EUROS SPECIAL: It's England 7, Wales 1 as Peterborough pundits call for Vardy to start

The Peterborough Telegraph asked a selection of local sportsmen, celebrities and football professionals to make their predictions ahead of the big game.

Seven of the 11 who responded went for an England win, two went for draws and we had to track down Peterborough’s biggest Welsh sports supporter, Ian ‘Buck’ Rodgers to find someone to back Wales. Posh manager Grant McCann, a proud Northern Irishman, sat on the middle of fence.

Even Peterborough United’s own former Welsh international Jack Collison couldn’t be persuaded to tip success for his own country, while BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Paul Stainton’s tongue-in-cheek comments could rebound on him if England lose. Mr Stainton hosts a radio show every morning (9am-noon) when listeners are invited to call in.

Peterborough United manager Grant McCann: “The full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker are key to pushing back Wales wing-backs and making them defend. I would like to see Rooney playing more as a 10, possibly in a diamond, to play in behind David Edwards and Joe Allen.”

Former Posh and Wales midfielder Jack Collison, the current Under 18 manager at the ABAX Stadium: “I fancy 1-1. Wales will be hard to break down with their back three. I’m expecting a cagey first half.”

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Paul Stainton: “Wales are a one-man team full of road sweepers and milkmen. If we can’t beat Wales we might as well come home. 3-1 England.”

Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry: “England are a much better team than Wales. We will win 2-0. I’m very confident as long as Roy lets the players perform on the front foot.

“Our strength is going forward. We are not the sort of side who can defend a 1-0 lead.

“Gareth Bale will be the best player on the pitch, but we should be able to stop him getting the ball.”

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sports editor Nick Fairbairn, who will be at the game in Lens, said: “England will nick it 2-1. We created plenty of chances against Russia and if we convert a better percentage of them we will beat Wales.

“We looked good going forward, I even thought we looked quite good technically, but we won’t keep clean sheets so if we get in front we must keep searching for the second goal.”

Peterborough Telegraph sports editor Bob French: “England will win 1-0. I thought they played well against Russia.”

Peterborough Telegraph chief sports writer Alan Swann: “I have a great sense of foreboding about this game. Wales are buoyant, confident and playing well above their general ability level. They have Gareth Bale and we have Raheem Sterling. It will be 1-1, amd I will be happy with that as we’ll beat Slovakia and qualify for the last 16.”

Peterborough United press officer Phil Adlam: “England to win 2-0. I am hoping that Roy Hodgson changes his line up and plays Jamie Vardy instead of Raheem Sterling. And plays more of a midfield diamond. If he does that then I think we will be too strong. Our attack v Wales defence should be too much, but we need to be more positive and play to our strengths which is not hanging on for a 1-0 win.”

Former Posh defender Gaby Zakuani: “2-1 England, The key to England winning will be to just keep attacking as they aren’t the best at holding onto leads, I’d start Jamie Vardy for the threat in behind.”

Peterborough Town cricket captain David Clarke: “England to win 3-1. England to score two first half-goals, then Wales to chase the game leaving themselves open for Jamie Vardy to score a third on the break, Wales to score a consolation goal after a defensive slip up late on!

Peterborough’s biggest Wales fan Ian Rodgers: “Bale to beat England 4-0 as our one man team beats your one man team (Joe Hart). And of course the Welsh being more patriotic than England will ensure victory!”