I agree Brad, I agree! Isn't it marvellous?

 

 

The writing was on the wall when we were still experimenting in our final warm up game. We were still experimenting during the tournament.

Hodgson had choices to make about what his preferred formation was and who his best players were in that formation, and he never actually made that decision. Unfit and out of form players were taken and players were played out of position and in different combinations from game to game. He chose to build a team around Rooney playing out of position, and not for he first time Rooney fell apart in a big game.

We have some good players who showed their ability at times (in the group games) but they looked totally disjointed as a unit, and when we needed someone to stand up and get a grip they all went missing.

Iceland were seen as a hardworking and organised defensive unit who would give 100% for their manager and possibly nick a goal here or there but, not fancied to survive due to there more illustrious opposition. They even had a guy taking a long throw anywhere near the halfway line that used up at least 30 seconds every throw.

I must admit, it reminded me of the last couple of month's from last season, England were "Millered"!

Built a team around Rooney and he went missing. Sterling proven to be not good enough then brought back. Just hope we don't get Southgate - Roy mark II

England scored in only 1 of the 4 games from open play. Didn't score against Russia, Slovakia and more laughably Iceland. There is too much emphasis on possession, which we've seen means nothing, both for England & against Rotherham. The inept coaching & management staff had Rooney marking Kari Arnason who always goes for the first header. To do that and have not have been coached all week to pick up a 2nd ball is an abject joke that makes a mockery of them and their profession.

I was dumb founded when Carrol wasn't taken, at least he's something different - he's just as good as Pelle for Italy and Southampton and particular against Spain he was fantastic. Roy sacked himself by sticking to his mates, Rooney I do not agree had a good couple of games in the group, he was average at best. And to play him in midfield of a 4-3-3 - utter masterstroke that. Dele Ali & Kane quite clearly looked like the toll of a hard season had caught them up, Wilshire 140 minutes played in the entire season?, Sturridge right wing? The inclusion of Sterling who has nothing but pace and Hart well his time has got to be up.

We hit the same old argument every 2-4 years, when it matters we are not as good as we think we are. I haven't seen England perform since Italia 90, 96 was OK but we rode our luck at times.

The academies have a lot to answer for if THAT is the product of what they are producing. Time to get shut and get investing in grass roots football, kids need to enjoy their football with their mates, not become robotic, athletic zombies who are assessed in everything that they do. Its started now at lower coaching levels to empower players to think for themselves, which is great but we won't see the benefits of it for 20 years. All the while the academies are destroying more youngsters who fail to make it AND destroying those that do. Even Pro's need to play with freedom and a smile on their face. If you love your job and have that freedom you can excel, if you're turned into a drone fast food worker it becomes tedious, monotonous and dull. That's the difference.