We shouldn't undersetimate England under Hodgson, but if we win the cup (which is possible) we will steal it. To be honest, until we really sort out youth coaching in this country, that is going to be our only chance in major competitions and Hodgson has been a terrific appointment in terms of maximising our chances.
He is a bright man who knows the right path and maybe he can also try to make changes in our game too. The problem is that when you have a culture and youth coaches who are more interested in winning games than developing kids (7-13 years) you are not going to solve it.
I also don't see France as any great shakes but I think, certainly on paper, they've got a bit more than us to be honest. I reckon we'll do our usual and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and go down to a narrow but confidence crushing loss.
Obviously hope i'm wrong but one thing is certain....if we lose on Monday our entire tournament will be bang in trouble with real danger of us going down the swanny before it's even started. That would be unfair on Roy Hodgson imo but there you go.
If we play Carroll no chance play young and welbeck we have every chance it is Sweden and Ukraine we won't beat
Also, Id play Carroll over Welbeck anyday, Welbeck is honestly the worst english striker i have ever seen. Plus Carroll has been on fire recently, he did everything in the first half against, I think it was Belgium? Two weeks ago? Carroll and Chamberlain would be my choice. Defoe coming off the bench at the end. He impressed me a lot at the end of the last friendly.
Showing the game live in our cafe in France and set to be outnumbered by the French. We also have the equivalent of BBC coming to film before and during the match so I hope England at least put one performance together before we pack up and come home after the group stages. Prediction (optimistic) a draw.
Showing the game live in our cafe in France and set to be outnumbered by the French. Also have the equivalent of the BBC coming to film before and during the game so hope England can put together at least one performance before we pack up and go home after the group stages. Optimistic prediction - a draw.
If we play Carroll no chance play young and welbeck we have every chance it is Sweden and Ukraine we won't beat
Also, Id play Carroll over Welbeck anyday, Welbeck is honestly the worst english striker i have ever seen. Plus Carroll has been on fire recently, he did everything in the first half against, I think it was Belgium? Two weeks ago? Carroll and Chamberlain would be my choice. Defoe coming off the bench at the end. He impressed me a lot at the end of the last friendly.
Really ? All opinions I suppose but if this is Carroll "on fire" then he really is a poor player. Welbeck has looked pretty good recently, and his finish in the Belgium game showed a natural technical ability that Carroll will never have. I actually think I'd have Sturridge over both of them, but that's a different question...
Think we need to be playing Carroll. The french centre back pairing have a soft underbelly and as hard as it is to believe, Carroll will definitely be a handful for them. This might give Ashley Young the time and space he needs to work his magic, as he is the key to our campaign this time around.
Watch this video from their friendly two weeks ago and you'll see we have nothing to fear (saying that, if you offered me a draw now, I'd definitely take it):
Anything can happen just look at passed games with France.Was it not world cup 2006 England winning 1-0 with afew minutes remaining only to lose 1-2 with France.Somehow i just fancy France to go all the way and win the EK. Could be wrong with this but think last time England lost first game in opening matches and went through to 2nd round or quarter finals was back in 86 Mexico. With no presser on England still think we are not good enough to beat France and can see us finish 3rd in group behind both France and Sweden.............of course i hope i am wrong.
The most important thing is not to lose our first game, unfortunately I cant see us getting anything from the game. Sad state of affairs our game is in:-(
Anything can happen just look at passed games with France.Was it not world cup 2006 England winning 1-0 with afew minutes remaining only to lose 1-2 with France.Somehow i just fancy France to go all the way and win the EK. Could be wrong with this but think last time England lost first game in opening matches and went through to 2nd round or quarter finals was back in 86 Mexico. With no presser on England still think we are not good enough to beat France and can see us finish 3rd in group behind both France and Sweden.............of course i hope i am wrong.
We lost to France in our first game in 2004 when Zidane got the two late goals, we won the next two to go through to the QF's.
The French defence would deal with Carroll all day he is a one trick pony and not a very good one IMO
Where as Welbeck is fast has good feet and has a great touch , his goal against Belgium was class
Carroll won't play IMO and rIghtly so all the comparisons to shearer are the most over exaggerated and over rated bs that I have ever heard
His goal was indeed class, but everything else was damn poor. Welbeck also has the worst goal to shot ratio in the premier league. He didn't hurt their defence at all. He doesn't even look that quick, Defoe was much quicker and much more effective when he came on later.
I'd rather have Sturridge too, or Bent, or Holt, or Defoe.
Funnily enough,and i know this is the trap i always fall into before a tournament, but i think we actually have halfa chance of doing well this time round and i actually see Rooneys suspension as a bonus. The defence and keeper is good. Central midfield is potentially better than we've had for years. I think the workmanlike Downing and Milner will allow Gerrard to go wandering and i like Young and with impact players like Walcott, Chamberlain and Carroll on the bench, i think Woy has got things just about right. Wellbeck, although not an outstanding talent, will, i think, help the team more than if Rooney were spearheading things. Maybe i have fallen into the pre tournament trap but i'm quietly optimistic although outwardly i am trying the same 'tactic' as everybody else this time round - no chance.
The England team visited an orphange today in Poland, "it's horrible to see their sad faces with little or no hope"..........................said Igor aged 6
Comments
He is a bright man who knows the right path and maybe he can also try to make changes in our game too. The problem is that when you have a culture and youth coaches who are more interested in winning games than developing kids (7-13 years) you are not going to solve it.
I reckon we'll do our usual and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and go down to a narrow but confidence crushing loss.
Obviously hope i'm wrong but one thing is certain....if we lose on Monday our entire tournament will be bang in trouble with real danger of us going down the swanny before it's even started. That would be unfair on Roy Hodgson imo but there you go.
Will be an interesting game.
We stand a chance of a 0-0 and if we get that I'll be over the moon.
Where as Welbeck is fast has good feet and has a great touch , his goal against Belgium was class
Carroll won't play IMO and rIghtly so all the comparisons to shearer are the most over exaggerated and over rated bs that I have ever heard
Watch this video from their friendly two weeks ago and you'll see we have nothing to fear (saying that, if you offered me a draw now, I'd definitely take it):
Could be wrong with this but think last time England lost first game in opening matches and went through to 2nd round or quarter finals was back in 86 Mexico.
With no presser on England still think we are not good enough to beat France and can see us finish 3rd in group behind both France and Sweden.............of course i hope i am wrong.
I'd rather have Sturridge too, or Bent, or Holt, or Defoe.