Who was the stand out performer in France and who should join Roy in retirement from England duty ?
For Part 1 see : http://footyblogsforyou.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/england-squad-rankings-who-was-stand.html
For Part 2 see : http://footyblogsforyou.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/england-squad-ranking-part-2-who-was.html
4) Daniel Sturridge :
Notable Input : Scored a crucial winner against Wales and was one of England's better players against Slovakia and Iceland.
The 26 year old England striker exceeded expectations in France, he recently returned from a calf injury to just make his way into the 23 man squad. Despite this set back Sturridge put in several worthy performances, against Wales he dropped deep to control possession and eventually break through, Sturridge also showed good link up play to create chances in the stalemate against Slovakia. However Sturridge stood out most against Iceland, some exquisite passes from an unorthodox left wing position resulted in a penalty, a Harry Kane volley and almost presented Vardy with a header in the last minutes. Sturridge was described as one of few England players with undeniable quality and must be applauded for his efforts despite playing in an unnatural, less central position.
3) Wayne Rooney :
Notable Input : Ran the show against Russia and Wales only to astonishingly lose all signs of form and put in an atrocious performance against Iceland.
Rooney began the tournament much deeper than expected, as opposed to starting just behind the striker the Manchester United captain instead picked the ball up from in front of the defence in a commanding role. Rooney excelled at first, long, switching balls to the bombarding full backs were common and set off England's attacks against Russia and Wales. Hodgson opt to drop Rooney from the Slovakia match which in hindsight was a poor decision as Rooney seemed to lose his undeniable form which cost them so dearly against Iceland. Credit must be given to Rooney for a perfect penalty yet from then on he lost possession on numerous occasions and practically forgot how to tackle. This may have been Rooney's final chance to show critics that he is capable of performing at the highest level, which was achieved until the dreaded night in Nice.
2)Kyle Walker :
Notable Input : Walker was England's main attacking force in France which tells you all you need to know about Kane and Sterling's dismal displays.
Walker is a scary prospect on the offense, his combination of pace, confidence yet also physicality make him a menace to halt in his tracks. Neil Taylor, an established premier league defender and Welsh left back was left behind on several occasions as Walker tore past him. Unfortunately for Walker there are two sides to a full back, attack and defense, Walker's defensive capabilities are always under scrutiny, no more than when he failed to mark the Icelandic defender in the England box for their equalizer. A second question hovering over Walker's giant frame is his final ball, despite getting into such promising positions he failed to make it count, not one assist was registered to his name.
1)Eric Dier :
Notable Input : England's irreplaceable man, one of few players with the grit and desire to win the ball back.
Dier was nowhere near the England 23 man squad at the start of the season however he is now an integral part of this set up, their only recognisable holding midfielder in the squad. Dier has proven he is more than just a shield however, a ferocious free kick as well as elegant through balls show this young man's capabilities. Dier was consistently one of England's top players in each of their group matches alongside the likes of Rooney, Walker and Lallana. The only dent in Dier's otherwise tremendous tournament was his performance against Iceland - where it mattered most. Perhaps the fact he is only one of four players to start each game had caught up with him for he was slow to react and poorly positioned defensively for Iceland's second and was ultimately sacrificed at half time. Dier has nailed down his role as England's go to CDM for years to come.
Thursday 30 June 2016
England Squad Ranking - Part 2
Who was the stand out performer in France and who should join Roy in retirement from England duty ?
For Part 1 see : http://footyblogsforyou.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/england-squad-rankings-who-was-stand.html
14) Jordan Henderson :
Notable Input : A solid five minute performance against Slovakia otherwise littered with mistakes.
The Liverpool Skipper had suffered from an injury which stopped him from featuring towards the end of the Merseyside club's season. By consequence Henderson's fitness levels were under analysis since he took up a spot many felt was destined for Danny Drinkwater. Henderson started against Slovakia however he was rather sloppy in the fact his crosses rarely beat the first man and possession was conceded often. However he did register a couple of decent shots and showed promise at times, yet his overall performance was not of any threat to Rooney, Dier or Alli's midfield slots and as a result he was not used again.
13) Ryan Bertrand :
Notable Input : A distinctly average performance against a distinctly average Slovakian winger.
Bertrand has been one of Southampton's most consistent players this season however he put in a far from composed display as he was booked and uncertain in possession throughout the game. Bertrand will hope to try and out perform the Spurs full back in Danny Rose in the coming season in order to pip him to the starting spot.
12) Gary Cahill :
Notable Input : A lack of concentration and poor positioning resulted in the Icelandic winner.
