Euro 2012

[Loz]

I love this - now starts the tournament national bipolar syndrome. Yesterday, a bunch of useless mugs. Tomorrow, they'll be odds-on tournament winners in the tabloids. Always fun to watch as a neutral.

Anyway, man of the match: Hodgeson.

[????]

Already 4th favourites on betfair ; ).

Very un-England like performance however

[Annette Curtain]

It was a good game

3 proper goals and a very nice kit

They worked hard, it wasn't always pretty

But I really enjoyed it

(& it's been a long time since i've said that)

Keep it up please

Nette ☂ ☐

[????]

agree nette, best England tournament performance since '98...that fucking long

[Annette Curtain]

Dare I say ????'s

It reminded me of the early days of El Tel

(but without the impending court case/scandals overshadowing it)

What's the odds on a "Bwilliant Woy" type headline tomorrow ?

⬆Nette⬇

[????]

???? Wrote:

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> agree nette, best England tournament performance

> since '98...that @#$%& long

...AND we weren't very good

[Annette Curtain]

Indeed

But are we ever ?

Still, onward toward our dream

*grabs at trophy mirage*

☐

[ratty]

Great game. Great atmosphere in the Gowlett last night!

[Alan Medic]

I'd be worried that an ageing bearded man could score two goals with relative ease.

[Otta]

It's the beard, it's where he gets his power!

[Otta]

Seriously, no one is suggesting England looked great, in some areas they were awful, but it was a great match. Doesn't mean they're gonna win anything.

Was surprised that Guy Mobray (sp?) of the BBC gave Gerrard top score (of the starters) in his player ratings. I love Stevie G, and didn't think he did badly (UDT and his best mate Jah will no doubt tell us otherwise), but star man?!?!

Ashley Young needs to up his game a lot.

Carroll deserves credit for doing his job, but will no doubt make way for Rooney.

Welbeck is starting to look like he belongs at this level.

Lets not forget though, Sweden are average, and we gave them 2 goals.

[Undisputedtruth]

The two goals were down to poor marking. Shocking really at that level.

Jah knows his football and so do I. No surprise in our agreement. Anyway, I thought he was your drinking buddy, Otta.

Johnson caught my eye and he didn't put a foot wrong throughout the game. Walcott was the inspired substitute who saved England's embarrassment.

[Otta]

I was joking UDT, Jah is indeed a fine drinking partner.

For their second goal, it wasn't even bad marking, it was non existent.

[Undisputedtruth]

Carroll could have scored more if he was given more crosses. Watching the exchange between Carroll and Young wasn't a very good sign. Young has the quality to supply crosses but seemed reluctant to do so and seemed to choose the wrong option each time.

I thought Gerrard had a mixed game. No surprise about Guy Mobray selecting a big name. It's often the case when journalists or commentators panders to non-footballing experts.

[red devil]

After the shambles of the last World Cup, it was great just to see In-ger-land win a game in a competetive competition again.

So the big questions for the Ukraine match are...will Hodgson revert back to the more defensive minded system he employed against France, or last night's more offensive approach?

And who will drop out to accommodate Rooney?

Personally, I would like us to attack Ukraine, who cares if it's another nailbiting 3-2 win, let's try and win the group and avoid Spain.

I thought Carroll played as well as he could, but he didn't really get the service because we don't have out and out wingers, his goal came from a deep midfield pass from Gerrard. So I'd start with Rooney and Welbeck because of their familiarity at club level. Young had a good first half against France, but has disappointed since. Again it might be better to start with him because he will know Rooney's and Welbeck's game better. Although Walcott changed the game last night, can he do that from the off, not frequently enough IMO, I think he would make for a better impact sub like last night. Other than that I think the team picks itself, but Hodgson might decide that 3 games in 9 days will catch up with some of the players, and fresh legs will be needed, especially as we will be playing back in the heat of Donetsk.

[red devil]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

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> I thought Gerrard had a mixed game. No surprise

> about Guy Mobray selecting a big name. It's often

> the case when journalists or commentators panders

> to non-footballing experts.

Mowbray picked Welbeck as his MOTM for the France game.

Quite right too, along with Johnson they have been our best players over the two games.

[Otta]

I'm really pleased to see Johnson playing so well, especially as many questioned his selection (which was fair enough), but he's shown he deserves his place.

Agree Rooney, Welbeck and Young should start next match, with Carroll to come on if we need a change.

Theo definitely best as an impact sub, when opposition are starting to get tired legs.

[maxxi]

I think Milner needs to be 'given a rest'.

[red devil]

Otta Wrote:

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> Agree Rooney, Welbeck and Young should start next

> match, with Carroll to come on if we need a

> change.

I expected some 'criticism' picking a Man Utd front 3, but I genuinely think because we have a new manager who is trying to implement new systems, it's important we have players who already know each other's games inside out.

Last night's match was always going to be a bit of a Premiership slugfest, so Carroll was a good call by Hodgson. Still, I couldn't help sniggering when Terry got swatted like a fly a couple of times by Ibrahimovic :-)

[Undisputedtruth]

red devil Wrote:

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> Undisputedtruth Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > I thought Gerrard had a mixed game. No surprise

> > about Guy Mobray selecting a big name. It's

> often

> > the case when journalists or commentators

> panders

> > to non-footballing experts.

>

> Mowbray picked Welbeck as his MOTM for the France

> game.

> Quite right too, along with Johnson they have been

> our best players over the two games.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18462232

Actually was Walcott who got the highest rating with 9. Gerrard & Welbeck received the same score of 8.

I'd like to see Ox and Walcott start the next game as I think Ukraine look weak in the full back areas. Definitely put Carroll back on the bench and decide whether to play Welbeck or Young with Rooney.

[camberwell70]

I think Hodgson will play Rooney up front on his own and pack the midfield. The onus is on Ukraine to attack.

[Alan Medic]

Terry looked like someone on a couple of occasions who was trying to run waist high in water in a swimming pool. I suspect he is actually a weak link in the defence now. As for Ibrahimovic, he reminded of a wild horse who was difficult to stop. The shame on him was he seemed completely selfish and didn't trust his team mates by passing the ball to them.

[camberwell70]

Matt Holland described John Terry as at times looking like someone trying to turn a caravan!

[Jeremy]

Was reading on BBC News that Sweden feel they were the better team and "deserved" a win.

Now, I don't watch much football, but to the layman, it looked like England scored three pretty decent goals, while the two that Sweden scored were from free kicks, given away due to dirty tackles. As bad as England were for long periods of the game, I'm not sure how you could say Sweden "deserved" victory.

[Undisputedtruth]

Sweden were pulling th strings in midfield but overall England were the better team. Yes lucky as England lost their way in the second half but Theo made the difference.