Shocking refereeing, should be suspended for the rest of the tournament. Cabaye was excellent if a dirty b*stard. England were ok, need to work on that counter attack game Italian style.
Good solid performance from England. We look a bit old fashioned with our 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2, but the plan was to sit deep and let them come on to us and it worked. Hart was un-sighted for their goal and we really could have nicked it on chances created. The ref was a nightmare.....our two bookings were deserved, but how the hell did Cabaye not get booked and he let so many body checks go!! Onwards and upwards!!
Oddball will be disappointed France didn't nick it. But they were limited to mainly shots from distance. A fair enough result in the end.
Fair result in the end. I think the French were vastly over-rated, they were very neat and tidy in their passing and movement but seemed to run out of ideas in and around the box. They played a sort of Spanish-lite game but I don't think they have enough penetration to win this tournament. England were disappointing in that they kept so rigidly to their two banks of four that they were often boxed in when they won possession and couldn't easily break forward without hitting hopeful balls. Also, how many crosses were overhit by Johnson and Milner from France's weaker left flank? Gerrard showed them how with some quality deliveries but we need to find something more in the middle...
Taking into account England's technical ability Roy's sitting deep and hitting them on the break isn't a bad tactic. We have pace and physical strength, didn't think it would be this positive, pleasantly surprised.
He was fooling no-one with his hype. They have another two years to go till they become a major power. That said, they could stll make a semi this time round.
I think these first game are more about not losing than winning..if that makes sense. Both teams will be happy with a point. Only saw small part but France looked beter than Us. Still i guess the only stat that really matter is the final score!
Now is the time for the Swedes! Dark horses of the tournament IMO! Assuming England get through to the 1/4 finals would you prefer Italy or Spain?
To rebuild is to rebuild So it was ... A bore safe draw Gears France can go up a few still unbeaten now in 22 I can see France getting to semis
To be fair thought england knocked it around at one point in the second half very well until the left back lumped it up and gave France a free kick for offside They just don't get it do they ? Why keep the ball for 21 passes to do that England's two fours looked very in shape I must say and looks like Rooney was sporting a spitfire haircut Now Rooney ... That is a player