Cahill has had very little to do in all four matches in the Euros, however England only managed to keep a single clean sheet. Cahill can't be faulted in the Russia or Wales match as he showed a composed figure who was more than capable of winning possession and then carrying the ball forward. Yet against Iceland Cahill was nowhere to be seen when the Icelandic strike force casually flicked the ball around the edge of the box before slotting home. Cahill was not tight enough to his man and ultimately cost England defensively, however this minor mistake should not dent what has been a solid overall display.
11) Chris Smalling :
Notable Input : A dreadful moment of miscommunication against Slovakia and an unconvincing performance vs Iceland suggested Smalling is not quite the rock in England's defence.
The English central defensive partnership has been fairly secure however at the same time far from impregnable this tournament. Smalling has coped well alongside Cahil in handling strikers such as Dzubya and also Bale, yet he could have done more to prevent the Icelandic second. Smalling is destined to play in the England set up for years to come and this tournament does not suggest he's incapable however there is certainly room for improvement.
10) Dele Alli :
Notable Input : A lack of composure resulting in a handful of missed chances - a poor header vs Russia, blazing over vs Iceland etc.
For a player with 21 goals and assists last season Alli was underwhelming at the Euros as he only managed to register one assist with a fortunate flick to Sturridge against Wales. Alli was often missing the spark which he possessed earlier in the season, no better encapsulated than in his remarkable performance in a friendly vs Germany where he danced round players with ease. Whilst Alli did provide a drive and sense of attacking purpose his final product was lacking whether it be hisfinish or through ball. Perhaps pressure and expectation on the 20 year old was too excessive and took away his confidence to not play it safe and take on players. Alli is clearly one of, if not the most technically gifted player in the England set up and is sure to progress for future tournaments.
9) Marcus Rashford :
Notable input : Dribbled past the most players against Iceland (3) - despite playing for only 5 minutes.
The Man United winger/striker featured on the left wing on two occasions in France. Rashford showcased his pace and ball control against the Welsh full back Gunter and terrorized the Icelandic defence - all be it for a couple of minutes. Rashford will feel disappointed not to have played more, especially given the woeful performances on Kane and Sterling. The 18 year old surpassed all expectations in France and looks to have cemented a spot in the England squad for the time being.
8) Nathaniel Clyne :
Notable Input : A committed and exciting display against Slovakia which challenged Walker's position as starting right back.
Clyne brought pace and desire to the English attack and earned the MOTM award deservedly against a defensive Slovakia. Clyne was unfortunate not to have scored and linked up well with the likes of Henderson and Lallana to create a handful of half-chances. Given Clyne's better defensive qualities it would be unsurprising if he was rotated with Walker as starting full back in the World Cup qualifiers starting in September.
7) Jamie Vardy :
Notable Input : Scored an important equaliser against Wales.
The Leicester man showed his clinical prowess against the Welsh when he netted from six yards out to spark a comeback in England's only win of the tournament. Vardy's pace caused problems against Slovakia, he missed a one and one and unfortunately grew less effective as Slovakia dropped deeper and deeper as the game wore on. He featured as an impact sub against Iceland however did not get on the ball enough and failed to link well with Kane. Vardy will be disappointed since England were often facing defensive sides where his pace was less effective.
6) Danny Rose :
Notable Input : Constant overlapping of Sterling and a desire to get forward.
Rose has done himself justice and for the time being cemented the left back spot as his own. The Tottenham defender got forward at every opportunity, especially when sides decided to sit back and let England try and break them down. However Rose is less effective in the air than the more imposing Bertrand which may make the Southampton man a more suitable choice in the future as Rose's defensive qualities weren't heavily tested.
5) Adam Lallana
Notable Input : Presented himself as England's most creative player at the Euros
Lallana delivered a classic Lallana performance three times over at the Euros. In each group match he started brightly, drifting past players, linking up well with teammates and finding himself in excellent positions. However as usual Lallana lacked a cutting edge and was guilty of wasting chances frequently, he screwed a shot wide vs Russia and could only hit it straight at the keeper against Slovakia. Furthermore the Liverpool playmaker struggled to maintain his fruitful performances and seemed to run out of energy as the game wore on. Overall Lallana offered a spark and shows great potential in an England shirt.
FURTHER RATINGS TO FOLLOW
For Part 1 see : http://footyblogsforyou.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/england-squad-rankings-who-was-stand.html
14) Jordan Henderson :
Notable Input : A solid five minute performance against Slovakia otherwise littered with mistakes.
