European Championship 2012

WITH the situation at CCFC seeming like a crazy merry-go-round and no sign of any immediate finish to the current malaise in sight; it is with interest that we can look forward to the forthcoming European Championships in Poland & Ukraine.

Roy Hodgson was a strange choice for many, with the seemingly far more talented Harry Rednapp overlooked for the poison chalice. I don't suppose there was much option but to go for a "safe pair of hands" following Fabio's reign ending pretty abruptly. The FA have looked all over Europe, in a vain attempt to get the best from the "Golden Era" of England players, with little success, at least in the critic's view. I think Capello was doing an OK job, and had plans for a future full of bright young things, with a team based around Rooney and Jack Wilshire. I'm not sure Hodgson will be so adventurous?

With Gareth Barry being rules out by injury, it speaks volumes for the new manager's mindset, that he picks another defender to fill the void, leaving England woefully short of midfield talent. There were calls for Michael Carrick to get a call up, with his original omission understandable, but now Barry is out, the balance of the squad would have been far better equipped, with Carrick in the squad. Ball retention against Norway was shocking, so a decent passer of the ball would have been most welcome, but no, Hodgson picks Jagielka!

I am not suggesting that Hodgson will be a failure for England, but the signs are that he is a bit too conservative in his thinking, which probably explains why he got the job in the first place?

Let's hope the lack of expectation helps the national side have a great tournament, but there is a lack of expectation because the bookies know there stuff. The only problem is: The Sky Blues were favourites to be relegated, and didn't let the bookies down..................