The Czechs, Greeks, Poles are poop. Russia can play a bit but their defense hasn't been tested. The Danes have ridden their luck. The Dutch can't score in a brothel with a £10 note wrapped round their knobs and RVP can't hack it on the big stage. Ronaldos lot are toothless and lack bottle as usual. The Germans will be very hard to beat but they hardly sparkled. No surprises so far then? Who is left to see then apart from us of course? The French and the Spanish but will they be that far ahead This tournament is wide open imo and I've seen nothing that makes me fearful for Roys boys. Can't wait for tomorrow personally. Think we will beat the Frogs 1-0.
Yup, as wide as a sluts legs. The Danes did ride their luck but were very solid in defense. The Russians have looked the best so far. If the Dutch could hit the target they'd have won the game by half time. Robbin looked nervous & edgy as hell to me. The German game was like watching paint dry. Can't see our lot pulling up any trees like.
After watching the games Cest I've got to agree mate thought it would be a 0-0 thriller tomorrow but, now we could get a win. Germans are always slow starters in tournaments then finish like a train as long as we don't meet them till the Finals (hopefully) then you never know. Think the Italians could be an outside bet they've done nowt in tournaments lately so are due one mind you we have been due one for about 30 years.
Not to be a party pooper, and I am as patriotic as the next man, but we need a massive improvement on the the Belgian friendly to even get out of the group imo. Although DW scored I thought the service to him and Young was abysmal. Looked slightly better when Theo & Defoe came on. Would prefer to have Gerrard as the attacking midfielder as opposed to the holding midfielder. Hope we are still in with a shout by the time Rooney returns. Obviously I hope I am utterly wrong and after a few games together Roy has them gelled and we see some pace & flair.
It's only the first games so not too much base on as teams can improve as the tournament progresses but I don't think we are great by any stretch of the imagination. I do however think that a team will win it in the Chelsea style and we are probably best equiped to do it that way.
it seems as though all the big teams have weak defences (holland,france,portugal,Italy,spain ect...) and they can be attacked the tournement seems set up for a small country to rise up like the ACON with Zambia
Id really like to see us up against the Irish in the next round. Wishing the Irish well in the group stage.
This is exactly my thought. There are no exceptional teams in this competition but 4 or 5 very similar. Our great strength will be our ability to be organised and comfortable playing a game we are used to. Hard work, fitness and a the best keeper in the tournament. I still think Rooney, fresh legged and relaxed, could well be our Ace in the pack for the latter stages, so long as we make it of course. Rooney, Welbeck and Defoe are all capable of scoring and in Carroll, we have something very different if a change is needed. We have cutting edges and we have solid defensive units and our midfield, albeit not world class, are all hard working grafters who will put in a shift. We've gone into previous WC's and Euros with huge expectation and hope but this time, we have none. That's a huge plus imo as they team and manager look very relaxed and comfortable. The more I see of the current favourites the more confident I am we will do better than many have predicted. We have the look of the Danish and Greek sides that have lifted this trophy over the years in that we are well organised, as strong as the sum of its parts rather than individuals and above all, nobody is taking us seriously. Go on Roy, give it some wallop.
Still early days, teams still have a lot to show. For me, Spain are lightyears ahead of anyone in the competition. The Germans, solid as ever yesterday will be thereabouts. Portugal and the Dutch will improve imo. England? Who knows? If Chelsea can win the Champs league ?! ....
Spain can't even field a striker they've gone 4-6-0 against Italy who's 11 looks weak. Ive got a feeling France will win it
I'm really worried about our game with France..Historically the European Nations Cup has been a nightmare for us and I fear more of the same.. I do hope I'm proved wrong mind...
I don't fancy our chances too much TBH. Hodgson is the right man for the job, but put our lot in an England shirt and they lose all cognitive faculties and the use of their legs. We were singing about "30 years of hurt" at Euro '96, so it's 46 years now. And counting!
Italians looked dangerous tbh, and the Spanish can never be written off. Dunno why they didn't start with Torres, he isnt as bad as he is made out to be. He will find that predator instinct again. I think the Russians will do good, Dick is a good manager, who has come in on the back of Hiddink's work. I dont think England will make it very far. They will make it to the next round, but that would be it. Out of all the teams, I like the Irish obviousl,y, but after todays showing, they wont make it out the group. I like Portugal, and would like them to go and win it. I like their left back aswell, Fábio Coentrão. Would defo be worth going after imo, he was always making runs up. Him and McLean would be deadly on the right.
Just read up on him. He plays for Real Madrid, cost 30million Euros... so yeah, cross that one off the list.
Well we know the Spaniards will whine and cry. Cesc Fabregas blamed the state of the pitch in Gdansk for Spain's lack of fluency during their draw with Italy. The Barcelona midfielder grabbed the equaliser for the defending champions, moments after Antonio Di Natale had put the Azzurri ahead after 61 minutes. Spain might have won the match had Fernando Torres taken one of three late chances, but Fabregas said the surface had also been a factor in the result. "It is lamentable that we have to play on a pitch like this," he said. "I don't want to complain, but we deserve much more. "It has been a difficult match, the most difficult one we have in the group against a very strong rival." Spain had asked for the field of play to be watered heavily before kick-off, but their request was turned down. Fabregas, however, believes Spain responded well once they had fallen a goal behind. "After going behind it is not a bad result," he added.
I think that we will all know a lot more regarding our chances after the France game...A very tough test indeed!
A tough test for France as well RAW. This isnt a cocky England its a pragmatic one and all the better for it imo. The players look happy and relaxed and far from being aloof as usual, we have mixed with the local population and the fans at our training camp. Hodgson has already shown great leadership imo and has shaped a new England in very little time. We will be very, very difficult to break down and have as good a back 5 as any in the tournament. In Welbeck and Young, we also have 2 young players bang on form and we also have Rooney in reserve to come in from the 3rd game onwards. I'm really looking forward to the game tonight and to see how Hodgson handles the situation. A point tonight will suffice but I still think we can win the game 1-0.