The Liverpool Skipper had suffered from an injury which stopped him from featuring towards the end of the Merseyside club's season. By consequence Henderson's fitness levels were under analysis since he took up a spot many felt was destined for Danny Drinkwater. Henderson started against Slovakia however he was rather sloppy in the fact his crosses rarely beat the first man and possession was conceded often. However he did register a couple of decent shots and showed promise at times, yet his overall performance was not of any threat to Rooney, Dier or Alli's midfield slots and as a result he was not used again.
13) Ryan Bertrand :
Notable Input : A distinctly average performance against a distinctly average Slovakian winger.
Bertrand has been one of Southampton's most consistent players this season however he put in a far from composed display as he was booked and uncertain in possession throughout the game. Bertrand will hope to try and out perform the Spurs full back in Danny Rose in the coming season in order to pip him to the starting spot.
12) Gary Cahill :
Notable Input : A lack of concentration and poor positioning resulted in the Icelandic winner.
Cahill has had very little to do in all four matches in the Euros, however England only managed to keep a single clean sheet. Cahill can't be faulted in the Russia or Wales match as he showed a composed figure who was more than capable of winning possession and then carrying the ball forward. Yet against Iceland Cahill was nowhere to be seen when the Icelandic strike force casually flicked the ball around the edge of the box before slotting home. Cahill was not tight enough to his man and ultimately cost England defensively, however this minor mistake should not dent what has been a solid overall display.
11) Chris Smalling :
Notable Input : A dreadful moment of miscommunication against Slovakia and an unconvincing performance vs Iceland suggested Smalling is not quite the rock in England's defence.
The English central defensive partnership has been fairly secure however at the same time far from impregnable this tournament. Smalling has coped well alongside Cahil in handling strikers such as Dzubya and also Bale, yet he could have done more to prevent the Icelandic second. Smalling is destined to play in the England set up for years to come and this tournament does not suggest he's incapable however there is certainly room for improvement.
10) Dele Alli :
Notable Input : A lack of composure resulting in a handful of missed chances - a poor header vs Russia, blazing over vs Iceland etc.
For a player with 21 goals and assists last season Alli was underwhelming at the Euros as he only managed to register one assist with a fortunate flick to Sturridge against Wales. Alli was often missing the spark which he possessed earlier in the season, no better encapsulated than in his remarkable performance in a friendly vs Germany where he danced round players with ease. Whilst Alli did provide a drive and sense of attacking purpose his final product was lacking whether it be hisfinish or through ball. Perhaps pressure and expectation on the 20 year old was too excessive and took away his confidence to not play it safe and take on players. Alli is clearly one of, if not the most technically gifted player in the England set up and is sure to progress for future tournaments.
9) Marcus Rashford :
Notable input : Dribbled past the most players against Iceland (3) - despite playing for only 5 minutes.
The Man United winger/striker featured on the left wing on two occasions in France. Rashford showcased his pace and ball control against the Welsh full back Gunter and terrorized the Icelandic defence - all be it for a couple of minutes. Rashford will feel disappointed not to have played more, especially given the woeful performances on Kane and Sterling. The 18 year old surpassed all expectations in France and looks to have cemented a spot in the England squad for the time being.
8) Nathaniel Clyne :
Notable Input : A committed and exciting display against Slovakia which challenged Walker's position as starting right back.
Clyne brought pace and desire to the English attack and earned the MOTM award deservedly against a defensive Slovakia. Clyne was unfortunate not to have scored and linked up well with the likes of Henderson and Lallana to create a handful of half-chances. Given Clyne's better defensive qualities it would be unsurprising if he was rotated with Walker as starting full back in the World Cup qualifiers starting in September.
7) Jamie Vardy :
Notable Input : Scored an important equaliser against Wales.
The Leicester man showed his clinical prowess against the Welsh when he netted from six yards out to spark a comeback in England's only win of the tournament. Vardy's pace caused problems against Slovakia, he missed a one and one and unfortunately grew less effective as Slovakia dropped deeper and deeper as the game wore on. He featured as an impact sub against Iceland however did not get on the ball enough and failed to link well with Kane. Vardy will be disappointed since England were often facing defensive sides where his pace was less effective.
6) Danny Rose :
Notable Input : Constant overlapping of Sterling and a desire to get forward.
Rose has done himself justice and for the time being cemented the left back spot as his own. The Tottenham defender got forward at every opportunity, especially when sides decided to sit back and let England try and break them down. However Rose is less effective in the air than the more imposing Bertrand which may make the Southampton man a more suitable choice in the future as Rose's defensive qualities weren't heavily tested.
