There's nothing to suggest France will win their last 16 match, nor for that matter us. Also, we miss Spain who look pretty good. Think we'll get to the semi and meet Italy where we'll get our revenge for Euro 2012.
You don't think there is anything to suggest France will beat Northern Ireland/Czech Republic/Sweden? I may be being controversial but I reckon they will
I've got Czech republic in the WFCforums sweepstake. I have to believe! Anyway, the Czechs or Sweden will offer more than anyone has in France's group stages. NI I'm not so sure.
Czechs and Sweden have been awful so far though - at least the Swiss can retain possession and create chances when needed. I'd say Switzerland are a big upgrade on Sweden and Czech based on what I've seen so far.
I agree.He really does irritate with his Cheshire Cat -like demeanour but I think he would be the right manager to get the best from this group. However the FA aren't known for their bold appointments are they?!
Looking at the fixture dates, we should actually get more of a rest for both games now more than we would have coming top. Wales play again on Saturday against a potentially fresher Group A 3rd place or 24 hours later group C game. They then only get 24 hours benefit over their QF opponents - possibly Belgium. We get 2 extra days over group F for the next round who play tomorrow at 5pm, and should we progress, we'll also get 2 extra days (+ 6 hours) over the last 16 round 4 match between France and ???. Anyone need some of these straws I'm clutching?
Presuming he has to be English I'd have Southgate, Howe, Pardew or maybe even Gary Neville. Not great by any stretch of the imagination, but much better than Hodgson.
Pity you weren't around then offering similarly inspired alternatives to Bobby Robson, whose record during his first three tournaments was a good deal worse than Hodgson's.
Northern Ireland can definitely qualify for the knock out phase if Turkey beat the Czech Republic by 1, 2 or 3 goals or if it's a draw tonight.
A quarter final in 86 was his second tournament so not that bad. 84 we failed to qualify and 88 was a disaster.
That would be a tasty game, just trying to work it all out UEA, wish we'd topped our group looks a bit harder our side of draw (don't like being on same side of draw as France and Germany)
Spain, Italy, Germany, France, England all in same half of draw now! There's a serious chance that the other semi-final could end up being Croatia-Belgium if I've worked this out right. What a blow not finishing top now.
Some interesting odds being quoted on the Sporting Life website tonight. For example, I wonder if anyone's put a cheeky bet on the Netherlands, who are being quoted at 10-1; better odds than Belgium :sign15:
Had we won our group we would now be in the best position we've been in for years and will ever be for years when it comes to winning a tournament or at least progressing past the quarters. We would have been in a position where we would been assured not playing any of Germany, France, Italy or Spain until the final. Hodgson should be absolutely ashamed of himself.
Why blame Hodgson for all three of our opponents parking the bus in their 18 yard area? The players have to take some responsibility too, the team Hodgson put out was more than good enough to win yesterday.
It's annoying but then Croatia or Belguim would have been tough as well of course. Typical of us though!
Then why didn't they? Lesser teams will defend against better teams more often than not, especially with the 3rd place nonsense they've brought in for this Euros. That's what happens in football and something we should have been prepared for. Hodgson made awful changes in the Russia game, which in my opinion resulted in their late equaliser, and unnecessarily rested six players against Slovakia, resulting in a disjointed performance. He also played clearly unfit players like Wilshere and Henderson in the game yesterday having previously persevered with a clearly unfit Harry Kane for the first two games. Even against Wales he played the wrong side and was bailed out by a last minute, scrappy winner by one of the subs that he was forced to throw on at half time. The majority of the players have played well in the three games so far. The reason we have only won one of those games and have finished 2nd in a p*ss easy group is largely down to Hodgson's failings.
Great work by the 5th official with the Croatia keeper 4/5 yards off his line with the penalty save. His sole responsibility. Those useless tools steal a living.
I agree, I blame Hodgson for a much of the failure. But the players were very poor around their area against Slovakia. Terrible passing, crossing and shooting. Can't blame Hodgson for that!
Well he could pick a first choice midfield and not a half fit Wilshire who chugs about for 60 minutes?
I can't help but see Hodgson the same way as the old England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster. A grey, uninspiring, indecisive coach whose personality is reflected in the way the team play. Look at the difference in the rugby team now, the same group of players have won every game since Eddie Jones came in. Can't help but wonder how this squad would look with a dynamic, inspirational coach. The current team has no identity on the pitch and the players don't look like they know what the plan is.
The problem is beat Iceland/Hungary 1-0 and lose narrowly to France and Hodgson gets another lottery win 4 year contract.
(a) Did the players' failure to put the game to bed directly result in conceding the other end of the pitch? In any case, I thought we were unlucky not to be at least 3-0 up before scoring - it was just one of those things that happen in football from time to time, look at Portugal vs Austria the other day. (b) Again, didn't see much wrong with the performance, in terms of the general pattern of play, keeping possession and sustaining pressure while making sure we kept at least a couple of men back in the event of the odd Slovakia counterattack, so can't blame changes there. The only real flaw was the poor shooting outside of the box and Rooney's erratic performance (what was that short corner about?), but other than that I'm not sure what else you could have asked from the side and Hodgson collectively, other than score. And zztop, what was so bad about the passing yesterday? I actually think this team have been excellent in consistently maintaining and winning back possession so far this tournament, which is more than you can say about England sides in most previous competitions. The limitations stem more from the lack of an out-and-out striker and reliable direct free kick taker (hence the relative shortage of goals in recent tournament finals), something we've lacked since Michael Owen and David Beckham respectively. I get the feeling that many want England to fail as for whatever reason they don't like Hodgson and so they can gleefully say "told you all along" to some of us who actually have some faith in one of England's most successful managers in world football over the last 40 years to do well with the national team.
Hahahahaha. Hodgson as a manager in world football over last 40 years. Two runner ups in the UEFA cup in 40 years of service with some big teams. Bravo! Just because our English managers are garbage doesn't mean that we can't criticise him. He is average at best.
I felt the final ball, whether crosses or passing was shocking. I also thought our build up was too slow giving them plenty of time to get back and regroup. Re the last paragraph, I have never wanted anything other than England wins and successes. If I am negative about something, I will say so because I am disappointed because I want to win, not lose.
It's simple - play your best team, coach and set them up well and then react appropriately to what is happening in the game. He made the correct changes versus Wales, but I think just about every person watching would have made the same decisions. He completely failed to react properly during the Slovakia and Russia games. And no, I don't want England to fail. No one was happier than me when Sturridge scored against Wales. Up until the buildup to this tournament I was llargely supportive of Hodgson, but he completely lost me with his negative team selections and his favouritism to players who play for big clubs. Henderson in the squad over someone like Drinkwater tells you all you need to know about him. He is an average manager as his managerial career suggests - will do a job for a West Brom, Fulham or Switzerland but is simply not up to managing a Liverpool, Inter or England. One of the most successful English managers of the last 40 years?! What trophies worth winning has he actually won during that period?
To those who laughed at me saying NI aren't that bad. We got through a much tougher group than England. To those who still think we will be a push over for the team's in the last 16, etc, I thought you'd learn your lesson.
