Second half goals from Tomas Rosicky and Tomas Necid helped the Czech Republic win against Russia in a Euro 2016 warm-up friendly. Russia started brightly in Innsbruck and Aleksandr Kokorin’s sixth-minute strike from the edge of the box proved too strong for Petr Cech, who may have felt he could have done more to save […]
England
How do you solve a Problem like Euro 2016 Qualification?
England headed to the 2014 World Cup on the back of a decent qualification campaign, and while expectations were at an all-time low, they were at least supposed to put up a fight and spring a surprise or two on Brazilian soil. However, the Three Lions ultimately endured a torrid tournament as they bowed out […]
Youthful Squad Provides Feel Good Factor for England World Cup Chances
After months of speculation, Roy Hodgson named his 23-man England squad for the World Cup in Brazil and preparations for the tournament can now begin in earnest this week with the first of three warm-up matches taking place against Peru at Wembley on Friday night before jetting off to Miami where they will face Ecuador […]
The squad Roy Hodgson SHOULD bring to Brazil
Goalkeepers Joe Hart His status as England’s number one is not currently under threat. Being dropped by City in November seems to have served as a wake-up call and he’s certainly become noticeably less error prone since then. Rob Green’s career was effectively destroyed by an error at the 2010 World Cup. He was […]
United Duo Start for England Against Poland, as England Secure Their Place in Brazil
England have found their way into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after beating Poland 2 – 0. Thanks to Hodgson’s excellent focus, paying attention to what’s happening today, rather than what happened in the past. Changing things up a little, Hodgson decided to start the United duo of Michael Carrick and Chris Smalling. It’s […]
Montenegro First Up In Crucial World Cup Double Header For England
Roy Hodgson may have been slightly concerned to see Jack Wilshere making the headlines over the last few days as the Arsenal midfielder made his views crystal clear about potential foreign born players pulling on the England shirt, but whilst all this was going on and filling up the column inches it has allowed Hodgson […]
Is Naturalisation a dirty word in the muddy waters of International selection?
“If you’ve lived in England for five years, for me, it doesn’t make you English. You shouldn’t play. It doesn’t mean you can play for that country. If I went to Spain and lived there for five years, I’m not going to play for Spain. For me an English player should play for England really.” […]
Hodgson hoping not to follow in Taylor’s footsteps
Brazil 2014. As World Cups go, it’s probably the one you don’t want to miss – either as a supporter or a player. The tournament is being billed as a “festival of football”, full of “colour” and set with the backdrop of a “carnival atmosphere”. One suspects that these are just some of the clichés […]
STATS: Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge or Lambert to start for England?
England head in to their crucial 2014 World Cup Qualifying matches against Moldova and Ukraine in September, buoyed by the fact that they have a squad containing strikers that have been in good form so far in the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. The Three Lions have named five recognised strikers in their squad, with […]
Alternative view to England U-20s World Cup campaign
Bang! Egypt ruin England’s footballing summer as the U20s, like the U21s, go home at the group stage of an international tournament without managing to win a game. It’s a damning, bleak story say the press with England looking no closer to progress at any level. You can’t argue with it. Or can you? The […]
Is Pearce underperforming with our youth team? England U-21s rotten record
There was plenty of frustration from England fans after the U-21s were comfortably beaten by Norway in the UEFA Under-21 European Championship at the weekend. A lot of the anger was directed at Stuart Pearce, the manager, who often gives the impression of someone who doesn’t have a clue. In 2007, when Pearce first got […]
Stereotypical football: The most English footballer
Some players just aren’t made for the English game, some of us aren’t as efficient as Germans at taking penalties, even fewer are capable of playing “tiki taka” football like the Spanish, but we all wish we grew up on a Brazilian beach and could dance through challenges. These are the stereotypes in football, I’m […]
Riogate: England, fitness and Manchester United
Into his 17th year as a professional footballer, Rio Ferdinand still has the knack for a headline or two. The 34 year old centre-back has (unwittingly?) blown up the Twitterverse with a starring role in Riogate (the 2013 edition). Engulfing, for lack of a more descriptive adjective, 140 characters of opinion around the world, one […]
VIDEO: Ibrahimovic’s wonder goal vs England
VIDEO: Ibrahimovic’s wonder goal vs England
Why history says calling up Everton’s Osman is a mistake for England
I’ve always quite admired Leon Osman. Never spectacular but always diligent, a real team player. And whenever I’ve heard him interviewed I always thought he seemed a decent bloke and reasonably articulate. When he has ever lost his place for a time at Everton, he has always just got his head down, never complained and […]
VIDEO: Tottenham Hotspur’s Rose sent off for being racially abused
Danny Rose was sent off for reacting to what appears to be racial abuse in England U21’s 1-0 victory against Serbia U21s. “I think there one or two racist incidents from the crowd, they’ve been reported to Uefa I believe by ourselves, and it’s in their hands now,” said U21 boss Stuart Pearce. “I’m very […]
CONFIRMED: England line-up vs Poland
Stadium: The National Stadium, Warsaw Kick-off: 8pm Team: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cole; Gerrard, Carrick; Milner, Rooney, Cleverley; Defoe.
VIDEO: England 5-0 San Marino
Manchester United strikers Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck scored the opening four goals, before Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it 5-0, to secure three points for England last night in their World Cup qualifier against San Marino.
His name is Rio and he watches from the stands…
The good ship England football team is in ‘there be dragons territory‘. The old certainties of the Golden Generation are being shredded – Terry is gone, Ferdinand is in the wilderness, Lampard is increasingly a side-lined figure. Gerrard, in the twilight of his international career, is finally playing where he’d like to play. The sad […]
VIDEO: England vs San Marino – 1993
David Platt scored four, with Carlton Palmer and Les Ferdinand making it 6-0. England went on to beat Turkey, Poland, draw with Holland at home, lose to Norway and Holland away, before beating San Marino 7-1 away. They finished 3rd in the group behind Holland and Norway and didn’t go to the World Cup in […]