5) Adam Lallana
Notable Input : Presented himself as England's most creative player at the Euros
Lallana delivered a classic Lallana performance three times over at the Euros. In each group match he started brightly, drifting past players, linking up well with teammates and finding himself in excellent positions. However as usual Lallana lacked a cutting edge and was guilty of wasting chances frequently, he screwed a shot wide vs Russia and could only hit it straight at the keeper against Slovakia. Furthermore the Liverpool playmaker struggled to maintain his fruitful performances and seemed to run out of energy as the game wore on. Overall Lallana offered a spark and shows great potential in an England shirt.
FURTHER RATINGS TO FOLLOW
Wednesday 29 June 2016
England Squad Rankings - Part 1
Who was the stand out performer in France and who should join Roy in retirement from England duty ?
Click here for Squad Ranking Part 2!
Click here for Squad Ranking Part 3!
England squad ranking
A promising perfect qualifying campaign and victories in friendlies over the likes of Portugal and Germany hinted that an England squad, full of youth and flair, could go to France and perform. It was not to be however as England scored a total of only four goals against four fairly mediocre opposition in the likes of Russia, Wales, Slovakia and Iceland. A loss in the round of sixteen signified the end of the road for Roy and his slumped squad who knew a media backlash and national sense of deflation rested on their shoulders. Surely not all England players were that bad, in this article I will attempt to rank the players from the very worst to the accomplished few.
THE BENCHWARMERS
HEATON, FORSTER, STONES AND BARKLEY.
Tom Heaton : The 30 year old Burnley keeper who travelled to France as a replacement for the injured Butland was never in the slightest likely to feature. Given his age it's unlikely he will feature in any future England squads however he will have gained experience and platefuls of French cuisine in equal measures on the trip abroad.
Fraser Forster : The 6ft7 giant similarly to Heaton entered the tournament as Hart's deputy, however given Hart's crucial mistakes the question begs as to what the future holds for the former Celtic man. Forster kept six straight clean sheets upon his return to Southampton's first team and this suggests to the future England manager that he has the potential to restore confidence to a rocky English defence.
John Stones : It's surprising Stones did not feature given the fact Hodgson only brought three central defenders to France, most of all against Slovakia in which many players were rested. Stones clearly possesses a unique talent despite his young age since he has the composure to control a game from the back. Stones is almost certainly a future starter in the English set up, captain perhaps, he should not be disheartened not to have featured.
Ross Barkley : The second Everton man not to feature, a player who offers something different whether it be his ability to beat a player or ferocious long shots. Whilst Barkley may suffer from inconsistent performances the stalemate against Slovakia was crying out for his introduction, however after Hodgson opted for the likes of Kane and Rooney in the eventual 0-0 draw it was clear that Barkley was not to play a part in England's tournament.
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19) James Milner :
Notable input : Beaten all too easily in the dying minutes against Russia which resulted in the equaliser.
Milner was unfortunate to only get 5 minutes of game time in France, this can't be a true reflection on the Liverpool midfielder's hardworking and technical qualities. However when judged on his minimal input Milner will be the first to admit he should have done more to stop the Russian player who waltzed passed him with a ease to deliver the assist to make it 1-1 in injury time in England's opener.
18) Harry Kane :
Notable input : Possibly the World's worst set pieces in the history of football.
A couple of months ago Kane was regarded as the England superstar. In the 2015/16 season the Tottenham striker proved he was more than a 'one season wonder' when he claimed the Golden boot ahead of the likes of foreign talent such as Aguero and Lukaku. A terrific solo effort which sparked a comeback in a friendly against Germany got the crowds talking and pinned Kane down as England's main man. Well, how times have changed. In France Kane failed to get off the mark, weak headers, rising shots and offside after offside became his traits as he failed Roy time after time. As the tournament drew on Kane's confidence was sapped and he became more and more of a burden for Enland's attack. Kane will feel devastated with his efforts and will hope that it can be forgotten as he strives to maintain his place in England's starting team.
P.S : Why is Kane taking corners ?
17) Jack Wilshire :
Notable input : N/A
Wilshire was a wildcard in Roy's selection, his lack of first team football was always likely to affect his performances, especially given his dynamic playstyle - full of movement and invention. Wilshire featured in the second halves against Russia and later on Iceland, and earnd himself a start against Slovakia too. However a common theme of losing possession affected England performances, in fact England did not score when he was on the pitch, reflecting a dismal time in France for the midfielder,
16) Raheem Sterling :
Notable input : Poor delivery, Poor confidence, Poor tournament, Poor guy.
