Euro 2016 Thread

[gillsfan1066]

If that game had been played till midnight tomorrow no one would have scored, England had about 60% of the possession, 11 corners to 0, played the ball all over the pitch with pass after pass going from red shirt to red shirt without a white shirt getting close, but what does any of that matter if you can NOT put the ball in the net ??

[Rimshot]

Hodgson still doesn't know his best team...how could he when he never plays the same side for more than 45 minutes ? His substitutions against Wales we're not inspired they were his only option. Having finally, by accident rather than design, got a side out that was playing with confidence and momentum he makes six entirely random changes. The man is about as interesting as a blancmange with half the decision making skills.
He's finally realised Sterling 's not good enough and someone now needs to point out Wilshere isn't fit and Jordan Henderson is not an international footballer.

[fan_of_mulligan]

Very difficult to break down a team who have eleven men behind the ball and there has been some exceptional defending throughout this tournament, England are not the only team to be frustrated with a goal-less draw, Germany 0-0 Poland, France 0-0 Switzerland and Portugal 0-0 Austria - and Ronaldo missed a penalty, so why have some of our supporters gone into meltdown because we have failed to secure victory against A Slovakia Side who have beaten Germany prior to this tournament starting, and Slovakia beat Spain in qualification for Euro 2016 ??? - I do think there is a level or arrogance among our supporters who have a mentality that because we're England we only have to turn up to win because we're playing little Slovakia, I am not saying England should be pleased with the point, I am disappointed that we couldn't break Slovakia down last night, but we have to acknowledge the excellent defensive display from Slovakia.

Jamie Vardy, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne all had efforts saved by Slovakia Goalkeeper and Matus Kozacik saw his goal-bound effort somehow kept out by Martin Skrtel when I thought that effort was in, but our passing and movement needs to be so quick and precise to break down a resolute defensive display from Slovakia and I don't think either Ryan Bertrand or Nathaniel Clyne got enough low crosses in to really test Slovakia's defence, England needed to get in and behind Slovakia, and when we did that, England create chances, which is why Adam Lallana and Jamie Vardy were able to force Matus Kozacik to make solid saves, and I saw solid saves because Adam Lallana had to strike the ball first time and the ball was at the right height for Matus Kozacik to make the save, and Jamie Vardy perhaps could of tried to go for either corner, but Vardy was under pressure from A Slovakia Defender to strike the ball first time.

Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli and Harry Kane all came on as England tried to find the winner, but Slovakia brought on defensive substitutions in Norbert Gyömber, A Centre Back, Milan Škriniar, A Centre Back and Dušan Švento, A Left Back to keep that Slovakia Penalty Area as compact as possible, those substitutions earned Slovakia the point they needed to reach The Last Sixteen as one of the best four third placed teams in the group, but England need to get back on the training ground and start working on how to break teams down, because this will be a feature of the tournament, as I am sure that Iceland, Hungary and Austria will play with this same defensive line up in the last sixteen, Portugal will have to give it a go against England because Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho are both experienced centre back's, but they have been less then convincing from what I saw from The Portugal V Iceland Game.

Roy Hodgson made six changes to the team, fair enough Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge both started, they both deserved to start after there impact against Wales, but Nathaniel Clyne, Ryan Bertrand, Jack Wilshire and Jordan Henderson, I am not so sure, clearly Roy Hodgson was looking to unify the squad by giving as many players game-time and had England won against Slovakia then we wouldn't be talking about the six changes, but the draw means that we're talking about these changes, but even if Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling all started, would we have broken Slovakia down, that is the question that will remain unanswered, Slovakia wouldn't have changed there approach to the game unless England scored, and that's the problem, England haven't scored in the first half of all three Group Game Matches we have played in and the players must also have blame attached to them as well as Roy Hodgson, the players are on the pitch, once they cross the white line what happens in the ninety minutes is there responsibility, and England could have lost had Slovakia capitalized on that mistake between Joe Hart and Chris Smalling - mostly Chris Smalling's mistake as he should have cleared the ball.

