[Archived] European Championship France 2016

[Gav]

They'd have played better if they had been on the ale all week!

That was a team scared witless to make a mistake, a reflection of their manager. We got worse as the tournament went on*. Any idea what our best formation is? Nope, neither did Roy.

Edit * obviously, but we were well beaten.

Oh well it's over now, he resigned with a 59% win percentage apparently, stats can be misleading some would say.

[patrickvalery]

Pretty predictable really. Questionable squad selections, dubious team selections, unfathomable positional selections, in fact millions of selections every game. Four years and he still didn't have a scooby what his best team was, where he expected them to play and what he expected them to do. Absolutely pathetic and for the good of the national team I am pleased he has gone. Very lucky to survive the World Cup fiasco. In fact I've no idea why he was even given the job. Clucking useless just like the Venkys. Sign of a total idiot playing players out of position needlessly.

I'd love to go back to prehistoric times and watch an Allardyce England. Just for fun, but it will never happen. Players giving their all, fully committed, playing as a team, hard to play against, upsetting the biggest around. You'd get some suprise selections then. Lads who wanted to play for England for a start. Preferably tall. Plus Crouch and Carroll up top. Sambas grandma might be English?

Said it for years. Allardyce would be a cracking England manager. Do what we're good at. Might not be pretty but who cares? Defend well and more often than not you don't lose. And guess what? That counts for a lot in tournament football. Football isn't a difficult game. Disciplined shape at the back, get defenders facing their own goal when going forward. Until England learn that the opposition are happy to face our show ponies with their backs to their own goal, we won't get better. On the surface of it we're a decent side. We can keep the ball ok. But to score goals you need to stretch sides. Turn them round. Up the tempo. Every foreign import says the PL is tough to get to grips with because of the tempo. So on the international stage why do we play into their hands? Swing balls into the box at every opportunity and rough them up. Football hasn't changed that much. Defenders hate facing their own goal.

[joey_big_nose]

Your hatred of Sam knows no bounds. You think an Allardyce team would have done any worse in the 3 tournaments Roy has had? get over yourself.

Hodgson has an appalling tournament record, and a very poor record at managing bigger clubs. His success at club and international level outside Sweden, has been at getting smaller clubs to defend deep and counter attack.

How many good saves have the opposition goalkeeper had to make in the 4 games we have played in this tournament?

In defence of Gav I too think weve played pretty well up until today. Passed and controlled games, although really struggled to score. Today was absolutely abysmal though. Utterly terrible. All the players, staff and manager have to take responsibility.

[MCMC1875]

Yes it is his fault Gav. Utterly clueless. Get it wide?! To Sturridge? Left footed on the right wing. A striker. Time he checked back, took 3 or 4 unnecessary touches, half the population of Iceland was in the box.

Over the 4 games, Kane was dire (one shot tonight), Hart? my god, he has always had his doubters but two howlers against Iceland and Wales and early in the Welsh game he dropped a cross unchallenged. The Iceland keeper caught more balls tonight than Hart has done in 4 games. Garbage. Hodgson threw the kitchen sink on in the Welsh game using all 5 strikers early on. What was he thinking today giving Rachford 4 minutes in which he managed to threaten twice?

Disgraceful.

[patrickvalery]

In defence of Gav I too think weve played pretty well up until today. Passed and controlled games, although really struggled to score. Today was absolutely abysmal though. Utterly terrible. All the players, staff and manager have to take responsibility.

We've looked pretty. But if you create no chances you don't deserve to win. Add to that our back 5 were always a ticking time bomb then it's a recipe for disaster.

Let's be honest. We scraped past Wales and Russia and Slovakia are bang average. Both of which we couldn't break down. We got what we deserved.......again.

[Gav]

You think an Allardyce team would have done any worse in the 3 tournaments Roy has had? get over yourself.

Yes I do, he'd not have qualified for this one because Kevin Davies retired......

Thankfully Allardyce would get nowhere near the England job because educated football people know he's a 1 trick pony, bloody useless when given decent players to manage, but a chairmans dream when looking to finish 4th from bottom.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Yes I do, he'd not have qualified for this one because Kevin Davies retired......