Many will argue that the Man City winger should be much higher up the list after awful performances however at times he showed a spark in which he created chances. Sterling was praised in the first half against Russia for his desire to go forward as he gave Smolnikov a torrid time, unfortunately his delivery often let him down. Sterling made a golden chance against Wales and he even won a penalty against Iceland - however the positives end there. Other than his pace Sterling failed to show many other attributes, he lost the ball too easily and crosses were constantly blocked or aimless. For a £50 million man Roy will feel let down yet left himself to blame because the 21 year old was the only one out and out winger at his disposal. Players back home such as Townsend and Antonio will be shaking their heads at Roy in bitter disappointment.
15) Joe Hart :
Notable input : 'nothing to do' (minus two painful mistakes).
Before the tournament began Hart was 'Head and Shoulders' above his English competition, however after errors against Wales and Iceland Hart will now feel the pressure from the likes of Forster and Butland on his back - well, scalp even. Hart conceded four times this tournament despite only facing fewer than ten shots on target. Whilst Hart is pretty faultless for two of the goals his howlers vs Wales and Iceland left England faced with an early plane home.
FURTHER RANKINGS TO FOLLOW
Click here for Squad Ranking Part 2!
Click here for Squad Ranking Part 3!
England squad ranking
A promising perfect qualifying campaign and victories in friendlies over the likes of Portugal and Germany hinted that an England squad, full of youth and flair, could go to France and perform. It was not to be however as England scored a total of only four goals against four fairly mediocre opposition in the likes of Russia, Wales, Slovakia and Iceland. A loss in the round of sixteen signified the end of the road for Roy and his slumped squad who knew a media backlash and national sense of deflation rested on their shoulders. Surely not all England players were that bad, in this article I will attempt to rank the players from the very worst to the accomplished few.
THE BENCHWARMERS
HEATON, FORSTER, STONES AND BARKLEY.
Tom Heaton : The 30 year old Burnley keeper who travelled to France as a replacement for the injured Butland was never in the slightest likely to feature. Given his age it's unlikely he will feature in any future England squads however he will have gained experience and platefuls of French cuisine in equal measures on the trip abroad.
Fraser Forster : The 6ft7 giant similarly to Heaton entered the tournament as Hart's deputy, however given Hart's crucial mistakes the question begs as to what the future holds for the former Celtic man. Forster kept six straight clean sheets upon his return to Southampton's first team and this suggests to the future England manager that he has the potential to restore confidence to a rocky English defence.
John Stones : It's surprising Stones did not feature given the fact Hodgson only brought three central defenders to France, most of all against Slovakia in which many players were rested. Stones clearly possesses a unique talent despite his young age since he has the composure to control a game from the back. Stones is almost certainly a future starter in the English set up, captain perhaps, he should not be disheartened not to have featured.
Ross Barkley : The second Everton man not to feature, a player who offers something different whether it be his ability to beat a player or ferocious long shots. Whilst Barkley may suffer from inconsistent performances the stalemate against Slovakia was crying out for his introduction, however after Hodgson opted for the likes of Kane and Rooney in the eventual 0-0 draw it was clear that Barkley was not to play a part in England's tournament.
_____________________________________________________________________________
19) James Milner :
Notable input : Beaten all too easily in the dying minutes against Russia which resulted in the equaliser.
Milner was unfortunate to only get 5 minutes of game time in France, this can't be a true reflection on the Liverpool midfielder's hardworking and technical qualities. However when judged on his minimal input Milner will be the first to admit he should have done more to stop the Russian player who waltzed passed him with a ease to deliver the assist to make it 1-1 in injury time in England's opener.
18) Harry Kane :
Notable input : Possibly the World's worst set pieces in the history of football.
A couple of months ago Kane was regarded as the England superstar. In the 2015/16 season the Tottenham striker proved he was more than a 'one season wonder' when he claimed the Golden boot ahead of the likes of foreign talent such as Aguero and Lukaku. A terrific solo effort which sparked a comeback in a friendly against Germany got the crowds talking and pinned Kane down as England's main man. Well, how times have changed. In France Kane failed to get off the mark, weak headers, rising shots and offside after offside became his traits as he failed Roy time after time. As the tournament drew on Kane's confidence was sapped and he became more and more of a burden for Enland's attack. Kane will feel devastated with his efforts and will hope that it can be forgotten as he strives to maintain his place in England's starting team.
P.S : Why is Kane taking corners ?
