Finally England is out. I was getting worried they would shit their way all the way to the finals, but finally logic prevailed.
Yes, I was worried about the same. Glad it didn't happen. They tried to do it like Chelsea and that might be their model going forward. I think this also shows what luck was involved with Chelsea's glory. Chelsea would get knocked out in the first or second knock-out round if they had to do it all over again. I really believe that. Their run was a once in a lifetime thing. Those that believe their tactics and style of play can be reused for continued trophies must be kidding themselves. If Chelsea had kept the opponent from creating chances, I'd give it to them, but against Barca, Napoli, and Bayern they allowed clear chances for goals. They were just fortunate that the other team was wasteful in front of goal, and that included multiple missed penalties.
I think England's found their manager. Roy actually did something I thought would be impossible. Make England actually moderately successful. Most managers would have brought them to bow out at the group stage, but he took the right players for the system he wanted to play. It worked as well. They were never going to beat Italy playing in a different style, so this is the style they should play. They have the players for it.
I partially agree. England is not good enough to beat other teams, but this style won't win them anything either. England was outplayed in all of their games, and they didn't even have a tough group. That's not good or successful. I know they got out of their group, but they could've easily lost all their games and gone home embarrassed. England just isn't talented enough and no matter what style they play, they won't succeed until they develop more talent. I see your point in saying another style would be less successful, but it's hard for me to believe that in the long run either. Getting outplayed in all games against good and weak opponents isn't good. I understand playing the tactics they did yesterday against good teams, but when you play the likes of Sweden and Ukraine, you have to me more attack minded and at least split possession. You can't lose possession to poor teams 65/35. That just won't work.
Also, England keeps trying to play a 4-4-2. That's too outdated and doesn't work, especially at the international level where teams are more compact, organized, and more conservative. Their 4 man midfield will get beat every time, and that's why they loose possession. I know Rooney sometimes drops into the hole, but that's normally when he comes to receive the ball. Defensively, England shapes up in a 4-4-2 formation for the most part.
England is poor no matter how you put it. With Roy or without, they won't be successful. If you think getting to the first knockout round is a success, then that's just not good enough. I would gamble on Redknapp before accepting Quarters as my goal.
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