“We are into the next round and nobody will want to play us. I haven’t had anything to do in the whole tournament to be honest. We have been playing very well as a team.”
England goalkeeper Joe Hart’s comments preceding his country’s Euro 2016 round of 16 clash against Iceland were typical.
As were those suggesting defeat to Iceland would be the nation’s biggest embarrassment.
Bravado, overconfidence, entitlement and with a hint of insincerity. Believing in a team is one thing, ignoring its limitations is another.
It is true that England had dominated possession in games against Russia, Wales and Slovakia. Yet they had come away with a draw, a last-gasp win and another stalemate. Despite finishing second in Group B, however, they were still awarded an ‘easy’ path to the Euro quarter-finals.
In their group games, England struggled to find rhythm and a ruthless streak in the final third, their midfield looked laborious and slow in transition and all the hype over Wayne Rooney’s new role in the centre of the pitch was overblown. The only truly impressive aspect of their squad was three quality fullbacks.
Still, the excuses were already there. “If we face a team that tries to play football, we’ll show our true quality,” was a common response. It was the wrong attitude. This was not a functioning unit, rather a bunch of stars squashed into a line-up with little thought how they would coordinate.
Contrast this temperament with the Italians, who had earlier faced Spain in Monday’s other round of 16 fixture. In the minutes before kick-off, you could already see which team was progressing to the next round. The rousing rendition of Il Canto degli Italiani was, as usual, breathtaking.
Captain Gigi Buffon led the pre-game bear hugs and what you saw was a team, willing to fight as a team, win as a team, lose as a team. They magnificently defeated the Spanish 2-0, signalling an end to a great era of La Roja under Vicente del Bosque.
Similarly, preceding the England versus Iceland game, just from looking at the once again over-exuberant confidence exuding from Joe Hart, all fluster no buster, was ominous.
Hart’s persona in world football encapsulates not only the England football team, but a section of their supporters as well, and English pundits, who all thought the Three Lions were a good chance of going far in this tournament. And capable of easily dealing with Iceland.
All ego, no substance.
This group of players have been pampered their entire lives. Highly paid, assured their talents are above and beyond those in other countries because they play in the ‘best league in the world’. Quite a few EPL fans have similarly been pampered, quick to disregard the talents on display outside the top teams in other leagues.
Roy Hodgson inevitably is copping much of the blame in the aftermath of England’s defeat to Iceland, an island of about 330,000 as opposed to a majority of an island with 53 million inhabitants.
It would be unfair to lay all of the blame at his feet, but for a man who said, “Systems win you nothing. Football players win you games”, it is understandable.
Hodgson made bizarre tactical substitutions, persevered with Harry Kane over Jamie Vardy and failed to find a cohesive midfield. He took Marcus Rashford over Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson over Danny Drinkwater and a clearly unfit Jack Wilshere over England’s only genuine winger, Andros Townsend.
One thing Hodgson should at least be commended for is starting the process of blooding youth – this was the youngest squad at the Euro – even if it came too late.
The truth behind England, though, is that this squad found its level. They were not good enough.
Top 16 in Europe is about right for England at this moment. Sure, they should have beaten Iceland on paper, but it would have just delayed the inevitable. It is doubtful whether any of the England XI, outside their fullbacks, would have made the first teams of Germany, Spain or France.
They would have even struggled to break into Italy’s ‘worst team in 50 years’, where coach Antonio Conte, in his own words, “chose 23 players who all have my utmost trust”. How many of England’s stars would have developed Conte’s trust with their attitude?
Now the search for a new England manager starts, and perhaps they should turn to Australia. After all, we have already provided the country with their rugby union (Eddie Jones), rugby league (Wayne Bennett) and cricket (Trevor Bayliss) coaches…
However, enough about the overrated founders of football. This should be about the plucky underdogs, Iceland.
What a story theirs has been so far. A dentist has conquered a nation known for its poor dental hygiene. A nation with an infectious Viking clap-chant has once again marauded its neighbours across the Atlantic Ocean, sending them back to a past life they so desperately sought in a recent referendum.
