Harry Kane
Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC
Former Colorado Rapids, Stevenage and Atlanta head coach, Gary Smith will be bringing us his thoughts on the four home countries; England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as the start of the tournament approaches.
In this fourth article, he previews his native England who qualified from a group featuring Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, and San Marino.
Smith on EURO2016: England can end 50 years of hurt
by Gary Smith
For many English men and women, this could be the best chance in such a long time, to genuinely have a chance of winning a tournament. Of old though the English press and fans alike create such massive expectations around the team that it’s almost impossible to achieve those goals, however on this occasion the excitement is justified.
If Martin O’Neill is the Patton of the Euro’s, then Roy Hodgson is the Montgomery for England. Roy is methodical thinker, planner and organizer, he may be a little too cautious at times with his team selections but he has nursed the group through some early teething problems and the inevitable ‘old out and in with the new’.
Alongside him is his trusted lieutenant Ray Lewington. Ray is someone I know from firsthand experience. As a young professional at Fulham. Ray took the step from player to coach and was one of my first managers. Now his experience and professionalism support Roy Hodgson, his ideas and honesty have been a great support at International level and he is definitely someone you’d want in the trenches with you.
England’s route to qualification really couldn’t have been more straight forward, with Switzerland being the only real challenge, the trip to France looked a fore gone conclusion. Roy used the games wisely though to offer valuable minutes to younger players that he knew could be needed further down the line. Young attacking mid-fielder Deli Alli of Tottenham along with his team mate Harry Kane, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne all made important appearances along with other new faces that are now part of the squad for the Championships.
England have options in the forward line for this tournament something that has not always been the case, two inform strikers in Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford has burst on to the international stage after a sensational period at Manchester United and with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge also in the group Roy seems spoilt for choice.
There is depth in the midfield areas, with some exceptional creativity and pace, Raheem Sterling, Deli Alli and Ross Barkley offer an exciting attacking dimension with the insurance policy of James Milner and Jordan Henderson as a more experienced and conservative options. Roy has the ability to change line ups and stay fresh but still strong, which can always be an issue with games coming in quick succession in tournament play.
The key to success for England will be the ability to gather all the talent available and play them in a shape that suits the players and enables them to express themselves, square pegs in round holes has been a constant issue for England Managers and Roy will need to be unpopular at certain times to find the winning formula.
On top of that whoever Roy chooses as our first choice center backs, must perform to their limits, it’s the one area that we have looked vulnerable against caliber opponents and their performances will give England a solid foundation or destabilize the whole team.
My prediction is that England win their group and progress deep into the completion, with a final appearance looking a real good bet!
Also see:
Smith on the EUROs: Northern Ireland prove miracles do happen
Smith on the EUROs: Republic of Ireland will surprise us and qualify
Smith on the EUROs: Gareth Bale can pull Wales through the group
Germany are the team to beat in EURO2016
