I just dont think that the current England squad is capable of playing for a draw. There's too big a risk that the midfield will run out of gas and we will invite the Ukraine's on to us as we drop deeper and deeper. We need to take control early on while we're still fresh and capable of playing with some tempo. I really doubt that Parker can play 3 games in 8 days. I would drop Milner back into the holding role (where he doesn't give the ball away as much), bring in Ox for Parker and Rooney for Carroll.

Do you not think Welbeck and Rooney have to similar playing style, i.e. fast, sharp, movement, whereas Carroll offers something different, a massive airel threat, big presence and will hold up the play, and give flicks ons to Rooney etc. As I've said, Carroll and Rooney could be devastatingly good.

My take on it all so far. The Germans have displayed ruthless efficiency, top athletes, skill in abundance, robotical in their performance, every player knows his job. Deserved favourites. France and Spain quite similar in their game plan and performance, tip tap, to me to you, hold onto the ball as if their lives depend on it and skill in abudance. ( Are they just a touch boring)
England, ruthless unpredictability, you need a drink inside you to watch them (and some blood pressure tablets) infuriating to the point of screaming at the telly like a mad man. Shouts of “I knew it, you complete to$$er, followed by “Go on my son I knew you could do it”
Watching Danny Welbeck walk about in central midfield whilst the score was 1-2 and 2-2, all he needed was a dog on a lead to complete the act. And then providing the deft touch of the Championships so far. Ashley Cole (amongst others) deciding to wear his Pin Ball boots and having his Rabbit in the headlight game. Knowing the the Pubs and clubs throughout England are full of folk on a high, and then looking for the Samaritans number, back to a high, and then euphoria. Its not pretty, it’s not technically perfect, and of all the teams in this Championship they have that ‘soap opera’ appeal. You can’t take your eyes off it. Nobody in their right mind expects to get beyond the quarters. And one last thing how does an opposing coach know how to set his team up against us. (scratch head)

5/1 Spain 2 Croatia 2


Surprisingly short odds!

Play a containing game a la against France = people moaning we aren't exciting or attacking enough.
Play a more expansive and risky game a la against Sweden = same people moaning that we are too open.

Hodgson just can't win with some people.

Was an excellent turn around for me. From a position of relative comfort at half-time to being all over the shop after an hour to winning and possibly winning by more than we did in the end. One thing that can't be faulted is the team spirit and determination to get out of the hole we got ourselves into.

Hart was at fault for Swedens 2nd goal for me...the cross was on his 6yd box and he just stood there,should have come for the cross and got ball,man and everything.

I thought so too.

I thought Sweden's first was an own goal as well. It didn't look to be going in, it hit Johnson and then he knocked it in when trying to clear it.

Keepers nowadays seem hell bent on parrying everything.After Swedens 2nd goal,Hart came for everything with catches and punches and there was more bodies in the way then but not for the goal,when he hit the cross,im sat thinking Harts ball then thought he isnt coming for it.Also,what got me was Ibrahamovic was giving him a right gobful and he never said a thing...should have been giving him it back.

For all Zlatan's posturing and nice touches, he didn't create much. Thought we marshalled him fairly well. We paniced after half time and conceded 2 stupid goals from set pieces.

I really do cringe when there is a simple ball to feet on, and Gerrard tries to hit a 60 yard hollywood ball. Gerrard was by far our best midfielder yesterday, class player, but we need to keep it simple, and keep the ball. Whenever we put 5 or 6 passes together in midfield we look dangerous. Try the glory ball and it just keeps coming back ay tou.

You may be right but Welbeck has been terrific so far for me plus he plays with Rooney and I don't think you can underestimate the importance of rapport between players. They've created enough opportunities for themselves this season so I'd be a bit loathe to keep Carroll in when we'd do well to concentrate on picking them off on the break, similar to what United do very well.



Agreed. With all the talk of defensive approaches and "Capello was doing the same thing", the one thing that shone yesterday was spirit. I've seen far too many English teams capitulate or run out of ideas when the opposition has scored. Being a goal up to one behind would normally signal trouble but the players rose to the challenge yesterday, particularly Roy of the Rovers, and it was very pleasing to see. It's something we could have done many years ago if various managers had realised you can't play Gerrad and Lampard in the same team. Like Peter Reid in '86 and Gascoigne in '90, injuries/suspensions may have given us the prompts we needed to go for it instead of resting on international experience.

Fair point Hart could have come and got to it. but what were our centre halfs doing, Lescott was stood marking himself at the back post. Neither of them got stuck in where it counted and seemed to shy away from their responsibilities in dealing with the threat that Zlaten posed throughout the game.

russia out and greece go through, unbelievable scenes.

That should serve as a warning to england that, going into the final game only needing a draw (like russia) is by no means a gimme. This will be against a host nation needing to win to go through.

It's going to be tough

Best wishes to the Ukrainian boys then.

No, totally different. Welbeck plays on the shoulder and Rooney drop's deep(too deep at times). I think it's harsh to leave Carol out to be fair as she played very well against Sweden. Out of the three strikers, he is quite far behind the other two in terms of ability.

Sorry I forgot, you think Welbeck is biz.