17) Jack Wilshire :
Notable input : N/A
Wilshire was a wildcard in Roy's selection, his lack of first team football was always likely to affect his performances, especially given his dynamic playstyle - full of movement and invention. Wilshire featured in the second halves against Russia and later on Iceland, and earnd himself a start against Slovakia too. However a common theme of losing possession affected England performances, in fact England did not score when he was on the pitch, reflecting a dismal time in France for the midfielder,
16) Raheem Sterling :
Notable input : Poor delivery, Poor confidence, Poor tournament, Poor guy.
Many will argue that the Man City winger should be much higher up the list after awful performances however at times he showed a spark in which he created chances. Sterling was praised in the first half against Russia for his desire to go forward as he gave Smolnikov a torrid time, unfortunately his delivery often let him down. Sterling made a golden chance against Wales and he even won a penalty against Iceland - however the positives end there. Other than his pace Sterling failed to show many other attributes, he lost the ball too easily and crosses were constantly blocked or aimless. For a £50 million man Roy will feel let down yet left himself to blame because the 21 year old was the only one out and out winger at his disposal. Players back home such as Townsend and Antonio will be shaking their heads at Roy in bitter disappointment.
15) Joe Hart :
Notable input : 'nothing to do' (minus two painful mistakes).
Before the tournament began Hart was 'Head and Shoulders' above his English competition, however after errors against Wales and Iceland Hart will now feel the pressure from the likes of Forster and Butland on his back - well, scalp even. Hart conceded four times this tournament despite only facing fewer than ten shots on target. Whilst Hart is pretty faultless for two of the goals his howlers vs Wales and Iceland left England faced with an early plane home.
FURTHER RANKINGS TO FOLLOW
Tuesday 28 June 2016
Iceland 2 England 1 Analysis
Just how bad were the England players in their highly unexpected yet equally embarrassing defeat to minnows Iceland ?
England put in a woeful performance last night, a performance, (if you can call it that) that resulted in them crashing out the UEFA EUROs in the round of sixteen. The loss was complete with Sunday League defending, a collection of misplaced passes and most depressingly of all, Harry Kane on set pieces. So who was to blame for such an abject night which left England stunned and Roy unemployed.
Joe Hart - Goalkeeper - 4
Similarly to the Wales game Hart was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Whilst he could do little to prevent Ragnar Sigurdsson from equalising he had no excuses as to why he could not keep hold of a mediocre shot from Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. This reflected poorly on the England goalkeeper after he personally claimed he had had 'nothing to do' all tournament up until this point. The 29 year old did his best to atone for his errors, saving from Ragnar Sigurdsson as well as Aron Gunnarsson as England became stretched at the back, however this could not make up for what has been seen as a tournament which Hart will most want to forget as soon as possible.
Kyle Walker - Right Back - 5
The bombarding full back has impressed in France throughout the group stages, his pace and confidence to get up the pitch and threaten opposition full backs has been one of few England attacking capabilities. However doubts have always remained over his defensive prowess and final delivery, no better epitomised in this match. Walker, despite his imposing physique, lost his man all too easily for Iceland's first. Whilst Walker did get into the final third his impact was less effective than usual, crosses were either blocked or over hit. However this defeat should not undermine Walker's overall performance since he was one of England's most prominent players.
Chris Smalling - Centre Back - 5
Once again the England defence had very little to do, however Smalling struggled to cope with the Iceland strikers on more than one occasion. For the 2nd goal he was not tight enough to the Icelandic attacker whilst he also lost aerial duals. Questions over Smalling's positioning were raised again, in addition to this he did not present himself as a leader which England were in such desperate need of.
Gary Cahil - Centre Back - 5
A performance alike to Smalling, despite playing against two relatively mediocre attackers his performance was uncertain, the 2nd goal epitomising this most of all. Words such as unorganized and uncommanding spring to mind.
Danny Rose - Left Back - 6
Rose can't be heavily faulted for either of the goals however he did not offer enough going forwards. His final ball was poor however credit must be given for overlapping Sterling and finding himself in good positions.
Eric Dier - Centre Defensive Midfield - 4
Despite being just 22 years old Dier has been England's most consistent player this tournament and as a result irreplaceable at times. However this was not the usual steel showing from the Tottenham midfielder, a lack of strong tackling and poor positioning led to the 2nd goal. Dier appeared off the pace both defensively and offensively and it was no surprise he was taken off at half time, whether it be down to injury or a tactical need for an equaliser.
Dele Alli - Central Midfield - 6
Alli had previously failed to make the impact in France which had made him a fan favourite at Tottenham where he registered 21 goals and assists last season. However he failed to produce this spark in France in all four games. Against Iceland he got in good positions however lacked composure to keep shots on target or deliver the perfect final ball. Overall he was one of only a handful of England players who showed positivity and drive when in possession.
