My problem with Roy is that I don't believe he transits any confidence to the team whatsoever. I listen to him in press conferences and watch his body language on the side of the pitch and it's all so... meh. And that's exactly how the team has played in the last three tournaments - no clear game plan, a lack of mental strength and a team that is less than the sum of its parts. He seems like a perfectly pleasant guy but I can't see any hint of a winning mentality or the ability to inspire.
Aside from Spain and Croatia at times I have not seen football of high technical excellence. It's been a bit poor so far as a tournament. Some great goals, super crowds but still some pretty substandard football.
Thanks Jumbolina and J.B for your well-worded responses as to where you think Roy went wrong with his selections/tactics and how he could have improved to get us top of the group. I'll admit I've only been sporadically following the England team over the last ten years (lost a large chunk of interest after the 2006 World Cup and not qualifying for Euro 2008, and especially after the apparent couldn't-give-a-**** performances at WC 2010) and I haven't been as closely following them in the build up to this tournament as you obviously have, so I'm sure your criticisms are valid. But despite the disappointment of finishing second in an easy group, I think there is reason to be optimistic about this team and our chances, even under Hodgson. For me there's a cohesion and togetherness about the national side that I haven't seen for many years, if ever (my first tournament was WC '98), passing and attacking play is much improved over most previous tournaments, and there seems to be quite a good team spirit with no pampered "stars" or prima donnas who believe their own hype. Compare that to WC 2006 under Sven, when our supposedly best team since 1966 got better results but were extremely inconsistent performance-wise. The problems are we don't have a really prolific striker, a reliable dead-ball specialist, someone who can take accurate shots outside the box or a player who can really take the team by the scruff of the neck (Rooney may still be highly skilled but I question his leadership qualities), which makes it difficult against teams who pack the midfield and defense. But on the plus side, we remain tough to beat, and whatever doubts have arisen about Hodgson, winning 10 out of 10 (no silly losses or points dropped against the likes of Macedonia or Northern Ireland) in qualifying, including against a decent Swiss side, is not to be sniffed at. I was as disappointed as any at our performance in the last World Cup, but as I mentioned before, Bobby Robson's record in his first three tournaments was actually worse than Hodgson's so far, and unlike many it seems, I haven't lost all faith that we could go quite some way in this competition under him if not win it. If we fail to win a game or two in extra time in the knock-out stages, who knows, unless most previous England managers he might pick the right penalty takers!
I agree with a lot of that, especially the point about how Hodgson seems to have brought the squad together and created a decent spirit for the national side, something which definitely wasn't present under Sven or Capello. The players seem happy and proud to play for England and you can't fault their effort or desire. When Hodgson does finally go I hope the next manager keeps that going as it is something that Hodgson has done brilliantly. I really do hope you're right and we do progress far this year, but sadly I just can't see us getting past the quarter finals with him as manager and with the tough route to the final that we now have.
The lighter side of the European Championship. Irish fans from the Emerald Isle have been complimented on their behaviour and sense of fun..... [video=youtube;28cI7HVa1Dg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28cI7HVa1Dg[/video] [video=youtube;OtrxkHDjOhw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtrxkHDjOhw[/video] [video=youtube;5_Bp7vWvN1c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Bp7vWvN1c[/video]
The Irish are even fixing cars: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...fans-fix-a-dented-car-in-france-at-euro-2016/
Left back for Switzerland looks a decent player. Are Wolfsburg in any European comps next season? If not, worth a punt
Deserved win for Poland. Switzerland are the European equivalent of Bolivia. Dull and uninspiring only coming out when forced to do so. Clattenburg missed a clear red card for Schar and Poland were once again wasteful with three glorious opportunities to kill off the match in the first half. Poor technical ability on display throughout the entire match aside from the opening ten minutes from Poland. Krychowiak is superb. One or two missed passes aside an excellent central two way midfielder.
He'll cost upwards of £25m, often touted as one of the top 5 LBs in the world. No chance for us sadly.
Savage screams "What a goal!!!" and the world creams themselves over a Bale cross. Can't stand the ass-licking
He gave Lafferty a forearm smash in the first half so may have damaged himself. Only problem with Wales going through is having to put up with that chunt Savage more.
Wales are a pretty mediocre side all being said and done. Harsh on Northern Ireland. Yet another rather poor game.
I don't how you can say that when Switzerland were the better team throughout after the opening 45 minutes, and were unlucky not to win with Seferovic hitting the cross bar and a powerful free kick that was well saved by Fabianski - Shakiri pretty much singlehandedly drove the team forward. And I thought the quality was miles better than Wales vs Northern Ireland, which was like a bottom half Premier League fixture at best.
If Milik had any confidence which seems to be shot Poland should have had that wrapped up before halftime. Not sending off a player for a clear red card also makes a huge difference at 1-0. Despite having had two days extra rest the Swiss resorted to their default pattern of play which is to sit back and hope for the best on the counter. They are a terrible team and were forced to come out and play when chasing the game. I am glad I am also seeing the last of Lichtsteiner. An odious player trying to argue that the yellow on Lewandowski was not even that and then moments later getting Jedrzejczyk booked without any foul being committed. Nawalka should have made his substitutions earlier. Kapustka should replace Milik in behind Lewandowski or Zielinski be brought in. The quality certainly in the first ten minutes and overall was better than the Home Nations contest and Shaqiri's effort is one of the best in many a Euro tournament but nonetheless the game should have been done and dusted. Clattenburg made a very poor decision and one that fortunately did not affect the overall outcome of the match.
Croatia v Portugal 1st half. Rubbish referee not booking anyone. So Portugal just doing persistent fouls.
Targeting Rakitic and pressing high. Strinic needs to deliver better quality. Tempted to get Vrsaljko on and switch Perisic or bring in Kalinic alongside Mandzukic, drop Rakitic deeper for one of the current defensive midfielders. Portugual did manage two moments of quality but once again overall a pretty poor display.
Ronaldo is such a *******. Didn't celebrate the 117th min winner with the rest of his squad because he wanted to revel in the glory that he had the shot saved that led to the goal.
