England's premature, but inevitable, exit from the European Championships in France has paved the way for out of touch manager Roy Hodgson's resignation, not before time but sadly not soon enough. Little sympathy, if any at all, will be shown by West Ham United fans irked by the omission of their players who should have been there representing England on pure merit rather than meritocracy, however "these things happen", and Hammers have ended up as beneficiaries in that none of their players will have been tarnished with the same brush as those who underachieved in france. It is easy to look at what happened to England though claret and blue tinted glasses, but even over team's websites deplored Hodgson's omission of West Ham players, could anyone seriously suggest that Andy Carroll would not have faired better than the other forwards in an aerial battle against the Icelandics? Or that Mark Noble couldn't have given strength to the midfield, albeit with the possibility he might have earned yellow or red cards, but at least he would have shown the sort of fight that was bereft of most of those assembled on the night of one of England's greatest footballing defeats. Could you imagine Mikael Antonio saying "these things happen" when faced with a battle against strong-arm opposition? would he bollocks! He would have run his heart out and more, and while we are at it, what about Aaron Cresswell? Do you think he would have let himself be run ragged? Well, it will be up to debate and fate, but a club that provided the back bone of the only England team to have ever won anything, and the team that provided many of those few players who have excelled wearing the England shirt despite the pathetic overall performances since 1966, then West Ham United should consider this recent tournament as a "I told you so" moment, and you can all but guarantee that the next England manager will ignore those English players plying their trade at one of the best stadiums in the world at his peril, and if Alan Pardew or even Harry Redknapp ends up as manager, do you think they would ignore the 'ammers home grown players? - Ed
Comments
One of the first things that
One of the first things that stuck out yesterday was we needed leaders and players that wouldn't lie down and take it. Regardless of what people may think noble is in that category and likewise big mick.
What about Plan B
But, before that, totally agree about Antonio, had a great season and would have been much more effective than that over paid, over hipped little **** called Sterling, who like is brother Pound is really struggling in Europe :o). Plan B, its naturally AC. Would I pick him from the start, no chance, but when you are a goal down with 20mins to play... he's your man! Cresswell is proving to be special but this tournament was just a little too early in his development IMO. Russia 2020, if we qualify, I expect him and Sam Byram as the two full backs, Reece Oxford the holding midfielder and looks like 3 West Ham Lions, 66 anyone :o)
Would Pards or Redknapp ignore our players... No, not if they were good enough!
Whether they would have or
Whether they would have or not is debatable when you have a manager that has not got a clue about anything. You don't take players that are not match fit like Wilshire and Henderson, players that have failed in the past many times like Milner,Rooney, Cahill, hart. You pick players that are on the top of their game like butland, drinkwater, noble,Antonio etc. You don't have your striker take corners and free kicks when he should be in the box , You don't leave talented young players sitting on the bench until 5 minutes from the end when it's all falling apart on the pitch and your losing. You don't go to a tournament with no plan at all never mind a Plan B which obviously would have been Carroll. It ain't rocket science after all.
How about have a clear plan
How about have a clear plan of how you want to play and pick the players that can achieve that the best rather than fit the normal players into what ever way you decide to play. Oh and maybe that England team can ALL practice taking corners and free kicks! 100 k a week and can't even take a basic corner or free kick! Both Rooney and Kane were considered the best corner takers yet not once took a reasonable one anyone could attack! And they were our BEST!
Which is exactly what Alf
Which is exactly what Alf Ramsey did in 1966. And yes I agree about the corners and free kicks and while they are at it teach them to cross the ball too!!!
Payet
Clearly, if Payet was ignored be by the France manager like he was initially, do you think France would have progressed to the quarter finals? Thankfully, the French press and French legends like Zidane's voices persuaded Deschamps to select Payet. The rest is history. Kane's contribution in the group stages has been abysmal. How and why Voi selected him ahead of Vardy is unbelievable. Yet he pushes Vardy as a winger. But definitely someone like Antonio would have added energy and look at the number of goals that be scored in the premier league compared to Williams as well as the wingers in the English team. Anyway like I said at the start of the tournament, for the very first time I will be supporting France not because I like France. I think that Payet deserves some silverware, as well as am hoping that he achieves the Player of the Tournament award. Encouraging news from his agent clearly states that he will start the season in a claret and blue shirt.