Play steady against Ukraine & get through the group in 2nd or risk a bit more for 1st

[Triggaaar]

It's probable Spain will win their group however I wouldn't write off Croatia.

Spain only need a draw with Croatia, it's unlikely Italy will beat Ireland by 4.

 

[StonehamPark]

Spain only need a draw with Croatia, it's unlikely Italy will beat Ireland by 4.

Yep, understand that
I was just stating that Croatia shouldn't be completely written of for the win. I reckon it will be an interesting game.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

According to our team, we played against France for a win. We did take the lead, but the mentality on the field was, understandably, a draw will do. For me, that would be option 1 in the poll, ie, standard steady mentality. But we need to be more positive than that in my opinion, even if it risks losing the game.

They certainly stated beforehand that they'd be happy with a draw, but whether that necessarily translates into playing for a draw, we don't know. It is certainly not a good idea to play for a draw IMO, but all-out attack isn't needed against Ukraine. Rooney definitely plays, whether we need him to win or not, he needs match-time and he'll be needed fit if we go through. I would suggest it'll be Welbeck up top, with Rooney behind.

 

[slimes]

i hope we play spain to avoid playing germany in the semifinal, and hope we get a draw against spain and win penalties,

 

[Triggaaar]

i hope we play spain to avoid playing germany in the semifinal

If we play Spain, we'll avoid playing anyone in the semi-finals. We're not capable of holding out against them for 120 minutes. Sweden put pressure on us, and had opportunities. Against Spain, we'd all be behind the ball while they try clever through balls to open us up. We'll stop some of them, but they'll have plenty of chances to score. Then we'll be chasing the game without the ball. I dread the embarrassment that would result if we play Spain.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

If we play Spain, we'll avoid playing anyone in the semi-finals. We're not capable of holding out against them for 120 minutes. Sweden put pressure on us, and had opportunities. Against Spain, we'd all be behind the ball while they try clever through balls to open us up. We'll stop some of them, but they'll have plenty of chances to score. Then we'll be chasing the game without the ball. I dread the embarrassment that would result if we play Spain.

Whilst you're almost certainly correct - anything can happen in a one-off game.

 

[shaolinpunk]

Try and not just win but win in style - give our players confidence ahead of a tough quarter final and give whoever we play something to think about

 

[GingerBeerMan]

Whilst you're almost certainly correct - anything can happen in a one-off game.

This. Stranger things have happened.

 

[Mellotron]

Just for everyone's info: if both us and France win (fairly likely) we just to win by ONE more than France to go top. Get Walcott on from the start for Milner and go at them. We proved last night we are more than capable of making loads of chances.

 

[Triggaaar]

Whilst you're almost certainly correct - anything can happen in a one-off game.

I know. But just getting though the group is not a good enough ambition. We need to at least try to win the group, to give us the best chance of going further in the competition. Germany were my pick for the tournament, but I fancy our chances against them more than against Spain (plus, that'd be in the semis, which is a game further). Our style will be destroyed by Spain.

I realise this is way ahead of ourselves, we could easily lose to the hosts, but we need to have the right ambition.

 

[DTES]

Whilst you're almost certainly correct - anything can happen in a one-off game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15693231

 

[Triggaaar]

Just for everyone's info: if both us and France win (fairly likely) we just to win by ONE more than France to go top. Get Walcott on from the start for Milner and go at them. We proved last night we are more than capable of making loads of chances.

Indeed. I actually thought Walcott should have come on once we went 1 up against Sweden, is fast and perfect for counter attacking (like Arsenal). His goal wasn't any tactical brilliance, just a one off shot that worked. Ukraine will attack us from the start, they have to win to qualify, and with home support they'll be up for it. We need to counter attack fast.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I know. But just getting though the group is not a good enough ambition. We need to at least try to win the group, to give us the best chance of going further in the competition. Germany were my pick for the tournament, but I fancy our chances against them more than against Spain (plus, that'd be in the semis, which is a game further). Our style will be destroyed by Spain.

I realise this is way ahead of ourselves, we could easily lose to the hosts, but we need to have the right ambition.

I picked Germany beforehand as well. We're not really in control of winning our group though - we should play to win, of course, but France will almost certainly beat Sweden better than we could beat Ukraine - not forgetting Sweden have nothing to play for and Ukraine can still qualify. I don't see this game will be in any sense a walkover.

 

[Mellotron]

I picked Germany beforehand as well. We're not really in control of winning our group though - we should play to win, of course, but France will almost certainly beat Sweden better than we could beat Ukraine - not forgetting Sweden have nothing to play for and Ukraine can still qualify. I don't see this game will be in any sense a walkover.

Not sure I agree, we made shedloads of chances last night against an organised Swedish defence, if it wasn't for 2 absolute world class saves we would've scored 5. Ukraine defence as slower and weaker than that.

 

[Buster Gonad]

I'm not too scared by pentalties this time around. We've finally got a decent keeper and we're so shit at them anyway it's like we're almost expected to lose so no pressure whatsoever. I'd say to the players go up with the mentality of we're out anyway, just blast them as hard as you can and come what may!

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Not sure I agree, we made shedloads of chances last night against an organised Swedish defence, if it wasn't for 2 absolute world class saves we would've scored 5. Ukraine defence as slower and weaker than that.

I wouldn't say shedloads, but a few, yes. Don't write off a home team though - they were supposed to lose against Sweden. I do expect us to win, but possibly not easily - but whatever, the standings in the group are not in our control, all we can do is win, the French will beat Sweden easily.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

England will not be able to dictate whether they want to play for a win or draw against Ukraine. Due to this they should go out and attempt to win the game.

 

[Wilko]

I am not so sure France will beat Sweden, yes they should on paper but I really do not see Sweden wanting to go home on 0 points.

 

[Danny-Boy]

Never ever play for a draw.

Worked for two teams in 1978 in Div 2 I seem to remember..and for Germany and Austria in a World Cup group in the early 1980's.

 

[Danny-Boy]

I think Ukraine will go all out to wind up oor Wayne..

If we played Rooney plus Carroll would that be enough? Both of them are a bit "sparky" though.