3-2 to England
Three things England did right, and two things they did wrong
Three things England did well
Tactics:
Roy got his tactics absolutely spot on. Physical as the Swedish back line are, Andy Carroll was more than a match for them and he unsettled them all night. The substitution of Theo Walcott for the ineffectual James Milner was also a masterstroke, the Arsenal winger popping up with a goal and an assist to help England towards their first competitive victory over Sweden. It was almost as though he had some deep understanding of the Swedish psyche and knew their weaknesses exactly.
Reaction to going a goal down:
Superb. As Mellberg buried his second goal past Joe Hart, as a man, every England fan thought ‘Oh no, not again’. (Admit it, you did) However, Roy made his move, England raised their heads, invoked Agincourt and stormed back to win the game and go second in their group. It was a comeback of Rocky Balboa proportions but written by an English scriptwriter.
Shackling Ibrahimovic:
The boy hardly had a sniff. The free kick and one chance that was closed down by Scott Parker (who else?) at that was near enough it. He looked fairly interested too, which makes the fact that he was kept so quiet all the more impressive. Lescott and Johnson seized him by the ponytail and didn’t give him an inch all night. The perfect excuse to roll out the "your just a sh*t Andy Carroll" chant,
Two things England did poorly
Set piece defending:
Both goals tonight were conceded from free kicks and that is something England will have to combat. The marking for both goals was terrible and it isn’t as if the aging beared giant known as Olaf Mellberg is unobtrusive. They got that side of their game all wrong and the likes of Terry, Lescott and Carroll, if he plays on Tuesday, will have to step up to the plate.
Keep the ball
Let's face it, Sweden have the quality and resilience of an Ikea wardrobe. At 1-0 England should have been pinging the ball across the pitch making the Swedes look like turnips. But Milner, Young and the front two in particular seemed incapable of holding on the ball. While Ibrahimovic guarded possession like a polar bear protecting its young (yes a female polar bear, male polar bears obviously eat their offspring) the men in white surrended faster than a Frenchman in a game of kiss chase. Come on boys, love the ball.
Was Ashley Young playing for England or sweeden as he gave the ball away so many times it was embarrassing. Somebody needs to have a not so quiet word in his shell like and let him know in no uncertain terms, what's what.
Milner was just as bad, doesn't have enough quality and never seems to hold onto the ball long enough and cannot tackle for toffee, utter useless.
Personally I dont care what any of you say !!!! Suggest most of you stop analyzing the matches too much and start enjoying them,I was in my local having a pint with a very full pub of England supporters and it was great to see them win no matter how they did it. A good time was had by all ?? so get off the teams back and start supporting them an live a bit !!
milner should do himself a favour and get injuryed and go home the bloke is rubbish we looked so much better after he went off it was like watching england of old when we wanted to play as a team and wanted to win walcott and wellbeck goals were amazing thats the sort of thing us england fans want to see. let hope they can build on this now.
I will not have negative thoughts!
I am an Englishman and think all teams English (whatever sport) are top boys.
I can`t tolerate moaners.
I only want England to win.........everything and everytime.
We have our ups and downs......no problem.....we aren`t perfect.
All I ask is for all Englishmen to get behind their team and ,win or lose,support and shout for them.
Just be positive!
Just think Agincourt!
Nobody loves us and we don`t care!
(Thanks to Millwall for that remark.....taken from a flag they flew in Europe one time and just about sums up the rest of the planet`s hatred of the English!)
Being a proud Scot you may expect me to come out and say that England were lucky or some such thing. I am not however one of those Scottish people who want England to lose - On the contrary I like to see them win - especially against Germany !
However - a word of caution - please dont get carried away like the guy who wrote the article above ( I am assuming he had his tongue firmly in his cheek? ). You England fans always go overboard with the expectation levels and whip yourselves into a frenzy - Do your boys a favour and keep it low key - If England keep playing well they really could get stronger with each game and make a real (and overdue) impact. Sincerely - all the best to the England Team.
It was exciting but I would think we need to beat Ukraine and avoid Spain in the next round if we get there.
Roy deserves huge credit for his tactical nous. He doesn't have a lot of world class players at his disposal but he uses what he has brilliantly. He needs cover for Terry who lacks pace.
i think every one shouldnt say whos rubbish and shouldnt be on the pitch yes it was typical england good then bad some players wernt great, but we got the win lets get behind them instead of knocking them down all the time , well done theo we needed that spark and a great pluss for the next game rooneys back lets be honest hes going to gunning for it! lets be proud and aim for at least the quartes ,
c'mon england bring some pride back to our name!
mark, oxford
The centre of midfield and defence looked very tired in the second half and contributed to Sweden's come back. John Terry should either not play or not go up for attacking set plays, he can't get back anymore, he can hardly run. Gerrards legs went and Parker was feeling it as well, but what a master stroke to bring Walcott on and must start against the pacier Ukraine.
I'm thinking a few players will get rested against Ukraine with Rooney in for Welbeck who has looked amazing. Walcott and Chamberlain on the wings with gerrard mybe being rested for the game.
Congratulations England, the hard way everytime but you done it, Well done!
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