Peter Anderson ⚽ assesses England's chances @ EURO 2020.

With the club football season over, attention has switched to the Euros. And with fans back in the stadium, it is going to be entertaining, as the big international tournaments always are. The big question is, how will England fare? They usually have a good team on paper, get to the quarters or semis then lose on penalties. How many times have we seen this scenario play out? This time may be different.

Current manager, Gareth Southgate, managed most of this team in the U21s with much success. The team know him and like him. Also, England play their group games at home, plus one of the semis and the final will be played in England. Add to that the fact that the team did well at the last World Cup. Admittedly not as good as the English press would have you believe, but they did look quite impressive. Southgate goes for a young dynamic side with high energy and he has the players with sufficient quality to play that style. And surely, they must win something one of these days! It would not surprise me if it was this year.

They kicked off their tournament with a solid performance against Croatia, winning 1-0. Sterling bagged the winner after being slipped through by Phillips. Southgate started with Kane, Sterling, Foden and Mount in attacking roles with the likes of Rashford, Grealish, Calvert-Lewin and Bellingham on the bench. Those are some good attacking options and if most of them hit some form England will score plenty of goals.

The weakness in the team, as always is Pickford. Erratic at best, he can produce wonder saves then have a complete howler. The injury to Harry Maguire may prove to be a blessing as Tyrone Mings filled in well. Rice and Phillips looked good in the deep midfield role, with Henderson on the bench they look strong there too. At the weekend they face the Smelly Socks in a local derby that no longer catches the imagination. In the 70s and 80s England v Scotland was always a great match to watch, but with the Scots already having lost to the Czechs I fear a thumping for Scotland.

Tougher tests surely await England after the group stage. Italy got off to a flyer, and the tournament favourites, France, face the always reliable Germans in the group of death tonight. I'd put money on them all progressing to the next round. While the unfancied Netherlands hit the ground running with a 3-2 win over Ukraine, the highly fancied Belgium destroyed the Russians 3-0. It looks like it is shaping up to be a great tournament.

I also have to mention the Danish star Christian Eriksson who had a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Finland. At the time it looked like it was going to end in disaster, but swift medical treatment saved his life, though maybe not his football career. Incredibly the match was restarted and the Danes lost 0-1. With a defeat in the first game and without their star man the road ahead looks bleak for the Danes.

With no Northern Ireland in the tournament, I will reluctantly be supporting the English. It would be much easier to support them if the fawning media didn't go over the top. If they win the media noise will be unbearable, but they are the players I know best watching them every week in the EPL.

Whatever happens I hope we see some classic games.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

EURO 2020 ➖ England's Chances

Peter Anderson ⚽ assesses England's chances @ EURO 2020.

With the club football season over, attention has switched to the Euros. And with fans back in the stadium, it is going to be entertaining, as the big international tournaments always are. The big question is, how will England fare? They usually have a good team on paper, get to the quarters or semis then lose on penalties. How many times have we seen this scenario play out? This time may be different.

Current manager, Gareth Southgate, managed most of this team in the U21s with much success. The team know him and like him. Also, England play their group games at home, plus one of the semis and the final will be played in England. Add to that the fact that the team did well at the last World Cup. Admittedly not as good as the English press would have you believe, but they did look quite impressive. Southgate goes for a young dynamic side with high energy and he has the players with sufficient quality to play that style. And surely, they must win something one of these days! It would not surprise me if it was this year.

They kicked off their tournament with a solid performance against Croatia, winning 1-0. Sterling bagged the winner after being slipped through by Phillips. Southgate started with Kane, Sterling, Foden and Mount in attacking roles with the likes of Rashford, Grealish, Calvert-Lewin and Bellingham on the bench. Those are some good attacking options and if most of them hit some form England will score plenty of goals.

The weakness in the team, as always is Pickford. Erratic at best, he can produce wonder saves then have a complete howler. The injury to Harry Maguire may prove to be a blessing as Tyrone Mings filled in well. Rice and Phillips looked good in the deep midfield role, with Henderson on the bench they look strong there too. At the weekend they face the Smelly Socks in a local derby that no longer catches the imagination. In the 70s and 80s England v Scotland was always a great match to watch, but with the Scots already having lost to the Czechs I fear a thumping for Scotland.

Tougher tests surely await England after the group stage. Italy got off to a flyer, and the tournament favourites, France, face the always reliable Germans in the group of death tonight. I'd put money on them all progressing to the next round. While the unfancied Netherlands hit the ground running with a 3-2 win over Ukraine, the highly fancied Belgium destroyed the Russians 3-0. It looks like it is shaping up to be a great tournament.

I also have to mention the Danish star Christian Eriksson who had a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Finland. At the time it looked like it was going to end in disaster, but swift medical treatment saved his life, though maybe not his football career. Incredibly the match was restarted and the Danes lost 0-1. With a defeat in the first game and without their star man the road ahead looks bleak for the Danes.

With no Northern Ireland in the tournament, I will reluctantly be supporting the English. It would be much easier to support them if the fawning media didn't go over the top. If they win the media noise will be unbearable, but they are the players I know best watching them every week in the EPL.

Whatever happens I hope we see some classic games.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

35 comments:

  1. I didn't think there was much to England's performance - flattered to deceive as usual - played well for the first 25 minutes. Some good individual performances but little as a team. And your little warning about the later stages has to be considered prudent.

    It has been a very good tournament thus far - as good as 2008 when Spain took it. Belgium have been impressive but they have been underachievers for quite a while. The Dutch were good - some lovely passing but will they have the legs for the final stages.

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  2. And on Christian Erikson - such a tense moment watching that - the working on him on the pitch and the fact that he looked to be gone. So relieved he recovered. Even the Finnish players were urging the medical staff to get on quickly such was the seriousness of the situation.