Thankfully Allardyce would get nowhere near the England job because educated football people know he's a 1 trick pony, bloody useless when given decent players to manage, but a chairmans dream when looking to finish 4th from bottom.

Or top 8 three years on the bounce in the PL with league one Bolton.

Good job all you educated folk keep choosing Gav. Now where's my car flag?

[rigger]

Already seen pictures of Scots wearing Iceland bags.

The Welsh to the rescue?

Some say they are the true Englsih anyway as they ran to the Welsh hills during the various invasions, haha.

I was in a pub in Aberdeen were the barmaid posted the Iceland bag T shirt, needless to say I have had the @#/? taken out of me all night. At least they have forgotten to take the @#/?,that I support the Rovers.

[47er]

Very disappointed. Still, what would any Rovers supporter expect of Woy? Couldn't cut it at the top of English club football and can't cut it at a higher level either.

Enjoyed the first game so much and assumed Woy had learned something for once. Had his best team out for the second half against Wales. Anyone with half a brain would have kept the momentum going by keeping them together.

But no. Too simple for Hodgson. Had to give a few players a game including Wilshire who's played 1 full game in 2 years or some such ridiculous stat. And, boy does he look slow and out of touch. Good understanding developing between our 2 full-backs so drop both of them!

Don't pick your strongest side and finish top, let's have a little tinker. And a week to the next game to get over the "tiredness" as well!

Suits the FA image does Roy, better to fail than employ a chap who's not really one of us.

Big Sam for England!

Told you Gav!!!!

[Neal]

I disagree, full backs static, been good attacking options in the group games, very poor tonight, the entire side looked like they'd been on the beer all week, not sure the manager could do anymore.

But my days of getting upset when England get knocked out of a tournament are long gone thankfully.

Not sure he could have done anymore??? He's effectively been paid millions to do a part time job and come into this tournament not knowing his best 11, not given us a style of play and no leadership either... Gary Bowyer mk2. Utter clown, I'm just glad he's got the good grace to acknowledge that he's way way way out of his depth but some of us knew this 2 years ago, I'm just amazed it's taken the majority this long to figure it out.

Rooney, Hart, Cahill, Smalling should never play for England again and Rooney should follow behind Roy and retire from International football.

Kane, Sterling, Alli I am utterly embarrassed for. The hype over rather ordinary players has and still is killing English football, along with agents, the lack of players moving abroad and the ridiculous inflation of absolute garbage like Raheem Sterling... Raheem Sterling (50, FIFTY million!) was more expensive than Sanchez, Neymar, Ozil, Draxler and Lewandowski... Just to name a few, let that sink in.

The amount of wasted time, money and talent in English football is an absolute disgrace. Agents pushing young players into the best financial moves, not the best development moves creating young millionaires who've already made it, have no application and no aspirations to fulfil their potential due to being money focused. Coaches like Hodgson being paid millions to do a part time job, badly. All the while there are smaller clubs/communities that are scraping to stay alive.

It's one big stinking piggy bank of poison, no morals, no pride and it's rotten to the core.

[Audax]

Top-level managers do not need to be passionate and yell from the sidelines, in fact, I rarely see that.

But the Italian manager, Conti certainly was. You could hear him during the broadcast.

Possible replacements per this story, Bob Martinez has been doing ESPN commentary the past two tournaments. He actually crossed my mind though.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/roy-hodgson-resigns-as-england-manager-im-actually-proud-of-the-work-i-have-achieved-insists-a7106656.html

[Audax]

Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Bob Martinez, a lot of stories out there. Really, do something different; and Big Sam too, should be considered.

[speeeeeeedie]

Yes I do, he'd not have qualified for this one because Kevin Davies retired......

Thankfully Allardyce would get nowhere near the England job because educated football people know he's a 1 trick pony, bloody useless when given decent players to manage, but a chairmans dream when looking to finish 4th from bottom.

Yes I do, he'd not have qualified for this one because Kevin Davies retired......

Thankfully Allardyce would get nowhere near the England job because educated football people know he's a 1 trick pony, bloody useless when given decent players to manage, but a chairmans dream when looking to finish 4th from bottom.

Sorry Gav, I have a lot of time for your opinions on here but I can't disagree more on Allardyce.

