Folks, England limited Russia to a couple of crosses in injury time and could have scored 4. England controlled the game and the substitutions were sound enough - Wilshere looked good when he came on and Milner can in theory do a good game-breaking job. Germany were all over the place for parts of their game. Don't let the results fool you - it was a far better performance from England than from Germany, and with easy groups to escape, that is much more important at this stage. I get the sense that the knives are already being sharpened for England's exit by many of you. Why? If it happens it happens, and barring an obvious tactical aberration we will just have to accept it.
I think you're telling a lot of people here what they already know Leuth; England's performance was better than Germany's, and yet the results were different. If anything it's more frustrating this way. England dropped two points against the weakest team in their group while Germany rolled over theirs without even playing too well. This Russia side are a disaster; missing their entire first choice central midfield and playing ancient, creaking defenders. We can expect to get far more trouble off Bale and Hamsik than we ever got off the whole Russian attack. Hodgson' subs were not sound enough. He left tired players on for no reason and failed to see that Russia were there to be smashed in the last 15 minutes. Sure, Milner can 'in theory' make the game harder for the opposition but in a game where the Russians had barely put together a decent attack, but had shown earlier in the match that they could punish us in the air, why give them the chance to get forward? There was an abundance of pace and goals on the bench and the best game breaker is a second goal.
The knives aren't being sharpened, we're just capable of seeing what's in front of us instead of just rolling our eyes at other posters and telling them what they're really thinking.
Russia arent the weakest team in our Group, they're regular attendees at Major Tournaments (made the Semis a short while back) whilst neither Wales or Slovakia have ever been to them!!
Oh sod it here goes. Dispassionate view from your resident Scot (albeit one who has lived in England for 30 years). That was the best English display, first half especially, that I've seen in a competitive tournament since 96. But for a failure to convert some chances and a freaky goal in injury time the mood would be flying at the moment. Maybe actually for the best in a perverse way as it stops everyone getting compmetely carried away. But spare us all the wrist slitting please! Couple of tweaks and this team could go a long way in this tournament. I've not seen much over the weekend that looks any better (Poland were good but the Irish sadly were utter chuff so it's hard to judge). Germany were no better than England. They just know how to close out a game. The French will get better and they have a couple of potential match winners who can do what they did on Friday but they also have the potential to cack their pants big style and implode. This tournament is wide open. Biggest threat to England at the moment is either taking Wales too lightly or getting chucked out if it all goes tits up on Wednesday night.
I think the response from people on here and anyone that knows about football has been generally good. Some positive criticism and genuine questions asked about subs and tactics. I don't think any true England supporter is sharpening knives.
Russia arent the weakest team in our Group, they're regular attendees at Major Tournaments (made the Semis a short while back) whilst neither Wales or Slovakia have ever been to them!!
There's two things wrong with that statement. Firstly, sure Russia qualify regularly but they are the biggest bunch of tournament chokers out there. They've qualified for three World Cups and five European Championships and only once have they made it past the group stage. Despite being such a huge nation with so much money they almost never perform at tournaments.
Secondly, international football doesn't care about history because teams change so regularly. It was eight years ago that Russia made it to the semis of the Euros - Ruud van Nistelrooy played against them. In fact, if you look at that Russian team, a lot of the players who played in that game are there now. 36 year old Sergei Ignashevich says hello. Eight years ago Gareth Bale was 18 and Aaron Ramsey was 17. Marek Hamsik was 20. There's a long time between tournaments and on this rotation Wales have started to put together a decent squad with some serious attacking threats, and Slovakia have some decent, dynamic players. Russia just creak.
Going to be difficult but I think the Czechs have got a chance. Attack and defend in numbers. All about the bloke up front holding it up so those numbers can help him on the attack.
Russia arent the weakest team in our Group, they're regular attendees at Major Tournaments (made the Semis a short while back) whilst neither Wales or Slovakia have ever been to them!!
Apart from Slovakia being at the 2010 World Cup, you're right... ;-)
Coming up, a "realistic" view of the Czech team from my neighbour, Mad Vincent
The selection process was easy its the best what we have avilable in these days but in the same time we know that this squad is not a serious competitor for medals. Cech has competiton, defence- hubnik - gimme a fuckin break. Gebre and kaderabek from bundesliga yeah if they their day they surprise. And now rosicky and his few minutes before he gets injured again. Kolar from plzen forget it.plasil from bordaux i hate him the most because he never passes forward! And the biggest joke is our forwards, lafata from sparta, skoda from slavia and necid from bursaspor. No easy task for our coach pavel vrba
Iniesta is an incredible player. Some passes he makes we don't even see them on and we have a better view. Every pass is weighted perfectly. Great to watch.
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The knives aren't being sharpened, we're just capable of seeing what's in front of us instead of just rolling our eyes at other posters and telling them what they're really thinking.
Secondly, international football doesn't care about history because teams change so regularly. It was eight years ago that Russia made it to the semis of the Euros - Ruud van Nistelrooy played against them. In fact, if you look at that Russian team, a lot of the players who played in that game are there now. 36 year old Sergei Ignashevich says hello. Eight years ago Gareth Bale was 18 and Aaron Ramsey was 17. Marek Hamsik was 20. There's a long time between tournaments and on this rotation Wales have started to put together a decent squad with some serious attacking threats, and Slovakia have some decent, dynamic players. Russia just creak.
Decent start by the Czechs i think. Vrba has obviously ordered them to have a go from the start.
The selection process was easy its the best what we have avilable in these days but in the same time we know that this squad is not a serious competitor for medals. Cech has competiton, defence- hubnik - gimme a fuckin break. Gebre and kaderabek from bundesliga yeah if they their day they surprise. And now rosicky and his few minutes before he gets injured again. Kolar from plzen forget it.plasil from bordaux i hate him the most because he never passes forward! And the biggest joke is our forwards, lafata from sparta, skoda from slavia and necid from bursaspor. No easy task for our coach pavel vrba