Another England match, another dull and disappointing performance. The national squad’s 0 – 0 draw against an almost motionless Slovakia saw many agree with commentator Glenn Hoddle, who suggested that England could really have done with taking a player like Andy Carroll to Euro 2016 in order to meet the various crosses that were launched into Slovakia’s 18-yard box.
Though Hoddle also provided the expert line “there are a lot of footballers out there at the moment”, so perhaps his opinion shouldn’t be trusted, many England fans are echoing his sentiment that England needed a player capable of providing an aerial threat, considering that the squad spent much of the match playing overhead balls towards their opponents’ goal. Andy Carroll immediately began trending on Twitter after the match as a result:
“Lets cross the ball for the whole game and not take Andy Carroll or any good strikers who can head the ball well” pic.twitter.com/EJCnnRyFPs
— WestHamFCLive (@WestHamFCLive) June 20, 2016
Hoof it forward to Andy Carroll! pic.twitter.com/4tfUeLnLFZ
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 20, 2016
It’s always hard to score when a team parks the bus for 90 mins. Happened to us every game so far. That sort of game screams Andy Carroll…
— Charlie Wernham (@charliewernham) June 20, 2016
England’s goalless draw means that the national side finished second in Euro 2016’s Group B, beaten by leaders Wales who trounced Russia 3 – 0. England have only managed one victory in the Euro group stages, beating Wales 2 – 1.
After the match, Roy Hodgson stated that he believed his squad “dominated” all three group matches, despite them only having secured five points during the campaign. Nonetheless, England have now qualified alongside Wales and runners up Slovakia, with them next set to take on whichever team takes second place in Group F.
