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| England coach Roy Hodgson. |
Even before the Euro tournament kick-started for all the hype that surrounded the England team it comes as a surprise that the best they have achieved so far in France is a narrow win against Wales, and other two draws; a result that have seen them qualify for the later stages as the second placed team in their group.
England managed to qualify for the tournament with ease by winning all of their ten qualifying matches in group D thus becoming the first side to qualify for a European championship with a 100% record.
To every loyal fan this was their most opportune moment to thump their chests in support of England and shamelessly declare where they stood as their team was performing exceptionally, clobbering opponents one after the other.
Throughout the qualifying round they not only managed to win the trust of fans but also the rare faith of gamblers worldwide who felt secure in their endeavors.
However, all said and done, who really cares about the manner in which you qualified if at all you lack the cutting edge where it matters most and that’s in the championship itself.
When they came up against resilient Russian and Slovakian sides, England popularly known as ‘The Three Lions’ were expected to at least obtain a minimum of three points.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there are three outcomes to expect in football which are a win, a loss or a draw but why on earth would teams like England consider loosing or drawing as an option with the kind of squads they possess?
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| England players celebrate Eric Dier goal. |
A line up boasting the likes of Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and a youthful group led by Tottenham’s trio of Harry Kane, Eric Dier as well as Delle Alli.
During their first match against Russia apart from a bit of strength when passing the ball around England’s attacks looked labored and subdued on a night where they generally appeared devoid of ideas.
As if this wasn’t enough after a hard fought win over Wales, England were faced with another tough task in their last group match where they played Slovakia.
In that match the three lions gave us a vital remembrance of how football has revolved in the last few years where in spite of one possessing and dominating proceedings, at the end of the day results aren’t guaranteed.
As a result Russia’s and Slovakia’s defenders were largely untroubled and seemingly unfazed because usually a ‘tiki taka ‘game that lacks crude and cunny attackers is always so predictable and easy to deal with.
The manner in which they handled everything thrown to them by the Englishmen with calmness, one had the feeling that it would take decades for England to find the back of the net.
Against Russia they managed to score but apparently the ‘Old Man’ Roy Hodgson wasn’t too impressed, because a few minutes later he would substitute his second best player on the night thus spelling England’s trajectory mode.
How he managed to deprive the fans the chance to commence their celebrations later into the wee hours of the night, I don’t know.
Frankly, how Hodgson has so far handled his tenure with England can only be juxtaposed to a ‘spell’ cast on the entire English fan base that has forever barred them from seeing their team blossom.
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| England captain Wayne Rooney. |
Which coach in his right mind subs off his second best player on the field for an unfit Jack Wilshere, leaves a tired Adam Lallana and a Raheem Sterling lacking in confidence on the field?
As that wasn’t enough goes ahead to conduct wholesome changes in his lineup in a crucial duel just because his assistant asked him to do so?
Hodgson never learns from his mistakes and his cluelessness has always hurt England.
Thanks to him, they will now be forced to make a keen follow up of group F proceedings, which comprises of Portugal, Hungary, Iceland and Poland in order to know which opponent they will be facing come Monday in Nice at the Allianz Riviera, with all four capable of finishing second.
To add salt to the wound his choices are ever appalling and perhaps the closest one can say he came to making a ‘better’ decision was maybe when he chose to have a cold coke during a Tuesday siesta rather than a steamy cup of coffee.
Anyway, they are lucky they will soon be seeing his back come the end of euro 2016.
In Hodgson’s case one Tony Robbins once said that it is in your moments of decision making that your destiny is shaped.
I know it’s still too early to judge him now that he has made it to the knock out stages of the tournament which he can use to redeem himself.
Personally I won’t be so surprised if they shamefully buckle out of the tournament prematurely at some stage which will obviously be an underachievement.
Well, because I saw it coming.
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