Euro Review: New Manager, Same Old England

After a new found belief from England fans, they were brought down to earth with a bump as the national side crashed out of Euro 2012 on penalties again, this time to Italy.

PAYING THE PENALTY: Diamanti Strokes Home

After a "solid" performance in the group stages with a draw in Group D's opening game against France followed by an entertaining or painful (whatever way you look at it) win versus Sweden.  The final game in Donetsk against co-hosts Ukraine was a nervy 1-0 win thanks to a goal from the returning Wayne Rooney which, along with Sweden beating France meant England qualified by topping the group.

RETURN OF THE ROON: Wayne marked his return with a goal

It wouldn't have been England if they hadn't had players pull out; Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry and goalkeeper John Ruddy all missed the Championships through injury.

Despite the failures once again, there were a few positives to take out of the tournament.

New manager Roy Hodgson looked to youth for a change.  Under Fabio Capello you always had the feeling that no matter what happened, the "old guard" would still be playing the next game.  The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck were given their chance to shine with the latter arguably getting the goal of the tournament with his match-winning, mid-air backheel against Sweden.

Welbeck (L) and Carroll (R) were given their chance

Roy made a big decision in not taking Rio Ferdinand to Poland/Ukraine, and, with Cahill injured, Joleon Lescott filled the void beside John Terry and did not disappoint.  Personally, I felt that leaving Rio out was a good call and a brave one from the manager.

Another positive was the fact that Roy seemed to install a sense of pride back into the nation again.  One improvement was seeing all of the players singing the national anthem.  Even  Rooney opened his mouth to sing for once.

SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING: Even Rooney sung

The negatives now and for me it was disappointing to see the lack of threat attacking-wise from England.  Admittedly losing Rooney for the first two games was a blow but it would have been nice to have seen us create a few more chances.

Much has been talked about our lack of keeping the ball.  In my opinion this is because we tried so hard to get the ball back that when we did have it, the players were knackered and the pass went astray.

GERRARD: Reviltalised but knackered

Another gripe of mine was hearing most saying how well the team have done to reach the quarter finals.  For me, the quarter finals was the minimum requirement - It's something that England have done consistently (Apart from 2008) in recent times so for the team to be congratulated on it is wrong.

Finally, with regards to the game (which Italy deservedly one) I did not see the huge fuss about Andrea Pirlo that everyone way making out.  He's a good player, don't get me wrong, but with the amount of space he had given to him, a player of his quality you'd expect him to pick out passes to his team mates.  As for his penalty, it would have been a poor one had Joe Hart just stood in the centre of the goal and caught it.  "Quality penalty". I disagree.

Pirlo's "dink" could have left him red faced

Still, we'll win the World Cup in Brazil in two years time right?!

Until next week...

England Expects... Or Do They?

I doubt many managers have a CV like new England manager Roy Hodgson's.  The Croydon-born national gaffer has managed all around the world, for high calibre sides such as Inter Milan and Liverpool but with his chance with England sees Roy return to the national stage for the first time in five years.

Hodgson has plenty of experience. He isn't like a Fabio Capello or a Steve McLaren in making their first national appearance as England manager; Roy managing the likes of Finland, UAE and an impressive stint in charge of Switzerland shows he knows what to do at this level.

With the Swiss, he managed to finish an extremely impressive 3rd in the Fifa World Rankings in 1993 and, after leaving the post in 1996 was it any surprise that they failed to qualify for a major tournament for the next eight years?!

The Swiss were on a roll under Roy

It shows what he can do when not under any real pressure.  At Fulham, Hodgson took them from a mid-table Premier league side to the Europa League runners up; suffering defeat a 2-1 defeat, after extra time to an Atheltico Madrid side including stars such as Simao, Jose Antonio Reyes, Sergio Aguero and eventual two goal hero Diego Forlan.

Fulham lost in the Final

Of course, the forgettable stint at Liverpool slightly overshadows his roller-coaster of a career but his time at West Bromwich Albion increased his reputation further by turning a side that is renowned as a "yo-yo club" (Relegated to the Championship and then promoted again) into an established top flight team, leading the Baggies to a top half finish of 10th, playing some attractive football and being hard to beat - Something England haven't had.

Finally here he is, having the honour to manage his country.  It's taken Roy a long time to reach the pinnacle.

For once, England as a nation aren't expectant.  Instead of picking the same old players, Roy has brought in the odd unknown in the shape of Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; one of the brightest young hopes for the future, in a bid to surprise the opposition.

Without the pressure or expectancy, Hodgson has shown that he has the talents to do well, with England there is always these two components although this time, less of the latter.

He can't do it all on his own, obviously the big names like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry and a late coming from Wayne Rooney would help but an England without expectancy maybe, just maybe could help Roy and his boys.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: England need them on their game

As an Englishman I'm pleased with the selection; experience at an international level, knows the game inside out and is English.  Admittedly I was never on the "He has to be English" bandwagon and personally I wanted Guus Hiddink, another who has tremendous experience worldwide but, I have a feeling that Roy will do well; he seems respected and knowledgeable as well as media friendly which is always a plus as England manager.

Also, I suppose that if it is a boring 0-0 game, at least he's entertaining on the touchline...

and...

C'mon England!

Until next week...