Keown & Murphy on Stones at Euros..

I was always in favour of England playing creative midfielders like Glenn Hoddle, even if they didn't do much defending.

Central defenders though, I want no-nonsense, get rid of the ball defenders, I wouldn't risk Stones in the Euros except in the last group game if we've already qualified.

 

England will only be playing 3 games in France, in my opinion.

 

That's a worry for him not us - it's the same for any player.

I'd have him every time but I'd get stuck into his ribs in training that he should pack it in with the step-overs and fancy stuff in his own box.
Fair enough bring the ball out at pace and distribute it but cut out the show-pony stuff. Do that and he's far less likely to make a mistake than Smalling.

Smalling is a disaster waiting to happen in my opinion. Look at him in the Cup Final against mediocre opposition - absolutely dreadful defending and such is his poor ball control that he's always likely to stick one in his own net.

 

Everything about Smalling is coached, no natural ability. All feels a bit forced to me, like Henderson being Gerrards replacement.


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Optimistic then?

Stone should be starting every game for England now, he's by far and away the best centre half we have, not that we have much else. We've banged on about being able to cope with the ball and playing from the back for years, yet now we have a lad who's very good at it, we dont want to play him because we want two no nonsense centre halves, although I'm not sure Smalling fits into that category either.


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I just don't expect England to progress, I can even see Wales beating them.

France or Germany will win the whole thing.

 

4 x 3rd places teams go through to the second round. I'd be astonished if England don't qualify.

 

Really? Okay, maybe they'll play 4 games

 

I also think that we may slip up against Wales, but Russia are gash and without Djagoev, their only world-class attacking threat. With half the 3rd placed teams progressing, five points pretty much guarantees progression, and even four may well be enough. Seriously can't see us failing to make it out the group. Everyone was full of the same doom and gloom in Ukraine, but we topped a much stronger group with a far weaker side.

 

Do they? It seems to be too easy this time around regarding qualifying and now this...

I think we'll win all 3 games comfortably, if we dont then Hodgson should be gone. We've a very talented, young and hungry side with the second best attacking options in world football at the minute, behind Argentina.


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That's a joke, right?

 

Name me better


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