Tournament Performances and Italy Euro England

Italy Euro England: The goal record is, of course, a distraction from the real business of England attempting to improve on recent tournament performances, according to The Guardian. Indeed scoring hasn’t been the problem as much as keeping the opposition out and instilling a solidity through the rump of the team that was missing at the last World Cup. For those experiencing post-goal record withdrawal symptoms there is at least the consolation that Wayne Rooney can break England scoring record all over again next month against Lithuania and Estonia, and then again against France the following month, each goal from now on to be accompanied in an ideal world by a similar farrago of anticipation, ecstasy and commemorative newspaper pull-outs. Since the deathly 0-0 draw with Italy at Euro 2012 England have played nine games against opposition with high-class attackers without keeping a single clean sheet, in the course of which Brazil, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Chile and Sweden have put the ball in their net 16 times. If Switzerland did find some joy passing their way around and through England in the first half there were some positives too. Tuning up that post-Gerrard midfield block and making sure he has full-backs who can defend as well as attack: this is Hodgson real test ahead of next year and as such the clean sheet against Switzerland, the toughest – or least un-tough – team in the group was more significant than Rooney late penalty at the other end. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.