England v France match predicitions

[Deleted member 1418]

At least we didn't get beaten! Looked far more organised defensively IMO than at any time over the last 5 or 6 years! Although it helps if the opposition centre forward can't be arsed to actually get in the box!! Still think that Sturridge should have been taken - his pace and positive attacking would have given an option of playing a more positive 4-3-3; he certainly offers more than Defoe.

I personally think we'll end up with 3 honourable draws and at least depart the tournament with something to build on for the next World Cup.

And why were most of the England lads blowing out their ar*ses with about 15 minutes to go? It's not as if they've not played any matches or trained since the end of our season - they're supposed to be fit athletes!!

 

[JustOne]

England were DIRE, typical rubbish, flippin' 8 man defence on the edge of their own box again and just let the French keep coming as they practically OWNED the middle of the park.

I've heard the expression 'a flat back 4', but not a 'flat back 8'


..... shockingly bad... again.

Hodgson out!!!..... as crap as the rest!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I liked what I saw. Typical Hodgson side (seen a lot of it as a Fulham fan particularly in Europa League) set up not to lose. Thought a few did well, Chamberlain and Parker in particular, thought Milner was pants and Hart was top class. Watching the other match we could beat both of these on our day

 

[G1BB0]

too negative and in the grand scheme of things didnt want a defeat - job done.

substitutes were wrong imho. too like for like.

Roy is a nice bloke but we cannot win a tournament with the squad we have, its not his fault but we do not have enough world class players or the ability to tear teams apart when needs be.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Does anyone have a clue what Jamie Carragher has said??

I can understand Patrick Viera but not a word from the scouser and since when has it been the Weld coop as I'm sure that's what he said!

I can translate if you want, although for some of Jamie's high pitched stuff, I may have to ask my scouse dog.

 

[MegaSteve]

Only got to see the second half...

But from what I saw all those in white looked like they wanted to be there and proud to have the three lions on their shirts... Which has not always been the case in recent times... Wasn't the best display of football but pride and desire can go a long way at championships...

 

[Tiger]

All those of you criticising that performance know very little about football IMHO. The only world class attacking player we have is suspended. France are unbeaten in 22. Yes we set up to defend but given the opposition it was the right thing to do. Ribery, Benzema, Nasri ... a point is a solid start and I think when Rooney returns and Ox gets a bit more experience, Wilshere gets fit and Welbeck develops we'll actually pose a reasonable attacking threat. We need to be looking to be solid here, build in Brazil and then try to win the Euros in 2016.

 

[Wolfman]

All those of you criticising that performance know very little about football IMHO. The only world class attacking player we have is suspended. France are unbeaten in 22. Yes we set up to defend but given the opposition it was the right thing to do. Ribery, Benzema, Nasri ... a point is a solid start and I think when Rooney returns and Ox gets a bit more experience, Wilshere gets fit and Welbeck develops we'll actually pose a reasonable attacking threat. We need to be looking to be solid here, build in Brazil and then try to win the Euros in 2016.

I know we have a bunch of over paid unfit players that lack team spirit

Thank god we didnt have wiggy Rooney playing as he would of lost it and hacked them over and received a red card.


We play good football for 15 mins then give up tends to be our style, we have become one of the most consistent let downs since i can remember

 

[Region3]

I used to love football but got fed up of the cheating and hardly watch it at all now, except for the Euro's and World Cup.

I've never even heard of half the team, and only saw the second half because of work, but I didn't think we were too bad. As good if not better than we've played in a while imo.

I thought Terry did well reading the game and made a couple of timely tackles/blocks but I wish he'd stop thinking he's David Beckham trying to play killer balls from centre back. Give it to the midfield players fgs!

Welbeck is someone I've never seen before but was impressed with him down the left. Actually looked like he wanted to attack the defenders, rather than run until he met one then turn around like so many of the previous left sided players. (I've just read a match report and apparently he was our striker, but all the good things I saw from him were down the left. An option when Rooney's back maybe?)

I liked whoever the right back was.

Ashley Cole is awesome (on the pitch).

 

[Marshy77]

All those of you criticising that performance know very little about football IMHO. The only world class attacking player we have is suspended. France are unbeaten in 22. Yes we set up to defend but given the opposition it was the right thing to do. Ribery, Benzema, Nasri ... a point is a solid start and I think when Rooney returns and Ox gets a bit more experience, Wilshere gets fit and Welbeck develops we'll actually pose a reasonable attacking threat. We need to be looking to be solid here, build in Brazil and then try to win the Euros in 2016.

Totally agree, thought we looked a solid well organised side. OK we invited pressure at times but for all the play they had all they had were long range shots or corners, hardly a world class outfit like the Spanish or Italians. Johnson was better than expected, Terry and Lescott worked well, Chamberlain I thought was ok but should have run at his man more, Parker and Gerrard stood firm but were shattered, Welbeck held it up well and Cole was solid. Its a building job, we've only had Roy in charge for a month and we are in a great position to go on and get out of the group.

 

[JustOne]

I wish he'd stop thinking he's David Beckham trying to play killer balls from centre back. Give it to the midfield players fgs!

I agree, after all.... for 99% of the game the midfield was standing right next to him!

:rofl:

 

[CrapHacker18]

I have never understood why our players don't move into a position to receive the ball from the man in possession.

They find their spot and stand there, it doesn't seem to matter that the poor sod with the ball has three opponents running towards him and has to turn back to pass to Terry...again. I'd like our midfielders to look to help the man with the ball, they seem to happy to move away from him, rather than towards him.

