So much was promised from the "new breed" of England players but unfortunately for a variety of different reasons, we find ourselves watching the same slow, toothless play that served us so poorly in years gone by.
Like everyone else, I was enthused to see Barkley, Lallana, Sterling, Sturridge, Shaw and Wilshere in the squad. Finally, we have a manager willing to give a new brand of attacking football and youthful hunger to the National team... or so I thought. But, when the time finally comes, Hodgson well and truly bottled it. Against Italy, I thought our tactics were spot on and with little bit of luck we'd have come out of that game with at least a point. Nevertheless, slack defending costs us and sets up a must win game against Uruguay.
Hodgson decides to go the same way as every England manager that I've experienced in my lifetime -- conservatively. No place in the side for Barkley or Lallana, and Henderson playing over Wilshere which I find frankly baffling. Although we had over 60% possession, all I saw was the same slow, numbing build up play that has typified England over the last 20 years. England players play like they're wearing shackles. If you look at any of the teams that have excelled in the competition so far - Holland, Chile, Colombia... they're so fast! They play with freedom and without fear. Many people are blaming our defence, but can you really say that any of the aforementioned are rock solid? We believe in an old fashioned style in England, that the defenders defend, the midfield pass and the strikers shoot. Unfortunately, while we keep employing the old-school managers and coaches, we will keep seeing the same results. For me, Hodgson has to go. I don't agree with his post-match comments that we've played well and lost, particularly against Uruguay. You can say that Godin should have been sent off and
I hate to say it, but too many of the current squad simply aren't good enough. He's been a fantastic servant to the nation, but I think it's time for Gerrard to hang up his boots, and take Lampard with him. The captaincy needs to go to Cahill, who seems to be the only leader on the field when England play. Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Jordan Henderson have been found out at this level.
There has been a witch-hunt surrounding Wayne Rooney at this tournament. Perhaps if we treat our stars the
way that Uruguay treat Suarez or Brazil treat Neymar, we'd actually see something that represents the best of Rooney in an England shirt. I believe that Wayne Rooney has been OK in this tournament. Against Uruguay, I'd say he was one of our best players. The word scapegoat springs to mind. Dropping him would be a mistake. After Sven and Capello, I can forgive the FA for wanting an English coach for the national team, but given the lack of quality young domestic managers, I believe that we need foreign blood to reinvent our side.We've tried evolution; we need revolution
I want to see passion. Passion like this.
