2 games. 2 wins. 2 goals scored. 2 clean sheets. 34 days to prepare for a major tournament and imo we are not good enough to win it but at least we are organised, working hard and difficult to break down. We have a strong defensive unit and especially our keeper and the ability to score from several positions but my concern is a very poor midfield. Gerard apart, we lack real quality on the pitch and on the bench in central midfield positions. It's our only Achilles heel. Still, we will do better under Roy and an English manager than ever we will have done under Crapello imo. Bring on the Frogs.
Yeah im pretty much agreed with the above and i fear us against top teams and i dont believe we are above anything other than an average quarter final if lucky semi fimal team. We midfield does look weak, im really dissapointed in our midfield and its a shame Scholes couldnt be turned around to play for us. I know its pretty sad to place hopes in something like a 37 year old but i wouldnt know who else could have done a better job. I guess we have to rely on being defensive and play on the break, it seems to be how best to use our players. Its weird its the first major tourament that ive never been excitied about, maybe it will change when it starts...i hope so!
I can't get excited at all about this touro at the moment. I am really looking forward to the transfer window, next seasons PL campaign and both the cups as I think we wil do well but at the present time I am not remotely bothered about the Euro's and other than the France game don't even know when England are playing. I am more interested in seeing how James McClean does on the big stage than I am in England's progress.
What we have seen is pretty much a blueprint for what is going to happen in the future. If you don't like it, you can lump it. Roy is nothing but realistic and plays to his strengths.
He is working with the tools at his disposal, and to date, he's doing well. I like Roy, I think he's a decent chap, if we fail at the Euro's, it will be due to the delayed reaction at grass roots level, not Mr Hodgson. Still, I can't wait for it, us English thrive on being the underdog, so maybe, just maybe...
Roy Hodgson is no mug and I have been impressed with the more relaxed feel about the team, going into the Euros. I have no expectations as he has had so little time to work with the players and has already been unfortunate with injuries. Who knows, low expectations worked for Denmark back in 1992 when they got into the competition at the last minute. And just think about the way Chelsea played to become Champions League Winners!!!
Speaking of Denmark 1992, who gets in if Italy pull out? Guess it would be Estonia, 2nd in their group?
Many a winning team has been found by force of circumstance. Germany in 1970 against England were forced to play untried players at Wembley in a Euro qual round and found players like Netzer, Vogts, Heynckes and Bonhoff - all in the 74 World Cup winning team. Man United in 1996 when they had to draft Scholes, Butt and Beckham to replace Kanchelskis, Hughes and Ince. In both cases the managers had no choice and the rewards were massive for alot years following.
