Reasons to be cheerful about the Euros
The Euros are nearly always better than the World Cup - a more consistent, high quality, entertaining, less overblown festival of pure football. I hope it remains that way with 24 teams - great to see Wales, NI and Ireland in there, anyway.
Still, despite myself, I'm going to concentrate on reasons to be cheerful for England. Getting out of the group will be a triumph for the other home teams - it'll be fun to watch Bale, I think NI have the momentum, but they've got a horribly tough group. Republic too, and they're not playing that well. Still, you never know.
So, England. I had a strong thought in October that Spurs (who were then only mid-table) would win the league and England would win the Euros. Well, I was wrong on the 1st one, but not that wrong, and I think we'd be happy if England were in the Top 4 of the Euros.
So, why might that happen?
1. There's no one player who, if they got injured, it would be a disaster. It's a talented squad which doesn't dip that much.
2. Having said that, Harry Kane. Harry Kane is pure class. Really and truly.
3. Rooney's playing pretty well. As well as he's been playing going into a tournament for a long time. He seems relaxed and adaptable, the pressure's off him a bit.
4. We know the weakness is defence - there's not much can be done about. The defenders are much of a muchness. They can only do better than we think they'll do, not worse.
5. This team's got pace, real pace. England teams have lacked pace for a long time.
6. No Steven Gerrard. Slowing things down. Phew.
7. A lot of these guys will be really excited about this tournament and might just turn themselves into global stars.
8. Slightly odd one, but every time England are playing really well, Adam Lallana seems to be on the pitch. He's not necessarily starring himself, but I think he might be the secret ingredient, who lends himself to fast, quick imaginative passing.
9. It's a decent group - testing but not horrible. England should win it. The Wales game could work in a few different ways. but could be a real impetus.
10. No John Terry. It's generally a squad short of players it's hard to get behind.
I think England are the 4th or 5th strongest team in the tournament, genuinely. Even if we go out before the semis, I don't think it will be in that horrible, outplayed way that sometimes happens, except perhaps by Spain at their very best. We'll see.
Still, despite myself, I'm going to concentrate on reasons to be cheerful for England. Getting out of the group will be a triumph for the other home teams - it'll be fun to watch Bale, I think NI have the momentum, but they've got a horribly tough group. Republic too, and they're not playing that well. Still, you never know.
So, England. I had a strong thought in October that Spurs (who were then only mid-table) would win the league and England would win the Euros. Well, I was wrong on the 1st one, but not that wrong, and I think we'd be happy if England were in the Top 4 of the Euros.
So, why might that happen?
1. There's no one player who, if they got injured, it would be a disaster. It's a talented squad which doesn't dip that much.
2. Having said that, Harry Kane. Harry Kane is pure class. Really and truly.
3. Rooney's playing pretty well. As well as he's been playing going into a tournament for a long time. He seems relaxed and adaptable, the pressure's off him a bit.
4. We know the weakness is defence - there's not much can be done about. The defenders are much of a muchness. They can only do better than we think they'll do, not worse.
5. This team's got pace, real pace. England teams have lacked pace for a long time.
6. No Steven Gerrard. Slowing things down. Phew.
7. A lot of these guys will be really excited about this tournament and might just turn themselves into global stars.
8. Slightly odd one, but every time England are playing really well, Adam Lallana seems to be on the pitch. He's not necessarily starring himself, but I think he might be the secret ingredient, who lends himself to fast, quick imaginative passing.
9. It's a decent group - testing but not horrible. England should win it. The Wales game could work in a few different ways. but could be a real impetus.
10. No John Terry. It's generally a squad short of players it's hard to get behind.
I think England are the 4th or 5th strongest team in the tournament, genuinely. Even if we go out before the semis, I don't think it will be in that horrible, outplayed way that sometimes happens, except perhaps by Spain at their very best. We'll see.
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