Posted this on the match thread, but wanted to get some other views. I appreciate this is a longer post, but would be grateful if you could read it and offer your opinions on the situation! It begins... I really couldn't give a stuff if we're attractive to watch or not (I get enough of that from Saints ). Some people find Spain and Barca boring, some don't. As said, every good team starts with a good defence, crack that and you're onto a winner. If the other team can't score, you'll at worst draw. I'm aware we conceded tonight, but have immense faith in Hodgson to, after this tournament, blood the youngsters and have them defensively drilled and aware of their roles. All I can remember of "the England way" was pushing on and pushing on before making a monumental cock-up and conceding on the counter. I don't think I could personally judge Hodgson fairly on this tournament, although I am seeing some impressive glimpses, although ball retention needs to improve, and delivery from wide areas also. However on the ball retention front I think today's game was the best so far for that, so clearly it is being worked on. I think we have to wait for 2014 in Brazil to be able to give a fair appraisal in all honesty. Sadly the press will be all over him if it goes off-track, because he is not Harry Redknapp - who they were clamouring for. If Roy can give us a strong base to build from he can move onto improving our attacking side of things. This is what he did at Fulham and Switzerland/Finland also. He dragged Fulham away from the drop-zone when many thought they were doomed, then he built on it and led the team to a European Final! What Roy does is over-achieve through strength, team-work, organisation and mental focus with teams who can't go out and outplay the MUFC's, Man City's, Spain's, Germany's of this world. I also like Hodgson's approach to man-management and the way he handles himself in front of the media. He is realistic, whilst optimistic, which is a good trait to see in the England manager. He's certainly very interactive and open to talk when he feels it is necessary. I remember seeing Capello striding across from the hotel in South Africa and standing on the grass verge across the road, talking to the press. Roy was more than happy to let the cameras into his base and have a few words and take a few snaps. He's involved, and clearly passionate - however some media outlets questioned this, I guess because unlike Redknapp would, he doesn't blab on about that every 5 minutes. The players seem to respect him and appreciate that he accepts he is far older than them and has played Gary Neville as a sort of link between them and him. He lets them have their space and R&R time and they do the same. He's let them use their phones, bring their games consoles and do things such as go in others rooms when training and rehab is done. I see no issue with this and think Roy's approach of "I'll treat them like adults - respect works both ways" but also think he is right in that he has told the players where they stand and what he expects, and if there is a slump in attitude, or if people go against his wishes these privileges could be revoked. Right now, I think Hodgson is exactly what we need for the reasons stated above. But I won't be too hasty to criticise him, he's only been in 40 days or so. I am totally behind the bloke, he knows far more about football than pretty much anyone I can think of. His sheer pool of knowledge, years of research and coaching are invaluable, and Roy is experienced domestically, in other nations, in European competition and International Management. The guy knows his stuff. Yet is mocked for a speech impediment, whilst the media championed a self-confessed illiterate man who has been in the spotlight for shady dealings and claimed he has the writing of a 3 year old. Good luck Roy. DTLW
Posted my thoughts on the match thread as well, but I will repeat them here like you The reason we are playing defensively and on the counter is precisely because we do not have the players to maintain possession for any length. Even Stevie G who is one of our technically better players still has a fairly average first touch. None of our players have feet and technical ability like Ribery, Benzema or even Nasri, let alone the German/Spanish/Italian sides. I think your assessment of certain players is overly harsh. For me, Welbeck was brilliant, he had little service and held the ball up well when he did. When Rooney comes back into the side, the two of them could become a real nuisance. Young didn't have his best game tonight, but I don't think he could be called a shambles. He is a winger by trade, who is playing centrally to cover for rooneys absence. He tracked and worked hard, and didn't do that much wrong for me. He is just not as good as other world class attacking players in the tournament. Milner was played in order to negate Ribery, and cover for the always-woeful Glen Johnson, who's positioning and transitions are literally terrible (especially in the first half). Which he did very well. In all honesty, today was the first time I have been proud of the England team in a long time. All I wanted from the World Cup was commitment and heart and getting the basics right, and we did none of that. We were nervous, played within ourselves, and appeared to not care at all. Today, Hodgson for me had the team set up well, picked the right team and they all played well. The 3 lions and English spirit from years gone was back, and really, we were fairly good going forward as well. We looked dangerous every time, and with more confidence and when the fitness levels are higher we will look even more dangerous. Dont forget it's only our first game. Will we win the tournament? No, not without a hell of a lot of luck (the same kind that Chelsea had.) But under Hodgson will they give it their very best? Yep. And at the end of the day, thats all we can ask as fans.
