France ought to win the group, what with only having an already dispatched Sweden team that are at each other's throat. England only need a draw to go through, whilst Ukraine must win to progress. Both can still top the group, but they would require the French result to be compatible.
The big question from an England perspective is whether Wayne Rooney should play. He is, in the opinion of most supporters, the best player we have, by some distance, though he does not always play to his full ability and potential in the national side, and there is always the dark black cloud of his temperament to deal with, which takes him over at the flick of a switch.
You could also argue that he is not match fit after so long without a game, but then it would be just as easy to point at Parker and Terry and how tired and off the pace they are. Rooney has had a rest period, and could well be fit and raring to go.
The next thing is should you change a winning side? well Carroll was only brought in to the side to play a specific role in the game against Sweden, a different tactic may be required against Ukraine. Also that side only became a winning side after the introduction of Walcott, so by rights he should first be accommodated into the staring line-up. Before tonight's games Roy Keane and Roberto Martinez both felt that a winning side should not be broken up, but Patrick Vieira felt that you should always try to make room for your best player on the field.
My two-pennorth, for what it is worth (just short of one penny in new money), is that Rooney should start up front, playing just behind Welbeck, and Walcott on the right, with Milner or Young on the left. I would give Young one more chance, but I reckon Hodgson would lean toward a more defensive style.
The big question from an England perspective is whether Wayne Rooney should play. He is, in the opinion of most supporters, the best player we have, by some distance, though he does not always play to his full ability and potential in the national side, and there is always the dark black cloud of his temperament to deal with, which takes him over at the flick of a switch.
You could also argue that he is not match fit after so long without a game, but then it would be just as easy to point at Parker and Terry and how tired and off the pace they are. Rooney has had a rest period, and could well be fit and raring to go.
The next thing is should you change a winning side? well Carroll was only brought in to the side to play a specific role in the game against Sweden, a different tactic may be required against Ukraine. Also that side only became a winning side after the introduction of Walcott, so by rights he should first be accommodated into the staring line-up. Before tonight's games Roy Keane and Roberto Martinez both felt that a winning side should not be broken up, but Patrick Vieira felt that you should always try to make room for your best player on the field.
My two-pennorth, for what it is worth (just short of one penny in new money), is that Rooney should start up front, playing just behind Welbeck, and Walcott on the right, with Milner or Young on the left. I would give Young one more chance, but I reckon Hodgson would lean toward a more defensive style.
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