Euro 2012

[pink_triangle]

I think to a large extent you're right, particularly with the South America factor.

I do think England could be a force by France 16 though. Jones+Smalling may be major fixtures in Man U's defense by then, Ox will have gained a lot more experience and he seems pretty grounded. I think Sturridge could be a major player by then. Hart will have had a lot more experience by then, particularly in terms of international and European games. The old guard will all have gone by then (there may still be stragglers in Brazil), Rooney will be 30 and should still be within his peak. Cleverley+Wilshere look to have good ball retention skills and an eye for a pass, and I've got fairly high expectations of what they could become.

Also Sammy Ameobi will have won a European trophy for Newcastle by that point

[rexclark]

That game should've been over by halftime last night. Italy's finishing was woeful and England were lucky to hold on. If that Italy team turns up for the semis you might as well give Germany a bye to the final as they looked poor in most departments and the Germans will ttear that defence apart.

[Steve P]

I think young has been the worst player of the tournament overall.

[The Nal]

Italian masterclass from Pirlo.

"I saw that the goalkeeper was really hyped and I thought I'd do it like that, it was easier to take it like that. It created a bit of pressure on the keeper."

[kaosmark2]

I think thats making a lot of assumptions about potential being delivered on. From expereince with players of that age in England, some will end up very good, some plod on at the same level and some peak early and then rapidly fall. Im not sure this group of young players particularly stand out to me as excelling compared to previous ones. Apart from Wilshire (if he stays injury free) I dont see it as a standout group of players com,ing through.

[TheGayTent]

Rooney world class?

Ha

[eFestivals]

Rooney world class?

Ha

still, he managed better yesterday than the infant class style he played last week.

[The Nal]

Rooney world class?

Ha

[strummer77]

Should've brought the Ox on for Young. I thought. Everything Italy did was going down Englands left side. Johnson on the other hand was good on the right.

[The Nal]

Baffles me the criticism Johnson consistently gets however he plays...

[eFestivals]

Johnson was good in all 4 games. Went right up in my estimation. With Milner there England are pretty solid down the right.

Johnson was one of the best players over the 4 games. Was consistent, made some great tackles, nearly scored himself and nearly set-up others. He missed a few tackles and was caught out of position a few times, but nothing more than any other player.

I thought Milner was a bit mixed. He's less inventive with his play than he was 2 years ago, but had a good game yesterday even if he was less good against Sweden.

[The Nal]

I thought Milner was a bit mixed. He's less inventive with his play than he was 2 years ago, but had a good game yesterday even if he was less good against Sweden.

[kaosmark2]

Johnson had a good tournament. Better than Cole I thought, who while he did well enough, at his best would have managed to compensate for Young's atrocious tournament.

Dont think he was there for the creative side of things though? He got out wide and knocked a couple of balls in but he was really there to do the Parker role, except out wide I thought?

[strummer77]

Dont think he was there for the creative side of things though? He got out wide and knocked a couple of balls in but he was really there to do the Parker role, except out wide I thought?

[thetime]

Well thank fuck for that, back to nobody giving a Shit about euros or England.

Fickle comes to mind.

Edited June 26, 2012 by thetime

[kaosmark2]

Well thank fuck for that, back to nobody giving a Shit about euros or England.

Fickle comes to mind.

[eFestivals]

I'm looking forward to the semis, and the final.

Yup, me too.

All of Spain/Portugal, Germany/Italy, and Spain/Germany have the potential to be epic games.

[kaosmark2]

Exactly. I'm slightly worried about how Spain/Portugal will end up, but I'll be watching it to find out regardless.

[pink_triangle]

Media interest always dies down when England are out. I heard my least favourite sports presenter john (smug and ridiculously England rugby team bias) inverdale say yesterday "now the euros are over" . I'm just as interested, can't see it being exciting but think it will be interesting.

[TheGayTent]

Media interest always dies down when England are out. I heard my least favourite sports presenter john (smug and ridiculously England rugby team bias) inverdale say yesterday "now the euros are over" . I'm just as interested, can't see it being exciting but think it will be interesting.

[kaosmark2]

say yesterday "now the euros are over"

[TheGayTent]

Massive over reaction to a comment made with tongue firmly planted in cheek?

[kaosmark2]

Well I didn't hear the tone, but I reckon far too many people believe that England are the be all and and all of international football, not bothering with other games apart from who England will play. I don't like that attitude, and if that comment was serious (and I think there's a fair chance of it), it epitomises it.

[TheGayTent]

Well I didn't hear the tone, but I reckon far too many people believe that England are the be all and and all of international football, not bothering with other games apart from who England will play. I don't like that attitude, and if that comment was serious (and I think there's a fair chance of it), it epitomises it.

Edited June 26, 2012 by TheGayTent

[LondonTom]

Can we please drop Rooney from England for a while, you never know it might just work! I don't doubt his a greatplayer but he just doesn't deliver for England(like so many other England players over the years.) Was quite clearly unfit, I would have left him on the bench and brought him on half way through the 2nd half for a bit of magic.

The Henderson sub was god awful, severed no purpose other than to break up the game a bit. (If parker was that tired why wasn't he took off during ET half time?)

Thought we done well defensively until the 2nd half extra time, based on that bit we didn't deserve to win but I thought luck was on our side to win scrape through last night, and thought we was going until Young's penalty. (Another one who should have been dropped.)

Overall I think the team is better, I think they are playing more for the shirt apart from Rooney who doesn't seem to give toss and I can't fault their effort. We do need to work on keeping the ball a bit, just to take the pressure off us.

That said I am looking forward to Germany winning the Euros.