It’s so refreshing to be approaching a tournament, like it’s a tournament. Not as if every game is the last one on earth.
Yes, we weren’t by any means perfect. Yes, we were sloppy in possession at times … BUT tournament football is about being prepared, drilled, disciplined and getting through the group stage without exerting too much energy, without stretching your resources and I really feel positive that that’s what Roy has brought to the job.
The beauty of a Hodgson team is that you can put players in like Henderson: EVEN HE can hold a position-ish, without any creative responsibility. All component parts work as a whole. It was also nice to see some anti-negative substitutions. Too often in international football teams tend to try and see out a game by “parking the bus”. We didn’t do that (despite being under pressure).
Danny Welbeck led the attack well in the circumstances. The Ox showed glimpses of what he’s capable of. The defence looked in good shape. I feel that if you take the strengths from that performance and add Rooney (playing well) you have a very strong side.
Hart, Young and Milner had poor games by their standards, so there is room for improvement there.
The early signs are for me are very, very good.
M.O.M: Welbeck – Wish he’d have had a sniff at goal.
