Watching England beat Germany reminded me why I love International
football; great managers.
International football is as much about
the manager as the player, not just for players picked but for tactics
employed.
In both these departments England have
struggled, which due to a dearth of top talent over the last decade should be a
major concern. Sometimes I blame the players, the Lampard/Gerrard debate is a
perfect example, but on many occasions I lose my passion for International
tournaments the moment the England squad is announced. I, you, we all know what
England we're getting.
However, watching England in the second
half against Germany, made me look at Hodgson in a different light, had he
achieved a tactical shape and balance befitting of an International team?
As Vardy netted it was clear a tactical
understanding was on show. With no natural width it was down to strikers moving
defenders, midfielder's holding possession and full backs to run into space.
Qualities the goal creating players have a natural fondness for. Clyne makes runs and crosses, Barkley looks to change the direction of
play past the centre circle and Vardy is always on the move, especially in the
box.
For the first time in many years I'm
genuinely excited about England's balance, but I wonder, is this Roy's doing,
or circumstance?
The following is a list of players I feel
fit the balance of play, players who in my mind should go to the Euros.
Goalkeepers
Hart - Overrated
but still highly rated.
Butland - Great
season, deserves a chance.
Forster - Every team needs a huge keeper.
Central defence
Smalling -
Wanders, can be headless but is the most consistent defender we have. Having a
good year and appears more comfortable leading at the back.
Cahill - Not
having a good year but we're not blessed at the back and he does have ability,
suspect positioning.
Stones - When he adopts a more composed
attitude in the box he'll be a real asset. That's up to him. Many ball hungry
defenders started off making mistakes, the best ironed them out.
Full backs
Rose - Having a
great year and while he isn't the best defensively, both in the tackle and
position wise he will works well with Alli, Dier and Kane; that's invaluable.
Clyne - Same as
Rose but perhaps a little more composed and weathered.
Walker - Exactly the same as Rose. Best of
an average bunch but with more pace than the average gazelle.
Seeing as England do not have wide
crossing players, or are unwilling to select them we need energetic full backs
to support in positions down down the line. Without that tactic the opposition
will be able to settle into defensive positions.
Midfield
Dier - Solid,
knows to cover the positions of Rose and Alli. Can play centre back or in
either full back position. Growing in confidence too; great to have a defensive
midfielder.
Alli - Proper box
to box midfielder, can pass, shoot, dribble and more importantly select the
right option or not dwell on a decision. Will make mistakes but also create
chances.
Barkley - He can
play a more midfield based role but is better pushed a little higher as he
always wants to be involved. A perfect option when you have full backs bombing
on or attackers making runs. Advanced role looks to be Rooney's so it'll be
interesting to see how Roy chooses to use him.
Milner - No Milner, no party. I think the
time is running out on this legend but he's still solid in every position and
makes good decisions. An invaluable trait in the final minutes of games and
ones where others are losing their heads.
Attack
Kane - A proper
centre forward who makes/finishes his own chances and understands the value of
team play. A massively valuable asset for England because his game is versatile
by nature.
Vardy - You're
told your new club striker is lightning quick, loves scoring, makes countless
runs, gives 100% and is humble. What't not to love. Tactically a perfect foil
for Kane.
Rooney - If fit he
has to go despite not being the Rooney of old. He will finally play in his
favoured position with strikers ahead who love to be busy and not overtly
selfish. Rooney with time? Yes please. Years of this man wasted out wide with
an opportunity to prove himself in the middle. A brilliant passer and creator
who is still a great player. The pressure would be off him this tournament; he
has a part to play (one last time) and that
shouldn't be overlooked.
Welbeck - An enthusiastic player with
speckles of quality. Not my favourite but in tight games you need a goal scorer
and he loves international football. Admittedly he scores freely against
minnows but also gets winners against all-comers at every level. Crouch was
wasted when we needed something different, Welbeck probably shouldn't be.
These are my certainties, players who
would naturally complement each other and allow us to hold the ball centrally.
My attacking worry has always been out
wide, Walcott and Sterling can outpace every defender but both lack the quality
and character to play as wingers, they are forwards. The same for Chamberlain.
