EURO 2012 Match Thread

I was thinking the same but there's only Downing on the bench and he wouldn't have done any better, I don't like to keep shouting City's corner but in the friendlys leading upto the Euro's Adam Johnson looked the part in the short time he had on the pitch and would have been an ideal replacement for Young
Even more so if Hodgson has no Intention of using Downing, either Gerrard has a large say in the England camp or Hodgsons short time at Liverpool has affected his judgement with the amount of average Liverpool players he has brought in.

That was a couple of yrs ago ODM, under Mancini Richards has come on leaps and bounds and If Hodgson wants a threat going forwards then Richards ability to either hit the byline or brush players off going into the box is twice as effective as Johnsons dilly fcuking dallying with the ball on the edge of the box.
I'll admit Terry playing alongside him will be a liability as he cannot cover Richards like kompany can but then again he's not covering Johnson either and leaving England wide open.
Tell you the truth I'd have Richards playing where Terry is now as he's a lot more conservative at CB and a good one at that, and would prove ideal cover when Johnson bombs forward.

Maybe Richards is not an ideal example as both him and Johnson are similar players but Richards is a better defender and attacking wing back than him hence the reason I mentioned him as thats what Hodgson seems to like.
we've had two games now and in both Johnson has been shocking.
I'd have Richards on there with Walcott with Instructions not to bomb forwards unless instructed to do so, you can't do that with Johnson as he's a shit defender. He might have made a couple of good tackles tonight but that was onlly because he was found wanting and out of position in the first place, had he been doing his job correctly they wouldn't have been needed.

Anyhow thats if's and maybe's.
Currently we have a huge problem with Johnson and Terry on the right hand side of defence that needs sorting out.
Phil Jones one way or another with his energy needs putting in there, preferably for Terry if Hodgson likes his fullback pushing forward.
it won't win us the tournament but will make us a lot more effective defensively.

It's a shame we have a problem on the right really as Baines is more than capable providing cover on the left, in fact I'd be tempted to let him have a go on the right like Germany do with Lahm.

Milner was a liability ..

Germanys full backs go forward whether in front, a goal down or just kickiing off.they play at a constant tempo knowing it wins them games.

England for some strange reason play at a constant tempo until they take the lead then sit back no matter who they are playing instead of keeping it up and killing teams off.
Thats why we never progress and make things hard for ourselves, tonight was a prime example.
Most of the Swedish players tonight at one time or another have played in the prem but none were world beaters or should have caused cause for concern (a bit like ourselves really lol), yet after we took the lead England let them dominate and as usual what should have proved an easy three points turned out to be a hell of a struggle.

I'll give Ibrahimavic his dues albeit 10 yrs too late, for the first time at this level he's shown what he's about as for all the times I've watched him previously over the years I've never seen him shine and wondered what the fuss was all about.
He looks like he has bulked up and finally using his strength to his advantage, I would normally say it's just a pity it's 10 yrs too late but he's made more money out of the game than he had any right to.
And what was that spat with Hart all about? again; I've never seen him show passion like that before as he always seems pretty much subdued.
Bulking, strength, aggression , if I didn't know better I'd say he was on................................

Milners tried but he's not a winger, In fact I don't even think he or I knows what he is , he's like a Journeyman of the footballing world.
At this level you need players that are the best in their position, Milner is just a bundle of energy that will run and run all day long now and again producing a bit of brilliance.

If you want to win something you need consistancy with players that produce week in week out at near enough the same level, Milner is handy to have on the bench as he can play in a variety of positions and always gives 100%.

Like you ODM I'm more concerened about Young who has given us fcuk all so far in this comp. I know I've knocked Johnson but at least he's trying.

Jones was bought as a CB and that was his postition at Blackburn, it's only because of Uniteds Injury problems and Jones versatility and ability as a footballer that Fergie played him out of position, that actually says a lot about the player as Fergie is no mug allthough I did say at the time it would could well burn him out and knock his confidence which it did.
Going back to CB wouldn't be a problem for Jones, It's his natural position and I'm sure he'd welcome it.
He won't be the answer to our problem as he's only a young lad and still learning but he'll do a better job than Terry and giving him experience at this level can only benefit England in the future.

Best odds HERE

I'll go for Russia and Poland Don allthough the Polish match could be a tight affair but I'm expecting home advantage to squeeze them through.

I'm backing Holland to beat Portugal tomorrow. Although the Dutch camp seem to be in a similar position to the French last WC with in fighting and not playing as a team but against both the germans and the danes they created enough chances to win both games hands down. They should have been at least 2 up against Germany.

Not scoring chances in these 2 games doesnt make you a bad team.

If Greece and the Czechs qualify from this group it'll be a crying shame