I thought defensively we set up well, their goal came from a shot outside the box, when Gerrard and Parker got dragged too far back out of position - that's something that can easily be worked on.

Our transitional play needs a lot of work. Parker is good at his role but we know he is limited - he seems to need too long on the ball just to make a simple pass. Milner is fine supporting the defense in a game like that, but in games with weaker opposition, or for the last 25 minutes we need to get him off, and get Walcott (in this squad) on.

I'd like to think that against the Ukraine we'll set up with a tad more ambition, but that team suited the situation.

As has been mentioned, the guys are enjoying the tournament, enjoying the training, and are happy with the manager. And it showed on the pitch.

Overall I'd say 6.5 out of 10.

 

[Smiffy]

Distinctly average game...
No doubt people will get over hyped by this

I watched a re-run of the Canadian Grand Prix

 

[PhilTheFragger]

what bugs me is that when the french had the ball in our half and were about 15 yards from the penalty area, our lads didnt go forward to meet them and close them down, they back pedalled thus allowing the French time to look up and pass the ball or shoot in a controlled manner.

Surely its better to force the opposition to pass under pressure rather than let them dictate the attack.

What resulted was a series of longer shots which were being blocked or deflected by our defenders, however its easy for one of these shots to get deflected past the keeper.

Id rather keep them at arms length

Fragger

 

[Tiger]

what bugs me is that when the french had the ball in our half and were about 15 yards from the penalty area, our lads didnt go forward to meet them and close them down, they back pedalled thus allowing the French time to look up and pass the ball or shoot in a controlled manner.

Surely its better to force the opposition to pass under pressure rather than let them dictate the attack.

What resulted was a series of longer shots which were being blocked or deflected by our defenders, however its easy for one of these shots to get deflected past the keeper.

Id rather keep them at arms length

Fragger

The problem is if you get touch tight to someone like Ribery or Nasri you actually make it easier for them to turn you. By keeping their shape they forced France to knock the ball about 25-30yards from goal. It's like putting you are much more likely to slot a six footer than a thirty footer. Personally I think you take your chances with the long shots and try and block them. Four players plus a keeper is more likely to keep one out than Benzema v Hart from 12 yards.

The two words that spring to mind are organised and disciplined. Can't remember the last time I thought that about an England team

 

[Crazyface]

Dull dull dull, BOTH teams! It's only what I expected tho'. I've not watched any England game since the World Cup, and don't watch the Prem. How is Johnson getting a game at right back. Utterly useless. He's more of a winger! He sat back and let Milner do the actual covering for him the lazy git. Milner must be knackered today after all that work he did. Parker puffing and blowing like an old man with 20 mins to go. He walked the last 10mins he was on the pitch. Shocking! Ashley Cole was our best player by a country mile. Mr Gerrard had better improve his passing for he next game too. Nice to see him trying to control things tho'. (It was him doing the passing out of defence NOT Teryy and co!). How Hanson and co can say we are going to beat Sweden and Ukraine beats the hell out of me. Only Motty was uttering words of caution.

 

[GreiginFife]

I think based on the evidence of last nights games that both France and England could struggle against the Ukraine.
Neither side looked set-up nor capable of dealing with fast flowing attacks and that's exactly how the Ukraine set out against Sweden. I did think the Swedes were slightly unlucky to not get anything from the game but I now have Ukraine and France to progress from that group.

 

[Rooter]

Best thing about last nights game?

Every England player sang the national anthem. I can not remember a time when this has happened before, I must credit woy for this. The lads should be proud to play for their country and it finally looks like they are!

 

[Marshy77]

what bugs me is that when the french had the ball in our half and were about 15 yards from the penalty area, our lads didnt go forward to meet them and close them down, they back pedalled thus allowing the French time to look up and pass the ball or shoot in a controlled manner.

Surely its better to force the opposition to pass under pressure rather than let them dictate the attack.

What resulted was a series of longer shots which were being blocked or deflected by our defenders, however its easy for one of these shots to get deflected past the keeper.

Id rather keep them at arms length

Fragger

Surely its easier to let them dictate the attack and shoot from 25 yards than go diving in and let them play there way round us? The only threat they had was from 25 yards so imo our system worked perfectly.

 

[Tiger]

I think based on the evidence of last nights games that both France and England could struggle against the Ukraine.
Neither side looked set-up nor capable of dealing with fast flowing attacks and that's exactly how the Ukraine set out against Sweden. I did think the Swedes were slightly unlucky to not get anything from the game but I now have Ukraine and France to progress from that group.

That's a nonsense. Ukraine were allowed to play that way because Sweden were so open. There is a big difference between the two matches: Eng v Fra neither side wanted to lose and would be happy with a draw. Ukr v Swe both sides knew that to have any chance to qualify from the group it was a must win match. Sweden's defending for both Shevchenko goals was laughable.

Crazyface. There are two reasons they were knackered:

1. It was 30 degrees last night and humid. The way we were set up meant the players (especially Parker and Gerrard) had to work their socks off
2. The nature of the preparation. England players did a lot of intense fitness work before the tournmanet started. The theory being that once the tournament starts you are doing light recovery training, shadow play and tactical stuff and there's no opportunity for anything to do with building fitness.

While the next two matches will still be difficult (Sweden must win and Ukraine are at home) I think you will see that we will have a greater amount of possession.