You could say that whatever happens from here, Iceland can be proud. Bugger that, France are next on the chopping block. As The Roar‘s Matthew Connellan said, why not?
For while England fans were adamant that once their team was allowed to play football they would show their true quality, Iceland gave them that very opportunity. They defended in numbers, but they were also exciting in attack – and not just for the first 20 minutes.
They were passing the ball crisply at times, switching possession intelligently to catch England’s static shape out of place and creating chances at an impressive rate for a country with no professional league.
While Iceland were indeed boring and unfashionable when stealing a point from Portugal in their opening game, the confidence levels have slowly surged, culminating in a wonderful display of both defence and offence against the Three Lions.
There was no fear, there were no nerves. Captain Aron Gunnarsson’s beaming smile when missing a one-on-one to put Iceland 3-1 ahead said it all. This team was confident, but it was also enjoying the ride.
When England went ahead from an early Wayne Rooney penalty – inch-perfect it must be said – most thought the game was over. But Iceland’s now famous spirit did not wilt. It did not shrink in those dangerous minutes directly following half-time, and it did not swing in the final moments of the match.
Iceland looked like a team with a plan, both when heroically breaking down England’s attacks and when adventurously streaming forward with the ball, belying their reputation as a solid defensive outfit. England, on the other hand, looked devoid of any ideas.
Regurgitating Iceland’s rise in football from second-hand sources would be disingenuous. This feature is all you need.
They have come a long way, and motivation to reach this level can be partially attributed to the extended format of the Euro, which must now be hailed as a success. Work is still required to rejig the qualifying format for the round of 16, but overall it has been positive.
Italy and Iceland have shown the tournament what it means to play as a team, defeating more talented and illustrious individuals. Two remaining heavyweights, France and Germany, are next. Don’t write off another couple of upsets.
Da Spoon
Guest
Fadida you have an obsession with Britain as do a number of Aussies on here. It's difficult to understand for me. It the equivalent of me setting up a website to have a go at Poland or Spain or another country of my choice. I just wouldn't even think about doing it an don't know why you do it. To me you have something wrong with you.
Da Spoon
Guest
Forgot to mention thrashing srilanka at cricket
Da Spoon
Guest
But you are anti-British. You exude hatred.
Da Spoon
Guest
It's always been the same on here Freddie. If a Brit wins anything they'll try to discredit them. Eg the coach isn't British, they have non British grandmother They're on drugs they paid the referee they created a pitch suite them, they took advantage of the weather etc etc etc. It's hilarious Been a good week. Murray thrashing krygios, 2 wins for Cavendish in le tour, Wales thrashing Belgium, Hamilton thrashing Rosberg.
Freddie
Guest
Typically chippy response from Fat Ida. Bet he was nowhere to be seen when England were winning the rugby & cricket. The loss to Iceland was England's poorest performance for years no doubt, and there's a lot wrong with English football. But they're far from the third world nation some would have you believe. Aussies are obsessed with England, just look at the articles on this site.
Hammerhead
Guest
Exactly. The 'best' managers in the EPL right now are foreigners, eg Ranieri, Pocchetino, Bilic, Koeman, Guardiola, Mourinho etc. England hasn't had a good manager since Terry Venables.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Highest ranked team in Africa
SM
Guest
To be fair, the won Le Tournoi back in 1997 (lol) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Tournoi_de_France
Welshman
Guest
Lol
Welshman
Guest
Rubbish again fadida
Welshman
Guest
algetia is still weak.
