No more Gazza

The Umbro ad before Saturday’s game against Norway has triggered a reminiscing of the missing talent of Gazza.

He was a player that played with his heart and possessed the creativity that could turn a game.

There are many examples that could be given, a personal favourite being the goal he scored against Scotland in Euro 96.

Gazza received a pass just outside the Scottish penalty area and had Colin Hendry coming to block his run. He let the ball bounce once before his first touch which was a perfectly weighted lob with his left foot to leave Hendry looking on as Gazza collected the lob on his right to volley the ball past Andy Goram. Fantastic goal!

Watch it yourself and enjoy!

I had the chance to see him live on a few occasions, Hearts v Rangers at Tynecastle being one of them.

That afternoon you could be forgiven for thinking that he and Brian Laudrup, maybe with the occasional help of Andy Goram, could have beaten Hearts themselves. A highlight of the afternoon was when Gazza pretended to drive an ambulance from the penalty area to the centre circle to aid an injured Hearts player. Always a crowd pleaser!

Gazza today

Where will we find such creativity, inspiration and entertainment?

Hodgson records first win

A win is a win

It was never going to set things on fire but this tie was important for Roy to see how some of the likely 2nd choice players would function together.

In the early stages of the first half there were some encouraging signs, for example Carroll got on the end of Downing’s cross to head wide. Whilst the first, someone connecting with Downing’s crosses must be seen as positive, we or more specifically Carroll can’t have the low success ratio he’s had for the most part of the season at Liverpool.
In our 3 guaranteed games he must hit the target and put the ball over the line!

It was through Carroll that Ashley Young scored England’s only goal of the night after 9 minutes. This at least should give optimism that we can score without Rooney, a must I we are to progress from the group.

Ashley Young scores for England

There were few other significant happenings, Gerrard’s tackle that caused the Oslo crowd to boo him after cheering their Liverpool hero. James Milner getting clear in goal to have his shot saved. Oxlade Chamberlain looked like he might cause problems when he came in, but unfortunately we squandered possession in the 2nd half. And Rob Green kept a clean sheet!

Lacking Flair

Watching the pre-match advert for Umbro before the game featuring a withered Paul Gascoigne gave a stark reminder that we do not have the creative flair that he once provided.

Probably the most worrying from last night is that Barry and Parker have only 2 days to prove they are fit to make the final squad.

Not that it is likely to bear any relation to how they will play in the tournament but Germany conceded five goals losing to Switzerland 5-3.

A week to go before we play the final game against Belgium at Wembley and then it all kicks off 12 days from now.

A lot can happen in a week in football!

The Norsemen

Capello’s choice

Saturday evening will see the first England performance under the leadership of Roy Hodgson. This being number one of two pre-tournament friendlies against Norway in Oslo and then Belgium at Wembley.

These opponents are not Roy’s but Fabio’s choices, apparently due to similarities to the group opponents of Sweden and France.

Not so sure really, well there is one common factor both countries are geographically adjoining our group opponents of Sweden and France. Having lived in Sweden for the last 12 years, I am sure that the Swedes consider themselves more formidable opponents than the Norwegians, with us having only recently managing to beat them after 38 years, albeit in a friendly.

Weak Opposition?

On the face of it you would imagine that Norway are not such tough opponents for the 3 Lions, however over the past 32 years, since September 1980, we have won once, lost twice and drawn three times. So this isn’t the best track record against one of Northern Europe’s non performers.

Norwegian Vikings

It will be interesting to see how Roy approaches the game. With only 180 minutes of competitive football to test his squad choices before the game against France we should see quite a few getting a run out, remember the friendlies under Svennis’ reign.

As for the opposition probably the best known to us English are John Arne Riise (Fulham), Morten Pedersen (Blackburn) and latterly playing on loan with Birmingham Erik Huseklepp.

One thing is for sure, if we don’t put in a good performance, or worse still lose like we have in 2 of the last 3 outings in Oslo, the press will be right on Roy’s back.

Who will be the first player to score under the Roy Hodgson era?
My money is on Steven Gerrard at 8-1 and England to win 2-1

Our men in Poland & Ukraine

Gerrard leads the way!

Roy confirmed in the recent FA Press Conference that Steven Gerrard will Captain England, a wise and relatively easy choice.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and John Ruddy are the two new boys to feature in the squad. Ruddy coming in as No. 3 keeper behind Rob Green according to John Ruddy himself, I hope we don’t need to try out Number 2!

Hodgson explained his squad choice as including several players that can play effectively in more than one position, for example having selected only 4 forwards with the backup of Walcott.

During the Press Conference Roy expressed himself with a manner of confidence and conviction, and after a series of questions about the omission of Rio, commented “that’s enough questions about Ferdinand”.

He can, at least, understand all the Press questions.

Now what remains to be seen is how he and his new staff including Gary Neville will get the team to perform in the pre-tournament friendlies.

First up Norway in just over a week

Some surprises?

Over and out!

It’s only a few hours to go now until Roy will unveil the squad to travel to the Euro 2012 competition in June. Already it appears that Rio’s England career is over as he will not be traveling and that the basketball stature of Crouch will not be gracing the pitch either.

Looks like Rio’s back trouble has avoided him and Terry being in the same dressing room at least, the question being is Terry definite?

Micah Richards also got the call from Roy and will not be in the squad and given the recent update of Kyle Walker’s toe injury this could point to Chris Smalling and Glenn Johnson, or maybe Phil Jones.

Only a few hours before we know who will be fighting the 3 Lions cause!

Come in Number 9 your time is up!

