Predictions clearly are not my thing. It’s looking like half of the teams that I thought would make the quarter-finals will be heading home early. Moving past this, in the lead up to England’s last group game against Ukraine on Tuesday I thought I would offer some of my thoughts on Roy Hodgson’s team so far, and a suggestion or two for the rest of the tournament.
The France game was to be fair an unspectacular game that came and went without dramatic incident. Hodgson had set the team up to defend and nick a goal, and the 1-1 result is definitely one most who have taken at the beginning of the game. They looked solid, everyone seemed to be clear on what their role was and comfortable with what everyone else was expected to do. England looked like a team that was happy to accept that they could not expect to win and happy to play to their strengths and necessities, rather than simply try to play the nice passing possession game that seems to be mandatory these days. This was impressive.
After the surprising ease and comfort of watching England last Monday, the Friday evening viewing against Sweden game felt like torture (and that is not including my ability to call both Sweden goals seconds earlier, and then screaming and Walcott not to shoot just before the ball hit the back of the Swedish net). Both Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson were pushed too far forward leaving huge spaces for the Swedes to exploit. Ashley Young was exceptional poor, moving out to the left, a position he plays for his club. Milner started the game brightly, but quickly faded, but was in fair left with too much work to do in covering for Johnson, most notably in the free-kick he was forced to concede which led to Sweden’s second goal. The spirit to fight-back and grab the winner, the latest goal England have ever scored at the European Champions, was commendable, but it should not be allowed to paper over the cracks.
What was more encouraging to see was Walcott, finally been given the chance to prove his worth in international tournament, 6 years after being prematurely taken to the 2006 World Cup, duly demonstrate that he has a great to deal to offer this England side. Despite the doubters he is an intelligent player, can score goals, make insightful runs, and provide balls from wide areas that create goals. Van Persie has commented time and again over the past 12 months how much Walcott aids his play, and Welbeck will be as grateful for the service, although he himself should take great credit for a exceptional well taken (and intentional) winning goal.
Taking the bigger picture of the past 2 months, Hodgson has made some bold calls leading up the tournament in his squad selection, and his game plans, starting XI and subs and have all worked well so far. Thankfully we have a manager with the intelligence and willingness to adapt the game plan and personal. The players fault for dropping deeper and deeper once going ahead is something he still needs to work on, but he is starting to mould them into a team, rather than a collection of over-hyped individuals.
Tonight’s games could have a bigger say in how far England progress, than the expected win against the joint hosts. England’s potential semi-final opponents would be easier if they finish as runners up in group, which is likely unless France fail to beat Sweden. However, that means playing the winner of Croup C – most likely the Spanish. A Croatian and Italian win would be ideal, sending the Spanish home, however unlikely that would be. A quarter-final exit against the Spanish is by far the most likely outcome, as predicted, by as everyone keeps repeating: if Chelsea can beat Barcelona…
England also have hope with the returning Wayne Rooney. Despite Roberto Martinez arguing yesterday that he should remain on the bench with both Carroll and Welbeck scoring against the Swedes, I, like I expect Hodgson to do, will start with the Liverpudlian on Tuesday. Although there is the temptation to start the two forwards who both grabbed goals on Friday evening, and started to look a like a decent partnership upfront, Rooney must play, as he has not played hardly anyone football for 5 weeks, and needs to gain some match fitness and sharpness ready for the expected quarter-final game at the weekend. Against the Ukraine do not be surprised if both Carroll and Downing start. Despite the expectation and (limited) experience of Rooney supporting Welbeck, Hodgson may be tempted to use Carroll to hopefully give Rooney more space in between the Ukrainian midfield and defence, and have two-pronged attack against a weak Ukrainian defencive, rather the two Manchester forwards who nonetheless probably complement each other more. Downing could well come in to add a bit more defencive cover on the left, and attempt to supply crosses into the box, a tactic that hasn’t worked well for Liverpool, yet.
There is much to be positive about with England under Hodgson. However, I was left convinced after the Sweden game that we have less of a chance of lifting the trophy than before the game. The France game had given me hope; the Sweden game reminded me that we simply are not yet good enough to win an international tournament. The Spanish must be licking their lips and sharpening their swords already. Here’s to being proven wrong…
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