Nor did I, but I felt at periods it was far better than anything achieved against Belgium and Norway. Against tougher opposition.
I agree. It looked like Barca v Chelsea at times. I think a big part of the lack of possession is Hart though. No idea why he keeps punting it long his distribution is dreadful. We don't know if he's doing this on orders or not though
Actually, I don't think England were that bothered by it. They showed that, when they were brave, they could retain possession rather well. The trouble was, one or two players started to get itchy and needed to punt the ball, giving it straight to the French.
You play the cards you're dealt. We were never going to be exciting in this tournament, so Roy's gone for hard to beat. England are willing to concede possession and let the opposition play ineffectively (hopefully) in front of them. His two 1.0 wins before 2012 started shows that this can work if you make the most of any opportunity. The best sign is that the players seem happy with it and have stuck to the plan. Good start for Oxo...showed maturity playing against the French at only 18 years old. Came over well in his post-match interview...definately got an England future. Hopefully. we'll get the win we need against Sweden.
Good post. Re ball retention, I agree, I thought we did much better in that area than against Belgium. Thought Gerrard and particularly Parker were surprisingly effective at keeping the ball under pressure, turning away from pressing players well and usually finding a possession-retaining pass. Welbeck was impressive, although if England play the same system I'd prefer to see Rooney up top than in Young's place personally. Anyway, Sweden and Ukraine both looked defensively quite weak, so hopefully we'll see a bit more attacking intent in the next games and we can then judge the team better.
It's the "English Disease". As a nation, the majority of coaches, fans, players, parents, media, etc, etc, just don't understand the importance of possession, or if they do understand, still insist on getting that ball forward. I thought for half an hour yesterday we pressed really well with a very good shape to the team and France couldn't get through. I do believe that the heat and humitity played it's part yesterday as the French looked like the wanted a snail's pace towards the end too. We just treat the ball like a hot potato too often. Attack quickly and move the ball forward quickly when the opportunity is really there, but ONLY when it is there. Too many times, we simply gave it straight back to them. That will undo us eventually.
This is where my fear lies. I think against France we were expected to be under pressure as under dogs. Going into these next games, we MUST keep the ball better as we are expected to be stronger than these two. I fear that against Ukraine in particular, they will keep it better than us.
I saw us play Sweden at Wembley last year and although we won Sweden were much the better side and kept the ball really well. Ibrahimovic in particular wasa eal handful.
We did against the French what a lot of teams did against us last year. Let the 'better team' keep possession but limit their opportunities and hope to score on a break or from a set piece. We know from our stats last year that we managed to drop points despite good possession and lots of corners/shots.
An England team managed by an Englishman. Finally I feel they are worth supporting. A squad ravaged by injuries to key players and with the older generation being phased out I was not expecting much from this tournament but under Roy Hodgson at least we are putting up a fight. Do we get any extra money from Arsenal now the Ox has an England cap? Great to see him given a chance and apart from a reckless challenge he did well. Would be nice to see us get a decent right-back though. Johnson was pretty poor. Overall very encouraging.
I actually thought Johnson did very well, got forward well as you'd expect, but also kept Ribéry quiet and covered really well for the centre-backs; one moment in particular, when he took the ball off Benzema's toes, was impressive and probably saved a goal.
Sorry didn't make that clear. England played the French the same way that many teams played saints last season.
Glen Johnson looks so much worse when on the same pitch as Ashely Cole. The gulf in class between them is ridiculous.
Sounds like you and me were watching different games. Care to provide any evidence for your assertion?
