Seven reasons why Roy’s boys can win Euros...

Terry Venables writes...

1 LOW EXPECTATIONS:
IT might be due to the numerous anticlimaxes of tournaments past and the fact that the country has finally become fed up of having its hopes dashed.

Or maybe it is down to the long, drawn-out process of finding a successor to Fabio Capello.

But I cannot remember such an underwhelming, low-key build-up to England competing at a major finals.

The magnificent Three Lions fans, who have always followed the team all over the world in their thousands, even to friendlies, have not even sold out their allocation for Euro 2012, which is unheard of. But, strangely, that may do England a favour.

Nobody is really expecting us to win, so the pressure is off. That means we can go out and play without fear, which could be massively to our advantage.

It may cause other teams to disregard us as a threat and provide the opportunity for us to cause a surprise as Denmark did in 1992 and Greece in 2004.



2. GROUP

‘D’ definitely does not stand for Death as far as England’s Euro 2012 group goes.

Granted, it is not the easiest group — that honour surely goes to Group A with Poland, Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic — but it could have been a lot worse.

You only have to look at Group B, which features the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark to realise that. By comparison, we have got a decent draw.

France, Sweden and Ukraine will not be easy opponents — it would be foolish to suggest otherwise.

But we have a great chance of making the quarter-finals — and then it is game on.



3. THE REST OF THE FIELD:


THERE will be some excellent teams at the tournament, but that is only to be expected — it is a major tournament after all.

Spain and Italy — our potential quarter-final opponents — will both be strong, but not insurmountable.

Holders and world champs Spain remain the team to beat.

But I fear the burden of winning three successive major tournaments could weigh heavy on their shoulders.

While Italy, of course, have their own much-publicised problems.

We have nothing to fear, not even from Germany or Holland.

They will be as worried about the prospect of facing us as we are about facing them.



4. ROY HODGSON:


ROY may not have been everybody’s first choice as manager, but he is an experienced and outstanding coach who knows the game inside out.

He has managed clubs and countries all over the world.

Single-minded and studious, he may not have been in the job long but he will have the players well drilled.

They will all be in no doubt as to what their individual and collective jobs are. There will be no communication problem here.

He has shown already he is not afraid to make big calls.

I fully expect him to use the experience he gained in Italy with Inter Milan to make us hard to beat.



5. THE PLAYERS:


MUCH has been made of Hodgson’s selections. Some critics claim it is the weakest England squad ever sent to a major tournament.

But I think that sometimes we are too harsh and do not recognise the talent we have.

All of the other countries would love Joe Hart, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney in their squads.

While stars such as John Terry, Gary Cahill, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Phil Jones... (I could go on) would be automatic picks for MOST teams at the tournament.

The same applies to Ashley Young, a player I’ve always liked. He looks totally at home in international football and could be one of the stars of Euro 2012.



6. CHELSEA:


IF ever we doubted England have the courage, resilience and determination to win Euro 2012 then we should only look at my first club.

The way they overcame the odds to become European champions should inspire the Three Lions. Especially as three of the defenders who helped them get to the final and beat Bayern Munich — John Terry, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole — are in Roy’s squad.

They have shown us the way and we can only hope it filters through to the rest of the squad.



7. BUILD-UP:


PREPARATIONS may have been hindered by Fabio Capello’s resignation and the 11th-hour appointment of Roy.

But we should not forget that we steamrollered through qualification and won 1-0 in Norway last weekend. It may not have been the whistles and bells display we all dream of — but it should not be sniffed at.

A similar result and a better performance against Belgium at Wembley today will give the manager and the boys a huge amount of confidence.

LOL... Bwahahaha... we read this every tournament, this plonker Venables is more stupid than I thought....()

Only Hart and Cole are at the top of the game,the rest wouldnae get stripped fir hibs ()

EEENGLAND, EEENGLAND ..............(

I would rather take my chances on banana banana qualifying for WC than England winning Euro2012....()

On second thought, lets hope they do win Euro, then we don't have to listen to the English speaking about the team of 66 anymore...

And there is one reason why they can't:
1) They are shyte!

rob faux Wrote:

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> And there is one reason why they can't:
> 1) They are shyte!

LOL.. Tabloids wouldn't sell if you were the editor Rob...(

England have dropped to 7th in World Rankings.
But i know in my lifetime they will never be as low as Scotland who on 48th are stuck
in between Armenia and EL Salvador or South Africa who on 67th are between China
and Guinea...
We are average but not woeful....-

England definitely have a chance but my question is why leave Carrick out ?

Henderson has had a woeful season, Carrick has had one of his best seasons and statistically has the best pass rate completed amongst the English players.

Honestly I would love it if England won but I don't see it happening.

Germany is the team I fancy.

I saw about 70 reasons why England may battle to reach the second round of Euro 2012.... They were absolutely shocking even if it was seen as a friendly game...:

44% possession at home

1 shot on target and that was the goal.

It doesn't look good, have been reading that carrick didn't want to play for capello and that's why he wasn't considered. Hopefully he has a change of heart. Would love to see Coles and Carrick boss the England midfield.

Gerard had an average game but was man of the match