13th Man
Guest
What England need is a good old fashioned style coach not a 'manager'. There is a difference between the terms, a manager simply manages the side, picks the players etc, whereas a coach is far more involved in tactics, gameplan and is more likely to give them a good old fashioned rollicking if they are not having success. Hodgson should have been absolutely ripping into those blokes at half-time but didn't. Can you imagine Eddie Jones, Alistair Clarkson or Boof Lehmann (I know they are from different sports) sitting back and letting things happen like Roy did??? I think this is part of the problem for England, a manager may be fine for there EPL sides but for the national team they need an imposing figure to really get the team to gel together, lets remember most of these players do not play together all year. And in recent times the sides in any sport that have had success are sides with strong personalities as coach that aren't afraid to make a tough call. Look at the English rugby side (yes I hate to mention it) but they were an absolute rabble last year not unlike the Soccer team right now. They went out of the world cup early, Lancaster lost his job and they were absolutely flogged in the media.... sound familiar??? Since then they've gone and appointed an Australian Coach in Eddie Jones and he hasn't made wholesale changes yet they have won nine on the trot including a whitewash of our Wallabies away from home!! Cricket team was similar... knocked out of World Cup early, sacked there coach Peter Moores, replaced him with an Aussie in Bayliss and voila... they won the Ashes! Just this once the Soccer team needs to take a leaf out of there rival sporting codes and appoint a foreign coach (not a manager!!) that will bring old-school methods back and give this team a proper rollocking, it's the only way forward. Right now this English team is full of a bunch of overpaid pretty boys who care only about themselves and not about playing as a team like Iceland did. This team needs a change in attitude so the best coach would be a foreigner. And right now Australia has the best coaches in the world so England would be crazy not to consider Ange Postecoglou, I can't imagine him standing for this nonsense.
13th Man
Guest
Funny that because since there cricket and rugby teams finally employed a foreigner (Trevor Bayliss and Eddie Jones) there national sides have had far more success... Perhaps an Australian coach is exactly what they need...
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Interesting contribution. I have played with many UK expats over the years and, with a couple of honourable exceptions, their play has fitted with the stereotype you have outlined. Obviously you have seen past this, and I would be interested to know how you transcended your "anti-coaching" education. I wonder if many of the contributors here have read Gian-Luca Vialli's book "The Italian Job"? In essence it is about the differences between his experiences of playing in Italy and England. He broadly paints the English game as passionate, exciting but thoughtless, and the Italian game as calculating, although often joyless. He also notes a comment [from a fitness coach who has worked in both countries] that coaching English players is like being an elementary school teacher - players do what they are told whole heartedly but have no interest in understanding why they are doing it - versus coaching Italian players, which is like teaching at university - the players question everything and want to understand why they are being asked to do something. Personally, I found the Italian game against Spain riveting. It was such a strong, smart team performance, with plenty of technical ability, and commitment and passion. I can't stand watching how thoughtlessly the English have played in this, and sadly, many other tournaments. I am old enough to remember England in 1966 and 1970 - they were great teams, and coached intelligently to make the most of their ability. But there has never been trust of good coaches by the FA - exemplified by Brian Clough never having had the chance to coach England. And sadly, I have to agree with your last paragraph. Will anyone notice the statistic from the Guardian article about Icelandic football having 1 UEFA B qualified coach per 800 odd people vs England with 1 per 11,000? And will anyone think it might be significant? For anything to change, a lot of people will have to admit they are wrong. And I can't see that happening.
jamesb
Guest
Oops, I'm mean, "England's best chance in recent times of winning trophies was between 1996-2006"
Fadida
Guest
The Most Boring Football Award.
Fadida
Guest
Yes and no Kaks. With a properly executed plan they would make the 1/4 finals. No further. Can't agree with your player assessments though. Most are average EPL players at best. Vardy is a likely one season wonder, Rashford has a whole 9 careers goals. Defoe is 33. Carroll has 15 goals in 3 seasons. Kane failed hopelessly with his first big challenge. Shawcross is a mile of international quality. Agree Stones could be good. Barkley could be also. It's still a pretty poor lot. The right manager will make the whole better than the parts, but they still aren't ever going near a title with this squad.
CruyffTotalFutbol
Guest
They are just not good enough, also the biggest achilles heel which is their style of football at all levels also harms them.
pacman
Guest
James, what trophies did England win in this period?
Fadida
Guest
Need to watch the second one first to put the er, um... fisting comment into perspective. Still laughing :)