http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3842383.stm
Look at that team from Euro 2004. Our strike partnership of Rooney and Owen had so much potential. Our midfield was full of stars, just they couldn't all fit them in the right places. Our defence was solid. James was, well he was flappy but that's why Robinson came in.
I think most saw that as a world class team and we were very unlucky in that tournament. Now look at our team! Does anyone think Johnson, Milner, Downing etc. are going to scare anyone. Welbeck still isn't ready, Gerrard is getting on, Parker is solid but not world class, Lescott has been good this season but can make mistakes, Terry is , and Cole and Hart are probably our two best players.
Just my opinion though.
Have England gone downhill?
posted on 10/6/12
quality player hargreaves.
fergie wanted to put him in the middle of his team even when he had scholes.
very unlucky with injuries which also deprived england of having a truly class central midfielder.
posted on 10/6/12
What was so "unlucky" about England in 2004? I do agree it looked a strong team on paper but a team isn't necessarily a sum of its parts. The Czechs were the highest rated team of that tournament and played the best footy but only had Nedved, Cech and Rosicky as star players with a lot of useful, decent players like Smicer, Baros, Koller etc.
posted on 10/6/12
England have gone way downhill except for now we finally have a top class keeper.
A bunch of younger players not ready and the old guard with their zimmer frames.
And a manager who has a bus fetish.
posted on 10/6/12
What was so "unlucky" about England in 2004?
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The best player getting injured. Sol Campbell's disallowed goal. Going out on penalties.
posted on 10/6/12
Not that much better. Our back 5 is better now, midfield is about the same, with Parker instead of Lampard and Young instead of Scholes.
Only major loss is Rooney, but once he's back the strikeforce Rooney and Welbeck could be quality. Think French players are overrated personally, bar Ribery and Benzema.
posted on 10/6/12
Fit and available we have talent. Hart, Walker, Smalling, A Cole, Parker, Wilshere, Rooney, Young are all class actscand should form the basis of our team.
Gerrard is an interesting one. He needs a good tournement otherwise I would bin him off and put Rooney in the hole with Welbeck up front.
Chamberlain should play ibstead of Milner. Him and Downing on the wings... My word!
After this tournement if were unsuccessful...
Hart
Walker Smalling, Cahill, A Cole
Parker Wilshere
Chamberlain Rooney Young
Welbeck
Finally, have I just read Hargreaves getting hammered? I have heard it all now. He got abuse prior to 2006 because he was played in all positions bar the one he excelled in.
posted on 10/6/12
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posted on 10/6/12
Wilshire and Walker wouldn't start.
Bu they would make the squad stronger.
posted on 10/6/12
Red - You honestly don't think a fit Wilshere would have started? Surely with Milner and Downing one would drop to the bench, Young to a wing, Gerrard in the hole and Wilshere in the centre?
posted on 10/6/12
Roy plays 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1
park the bus and hoof
Wilshire had no chance at starting.
Even if we played 3 in the middle I doubt he would.
Maybe next tournament though under a different manager.