Wayne Rooney - Central Midfield - 4
Rooney's passing was phenomenal against the likes of Russia and Wales especially in comparison to the unremarkably average performance in Nice earlier. Rooney often gave the ball away, slowed attacks down and failed to provide any efforts further forward. If it wasn't for his penalty Rooney would have certainly suffered an even more embarrassing rating. Rooney was later taken off for Rashford however it was too little too late for an England captain who failed to show the drive and desire the captain needed to drag England through.
Raheem Sterling - Left Wing - 4
Perhaps a slight improvement on the woeful performance in the Wales game since he did earn the penalty which ultimately gave England hope and belief - all be it for a minute. Sterling's final ball and predictability is sure to disappoint all England fans, especially given his hefty price tag. Fortunately for Sterling youth is on his side and he certainly has enormous potential for improvement.
Harry Kane - Striker - 3
The most disappointing prospect of them all, the clinical golden boot winner has been endlessly ridiculed on social media, not only for his disastrous corners but appalling first touch and lack of chemistry with team mates. This was most noticeable against Iceland were he was crowded out all too often, assuming he had controlled the ball in the first place. Kane was fortunate to start in this crucial match and did not help himself in the slightest.
Daniel Sturridge - Right Wing - 6
Sturridge provided the pass to Sterling which lead to the penalty, furthermore he got himself in good positions and created several half chances from crosses. Sturridge presented himself as a skilled England player who possessed real quality despite being sidelined for much of the season. It was unfortunate Sturridge was played out wide as opposed to straight through the middle however he did himself justice. The selfishness that Sturridge is prone to possess was reflected on a couple of occasions, yet an all round abysmal performance from his team mates encouraged this.
Substitutions
Jack Wilshire (Dier) - Central Midfield - 4
A very average performance from a player known to offer a positive drive and flair similar to Dele Alli. Fitness is obviously a question and he could only do so much with a lack of movement up front. Made little impact.
Jamie Vardy (Sterling) - Left Wing/Striker - 6
Often seen as an 'impact sub' in the England selection yet Vardy could not get on the ball anywhere near enough to do so. Vardy did offer more pace off the ball up front, whether it be making runs to create space or closing opposition down. A marvelous tackle from Ragnar Sigurdsson did prevent him from making use of a through ball.
Marcus Rashford (Rooney) - Left Wing - 6
For a five minute introduction of an eighteen year old little was to be expected. However Rashford showed great potential, he went past three people overall, a reflection not only of attributes such as pace and control but also his confidence which is so key compared to the deject Kane and Sterling.
Roy Hodgson - 3
Bold in including Sterling and Kane who had been heavily criticized and were out of form and low on confidence. Substitutions were ineffective, it was astounding that it wasn't until the 86th minute that Hodgson used his final substitution. Playing Sturridge out wide was sure to limit his capability whilst there was a lack of distinct formation. Most likely failed to enforce enough training to counter Iceland's throw ins. It's no surprise that within minutes of the final whistle he had resigned.
England put in a woeful performance last night, a performance, (if you can call it that) that resulted in them crashing out the UEFA EUROs in the round of sixteen. The loss was complete with Sunday League defending, a collection of misplaced passes and most depressingly of all, Harry Kane on set pieces. So who was to blame for such an abject night which left England stunned and Roy unemployed.
Joe Hart - Goalkeeper - 4
Similarly to the Wales game Hart was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Whilst he could do little to prevent Ragnar Sigurdsson from equalising he had no excuses as to why he could not keep hold of a mediocre shot from Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. This reflected poorly on the England goalkeeper after he personally claimed he had had 'nothing to do' all tournament up until this point. The 29 year old did his best to atone for his errors, saving from Ragnar Sigurdsson as well as Aron Gunnarsson as England became stretched at the back, however this could not make up for what has been seen as a tournament which Hart will most want to forget as soon as possible.
Kyle Walker - Right Back - 5
The bombarding full back has impressed in France throughout the group stages, his pace and confidence to get up the pitch and threaten opposition full backs has been one of few England attacking capabilities. However doubts have always remained over his defensive prowess and final delivery, no better epitomised in this match. Walker, despite his imposing physique, lost his man all too easily for Iceland's first. Whilst Walker did get into the final third his impact was less effective than usual, crosses were either blocked or over hit. However this defeat should not undermine Walker's overall performance since he was one of England's most prominent players.
