Skip to content
Menu
Meerkat Musings
  • Welcome to Meerkat Musings
  • Meerkat Podcasts
  • Why Meerkats?
  • Formula 1
  • Why I love…
  • What I think…
  • Sci-Fi Analysis
  • Reviews
  • Meerkat Fiction
  • Meerkat Book Reviews
  • Sites Meerkats Like
  • If Meerkats Could…
  • The Meerkat Muse
  • Site Updates
Meerkat Musings

Euro 2016: England 1 Iceland 2

Posted on June 27, 2016
Tweet
Follow me

To be honest, I am angry right now, and thus, should probably not be writing up this match right now. The flip side to that is that it will be brutally honest.

We were not good enough. The lack of creativity and composure in the final third of the pitch has been a weakness in every game of the tournament thus far, and our delivery from set pieces has been woeful. England fans were booing their team tonight, and with good reason – mad, overhit crosses were never going to cut it against a side that had already demonstrated they could shut teams out.

The tempo was nothing at all like what was seen against Russia and Wales. The verve and style on show in the first two games was lost, replaced by some (yet more) strange decisions from manager Roy Hodgson. Why did Sterling, who had failed to offer anything in the first two games, start? Why was Lallana, who had played well, dropped? Why was Kane brought back in, when he had played poorly against Russia and Wales?

Yet it wasn’t simply a lack of punch that cost England against Iceland. Despite some early promise that brought a penalty and a goal within the first five minutes (Rooney slotting home), the slightest hint of danger and England were in a panic. Iceland equalised within two minutes, when poor awareness and concentration allowed Sigurdsson to tap in from point-blank range.

Rather than keeping focused, England blanched. Expectations of England have never been lower (no one seriously believed they would win the tournament), but surely Iceland would not prevent progress to the quarter-finals? Surely, the players who earn so much and play so well for their clubs would overcome the plucky team from a nation of just 330,000 people?

Nope. On 18 minutes England’s defence reacted far too slowly, failing to close down a swift set of passes, and Sigthorsson, whose shot was nevertheless fairly tame. Somehow, Hart conspired to let it through, despite getting a hand to it, watching as it crossed the line, almost in slow motion.

From the moment Iceland took the lead England ran out of ideas. There was huff, and puff, and plenty of running, but the final ball was lacking in any quality. Try as they might, England could not muster up the invention to unlock Iceland’s stubborn defence (though credit must go to Iceland for their spirit and workrate). Once again Kane was taking set pieces (why Roy, why?), and even the arrival of Vardy could not help England find a way through. Rashford’s late arrival brought a bit of extra energy to proceedings but it was too little, too late. Iceland claimed a huge scalp, whilst England limped out of Euro 2016, tails firmly between legs.

 

Please follow and like us:
error0
fb-share-icon0
Tweet
fb-share-icon20

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Awakening UK

The Awakening USA

Please like and follow this meerkat!

Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
Tweet
YouTube
Follow by Email

Meerkat Comments

  • Football Manager P15 – Soaring Eagles – Meerkat Musings on Football Manager P16 – Mighty Eagles
  • Football Manager P16 – Mighty Eagles – Meerkat Musings on Football Manager P15 – Soaring Eagles
  • The Meerkat Muse – 24/02/2021 – Meerkat Musings on Awww nuts…
  • Football Manager P14 – Playing at the (Selhurst) Park – Meerkat Musings on Football Manager P15 – Soaring Eagles
  • Football Manager P15 – Soaring Eagles – Meerkat Musings on Football Manager P14 – Playing at the (Selhurst) Park

Meerkat Tweets

Ben BerwickFollow

Ben Berwick
darth_timonBen Berwick@darth_timon·
8h

The Human Cost of Profit over Healthcare https://coalitionofthebrave.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/the-human-cost-of-profit-over-healthcare/

Reply on Twitter 1365418715882389509Retweet on Twitter 1365418715882389509Like on Twitter 1365418715882389509Twitter 1365418715882389509
darth_timonBen Berwick@darth_timon·
9h

So @TeltheTrekkie , I have good news and bad news regarding the Eagles on FM21...

Reply on Twitter 1365415558133465088Retweet on Twitter 1365415558133465088Like on Twitter 13654155581334650881Twitter 1365415558133465088
darth_timonBen Berwick@darth_timon·
9h

The ‘Faithful’ Servants… https://coalitionofthebrave.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/the-faithful-servants/

Reply on Twitter 1365414284877049860Retweet on Twitter 1365414284877049860Like on Twitter 1365414284877049860Twitter 1365414284877049860
Retweet on TwitterBen Berwick Retweeted
grindstoregrindstore.com@grindstore·
15h

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the epic Pokemon series, we are giving away this awesome backpack!

For your chance to win simply follow us, retweet and tag a friend who loves Pokemon!

Competition ends midnight Saturday 27th February 2021.

#pokemon #pokemon25 #pikachu

Reply on Twitter 1365324257459384325Retweet on Twitter 1365324257459384325136Like on Twitter 1365324257459384325108Twitter 1365324257459384325
Retweet on TwitterBen Berwick Retweeted
SelfPubShow3Self-Publishers' Showcase@SelfPubShow3·
9h

A fallen warrior, together with a small band, must tear down everything his kind holds dear and reshape his people -- or see them utterly destroyed. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DK71165 #scifi #action #adventure @darth_timon

Reply on Twitter 1365403774869725188Retweet on Twitter 13654037748697251881Like on Twitter 13654037748697251881Twitter 1365403774869725188
Load More...

Meerkat Categories

  • Art
  • Books
  • Charity
  • Family
  • Fiction
  • Film
  • Food
  • Football
  • Formula 1
  • Funny
  • Games
  • History
  • Interwebs
  • Music
  • Other Stuff
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Reviews
  • Sci Fi
  • Science
  • Site News
  • Society
  • Technology
  • TV
  • Uncategorized
  • Weird
  • Work

Meerkat Podcasts

Meerkat Musings
Meerkat Musings
A man (meerkat?) called Ben discusses the world!

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Visit Website
  • RSS Feed
FM21 – Going Up
by Ben Berwick

The Eagles Soar!

FM21 – Going Up
FM21 – Going Up
February 25, 2021
Ben Berwick
Zelda 35
February 21, 2021
Ben Berwick
Football Manager 2021 Career
February 21, 2021
Ben Berwick
The latest Aldershot Action!
February 14, 2021
Ben Berwick
Rambles
January 30, 2021
Ben Berwick
Football Manager 2021 – Upwards
January 29, 2021
Ben Berwick
Absolute Power
January 23, 2021
Ben Berwick
Football Manager 2021 – The New Career P1
January 23, 2021
Ben Berwick
Favourite Day of the Week
January 17, 2021
Ben Berwick
Meerkat Musings on 2021!
January 8, 2021
Ben Berwick
Search Results placeholder
©2021 Meerkat Musings | WordPress Theme by Superbthemes.com