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  3. As a Leeds supporter I was so proud of Kalvin Phillips' performance.

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    Replies
    1. I thought he was the best player on the field

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  4. I would of expected Peter to support the Jocks or Taafes. 😒

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  5. Germans have not shown much promise in the first half of their opener with France.

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    Replies
    1. I can see them failing to come out of their group. They will get nowhere near the Final.

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  6. AM
    Surely they will click sometime? The English press gushed with praise at the last world cup, but they only beat Sweden, Panama and Tunisia (just about), drew with Columbia (beat them on pens), lost twice to Belgium (group and 3/4 play-off) and Croatia. They were only good in parts of games. Flatter to deceive, as you say. But if they click they have the players to do damage.

    Ronan
    I supported Scotland for most of my life as my 'second team' until they last played Northern Ireland and their fans booed the national anthem and waved independence flags. At the weekend I'll be supporting the Sassenachs.

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    Replies
    1. it is mathematically possible that they could click. But I cannot recall a time when England did not have the players to do the damage if they clicked. They just never managed to. I think their best outing was the 1990 World Cup where they were unlucky in the semis. I think most people view the English press much as they do creationists - it sees everything that is not in front of them. France and Germany last night did not set the place alight. I can't see England being able to overcome the Belgians or the French. But then, look at what the Welsh did to the Belgians last time around.

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  7. I can never support England and Scotland fans ruined my chances of following them. lucky I have French family and have thrown my weight behind them!

    Besides, as usual England will f*ck it up in the end.

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  8. @ Steve R

    "Scotland fans ruined my chances of following them"

    Curious... What do you mean?

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    Replies
    1. Brandon,

      They howled and whistled through the National anthem when we played them last. Set aside nationalistic feelings that's just disrespectful.

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  9. Good win by Wales last night. I'm delighted for them. With Italy's win that should mean knock out football for them. Bale and Ramsey made the difference.

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    Replies
    1. the pass from Bale for the goal was exquisite. I would like to see Wales do well as for long enough they were forgotten about, being overshadowed by even Northern Ireland (the Green Army were playing good stuff) I saw Wales play during the Home Championships at Windsor.

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  10. I really don't care who wins, as long as England lose.

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    Replies
    1. it's what we call good old Irish begrudgery Frankie and we all have it LOL

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  11. Wales' win yesterday was my happiest moment of the Euros so far.

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  12. Getting the whiskey ready for Scotland V Wankland.
    And I am not supporting the Wankers

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  13. Full praise to tiny England - they held the mighty Scotland to a goalless draw. Yet their ungrateful fans booed them off the pitch.

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  14. It cheers me up no end watching England at major tournaments, all the hype then watch them Fall flat on their faces. They would give Spain, Portugal a game, Italy would be too strong for them, Belgium, France would toy with them. Another tournament where I can laugh at Linked and co

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    Replies
    1. well, they were unlucky last time around against the mighty Iceland. I think weak sides like England and North Macedonia can only go so far in these competitions!

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  15. I hope Scotland beat the Croatia 5-0 and the Czech Republic win by 3 or 4--0. It should mean England finish 3rd in their group (it's possible)..

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  16. I think there is a German referee tonight for the Ukraine match.....Hopefully I'll be singing..

    England lost in Rome, they're going home, they're going England lost in Rome.........

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  17. Replies
    1. after last night's performance it is hard to see who can beat them

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  18. It's depressing me, but, I can't see by them,not in their own backyard. The Italians and Spanish are decent, but they're pale imitations of past sides those countries have produced. The Italian left back will be a huge miss, thought he was brilliant.

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    1. this is the most exciting Italian team in years. The Spanish are not so good. The English have yet to play a strong side. Still, they have been put to the sword by weak sides in the past yet on this occasion have not conceded a single goal. I think I would be like Peter on this: it is their past form rather than their current side which would make me feel they will come unstuck. Unless they have got rid of the collapsible character trait, they will not win.
      Kane almost scored the goal of the tournament, and I have to say I was pleased for Jordan Henderson when he netted one.

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    2. I can't see past Italy taking it.

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  19. Keep the faith Quillers the Danish will give us their delights when they invoke their Viking spirit and take no prisoners on Wednesday night

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    1. Frankie,

      Those Vikings are ancestors of the Planters! lol

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    2. Stevie/Barry...

      Stevie, with using your logic (not mine) what you said means...Orangemen are Irishmen. Who in order to be thought of as Englishmen, march dressed as Scotsmen. In honour of a Dutchman......

      Barry, you are the gift that keeps on giving.....

      I am supporting the England team because .........

      Quillers I rest my case...

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  20. I am supporting the England team because of its diversity and commitment along with the manager's commitment to taking the knee and not because of the boorish, Brexiteer element of its followers to which the team stand as a stark contrast. Their football is goods as well.

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    Replies
    1. I'd rather go back to jail than support them !!!
      It's more entertaining when they get beat watching the brain dead fans and pundits. The team is ok but that is not the point for us incorrigible ne'er-do-wells!!

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  21. I like this Italian team, but I would be much more confident if it was Cannavaro, Nesta, Pirlo, etc in their prime that was facing them. I think they can beat this Italian team. Having said that I am a big fan of Verrati and Locatelli has been a joy to watch

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  22. Stevie.....

    They howled and whistled through the National anthem when we played them last. Set aside nationalistic feelings that's just disrespectful.

    So you an atheist and a loyalist who has no time for the British Monarchy is pissed off because 'planters' (your logic) "howled and whistled" over a song that starts by asking a deity to protect a dysfunctional, parasitic family who live in palaces...?

    Me? I simply mute my tv...........

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