Former Ipswich Town defender Kevin Beattie
England can win the European Championships, says Ipswich Town legend Kevin Beattie
By Stuart Watson
Friday, June 15, 2012
12:52 PM
England can win the European Championships!
So says former Ipswich Town legend Kevin Beattie ahead of the Three Lions’ second group game against Sweden tonight (7.45pm).
There has been a mixed reaction to the way Roy Hodgson’s well-drilled side earned a workmanlike point against in-form France on Monday, but Beattie remains highly positive.
The man once hailed by Sir Bobby Robson as the best England player he had ever seen – injuries cruelly restricting the gifted defender to just nine caps – said: “How far can England go? With a little bit of luck, then possibly all the way – why not? We have a chance without a doubt.
“I’ve watched every minute of every game and I don’t think there has been anything that should strike complete fear into us.
“There are obviously teams to respect. The Germans were impressive, I think the Italians will be there or thereabouts, while Spain, as good as they are, aren’t playing with any forwards.
“I know a few people have moaned about how negative England were against France, saying we can’t win a tournament with that approach, but I was really pleased with how we played.
“The key to any good side is organisation and team work and Roy Hodgson has certainly got the team playing together.
“Sweden are no slouches, they’ve got some good players, but they shouldn’t be as difficult as France. I’d like to see us play a little bit more adventurous against them, but the most important thing is we remain hard to beat.”
With Hodgson set to check on the fitness of experienced central midfield duo Steve Gerrard and Scott Parker, Beattie added: “They’re professional footballers so they should be able to manage these games in quick succession. In my day we played more than 60 games a season and it wasn’t a problem. Forget resting players, the manager should pick his best eleven and that definitely includes those two.”
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4 comments
It's good to see that our resident 'agony aunt' is keeping his hand in during the summer with his cheery view of the world. Perhaps he has the double handicap of supporting both Scotland & Col U. Bet he's looking forward to a new season characterised by his usual poisonous rhetoric.
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Richard Gardiner
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Shame the only news of Kevin Beattie in recent weeks is this little parody. Of course England CAN win the competition, as can 13 others - after all, we re now two matches in and only the two worst teams in the competition are out - as you would expect. After 3 matches the 8 worst teams in the competition will be out - and England may well be amongst them. After that comes the best 8 where expectations for England realistically end. Best save any eulogising for when England actually meet (and beat) a better team.
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Rob Steroo
Saturday, June 16, 2012
I hope I am not tempting fate, but I thought there was a real sense of composure about this England team, they know they have no real flare players (Rooney in his day can be, but mostly not) so they are playing a very controlled game. It is great expectations are low, as the team are playing for themselves, the manager and the fans. And less so for the media. England looked good, not great, not like Spain or Germany, but they played with a certain something against France, and I hope fore more of the same..
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Chris Parker
Friday, June 15, 2012
I agree with Kevin here. I live in the Netherlands and a lot of the Dutch people have remarked on how well England played against the French. To a man they were all quite suprised because they rate that French team very highly. I think Roy Hodgson is a master tactician, who will always make the best of what he's got by putting round pegs in round holes. I think a draw tonight will do for now and it is well within their grasp.
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FRANK WESTON
Friday, June 15, 2012