Hodgson - I dont know why I'm here; smint?

[BigChief]

Ill find the article, but I read one the other day that nailed it.

England are too concerned with winning the World Cup, and not just getting kids to play football. They will naturally follow if children are encouraged and given the right coaching.

The FA needs to subsides the cost of UEFA licences, we dont have coaches because its too expensive.

Now you're breaking through the tip. Still a long way to go but you're (the only one) on the right direction.

[fah-q]

Something that occurred to me the other day (and it may be minor) but the way England and Italy approach friendlies is vastly different. Italy are usually utter ****e in friendlies but largely disregard the result. We always seem to take them for what they are; a chance to try out systems, players, tactics, etc where as friendly results always seem to be incredibly important for the English.

I was talking with some die hard England fans on Monday and they constantly repeated the fact they'd hardly lost an international in two years and had beaten Portugal, Germany, etc in that time.

I think this not only adds to the overhyping of the side but come tournament time, they aren't adaptable or prepared properly.

The closest I can remember to friendlies being used in this way by England was under Terry Venables. He tried out various players in a new system and by the time Euro 96 came around, he had the right players for the right system.

Just my opinion of course.

[Bender]

[ame]https://twitter.com/LFC_Idols/status/748081793291657216[/ame]

[Fivex]

Completely forgot he managed to blag his way into Inter.

Think that's an old quote anyway.

[Alex]

Suggestions for renaming this thread? Doesnt seem right anymore.

How about "Hodgson - I dont know why I'm here"

[Doc_Piptorious]

Suggestions for renaming this thread? Doesnt seem right anymore.

How about "Hodgson - I dont know why I'm here"

Perfect

[The_weatherman]

Something that occurred to me the other day (and it may be minor) but the way England and Italy approach friendlies is vastly different. Italy are usually utter ****e in friendlies but largely disregard the result. We always seem to take them for what they are; a chance to try out systems, players, tactics, etc where as friendly results always seem to be incredibly important for the English.

I was talking with some die hard England fans on Monday and they constantly repeated the fact they'd hardly lost an international in two years and had beaten Portugal, Germany, etc in that time.

I think this not only adds to the overhyping of the side but come tournament time, they aren't adaptable or prepared properly.

The closest I can remember to friendlies being used in this way by England was under Terry Venables. He tried out various players in a new system and by the time Euro 96 came around, he had the right players for the right system.

Just my opinion of course.

That's the same with Iceland under Lagerback, friendlies are used for trying out new players, we are **** at friendlies

But the key thing to learn from Iceland under Lars and Heimir is this, the team reckognises their strengths and plays to their strengths. I think this is something to learn from. What's the strength of the Italy team? Maybe a settled back four (with Buffon) and familiarity between players so they build on that, the game plan is clear and their strength is at back and teamwork.

Iceland has great familiarity, teamwork and good players down the spine who know each other, we have great set piece takers in Gylfi and Aron with the long throws and Lagerback is an expert at organizing a team.

England should have identified the key strengths and key players and built on that. I couldn't even say who the key players are for England.

[The_weatherman]

You could even take this further and see the Spain team from 2008-2012, their strengths are passing so they build on that. Germany has familiarity in abundance, talent and organisation, N-Ireland are organized and defend well and stick to that. A team should stick to what they do best.

[Kenneth]

You could even take this further and see the Spain team from 2008-2012, their strengths are passing so they build on that. Germany has familiarity in abundance, talent and organisation, N-Ireland are organized and defend well and stick to that. A team should stick to what they do best.

We kind of did that and sort of set up for counter attack, except without wingers. Problem with that is that is relies on the other teams trying to attack you. Russia, Slovakia and Iceland decided not to play the high pressing possession game against us for some weird reason.

[Fivex]

Suggestions for renaming this thread? Doesnt seem right anymore.

How about "Hodgson - I dont know why I'm here"

Call it "Yesterday's Smint"

edit - your idea is far better.

[gratziani]

I am Roy , because we lost one game my legacy will be tainted

[Bender]

[ame]https://twitter.com/MailSport/status/748139048519208960[/ame]

[Kenneth]

Of the English names that have been mentioned, he would probably be my pick.

[The_weatherman]

Of the English names that have been mentioned, he would probably be my pick.

What? You mean ahead of Southgate, Allardyce and Pulis? I'd probably pick you ahead of them

[Doc_Piptorious]

What? You mean ahead of Southgate, Allardyce and Pulis? I'd probably pick you ahead of them

Let's not be too hasty