As the countdown timer shows it’s only 31 days until Euro 2012 kicks off and now the squads are being announced.

While Germany and Ireland name their provisional squads and Holland put in what looks more like a a rugby touring party of 36 players, England will wait until this time next week before deciding who will have the chance to pull on the Three Lions shirt.

We have our challenges to select who will join England’s clear No. 1 Joe Hart, with the likes of Rob Green (remember the USA game) and Scott Carson (Croatia) being options, however are they really viable options?

At the other end of the park however maybe there will be a surprise in store. It seems that Roy likes the traditional centre forward and therefore Crouch, Zamora and maybe even Carroll after his form of late could be in the reckoning. Gerrard, who could be captain, is already canvassing for Carroll’s inclusion after his impact at Wembley in the FA Cup final. And what about if Roy manages to bring Shearer in to the frame in a coaching role?

Shearer back in England role?

Will Roy take a traditional centre forward to Euro 2012? And if so who?

It’s a tough job…

3 days in and the pressure is mounting

It’s not yet the end of the first week for Roy in his new role and the pressure, not least in the press, is mounting.

This morning sees Capello and ex Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes commenting on Roy and England’s chances in Euro 2012, with the latter saying he was not so familiar with what Hodgson has previously achieved. This seems to be a common story in the press over the past days.

I wonder what would it be like for England and the England manager if the press treated them like in some other countries, with neutrality and an element of respect or pride. Is it really necessary to attack such personal characteristics as the way someone speaks, looking at what the gutter press (or maybe that is elevating their position) from the Sun printed this week.

Gutter Press having a dig at Roy’s speech

Where else would this be considered acceptable or appropriate?

The Task Ahead

With only just over a month to go Roy has his hands full without the additional burden of the press.

The squad has to be named, this is delayed a couple of days to allow for the conclusion of the domestic season.
Who to take at the back, Terry or Ferdinand, or both? It now appears that Rio would play alongside Terry even though he is due in court on July 9th to be charged with racially abusing Rio’s younger brother Anton. Not the best foundation for trust at the back!

In addition the coaching staff need to be sorted, and it seems that the Guvnor, Paul Ince, may be getting involved with the Three Lions. What about Stuart Pearce’s future with the senior team?

And then there is the small point of who is going to put the ball in the net while we are without Rooney.

Just a few of the things that will keep Roy awake over the 40 days and 40 nights he pointed out were available before our Euro 2012 campaign starts.

And then there is talk of a final 8 finish.

… but for £3 Million a year someone has to do it!

Roy Hodgson… Really?

FA to speak to Hodgson

If we’re to believe today’s news West Brom have allowed the FA to speak to Roy Hodgson about the England job. It also appears that he is the only person they have spoken to about the job, so it would seem that we are destined to get Roy as the next boss.

Roy Hodgson - Next England Manager?

Hodgson has some international management experience albeit with Switzerland and Finland neither of which really comparing to England. In addition he has had 2 spells at Inter and latterly a fairly poor period with Liverpool.

Is this the next man for the job?

50 days and counting

Not long now

On the 8th June, in 50 days time, Poland will entertain (well we’ll see how entertaining it will be) Greece in the ope ing game of Euro 2012. Europe’s best pitted against each other in a month long festival of football.

Between now and the Three Lions will have taken on the might of Norway and Belgium in the final preparation for the 3 group games we are at least guaranteed against France, Sweden and the Ukraine.

Just now focus is on the closure of the domestic season and the Champions League where Chelsea managed to loan the ball jut long enough last night to take a slim 1-0 lead to Camp Nou next week against a frustrated Barcelona.

Soon however our attention will be turned to the prospects of Euro glory. How will the absence of Wayne Rooney for the first 2 games affect our chances?
Injury stricken Jack Wilshere’s withdrawal from the competition.
And maybe even more importantly, the question of who will get the top job.

The feverish speculation about Harry Redknapp directly after Capello’s departure seems to have fizzled out. First the question apparently not being asked by the FA coupled by the comments from Harry himself on his loyalty to Spurs and about two jobs.

Looking at the FA’s website it’s all talk about Tom Finneys 90th and that we know which kit we’re playing in. I trust (hope) that there is a master plan somewhere, in someone’s drawer, detailing what the FA are doing about putting someone in charge before June.
Hopefully an Englishman with the credentials required for the job, not least of all the ability to motivate a group of individuals to playing well as a team and believing that they have what it takes.

Who’s going to get the job and when?

Psycho leads England against the Dutch

Psycho leads England

Thinking back to Euro ’96

As Stuart Pearce, Psycho as he’s affectionately known, gets what will probably be his only game in charge of England, next Wednesday, before a permanent replacement for Capello is named you wouldn’t blame him for thinking back to his role on the 18th June 1996 when England thrashed Holland 4-1 during the group stage of Euro ’96.

This time it will be a youthful looking England that Pearce will field in the only friendly we will play before the end of the domestic season. This is not least of all as he manages the England U-21 side and so has a good understanding of their capabilities.

He also appears keen to take on the challenge for the Euros if the FA haven’t appointed a permanent manager by then. It all seems to be a bit up in the air on that front, everybody seems to want Harry Redknapp, he says he’s loyal to Spurs but could take England to the Euro’s. No real progress so far.

Tough Test

Holland will be the toughest test England will face before their opening game of Euro 2012 with France on 11th June. The only other friendlies planned before then being against Norway and Belgium at the end of the season, but you can’t call these two top class opposition. Not of the calibre we need to beat in June at least if we are to get anywhere near lifting a trophy.

So what will England manage against the Dutch, a narrow victory, 2-1?… I’m holding my breath