The team played badly, managerial decisions were poor etc....I agree with all of that, but it is nonsense to say the players didn't care. They cared, but sometimes that isn't enough.
It certainly didn't seem like it. Rooney just walked around looking dazed. He should have been as red as a tomato and screaming his bollocks off at the other players. The only ones that I think have passion are Hart, Cahill, Rooney (usually), and Vardy. But there are too many gormless personalities out there. Smalling, Walker, Rose, Sterling, Kane, Wilshere. These guys have about as much passion as a set of ****ing car keys. Sturridge, Dier, Alli look as though they want to care, but unfortunately I think the gormless attitude of the others is infectious.
For me England seem to only select players from the top 4, regardless of talent or tactical ability or ability to play in a desires system. Italy were outstanding and they don't always use players from the obvious places and many other countries do the same. We need a manager who can see past this biased approach and get the tactical approach with the right people. Who gives a **** if they play outside the top 6...
England vs Iceland reaction: Too rich, too famous, too much ego - Joe Hart epitomises everything that is wrong | International | Sport | The Independent - www.independent.co.uk http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...591.html?campaign_id=A100&campaign_type=Email
Haven't read the article, but I hate that. Players wages doesn't mean they care any less, I get sick of people saying things like that. Tactical ineptitude and not caring are NOT the same. We all knew Hodgson was a joke appointment, why didn't the Fa?
He's so stupid because he found a good system against Germany with players that fitted it. The tournament also started well enough for England. But what did he do? He made a ****load of changes for the Slovakia game and lost all momentum. Then he persisted with Kane and Sterling yesterday. Idiot.
To be fair we have some decent players in this team. With the exception of Sterling and Wilshere it was probably the team that most of us would have selected (ok maybe not Sturridge as well). I was saying yesterday that not one of the Icelanders would have got into the England side but I've re-thought that now. I have now decided that not one of the England team would get into the Iceland side. If we've learned one thing from Leicester winning the league its that a strong team will triumph over a bunch of talented individuals. And that is exactly what England are. Everyone says that Hodgson is a good coach but the World Cup showed us how utterly useless he actually was. At least he tried a few things this time round but he always appears hapless. And what of that great coach Gary Neville, where was his input?
The difference being that England's rugby team even in 2015 had world class players. Jones has moved on players not functioning well and brought in new ones. By contrast England's International Male team in football hasn't got any world class players. As some have alluded many look better than they are because they are surrounded by better players. Is it any wonder that Liverpool finished 8th last season when you look at their regulars - Clyne, Lallana, Henderson, Sturridge, Milner. Not really top draw, are they?
Why is it always the guy who did;t come on who would have saved the game? He didn't save any of the games when he was on pre I know where - I used to live there myself. Not sure if I'd call it 'still in the game'. At least he's probably paid well.
England's male footballers are like Leyland cars. In a few words "a very poor product!!!" Wales have progressed further because they have in their squad a togetherness plus the two best British players currently playing - Bale and Ramsey!
A successful international football team doesn't need 11 'world-class' players. They don't even need one. I think Iceland taught us that last night.
What about the Icelandic guy who plays for Swansea? Vastly under-rated. Could Saints buy him? That to me would be the signing of the summer!!
I think the fact that most of that Iceland team have played together since they were 15 really helps them, and they have a decent coaching set up. I think hey're going to be quite tough for anyone to beat.
That's just it though - Italy have a back three and keeper who are used to working as a unit. All those players, individually, are way past their best. Their effectiveness comes from they way they've been coached at Juve, & the way they play together.
