CHRIS KAMARA is one of Ladbrokes football ambassadors and the firm have given me permission to use his latest blog.
This week he focuses on the pressures facing England and if it's a popular read I'll look to post it on a regular basis.
Switzerland are now bookies' favourites to beat England with Ladbrokes going 6-4 against 2-1 for the away and Kamara doesn't argue with the prices.
Chris writes: Pressure is mounting on Roy’s boys ahead of the Euro 2016 opener in Switzerland on Monday. There is now massive pressure on England boss Roy Hodgson and his side.
“Naturally, there’s lots of doom and gloom because of that performance against Norway in midweek. On the back of what happened at the World Cup and then to play like that is disappointing.
“Everybody was hoping the changes Roy made in bringing in the young lads would result in an improvement in performances but sadly we didn’t see any. And now it’s just added extra pressure for the Swiss contest.
“It’s now become a ‘must-win’ game for loads of different reasons and not just because it impacts upon Roy. The public’s opinion of the England team and the feelings of the players themselves will all be affected by the result.
“In some regards it’s unthinkable we could start the qualifying campaign with a defeat but if you look at the two teams’ performances at the World Cup you’d have to say the Swiss are favourites.
“We can’t make judgments before it’s happened but Roy's added more pressure to himself. His reaction after Norway shows he’s feeling the pressure. He took exception to people saying it wasn’t a good game, he believed it was.
“For this moment in time let’s get behind him and be positive and have no doom and gloom, especially from this column!
“There will be no calls for his resignation if he wins. We still might lose but we might perform better which people would be reasonably happy with.
“Wayne Rooney wasn’t the only poor performer against Norway. People are looking at him because it’s his first game as captain and asking whether we’d see massive improvement in his performance because he’s been given the armband.
“The first game didn’t prove to give him a spur but the rest of the team were poor as well. I wouldn’t say he’s undroppable but who would you put in to replace him?
“We look short of experience and he’s ranked fourth in England’s record scorer’s list.”
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Unbelievable!!
We are poor. Roy out and a younger more modern thinking manager in. Who? I don’t know but we are willing to pay in excess of £6m a year as proved with Crapello. Someone must be interested. Martinez, Rodgers, Koeman?
Oh and Rooney captain! No manager in his right mind would have picked him. Purely PR decision by the fa as he’s our only marketable player worldwide now Gerrard and Lampard have gone.
cobramint, I’d have gone for Hart or Cahill – not many others old enough who are automatic picks.
Can’t even remotely see why this would be beneficial to your site betting wise complete rubbish idea
1plus2, OTT as usual. It’s not there to benefit the site – just a blog you can read or not read. It’s your choice. And actually he made some good points especially as I’m planning to back the Swiss on Monday.
Hardly “OTT as usual” but if it’s not here to benefit the site as you say what is the point in wasting bandwith on it then ?
14 comments including this 1 just proves the comment i made and it was pretty much correct.
Just to add some ying along with the yang nice SS better late than never as they say.
1plus2, did you read the intro? It says if it’s popular we’ll put it up again – anyway we don’t judge an article on comments, we judge them on views.
Ah rite so it’s the views and not the comments you judge them on.
1plus2, exactly. The number of comments don’t really matter – and look at the amount of inane ones today.
Because its also a forum 1+2. U dont agree then leave the thred jeez
Ok Ramey just lets all be sheep like you !!! only an opinion i gave but as far as you are concerned just leave the thread unless you agree pathetic answer.
The issue with England…people don’t seem to understand we’re not good enough. Cole had it right when he said that English players are too scared to go abroad to play first team football.
I can understand not taking John Terry to the World Cup, but not taking players like Ashley Cole etc is madness.
Taking players like Luke Shaw (as good as he is) to the World Cup to gain experience is ridiculous, playing one game against Costa Rica when we’re already out sure will help in the future. Looking towards youth is a good idea and I’m glad England are looking to do it, but the Germans and Spanish don’t pick the likes of Goetze and Thiago because they need experience but because they’re good enough.
Don’t understand all the negativity towards Rooney, he not playing as well as he can do but he took and scores the pen on wed, he scored the goal against uruguay in summer and made the goal for sturridge vs italy plus goal earlier in year to get us to world cup, and he is not n good form, England are a young team and need someone like Rooney who can produce a moment of magic even if he has to drop into midfield to do that, wed was bad night all roud it wasn’t one man’s fault . If David luiz can keep his place in Brazil team waza should sleep easy
Different teams. Brazil like flair. And their other options at centre back aren’t much better. Dante is David Luiz mark 2, and Pepe is a hothead and not great defensively.
Rooney should play but he gets the same stick the likes of Gerrard and Lampard did for not performing to his full potential.
Roy is the right manager. Rooney is the right captain.
It’s a clean slate for England. I disagree with the negativity towards rooney too. His ability on his day is something else. Excellent vision and can drop back and can control the game from deep midfield if he wants.
He’s been criticised so much yet he remains confident. He’s almost 29 now and I can see that the younger players will look up to him.
Watching the England/Norway game was like watching ITV4’s coverage of a, no offence, Spurs or Swansea Europa League group match in some far off half filled stadium, no atmosphere, subdued commentary. England playing in all white added to the feel of it as well. Here’s hoping for Monday, though. I’m glad Roy got angry during that post-match press talk. Forget Mr Nice, bring on Mr Fiery.
It’s a goal, Jeff! Or is it? I don’t know. Me monitor’s down, Jeff.
DRAW HT/ ENG FT 6/1 WORTH A SHOT
Going for the draw. After all the murmurs of criticism Roy will see a draw as a great outcome, which it will be. Sounds obvious but the majority of England emphasis I think will be on not conceding rather than netting. I’m on No Goalscorer at 6/1, and as I strongly fancy the draw I’m gonna have equal stakes on 1-1 at 5/1.
Off topic, why shouldn’t trial threads be introduced to us? Instead of slagging them off before they’ve hardly started why can’t some people just give it a rest and if it’s not for them then shut up and go somewhere else please. I liked the Matchday Live threads on here but I understand if their trial period didn’t work out. But at least give these things a chance. From what I’ve read over on the racing thread lately quantity most definitely doesn’t equal quality, that’s for sure. To me, little offshoot-threads like this one are always welcome and MrF should be thanked for providing us with the chance to view opinions that you don’t have to wade through loads of petty childish squabbling to read.
Im english and proud but got to say england look ordinary at best.we just dont have a top player/s
Also Roy is a nice man but has no plan b.It disapointing right now
Can’t believe your thinking of tipping the swiss Mr F. England at 2/1 for me. The fact the last game was poor will work in Englands favour in my opinion. I think they will be fired up and out to prove a point.I agree as a team there isn’t a lot going for them form wise, but man for man they are streets ahead of the swiss. .
2/1 is big enough to tempt me on it.
edgeman, I’ve already backed the Swiss not to lose and can see them winning although a draw might suit both. You offer Roy a draw right now and he’ll bite your hand off. Tell me the last time England played well?