No More Years of Hurt: Why England Can Triumph At Euro 2016

Betting Advice

Every two years when a major international competition comes around, England reaches fever pitch with excitement and anticipation. Can this be our year?

The answer, generally, is a resolute no: we simply haven’t had the squad of players or the managerial organisation to really compete at the highest level.

But you get the feeling that a change is a-foot. This is a young England team bursting with talent and – most importantly – good form at club level, Roy Hodgson has managed to shake off the unfair ‘dinosaur’ tag that has dogged him in the wake of a series of contemporary tactical decisions, and with the traditional top dogs not as strong as they once were, surely this is the Three Lions’ best chance in years to bring some cheer to the masses.

And the good news, in the wake of the 3-2 win over Germany in that Easter friendly, is that they look on course to deliver.

So what are the key reasons behind the rise of the English?

Form Horses

Finally, an England manager has cottoned on to a notion that has been screaming out at them for decades: pick players in form at club level.

Happily for Roy Hodgson, said players also happen to be plying their trade in the Premier League’s two outstanding sides: Leicester City and Spurs. So in have come Eric Dier, Dele Ali, Danny Rose, Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater….with dazzling effect in most cases.

jamie vardy

Yes, it was only a friendly, but the difference that Vardy made in particular to England in that 3-2 win over Germany was clear for all to see. It took just three minutes for him to get on the scoresheet, but it was his old-fashioned direct running into the channels that scared the wits out of the Germans – as it has done to defences all season domestically.

Earning Their Spurs

But it is that Tottenham midfield duo, Eric Dier and Dele Alli, which continues to catch the eye. Dier is a rock solid presence in the middle of the park, acting as an effective screen in front of the back four and recycling possession with short, simple passes when required. He is the epitome of the modern holding midfielder – not bad for a lad who was plying his trade as a defender for Sporting Lisbon’s reserves just two years ago.

eric dier and dele alli

In contrast, there is something rather old-school about Alli’s approach to midfield action; he’s the archetypal box-to-box marauder, not afraid to get stuck in and able to pop up with a goal or two when the time is right. Not bad for a young man of 20….

And the good news is that he seems to have the temperament to handle the big occasion. He’s earned his first international caps and been a figurehead of Spurs’ title push while barely out of his teenage years, and there is no indication that he will succumb to the trappings of fame and fortune that have beset so many in a similar position (hello Scott Sinclair et al).

The Modern Way

Despite looking like an extra from the Last of the Summer Wine, Hodgson is actually pretty in-tune with the modern game, and so at long last England look ready to compete with the more fancied sides from a tactical point of view.

Roy-Hodgson

The gaffer seems to be happy to let his charges take to the field in a 4-2-3-1 system – the modern way – which enables the likes of Alli and Lallana probably to express themselves, safe in the knowledge that Dier and his defensive midfield partner are there as a security blanket.

Harry Kane plays up front on his own at club level, so knows when and where to be at all times, while Danny Rose and Kyle Walker are more than capable of bombing on and providing attacking width when the time is right.

But it goes simply beyond having round pegs in round holes – a frighteningly simple concept but one that has been oft-forgotten by England managers of the past. It is in the subtle details….pressing the ball higher up the pitch, counter attacking at speed when there is space to be exploited, while recycling possession and playing out from the back when there isn’t. By focusing on what they can do, rather than worrying about man-marking the opponents’ key players, the Three Lions can set the agenda and dominate proceedings; as they did in large swathes against Germany.

No Fear

‘Young players have no fear’ and ‘you’ll never win anything with kids’: those are two classic sentiments that have been in and around English football for the best part of a decade.

So which is it to be? Well, there can be no doubting that youngsters have no fear of failure – take a look at yourself as a younger man/woman for further evidence. This England side looks to be going down the youthful route, with Chris Smalling, at 26, partnered by 21-year-old John Stones in the heart of defence, with two 25-year-olds in Danny Rose and Kyle Walker outside them. It is quite possible that Joe Hart and Adam Lallana will be the only players aged 27 or above in the starting eleven.

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The blueprint for big tournament success has generally been to go with older players – both Germany and Barcelona dominate their respective international and club tournaments and favour older players, but it will do England’s chances no harm by employing a young team that is hungry for success; and lacking the battle scars of past England failures.

The Time is Right

Spain aren’t the team they once were, Germany’s legs aren’t getting any younger, Italy don’t appear to be creditable contenders….surely England have got a great chance in France so why not place on a bet on England to win? Our European Betting Page here has all the latest odds and tips.

It’s been 50 years exactly since the Three Lions’ last major tournament success, so Euro 2016 looks as good a time as any for these young guns to fulfil their undoubted potential.