May 29, 201213 yr Author if parker and johnson get injured - very possible - then you've only got jones covering both. or you play jagielka well out of position at rightback. or perhaps worse, someone like milner there. hodgson's not covered his bases here. and again you end up with gerrard as one of the two sitting midfielders, something he's simply not a specialist at. I've think if any of our 'key' players get injured we've had it, Hart, Cole, Johnson, Parker, Young, Rooney (if he gets more than one game). I'd even include Gerrard, Lampard and Carroll on that list. If we are to stand any chance, everyone needs to stay fit.
May 29, 201213 yr Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough. Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA. Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively! What can you do? but they are technically poor.
May 29, 201213 yr Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough. Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA. Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively! What can you do? but they are technically poor. wouldn't go so far as to say that they are technically poor but they are your two players who generally make most stuff happen. so you play them closer to the opposing goal than your own where a stray pass can't do as much damage. which is why playing gerrard in a midfield 2 in a flat midfield line of 4 is stupid. always has been. play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 holding midfielders and gerrard off rooney (when the berk is allowed to play again) and you have goals and a bit of solidity behind it.
May 29, 201213 yr At the moment England only has one key player that most teams will beware of and even he has not been at his best for a few months. Goals win games and sadly we really don't have an out and out goalscorer,even Rooney is not in that category. God help us....i suppose we can win the tournament without actually scoring in the games and then rely on Joe Hart ...funny!
May 29, 201213 yr Capello was of the same mind about Richards, the suggestion is he's just not quite focused enough. Someone has mentioned Gerard's unsuitability, I thought it was just me that thought this way. He just spills the ball too easily, and at this level that is ruinous. Dare I say it but there is one other acclaimed player that does the same, or at least did in SA. Personally, these are the doubts I have over both Gerrard and Rooney, but then again look at what they do creatively! What can you do? but they are technically poor. wouldn't go so far as to say that they are technically poor but they are your two players who generally make most stuff happen. so you play them closer to the opposing goal than your own where a stray pass can't do as much damage. which is why playing gerrard in a midfield 2 in a flat midfield line of 4 is stupid. always has been. play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 holding midfielders and gerrard off rooney (when the berk is allowed to play again) and you have goals and a bit of solidity behind it. Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did.
May 29, 201213 yr At the moment England only has one key player that most teams will beware of and even he has not been at his best for a few months. Goals win games and sadly we really don't have an out and out goalscorer,even Rooney is not in that category. God help us....i suppose we can win the tournament without actually scoring in the games and then rely on Joe Hart ...funny! Carroll?
May 29, 201213 yr Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did. gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that.
May 30, 201213 yr Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did. gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that. Sturridge aint there, mate!! Another misjudgement by Hodgson, I fear the worst in this tournament, Too many players who are coming back after injury, will leave them too stretched. They wont concede too many, but they wont score many either, Be lucky to get through the first round
May 30, 201213 yr Yes a very good posting and I hope Hodgson does this. What I mean about Gerrard is that sometimes he just literally gives the ball to an opponent, he did this against Norway in a very deep position, and Rooney sometimes needs a metre or 2 to bring the ball under control, at least in SA he did. gerrard plays best when he isn't tied to a job in the team and can play free. same for rooney really. england might as well line up with 8 plus them 2. maybe young and sturridge as the other 2 up front/wide. but play 2 defined defensive midfielders behind that. Sturridge aint there, mate!! Another misjudgement by Hodgson, I fear the worst in this tournament, Too many players who are coming back after injury, will leave them too stretched. They wont concede too many, but they wont score many either, Be lucky to get through the first round sorry you're quite right - i was thinking he'd picked sturridge but it's walcott isn't it? squad numbers announced, indicate a 'first' XI. which has flat, insipid 4-4-2 written all over it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/29/euro-2012-england-squad-numbers
May 30, 201213 yr Author If the squad numbers do mean something, and assuming a 4-4-2, the team will look like this: Hart Johnson Cahill Terry Cole Walcott Lampard Gerrard Young Rooney Carroll Are there any surprises really? The obvious flaws are Frankie Jr and Gerrard together in midfield (but i'm sure I read somewhere Hodgson wants another roll of that dice) and the lack of a holding midfielder(s).
May 30, 201213 yr Author Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll Personally, i'm withholding judgement on him for a while. It's an almost certainty he'll be playing, and as he's the only player of his type in the squad, he needs to be given a chance. We'll see.
May 30, 201213 yr Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll He is our main weapon with Rooney out first two games, it will be hoof it up to Carrol nod down to walcott or young 1-0 england then defend defend defend, it might just work be dull and boring but heck England always have been so nothing new.
May 30, 201213 yr Not forgetting the biggest flaw Carroll Personally, i'm withholding judgement on him for a while. It's an almost certainty he'll be playing, and as he's the only player of his type in the squad, he needs to be given a chance. We'll see. I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament
May 30, 201213 yr His profile cannot get any worse Carms....so i agree! I think Carroll has finally found a bit of form towards the latter part of the season. Its generally better to play form players I think. He is a handful...and should do well against European teams. Liverpool should be grateful he is getting some experience there anyway.
May 30, 201213 yr When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards. Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me
May 30, 201213 yr When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards. Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that!
May 30, 201213 yr When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards. Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that! Whereas the Scotland v Auld Enemy encounter, which happens all to rarely these days regrettably, is supposed to be about all-out-bloody-warfare. Kids these days have no idea what football rivalry means
May 30, 201213 yr When on his game he's as frightening to defend against as any of the big name forwards. Bu$$er, the old Euros-R-Coming magic dust just got sprinkled on me I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that! Whereas the Scotland v Auld Enemy encounter, which happens all to rarely these days regrettably, is supposed to be about all-out-bloody-warfare. Kids these days have no idea what football rivalry means That is a good point. There's nowhere near enough pent up anger and frustration in Scotland any more...and there will be even less after the referendum!
May 30, 201213 yr I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him. I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that! no it isn't.
May 30, 201213 yr I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him. I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that! no it isn't. It is if you have my nationality!
May 30, 201213 yr I have a funny feeling Andy Carroll might be one of the few English plus points to come out of this tournament think you could be right, he had a good back end to the season and is showing some form. do though also think that with hodgson's tactics he could end up really isolated with lots of long balls pinged up at him. I just hope there is some attractive stuff played this time around. It is supposed to be entertainment first and foremost...some countries seem to have forgotten that! no it isn't. It is if you have my nationality! I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in world football.
May 30, 201213 yr I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in Scotland. Now don't go overboard
May 30, 201213 yr I think Scotland are one of the most entertaining sides in Scotland. You haven't seen Motherwell recently then?
May 30, 201213 yr Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley. Smokes, that was in the '70's mate!!!
May 30, 201213 yr Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley. Bagpipes? or was that Rod Stewart
May 30, 201213 yr Yeah we played some good stuff when we last beat you at Wembley. How old were you when this momentous occasion took place?
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