Euro 2016: England 1 Russia 1

The bashing continues for me as my English team impresses me and looked useless to the world. It was a game where the 3 Lions were dominant but missed chances like they were 3-0 up already. The overall game play of the English lads was good except for the wasted chances but I know they will come good in the next game. The starting XI wasn’t what I hoped for though the only difference was I wanted John Stones in place of Gary Cahill, Jamie Vardy ahead of Adam Lallana and Nathan Clyne playing instead of Kyle Walker. Asides that the Manager played the other players I would have loved to see in the starting line-up.  Adam Lallana though wasteful especially in the first half proved he deserved a starting place and Walker also had a wonderful game with Cahill putting in an equally good shift , it was Raheem Sterling that however let me down. With all his pace he did a terrible job on the left side of attack and quite frankly Danny Rose would have done a better job if he was deployed in that role. People have even started calling Raheem Sterling Sterling in name Naira in Value.  What Roy Hodgson Did Wrong The game is over and like I always say “person wey dey use mouth play penalty no dey lose am” meaning from the outside we seem to know better than Roy Hodgson (the English team coach/manager) and we can do no wrong in his shoes. I saw the game and was impressed but what I think the coach did wrong when England had gotten the lead was his substitutions afterwards. England took the lead in the 73rd minute through an Eric Dier whom was my favourite Tottenham player this past season’s freekick  and I must confess the Russian wall was terribly set up (poor from the goalkeeper).  The English coach takes off the most hardworking player in his squad which was obviously Wayne Rooney and brought on Jack Wilshere. Bringing Wilshere in wasn’t the issue, yes maybe he had a purpose but taking Rooney off for whatever reason was the biggest footballing mistake he made on the night. Wayne was the reason Dier could move about the pitch because he always covered for him. The moment Rooney was off things took a down turn for the English side. I think Sterling should have been the first man out and then Dele Alli should have been taken off for James Milner. Rooney should have been on for 90 minutes. And I am sure Wayne Rooney proved his doubters wrong that he isn’t finished goods just yet. Chris Smalling however could have done better for the goal England conceded.  I still don’t get why Harry Kane took all the corner kicks for England, yes accepted Raheem Sterling can’t  strike a ball to save his life but I think Rooney or Alli could have taken a couple of the corner kicks. It still seems the English team don’t  know the know the importance of winning your first game. 3 points would have calmed the nerves of the players and position them to be confident in the next game but hey what do I know? I am just a football fan. My Man of the Match on the night was between Danny Rose and Kyle Walker and this is because I never expected much from them but they did step up to be counted. Next up for my beloved Three Lions is Wales on Thursday.  Preferred XI Against Wales I will like to see the team in a 4-4-2 formation set up with Harry Kane pairing Jamie Vardy but my fear is Rooney would have to play behind the strikers which would be risky for Eric Dier to be all alone at the base of the midfield but a 4-4-2 formation looks a scarier formation. If the coach is going to stick by the 4-3-3 he used in the first game then I don’t think Raheem Sterling should start. That’s my only reservation but it is still whatever Roy Hodgson decides. Prediction Against Wales Wales have picked up their first ever 3 points in a major tournament and they seem rearing to go and with the most expensive player in the world; Gareth Bale in their ranks they seem confident of making it to the next round but it surely won’t be coming at England’s expense. England to win 2-1 come Thursday. Thanks for your time as always guys.