OT: England starting XI

[triz]

Semi is a minimum requirement? So we're in the top 4 teams in Europe? I'd say Germany Spain France and Belgium hold those places

Of course it should be a minimum requirement for England. Hodgson now has a wealth of talent available to select from. Whether he chooses to select the right players, or has the ability to achieve in a major tournament is another matter altogether. [/quote]


It seems a bit much to me to say it should be a minimum requirement to go further than better teams with a bigger and better wealth of talent available, and smacks of arrogance. Do you honestly believe we are better than those teams I mentioned? This is why people say the English have unrealistic expectations at tournament time, then when the obvious happens and we don't progress as far as much better teams a scapegoat MUST be sought. I thought we'd got past this as a nation.

Mate we're a decent

[RamBamFan]

Semi is a minimum requirement? So we're in the top 4 teams in Europe? I'd say Germany Spain France and Belgium hold those places

Of course it should be a minimum requirement for England. Hodgson now has a wealth of talent available to select from. Whether he chooses to select the right players, or has the ability to achieve in a major tournament is another matter altogether. [/quote]


It seems a bit much to me to say it should be a minimum requirement to go further than better teams with a bigger and better wealth of talent available, and smacks of arrogance. Do you honestly believe we are better than those teams I mentioned? This is why people say the English have unrealistic expectations at tournament time, then when the obvious happens and we don't progress as far as much better teams a scapegoat MUST be sought. I thought we'd got past thi

[ManxRam]

MMm not sure about Belgium being overhyped. Kompany is missing but their 3 center halves are Alderweireld, Vermaelen & Vertonghen so straight away they have a natural pairing. Courtois & Mignolet as GK's. Dembele, Fellaini, Hazard and Witsel in midfiled and then a choice of Benteke, Lukaky, De Bruyne, Origi, Carrsaco & Mertens.

Agree, not sure on full backs but plenty of talent in that lot and in De Bruyne & Hazard two of the best players in the tournament.

[vanderlaans_header]

Semi is a minimum requirement? So we're in the top 4 teams in Europe? I'd say Germany Spain France and Belgium hold those places

Of course it should be a minimum requirement for England. Hodgson now has a wealth of talent available to select from. Whether he chooses to select the right players, or has the ability to achieve in a major tournament is another matter altogether. [/quote]


It seems a bit much to me to say it should be a minimum requirement to go further than better teams with a bigger and better wealth of talent available, and smacks of arrogance. Do you honestly believe we are better than those teams I mentioned? This is why people say the English have unrealistic expectations at tournament time, then when the obvious happens and we don't progress as far as much better teams a scapegoat MUST be sought. I thought we'd got past thi

[triz]

Using that argument all we'll ever achieve is the semi's, why not go the whole hog if we're ignoring facts and logic, and say winning it is a minimum requirement, and if we don't it's the bloody managers fault.

[triz]

Do you think Leicesters minimum requirement this year was winning the league? I highly doubt it, but they did (And would they have if players fans and the manager said winning the prem should be a minimum expectation this year?), Not to mention the amount of times fans have piled the pressure on and demanded success, (2002,1970,2004,1998 etc etc) and we've capitulated due to it. It'd be nice just for once for England fans to have realistic expectations and to say 'we have some decent players, hope we do well etc' and enjoy the tournament, not to say we SHOULD progress further than better teams with better players as a minimum requirement, which I'm sorry mate is pretty much the dictionary definition of arrogant, and frankly it's a bit of a mental thought process.

[vanderlaans_header]

Not sure which dictionary you use but I doubt that you will find one that matches your definition. Very much doubt that England are under any more pressure of expectation than their rivals. No one is demanding success, just that the management and players perform to their full potential. Something that has been lacking in recent tournaments.

[triz]

No one is demanding succes? Ok mate.


" semi finals should be a minimum expectation, unless the manager messes it up (paraphrasing the last bit)"

Definitely not then.

Your welcome to change what you said to they should "perform to their potential" as that makes a lot more sense. It most definitely isn't what you initially said though. Unless you think we are better than France Germany Spain and Belgium, but I don't think you do as you've avoided that question a couple of times now.

Ps arrogance is defined as thinking you are better than others.

[mistaram]

Rambam. Can't agree about Belgium they are hell of a lot better team than England I fail to see why people are rating England they are very ordinary and I don't think either Dier or Ali are international class yet Maybe in two years time agree with posters who say Drinkwater should have gone As for Croatia I think they have great chance their strikers Kramaric and Kakinic are good Defenders Corcuka and Strinic as good as any who will be there add the midfield prompting of Ratic and Modric yes good side