England play the first of their European qualifiers with the most testing fixture of their Group E campaign as they face Switzerland in Basel tonight.
The negativity surrounding the national side in the wake of a dismal World Cup campaign and a drab friendly home victory over a limited Norway side has clearly frustrated the normally mild-mannered Roy Hodgson, but the mood of supporters and media will not improve with another defeat at St Jakob Park.
Hodgson has admitted he would prefer not to be making the trip to Switzerland at this stage of the campaign, particularly as he is looking to rebuild a side shorn of midfield experience and focused on the future.
But given the expanded format of Euro 2016 in France, which will feature 24 teams rather than 16, it would be regarded as a significant low point in England’s history if they fail to progress as one of the top two teams in a group which also features Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania and San Marino.
Steven Gerrard stepped down as captain and retired from the international game following the campaign in Brazil which brought about defeats at the hands of Italy and Uruguay and a tame 0-0 draw with Costa Rica when England were already eliminated and their opponents assured of a spot in the last 16.
Jamie Carragher says he is not confident ahead of England's game in Switzerland and would take a draw.
Frank Lampard soon followed suit in electing to focus on prolonging a club career which has similarly brought significantly more reward than either man’s international endeavours, with the so-called ‘golden generation’ firmly consigned to history.
New captain Wayne Rooney, who has also been awarded the armband at Manchester United, was the catalyst for victory over Norway, emphatically converting from the penalty spot in the second half with one of England’s two shots on target over the 90 minutes.
That goal took Rooney to 41 for his country, ahead of Michael Owen in the all-time list and within eight of Sir Bobby Charlton, England’s record scorer. Yet the 28-year-old continues to divide opinion, with the suggestion from some quarters that he should be left out of the starting XI not even silenced by his new role as skipper.
Ed Draper and Jamie Redknapp look ahead to England's first match of the European Qualifiers against Switzerland.
While England were limping out of the World Cup before the group stage had concluded, Switzerland progressed from Group E in second place behind France before being eliminated in extra-time by eventual finalists Argentina.
The two teams last met in competitive action during qualifying for the last European Championship, when England, who topped their group under former boss Fabio Capello as their opponents finished third behind Montenegro, triumphed 3-1 in Switzerland before drawing 2-2 at Wembley Stadium
source
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire