I think that is quite difficult to sum up England's performance in the recent group stages and we should not be too harsh on Roy and the squad. When we consider that Spain and Italy have also 'failed' at the World Cup then perhaps we are in quite good company. I said to friends at the start of the World Cup that there was not much between all 32 teams and I believe that this is backed up by 'established'teams struggling and failing to qualify against the likes of Equador, Costa Rica, etc
If we'd had a little bit of that ....'luck'.....say another Sturridge goal?......Rooney's header going in? ......then we might have been looking forward to the first knockout round in the belief that we had a chance of getting to the semi finals? Who knows?
I think Roy's biggest error was not going entirely with the younger lads in the first match. Many will disagree with me but I watched our Captain, Steve Gerrard, and he was well off the pace right from the start of the first match. After only 55 minutes he was totally wracked with cramp and should have been subbed. In the closing stages he was limping around unable to get anywhere near his opponents. I really felt for him and I could see that he was suffering both physically and mentally.
Steve Gerrard has been a wonderful player and captain for England over the years but I honestly think that this was one competition too much for him. Frank Lampard would have very likely suffered the same had he played in that first match. Although in the third match he did reasonably ok. I did not see the second match but by all accounts England played even worse than in the first.
I agree with others when they say that we have limited resources what with our Premier League being over run with players from abroad. Well, we have to live with this and make the best of what we have got.......just like we here at Stanley have to do. We have to continue with 'realistic expectations' for every new season and I think we have to think this way regarding England too.
For me there is no real reason to sack Roy after they get home. He is a sound manager and should be given full support. If we did sack him, then who would replace him?
I am just trying to be positive as usual!!!
COME ON STANLEY
COME ON ENGLAND