England always going to be the same old England. In what was another disappointing evening, England\u2019s performances only highlight that no matter who puts on the jersey \u2013 whether they\u2019re title-winning players or the most inform \u2013 England will always be the bottling England we\u2019re used to watching at every tournament.<\/p>\n
Harry Kane and Dele Alli look absolutely shot for confidence as they grace the pitch. The two most exciting, young prospects in England colours, and yet, somehow, Roy Hodgson has sucked out the flare, panache and guile of these two attackers that has been so present for Tottenham and replaced it with caution and hesitation.<\/p>\n
There has been no pressure on England, in truth. No one in their right mind is suggesting that England can win this tournament, or even make the final. A semi final would be a dream come true, but a quarter final seemed mandatory considering the group they were in and who they\u2019d play in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
Before the tournament had kicked off, judging by the squad of players and the group England were drawn in, you\u2019d have said that they\u2019d win it with ease. By winning Group B, England would have drawn a 3rd placed team, which they could quite easily get past, and then before you know it, you\u2019re into the quarter finals. Simple.<\/p>\n
Oh, but it\u2019s not simple. It\u2019s never simple with England. After such an encouraging result for England against Wales, the Three Lions shriek with fear against Slovakia \u2013 who were, in truth, abysmal. Just like against Russia, England didn\u2019t have a Plan B. It\u2019s all good saying that Russia and Slovakia parked the bus against England, but where\u2019s an alternative way to break down your opposition? Andy Carroll was needed and a different angle had to be taken.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re paying Roy Hodgson \u00a33.5m per-year, you expect top quality results and pragmatism. Not results that earn you 5 points from Russia, Wales and Slovakia. That\u2019s not good enough. It\u2019s also not good enough to finish second in your group behind a team that you\u2019ve previously beaten. It\u2019s pathetic and soul-destroying.<\/p>\n
Hodgson\u2019s been with England for four years now, since 2012. He\u2019s overseen a European Championship, a World Cup qualifying campaign, a World Cup, a European Championship qualifying campaign and is now in the midst of his second Euros. And yet, even after all this time, he\u2019s no better off than when he started. He has no idea what formation suits best, he has no idea what team to pick, and he has no idea what to do if a team of lesser quality park the bus.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s shambolic how a nation that invented the sport; how a nation that has some of the best academies and coaches in the world can falter at the first hurdle. How they can self implode when a little bit of heat is put on them. It\u2019s such a shame that when, as an England fan, you feel the tiniest amount of optimism, it gets thrown back in your face and the pessimism returns.<\/p>\n
England will always be England, no matter who\u2019s on the pitch.<\/p>\n
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