We have to look at the positives - the performance was good - then got mugged at the end In hindsight we should have brought on Vardy for Sterling (I honestly thought it at the time)
please log in to view this image Not a brilliant career, for me not an awe inspiring manager, out of date, out of touch, out of ideas and just plainly too old, just my opinion and we have plenty of potential replacements, Eddie Howe, Sam Alardyce, David Moyes, Sean Dyche,Steve Bruce to name a few, our recent appointments of managers has been appalling, Sven wasn't a bad one, I then go right back to Glen Hoddle and Terry Venables, trouble is if your face doesn't fit, if you have your own strong opinions or your accent isn't right the old farts won't let you in and I forgot to mention, I'm an old fart..
He should have brought on Vardy in place of Sterling, and Vardy's pace and finishing (and reputation for this) would have kept Russia at bay. Instead the Russians were invited into our half and built up a head of steam in the last 10 minutes, which resulted in the equaliser. Also, Lalana was roundly praised for his first half, but it is conveniently forgotten that he finished weakly on 2 occasions where he could/should have scored, and the plethora of missed chances cost us. Lalana flatters to deceive, whereas Vardy is the real deal, and we can't afford not to use his finishing power and pace. Sterling and Lalana in our attack means NO TEETH and no finishing. Kane is not yet ready to lead the line as the only forward, and I think he needs Vardy alongside him We are in the process of ballsing it all up yet again I would play 442
This manager is negative and old school just as the FA like, he is the highest paid manager at this tournament by a country mile but looks completely out of his depth. He presided over our worst World cup performance we have ever produced. its all very well qualifying for tournaments easily but We have to show some balls when we get there, just like Wales did.. They had nothing to lose and tried to win the game. Its true we did dominate the game but we showed our usual soft underbelly as soon as Russia HAD to get at us and attack they scored, better teams will punish us. Roy and Rooney, what a pair as leaders , could put a glass eye to sleep listening to either of them. They couldn't inspire me to take a big ****!
No problem with the starting lineup as we did have a good first half, however second half was a lot more even as Russia adapted to the way we were playing and we didn't seem to have a plan B. He took off Rooney who seemed to the only player on our side who had the vision of playing a decent pass. He left Sterling on far too long. He left Vardy on the bench, when his pace in the last ten minutes would have stopped the Russians pushing to far forward. He made defensive subs, which just invited pressure and the equaliser did have a feel of inevitability about it. It was just like watching the games against MK and Chalton again
The only change I would like to see Roy make for the Wales game is to bring Sturridge in for Sterling. Would still give a lot of pace, but Sturridge will add a better finish ( or just a finish for that matter) over Sterling. Also allows Roy to change formation much more easily as Sturridge can also play in a 4-4-2 formation. Roy just needs to be smarte with his substitutes. This isn't hindsight, I said at half time I would have taken Sterling off at half time, and Wilshee for Rooney defies logic in the context of the game....
I believe the squad we have and the absence of wide players means we can only really play a diamond midfield
Italy looked strong v Belgium but had to take a few yellows to stop counter attacks, I believe they can reach the semis
The only teams I have been impressed with so far have been England (yes, England!), Germany and Ukraine.
please log in to view this image Daniel Sturridge's late winner for England in their Euro 2016 match against Wales meant for contrasting reactions in the BBC studio, as this short Instagram clip reveals... Says it all..