He'd be perfect for England. He would play to a system that he knows, all the while being able to motivate players.

It's been said for years that the England kit weighs more than chainmail. Someone at the FA needs to start employing a psychologist to figure out how to lessen the load. Allardyce would be a good start. I've seen Sturridge, Sterling, Kane, Alli, and Rooney make the worlds best look foolish. They didn't become bad players in 2 weeks. It's all mental. Come September they'll be top banana again. Someone needs to figure out why.

I'd also advocate for a system similar to cricket and rugby. At the beginning of each international season, or qualifying start, a pool of 26/27 players is picked. Those players are in for the duration. The only way a player moves out if they get a long term injury; 6 months+.

This would promote camaraderie, understanding, confidence, familiarity, and most importantly prestige. Those players know that they are in an elite club. The boss knows who he has at his disposal. You could argue that they may get complacent but I'd say that players are happier when they are confident.

[AdamRochina]

Just got back celebrates ices victory.. Im literally over da mun

[Audax]

Come Hell or Highwater, I'm ready to support 'em another 10 years!

[philipl]

When did Roy write that speech!!!

That was my thought exactly. Could be FA PR wrote it for him in the last 20 minutes of the game as the result became obvious.

[Clitherover]

Just got back celebrates ices victory.. Im literally over da mun

Does your Mum usually let you stay out that late?

[Clitherover]

I was in a pub in Aberdeen were the barmaid posted the Iceland bag T shirt, needless to say I have had the @#/? taken out of me all night. At least they have forgotten to take the @#/?,that I support the Rovers.

Coming from a country that hasn't qualified for a major tournament for 18 years I'd be laughing straight back at them.

[philipl]

If it is any consolation, at least we don't have to play France.

Depending on what mood the mercurial French side is in, I would not rule out that Iceland team from causing the French some anxious moments although it is almost impossible for the French to be as tactically naive and technically rubbish as England were last night.

[USABlue]

Sad sick joke that shower, 3 lions my.arse, handful of pussycats. Hang your heads in shame.

[ABBEY]

Does your Mum usually let you stay out that late?

She must be proud of him .

[Audax]

Believe it or not, 3rd place finisher Portugal has a fair shot at making the semis and then, in a one-off game vs. Belgium or Wales... judge it for oneself, they could get into the finals. Poland is good; but they have had some problems finishing goals, against Switzerland and in the group stage. Poland will be Portugal's opponent in the quarterfinals.

Sad sick joke that shower, 3 lions my.arse, handful of pussycats. Hang your heads in shame.

Yes, the Nats really showed their potent play against Argentina.

That's not to candy coat England's loss; the 3rd group stage game was a bit of a disaster with all of those changes. Some thought, England showed some good play in the group stage. Uninspired vs. Iceland.

Both dismal; yes, it must be worse to lose to Iceland.

---------

I like, among other choices, the idea of Shearer being appointed and some articles mention with Rio Ferdinand. Former players. I think the gut feeling is it won't happen. Still.

[davulsukur]

Does your Mum usually let you stay out that late?

Sounds like he's been hitting her whiskey cabinet all night judging from that post.

[Stuart]

Oh well it's over now, he resigned with a 59% win percentage apparently, stats can be misleading some would say.

The excuses you've made after every game have been hard to take, Gav, because this result has been coming. The only blessings are that we didn't have a further half hour of that crap and we didn't have to face France - who would have destroyed our papier-mâché side.

Wrong call-ups, wrong selections, wrong formations, wrong subs. He got £3m per season to do that.

We qualified easily out of a poor group because it suited Woy's style. His tournament record is much worse. In 7 matches, he won 1, drew 3, lost 3. I get 14%. Iceland have more wins after only 4 games.

[matt83]

I think the nature of Roy's decent stats is the nature of qualifiers and the fact we mainly play total useless sides but whenever we come across genuinely quality oppo or well drilled minnows when it matters we are always well short euro 2012, World Cup 2014 and euro 2016 I don't think we're any better now than when he took over. Perhaps worse

I view him as the Stuart Lancaster of football didn't do a lot wrong but not a winner so we can only hope for an Eddie Jones. Who has shown for the rugby team the difference a top class manager can make to effectively the same group of players.