Back to Earth with a bump then. The diamond in midfield failed before when Hodgson tried it and it's failing again now we're up against a good side(even if they're resting a number of players). It relies on width from the fullbacks but they're getting no help with the defensive duties as once again the midfield are too concerned with themselves. Kane's being well marshalled and the whole system is just falling apart as there's no bravery in the play, it's all far too simple and safe. Two slow footballing sides but the difference is remarkable, Italy just flick a switch and the pace goes up whilst we have to slowly move through the gears to get anything going. Is Hodgson experimenting? I'm not so sure, he's had Smalling and Jones in his squads from day 1 regardless of their form and Walcott's clearly in the inplace of Welbeck/Sturridge so in terms of the system and style of play this is likely what Roy believes he will be taking to the Euros. Worrying stuff.
'Experimentation' is a copout excuse for a manager who has no clue what he's doing. What's he experimenting on exactly? What's he done for England as manager since he's been with us? Developed us in any way? Got us playing better as a team? Better tactics? Better team selections? No, just complete gash time and time again and gets away with it because everyone now accepts that the players are useless and that no-one could do any better. He's ineptness is being shielded by players that have little to no expectation put on them anymore. The manager is a pile of steaming turd.
But, he's the F.A's steaming turd! Woy won't rock the boat, embarrass the old farts at H.Q. Which is clearly more important than trying to win important football matches. Large ones all round...pip, pip...
Our players aren't useless. Greece are useless, Costa Rica are useless, they manage to put together balanced sides and play to their strengths which is what's been missing from our national team for a long time.
It is as if Roy is trying to show that changing his preferred team is a bad idea. Walcott up front? At one blow you have a player who’s hardly played, whose record at striker is open to question to put it mildly, and who would be much better employed providing some width. Henderson, Jones and Delph in midfield? Who, exactly, is supposed to get the ball forward? Carrick coming on should make it somewhat less awful, but experimenting is one thing, and what seems semi-intentional suicide is another. Rooney and Kane up front, and a midfield of Carrick, Henderson, Delph and Walcott would have made a lot more sense.
What I don't get is our U18 and U21's seem to do fairly well in tournaments. But when the senior team get to a tournament any half decent side look technically so much better than us. Is it the players, the system? I can't remember any manager since Hoddle who have had us playing consistently good football (with the odd exception)
"Well played Harry Kane. Michael Carrick finds him with the sort of incisive pass he can bring," It’s ridiculous that I can tell you what’s wrong with the England team and how to go some distance towards fixing it, and the England manager can’t. But why would anyone want a wide player (or two) or a decent playmaker when playing Italy?
I should have been more clear... I don't necessarily think they're all useless... my point was that there seems to be more of an acceptance nowadays from the media that our players are actually more to blame and not all that great. Which isn't entirely true. The entire Italian team out tonight is bang average, and quite a few of them are turd. And yet they're playing better than us. The Italian team in the world cup was also turd yet managed to beat us quite easily. Most of the players we have are quite good, one or two are very good. The U21s we have look quite promising. However, the manager we have is utter rubbish and has never proved himself at any club with any realistic expectations of winning anything. He's a turd manager who can inspire turd teams to be slightly better than turd. No idea how he has the reputation he currently does now given he's nothing of note for years. He's like a Wenger but without the FA Cups or leagues from 10-15 years ago.
I think that once you are talking about the seniors there is too much emphasis on playing the best 11 players rather than the best team. Its always been the case as far as I can remember. Speaking of players not good enough through, Delph is a good athlete and certainly a trier but is nowhere near the class of footballer needed at international level.
Finding the right international manager is a tough task and while I agree Hodgson is mediocre and part of the problem, he fits the profile of being a gentleman that won't cause problems for the FA and he does believe in bringing through youth so he fits the profile pretty well for what the FA want from a manager. It may sound easy, sack Hodgson, employ a younger exciting manager? who? name some as anyone we name will likely be out of their depth or not interested in international management, and the press will demand they are sacked once they go through a bad run of results. I want Hodgson sacked, I never wanted him appointed but in terms of English coaches there are little options so its a case of Hodgson carrying on until there are more options.
Our U-21 team is better. It’s another reason not to waste Kane on this manager. England manager is a poison chalice, no doubt. The only reason to take the job is if you’re willing to trade a boatload of money for two boatloads of abuse. It’s not surprising nobody better is doing it.
Southgate. Neville. Two straight off the bat who clearly have more modern tactical knowledge than Hodgson ever has had. They're not guaranteed to succeed. But Hodgson is guaranteed NOT to succeed because he's shown he can't develop a team. If you can't develop a team or play good football or win football managers then why keep him around? Trial someone else who's younger and got some passion and give them a tournament cycle or two to see what they can do. I'd rather have someone who MIGHT succeed than someone who you know never will.
