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Jody Barford Interview

Jody Barford Interview

User 64662221 Jun 2016 - 15:30
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The shot stopper on Euro 2016, England’s performances and their chances of progressing further in the tournament.

Are you enjoying The Euros?

“The Euros have been decent so far.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of some teams and especially England. England need to do better in front of goal and I personally believe it will come.

“I went to watch the Russia game and it was all going well until the end. I always felt we needed a second as holding out for a 1-0 has a habit of biting you on the arse.

“Afterwards the crowd trouble was crazy, but probably worse on the streets than in the stadium. Russian ultras and Marseille ultras turned the port area of Marseille into a constant battle ground after dark.

“I used to watch a lot of Bruce Lee films so know how to deal with those situations!”

How do you think England have done so far?

“England haven’t done too badly. If we take chances in front of goal we’ll be ok and if we don’t we’ll get knocked out.

“Teams won’t hold out for draws as much in the knockout stages and won’t defend on mass so hopefully we will get our strikers in better goal scoring positions.”

What did you make of the performance against Russia?

“After a good first half we should have been out of sight.

“I questioned Roy’s changes a bit and thought we should have pushed on for a second. Russia were very poor and I expected better from them.

“There will be bigger tests to come though.”

What did you make of the performance against Wales?

“We did enough to win the game and had to be patient. International football is mostly about being patient and then taking your chances.

“There haven’t been many routs in this tournament. We would all love to be banging in 3 or 4 at half time, but it very rarely happens these days.”

What did you make of the performance against Slovakia?

“It was very similar to the other games in our group.

“Slovakia were quite happy defending deep and getting anything. When a team does that it’s hard to score.

“We still had chances to win the game though. If Vardy had scored early on when one-on-one it would have been a different game.”

What would be your starting XI for the next match?

“GK Hart RB Walker CB Cahill CB Smalling LB Rose CM Dier CM Alli CM Rooney ST Sturridge ST Vardy ST Lallana.

“It’s too late to mess about with the systems now, but if I was the gaffer or playing footy manager it would be that.”

Can you see England progressing much further in the tournament?

“Yes, I don’t think they should fear anyone. Better teams will come at us and you never know!”

Thanks to Jody and let's hope England win The Euros!

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