If you choose to play a 433 with forwards
you allow the opposition defenders to settle because attacking players
naturally cut back inside; for example the first half against Germany.
Sturridge offers the same problem and to
an extent so does Lallana. There is only one English player who fits width as a
tactic, Albrighton. He creates danger from his position as left winger but as
right winger he's very effective in creating chances, he is of course right
footed.
He will never be picked so we must accept
that the middle is where we will be most effective and not expect miracles when
we play with wide forwards. Roy must recognise this too.
At least this time it'll be Kane and not
Sturridge as the lone striker. He'll demand crosses and is very able to play
with his back to goal on both feet.
The rest who should probably go
Henderson - Rated
highly by Roy but alas not by me. A good player who makes decent decisions and
gets up and down the pitch but really isn't superb at anything. Does have a
nice pass when he is afforded time and reads attacking play well.
Carrick - Losing
Scholes meant we lost a player who passes calmly under pressure, Carrick has
proved a decent understudy. We may need that cool head in central midfield, if
his knees hold.
Drinkwater - It
may be foolish to go to the Euros with one defensive midfielder and Drinkwater
has the discipline to play that position as well as be involved slightly higher
up. Deserves his opportunity.
Sterling - A sub
if ever I've seen one. Poor crosser, average passer, average finisher. He may
be a stunning dribbler and incredibly quick but he's got a long way to go to
prove himself as a guaranteed England starter. Will decimate a slow defence so
will rightly play his part in the tournament.
Baines/Bertrand -
We may need another full back, despite Dier being an option. Quality vs.
endeavour, Bertrand is fit and has been playing. I'd take Simpson.
Sturridge -
A problem because he's ineffective out wide despite being a chance maker,
for himself. Poor passer, too one footed and selfish to play up top alone so he
must play with a partner. Sometimes the young talents are eclipsed by the
Vardy's of this world, is it time England accepted that?
Lallana - Klopp has brought him back to
his best and we're now seeing the confident talent of two years ago. Smart
enough to play in the hole, technically gifted enough to wander and keep the
ball moving and with enough crossing ability to play wide. Not a bad time to
hit form despite not yet meeting the hype.
Honourable mentions (players I would
consider until the last minute) -
Noble - A solid
player in central midfield who makes great decisions. Great passer, solid
striker of a ball, good tackler, very committed. A real shame he hasn't had an
opportunity to show why team play is invaluable.
Albrighton - Puffs at 60 minutes but
sprints for 70. His mantra is cover in defence and take the ball with you/cross
to keep play moving. Predominantly right footed but much better than David
Bentley, who got 8 caps when England still had Beckham. Would add something
that Kane needs and Vardy experiences.
We choose many
one-dimensional forwards, why not choose at least one one-dimensional winger.
Walcott - I still
can't get on board with Walcott. He has talent but he's lost so much rawness
since joining Arsenal. Poor crosser but intelligent enough to get into the
right position, decent finisher but poor decision maker, does cause havoc in
the box.
Chamberlain -
Better crosser than Walcott but spent his time as an impact performer who is
struggling to refine his rawness. Offers more than Walcott out wide but both
are subs.
Wilshere -
Permanently injured and perhaps not worth the risk. Needs time to recuperate
and should be given that. When fit he's definitely a player you want because he
links up play brilliantly and is committed to his team.
Luke Shaw - Same
as Wilshere, he is constantly rushed back and constantly injured. We cannot
afford a wasted space or an unfit player.
Defoe - Still
doing what he always does, scores when he starts but quiet for most of the
match.
Simpson - Top of
the league, resilient and hard working. Gone through the mill and has come out
stronger. With so little in terms of defensive quality perhaps taking him as a
sub would prove valuable in respect of the Leicester bond.
Jagielka - Everton
ship goals but yet he remains and option. England's choices are not that strong
and pedigree keeps him involved.
Jose Fonte -
Solid, dependable, experienced. Deserves a mention despite his age.
Callum Chambers - He plays for Arsenal so
automatically in Roy's mind. A good young player who has been blighted
with injury and perhaps poor choices. Moving to Arsenal has not brought him on
enough despite showing glimses of ability. I'd prefer a solid defender like
Fonte than a young talented one.
