowledging the positives) that we see so much of in this country and on this board that irritates me.
Ha ha! Touche! Let me off with that one, I just can't stand him. I totally agree with you, I don't like it either, but for once, I can see that it is necessary if we are going to build on what we have.