Now for positives, Eric Dier was out-standing in the defensive holding midfielder role and that pass through to Daniel Sturridge was remarkable, his positioning was excellent as usual, and Eric Dier has all the attributes to be a world class defensive holding midfielder, he is the only player who has started to have scored for England in this tournament and Eric Dier along with Wayne Rooney have to be one of the first name's on the team-sheet, before Euro 2016 started, I thought Wayne Rooney would struggle to get into the starting line up, but Wayne Rooney the midfielder is showing all the attributes required for a midfielder, as Rooney's passing and switching of play has been a feature of this tournament.

I also found it interesting what Slaven Bilić had to say, he mentioned that Wayne Rooney hasn't had to come on as a substitute so he doesn't have to come on and be an impact player, compared to Andy Carroll - how we could have done with his aerial presence last night - who knows how to come on and make an impact, this tournament has been a tournament for substitutes, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge have proved that in The Wales Game, and how I was hoping for one of Dele Alli, Wayne Rooney or Harry Kane to make the breakthrough, but Slovakia held on for the point.

Credit to Wales for tearing Russia apart last night, Russia had to go for it and I think that played into there hands, but Russia were woeful and not beating them in the opening game is why England haven't topped the group, but Gareth Bale is the world class player England are lacking, we have got some promising players who are playing in there first tournament, but how many players have England have got that are world class ??? - maybe Wayne Rooney, England have got several elite players, but elite players are in the tier below world class players, I think this group of players can grow together for 2018, 2020 and 2022, but we need a performance from this group of players now that puts down a real marker, we saw that in 1996 when England won 4 - 1 against The Netherlands, we haven't seen that performance from England so far, despite the fact that we're dominating possession and creating chances.

As for the next game, I would stick with the 4.3.3 formation England have been playing, the diamond midfield formation has been less then convincing and England have the players to make The 4.3.3 work really well, we're just not stretching teams and using the full width of the pitch, and we need to put in more low crosses to open up tight and compact defences, credit to Slovakia, they had a game-plan, and implemented that plan to perfection, yes it is frustrating, yes England didn't win, but we should also give credit where credit is duo because Slovakia had to earn that point last night, Hopefully now we're in the knock-out stages we will see teams go for it more.

There has been a lot of talk about Roy Hodgson's future as England Manager while the tournament has been on-going, which for me personally is un-fair, and any decision for Roy Hodgson to stay or go, should be made once Euro 2016 is over, but what are your thoughts and opinion's on Roy Hodgson ??? Do you think he should remain as England Manager or does Roy Hodgson have to take England to The Quarter Finals / Semi Finals to remain in charge for qualification for The 2018 World Cup, if not, is there someone you want to see take over as England Manager, or would you wait for Euro 2016 to finish, before making any decisions on The England Manager ???

[gillsfan1066]

God Fanny Muligan of course were supposed to beat Slovakia ,Wales and Russia, and as for Hiodgson getting us back on the practise pitch to learn how to break down a defence, what the hell has this clown supposed to have been doing since 2012 when he took over as manager ??
What nice happy world do you live in ? In the one I live where every one discusses everything half the time within seconds of something happening,well if your not performing doing your job you get talked about and if you don't buck up you get fired, and yeah the discussion starts way before the firing takes place ,and if your the England manager your in the spotlight and everyone talks about you.
I guess playing that fantasy manager all the time your getting confused with what happens in the real world .

[gillsfan1066]

Now my dear Miss Fanny Mulligan , prey tell , are we supposed to beat Iceland or will we consider it a jolly good try if we go out to them in this next round ,say well done Hogson nice try and give him the green light to go off to the 2018 World Cup as Englands manager. ??
So who is more worried England playing Iceland or Icelandd playing England ??
I think England should be looking at a younger guy to lead us for the next 10 years, maybe the likes of Eddie Howe or Gary Monk, better still give Jurgen Klopp the salary he gets now, PLUS, the profit from the beer and soft drinks sales, parking ,program sales and anything esle you can think of to lead us to the next WC.