Chris Smalling - Centre Back - 5
Once again the England defence had very little to do, however Smalling struggled to cope with the Iceland strikers on more than one occasion. For the 2nd goal he was not tight enough to the Icelandic attacker whilst he also lost aerial duals. Questions over Smalling's positioning were raised again, in addition to this he did not present himself as a leader which England were in such desperate need of.
Gary Cahil - Centre Back - 5
A performance alike to Smalling, despite playing against two relatively mediocre attackers his performance was uncertain, the 2nd goal epitomising this most of all. Words such as unorganized and uncommanding spring to mind.
Danny Rose - Left Back - 6
Rose can't be heavily faulted for either of the goals however he did not offer enough going forwards. His final ball was poor however credit must be given for overlapping Sterling and finding himself in good positions.
Eric Dier - Centre Defensive Midfield - 4
Despite being just 22 years old Dier has been England's most consistent player this tournament and as a result irreplaceable at times. However this was not the usual steel showing from the Tottenham midfielder, a lack of strong tackling and poor positioning led to the 2nd goal. Dier appeared off the pace both defensively and offensively and it was no surprise he was taken off at half time, whether it be down to injury or a tactical need for an equaliser.
Dele Alli - Central Midfield - 6
Alli had previously failed to make the impact in France which had made him a fan favourite at Tottenham where he registered 21 goals and assists last season. However he failed to produce this spark in France in all four games. Against Iceland he got in good positions however lacked composure to keep shots on target or deliver the perfect final ball. Overall he was one of only a handful of England players who showed positivity and drive when in possession.
Wayne Rooney - Central Midfield - 4
Rooney's passing was phenomenal against the likes of Russia and Wales especially in comparison to the unremarkably average performance in Nice earlier. Rooney often gave the ball away, slowed attacks down and failed to provide any efforts further forward. If it wasn't for his penalty Rooney would have certainly suffered an even more embarrassing rating. Rooney was later taken off for Rashford however it was too little too late for an England captain who failed to show the drive and desire the captain needed to drag England through.
Raheem Sterling - Left Wing - 4
Perhaps a slight improvement on the woeful performance in the Wales game since he did earn the penalty which ultimately gave England hope and belief - all be it for a minute. Sterling's final ball and predictability is sure to disappoint all England fans, especially given his hefty price tag. Fortunately for Sterling youth is on his side and he certainly has enormous potential for improvement.
Harry Kane - Striker - 3
The most disappointing prospect of them all, the clinical golden boot winner has been endlessly ridiculed on social media, not only for his disastrous corners but appalling first touch and lack of chemistry with team mates. This was most noticeable against Iceland were he was crowded out all too often, assuming he had controlled the ball in the first place. Kane was fortunate to start in this crucial match and did not help himself in the slightest.
Daniel Sturridge - Right Wing - 6
Sturridge provided the pass to Sterling which lead to the penalty, furthermore he got himself in good positions and created several half chances from crosses. Sturridge presented himself as a skilled England player who possessed real quality despite being sidelined for much of the season. It was unfortunate Sturridge was played out wide as opposed to straight through the middle however he did himself justice. The selfishness that Sturridge is prone to possess was reflected on a couple of occasions, yet an all round abysmal performance from his team mates encouraged this.
Substitutions
Jack Wilshire (Dier) - Central Midfield - 4
A very average performance from a player known to offer a positive drive and flair similar to Dele Alli. Fitness is obviously a question and he could only do so much with a lack of movement up front. Made little impact.
Jamie Vardy (Sterling) - Left Wing/Striker - 6
Often seen as an 'impact sub' in the England selection yet Vardy could not get on the ball anywhere near enough to do so. Vardy did offer more pace off the ball up front, whether it be making runs to create space or closing opposition down. A marvelous tackle from Ragnar Sigurdsson did prevent him from making use of a through ball.
Marcus Rashford (Rooney) - Left Wing - 6
For a five minute introduction of an eighteen year old little was to be expected. However Rashford showed great potential, he went past three people overall, a reflection not only of attributes such as pace and control but also his confidence which is so key compared to the deject Kane and Sterling.
Roy Hodgson - 3
Bold in including Sterling and Kane who had been heavily criticized and were out of form and low on confidence. Substitutions were ineffective, it was astounding that it wasn't until the 86th minute that Hodgson used his final substitution. Playing Sturridge out wide was sure to limit his capability whilst there was a lack of distinct formation. Most likely failed to enforce enough training to counter Iceland's throw ins. It's no surprise that within minutes of the final whistle he had resigned.
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