Yeah, he got Fulham to the Wafer cup final, he cemented West Brom in the mid-table and he sold Roberto Carlos at Inter. I never had - and probably never will - praise a manager that gets his side to defend for 90 minutes and hopes for the best. I've said on many occasions, it shows a complete lack of ability if he can't get a side of decent players playing something remotely decent or skillful.

I thought that it would be France and Ukraine from this group before today's games and I haven't seen anything to change that opinion, except that I think the Ukranians will actually win the group.

I can see England crumbling in that atmosphere in their last game, which, after Ukraine's win, will almost definitely be a 'live' game....The only hope for England is that the Ukrainian's do a job on the French and gain early qualification, which might lead to them easing off in that last game. However, I don't see that happening.

But yet you praise a manager who spends millions, then proceeds to scrape a League Cup final against Championship opposition, whilst giving his side its worst league campaign in donkey's years???....

What, like king kenny?

PLay sh*T for 120 minutes, scrape a draw against far inferior opposition then win on penalties?

It was OK, Hodgson seems to have sorted the defence out and we look a lot more secure at the back, however I do worry about Johnson, he's the weak link. The only reason Milner is in the side is to cover Johnson when he gets caught out of position, I'll have to watch the French goal again but I was sure at the time it was him who was at fault for the goal becaue he was out of position when the ball came over to the right which allowed Ribery(?) to get the ball back into the middle. In the next game I'd bring Carrol in for Milner and move Young out wide. I'm not a Carroll fan by any means but I think having him in the side gives us more attacking options and I think him and Welbeck would work well together.

I wasn't that impressed with the Ukraine or Sweden. Both are dangerous and have 1 or 2 good attacking players, but nothing to lose any sleep over.

I thought Johnson played OK, swept up a number of times when required and did a decent job. Biggest disappointments for me were Hart who I thought looked anxious/nervous and should have done better with the goal, Milner should have scored and couldn't supply any quality ball, Parker who spent most of his time rolling around on the floor and generally looking fatigued.

I thought Parker and Gerard both looked fairly poor. Its a shame Lampard was injured because I think he'd have done well coming off the bench. People are saying Rooney's our biggest loss but for me Jack Wilshire is the player we miss the most.

I cannot believe Roddy still continues to get bites. He certainly puts on a good act. Well I assume it is an act because nobody could really be so thick and clueless without trying can they?

I dont think any England manager will get away with playing ultra defensive football for any length of time. But I think hodgson deserves to be cut some slack, at least for the time being.

Given the very short time he's had with the players and the quality available to him, I think it's reasonable for him to take a cautious approach, to concentrate on the defence and organisation. I just do not see how the current crop of England players could be successful trying to play expansive football. At least he's set out with an idea of how he wants us to play, something which his predecessors seemed to lack.


Of course it's quite possible that we'll fail to score in our next two games and end up going home early. And then he'll have to put up with the criticism. But I dont think he deserves it based on yesterday's game

I was surprised that France didn't have a bit more urgency about them, although England kept their shape quite well I thought France didn't stretch the play as much as they might. It was definitely the dullest game of the tournament so far.

It will be interesting to see how (if) Hodgson adapts the tactics for the next two games, because I don't see how we can play like that against weaker opponents.

I don't understand why many people are surprised with England's approach. We don't have anyone capable of just giving the ball and asking them to open up a defence a la Xavi, Iniesta, Pirlo, Modric etc.
FWIW I thought we looked solid for the most part but could very easily crumble against a team with more pace than a very poor France side.

And not actually trying to win games worked a treat for Chelsea in Europe, why not try it at international level??

He's just turned very bitter since Liverpool's comical slide to mediocrity continued at pace under KKK.

Hopefully if Brendan Rodgers turns them around, his mood will improve.

Looks like Rangers are finished. Even more.

rlHMRC tell them to nick offrl

Liquidation now seems inevitable.

Good to see the Ukrainian authorities refused to let those muppets in the England "band" take their instruments into the stadium last night.

Unfortunately it seems that they gave them back afterwards.