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

We were 30 seconds from Portugal! I`m a lot happier playing Iceland than Portugal,as Ronaldo has just come into form.We also haven`t beaten them since 1966 in tournament Football.Iceland will be quite defensive,but I feel more confident playing them.

[gillsfan1066]

Iceland play good old kick and rush football, hoof the ball up the field and hope someone is there. I think they got away with a lot of fouls in that last game, elbows, pushing, the ref seemed to be a bit lenient on them.
Leave three at the back at all times and don't let them come past the half way mark in our own end and shoot at will ,thats the way to beat a team like Iceland ,good old Gillingham Football from the 60's and 70's..........and 80's and 90's and 00's and 10's, lol.

[CadburyMan]

What a great result for the Free State; was quite impressed with Italy prior to this match but not sure they really turned up

[lidbid46]

It's always easier to play a team that has already qualified.

[fan_of_mulligan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaHHTwntaEQ

Iceland Commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson was clearly happy with Arnor Ingvi Traustason's last gasp winner against Austria.

[fan_of_mulligan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36631186 Wales V Northern Ireland Highlights Here..................

Quality Wise this was one of the poorest games of the tournament, but you have to give Michael O'Neill a lot of credit, instead of lining up with his usual 4.1.4.1 formation, The Northern Ireland Manager played three at the back to stop Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor from providing Wales with the pace and width I saw from Wales when I watched The Slovakia Game and this match was a real tactical battle, a battle that Northern Ireland had the better off as Stuart Dallas forced Wayne Hennessey to make the best save of the first half and The Wales Number One had to tip over Jamie Ward's excellent strike, I am not sure what game Dean Saunders was watching, because he wanted Northern Ireland to attack so Wales can hit Northern Ireland on the counter attack, well Northern Ireland were attacking, they had created two goal-scoring opportunities which have tested Wayne Hennessey between the sticks, and because Michael O'Neill had made sure that Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor are marked, Wales are struggling to get any attacking moves going.

Neil Taylor whips in a fantastic cross and Sam Vokes manages to header the ball on target and even though Aaron Ramsey sticks the ball into the back of the net, Aaron Ramsey was flagged for offside, and I think Michael McGovern would have saved Sam Vokes header on target, The Northern Ireland Goalkeeper was having a very comfortable first forty five minutes compared to the number of saves he had to make against Germany, saves that have ensured that Northern Ireland reached The Knock-Out Stages of The European Championships.

The Second Half started to open up a bit more as Aaron Ramsey whips in a fantastic cross which is headed just wide by Sam Vokes and Wales had an even better chance as Gareth Bale's effort on goal from another free kick is saved by Michael McGovern and Wales were a much improved team in The Second Half, the substitutions from Chris Coleman made all the difference as Hal Robson-Kanu comes on for Sam Vokes and Johnny Williams replaces Joe Ledley, and it was Hal Robson-Kanu who was involved for the move which eventually created the only goal of the game, Aaron Ramsey plays the ball forward to Hal-Robson-Kanu, who holds the ball up and plays the ball back to Aaron Ramsey, who plays the ball out-wide to Gareth Bale, who has whipped in a dangerous low cross across the six yard box and Gareth McAuley was very unlucky to score The Own Goal which separated the two sides, because The Northern Ireland Defender had to make contact with the ball as Hal Robson-Kanu was in for a tap in and there have been a few goals scored like that in this tournament.

Michael O'Neill threw caution the wind and Josh Magennis, Niall McGinn and Conor Washington all came on to try and give Northern Ireland more of a attacking threat in the final third, Conor Washington came on before Wales had scored the opening goal of the game, but Michael O'Neill has relied on Josh Magennis and Niall McGinn as impact substitutes through this competition, and Niall McGinn scoring the second goal against Ukraine meant that Northern Ireland qualified as one of the four best third placed teams to reach The Knock-Out Stages, you have to say well done to Northern Ireland and Wales for getting out of there respective groups, Wales can consider themselves very lucky to win, but you need some luck along the way if your going to progress in this competition and in Gareth Bale, Wales have got A World Class Player who can make the difference on the day, he proved that against Northern Ireland Yesterday as it was his cross which led to the only goal of what was a really good tactical battle, but this match was lacking quality, although the endeavour and effort from the players could never be questioned on a very hot afternoon.

