The Albanian government are so pleased with the fact their team qualified and have apparently been such a good advert for the country, that they've given them €1m and the entire squad have been given diplomatic passports.
Can't believe Woy is the highest paid manager at the tournament. He earns more than twice what Deschamps is earning.
That was a real concern. I don't believe I said so on here, but I did say to a mate that I had no issue with Wiltshire starting, although Rooney in midfield baffles me. My pal argued he was unfit having not played much (your point) but I really believed that he would have been pushed in training and would have proven he had at least 45mins+ in him - he barely lasted 20 before visibly flagging. What goes on in training, how can the coaching staff not see this?
I considered editing the post after it was pointed out first time, but then thought naaa. Classic folly on my part
Is it actually possible for us to play Portugal in the next round? Based on my mental working out if they beat Hungary they finish top on 5 points, if they lose they finish 3rd on 2 points. If they draw they'd be on 3 points, and if either of Iceland or Austria win their game they'd have more points (Iceland would have 5 if they win, Austria 4 if they win) and take second place. If that game is also a draw then Iceland would finish 2nd on goals scored wouldn't they? Unless Portugal get a high-scoring draw I suppose. Does that make sense?
Maybe we are fated to do it the hard way, with a crackers manager and luck going our way. I can see us going past Portugal which would be a nice warm-up for the France match (if it goes that way) and when it comes down to it the French will be under a lot of pressure if we face them, in a knock-out format we could sneak past them. Then you are entering into the realms of when Greece or Denmark won the tournament, could be a case of hanging in there and getting the job done.
he doesnt need to know his best team. he just needs to know how his opposition play and then use the players to counter them. there is no such thing as 'a best 11' he should learn his players strengths and weaknesses and play them accordingly. BUT of course that is in a perfect world. him, not playing Rashford, was a mistake.
Everyone seems convinced we're going to play Portugal. That's why I posted what I did above. Unless I've got something wrong I think it'd take a very specific set of results for them to finish 2nd and therefore play us. More worrying is the rest of the draw. There's France, Germany, Spain and England, the four favourites, all on the same side of the draw. Plus Italy if they win their group which looks likely, but given what they know about the draw already it would actually be in their interest to not win the group. On the other side Croatia, or maybe even Wales, could have a really smooth passage to the final.
I kinda wish that Hodgeson would be given more time to get things right. He is in an impossible situation. If he doesnt get his selections right straight away, everyone gets on his back - and the FA will fire him.
Taking Wiltshire was a brave call, playing him when he is clearly not fit is a stupid one. We don't pay him to be stupid. I was always his supporter (silent doubts) as I do not support foreign managers. His blindness over Wiltshire appears to be inexcusable and is a sacking matter once the tournament is done.