UEFA Deserve credit for giving this Home Nations Match to Martin Atkinson, A Foreign Referee would not have allowed this match to flow as it did and Martin Atkinson treated yesterday's match like a derby and tried to let the match flow, Now that Wales are in The Quarter Finals, they have a genuine chance of winning The Euro's, Denmark won in 1992, Greece won in 2004, Wales for 2016 ??? - that is very likely, hopefully England can reach The Quarter Finals with a win, but Iceland will not be easy to play against, as they have shown from there matches against Hungary, Austria and Portugal.

[gillsfan1066]

Goals, at last some goals in the Euros, I wonder if we will be invited to play next time or will England have been excommunicated by the rest of Europe by then , maybe replaced by teams like Kazakhastan, Turkmeinestan, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan , so come on England lets join in the fun in 2016.
England are going to score in the first fifteen minutes against Iceland, then score again before half time. On comes Vardy in the 60th minute , and he scores , Iceland pull one back and think they still have a chance of winning, then with five minutes to go England score again, to make the final score 4-1 to the good guys.
Wales to win it all, EEEYYYYZZZZZZYYYY there my dear Ms. Fanny Mulligan, so far they have played Austria, Hungry , Portugal and Northern Ireland,( without Georgie Best ) , not exactly the cream of the crop was it ? Austria managed ONE WHOLE POINT out of THREE games, we saw today how good Hungry are ,( has Belgium stopped scoring yet ) , and Portugal have to be one of the luckiest teams to get through from any group, and they hardly dominated Nth Ireland did they, in what was a pretty ugly game, put two guys on Bale and he done, it took an own goal for them to win , so while it's fun to watch the minnows of Europe play, now it's the BIG BOYS turn, and Wales ain't no big boys. ??
Don't bet your polo mints money on Wales to win their next game there Ms Fanny Mulligan, there going out to what today looked like a very good Belgium team, allowing England that Might Little Island Empire In The Sea, to carry the flag as THE UNITED KINGDOMS only representatives left in the Euros of 2016 and doing it despite the fact that Hodgson still the manager, and despite the fact we pretend were Scots and insist on playing with either blue on our shirt or blue sox.
GGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EEEEEENNNNNGGGGGGLLLLLAAAAAAANNNNNNDDDDDDD.

[gillsfan1066]

Well done Hodgson, bringing an out of form Sterling back to play against Iceland, does this guy know that this is a knock out game and were not still playing group games ?

[gillsfan1066]

My blog for the first half of the England v Iceland game. England ........sad sacks of sh*t. Sorry let me edit that. England .............sad sacks of clueless sh*t.

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

England 1-2 Iceland.Firstly got to say well done to Iceland,who showed a lot more passion than we did.They had their tactics and stuck to them,while defending well.When we went 1-0 up on 3 minutes I thought we have got the early goal,now they have to come out which should help us.I was wrong,and we shut off 2 minutes after through a long throw and their player has had an easy finish.Poor defending and a lack of concentration.After that it got worse when a straight forward shot has beaten Hart,and again he has made a big mistake.This Time we never bounced back from that,and the second half we looked like a Team with no ideas.We were crying out for Vardy & Rashford,and the latter only came on with 5 minutes left.He was our main shining light,and was the only one looking to run in the box with the ball.

The defeat will be remembered as the most embarrassing in a tournament for England.Losing to a Country the size of Leicester,and a Country that has more volcanoes than professional footballers.Roy Hodgson did the right thing and quit straight away,but it is a dark day for the national Team where this should have been a straight forward path to the QF`s.Roy did a good job overall,I liked the guy but you`re judged on tournaments.His last two have been ones to remember for the wrong reasons.