Capello reverted to type by teaming Lampard and Gerrard together in central midfield - a tactic which ends with one or both producing subdued performances. He then compounded that decision by gambling on a rather untested James Milner in a wide left midfield position and plumped for Robert Green in goal. Rio Ferdinand's pre-tournament injury left us with no other real choice than to pair Ledley King with John Terry. Emile Heskey was somewhat surprisingly chosen to partner Wayne Rooney - possibly given the nod due to their relative success in the qualifiers.
The performance was in typical England style. Huff and puff and a constant turn-over of possession with a succession of long balls to Heskey. The only difference on this occasion was that the opposition - USA - were less capable of holding on to the ball than ourselves. The game had a Premier League feel to it - not surprising given the number who ply their trade in that league.
It started well with a nice trio of passes resulting in Heskey playing in Gerrard to open the scoring after 4 minutes. Capello vindicated. Unfortunately that's where the good news ends. England dropped off and looked shaky at set-pieces. Milner, who had suffered with a high temperature during the week, was replaced after 30 mins having looked off the pace and been cautioned. His replacement was rather puzzlingly Shaun Wright-Phillips who looked lost on the left flank. Surely Joe Cole, who looked very good in the warm-up matches should have been the man to come on.
Then disaster struck with Green's embarrassing moment. Dempsey had managed to sneak into space behind both Gerrard and Lampard, Gerrard to his credit doing his best to get back and stop him getting a shot away. Dempsey did manage a scuffed effort which unfortunately Green wasn't capable of stopping after a disastrous loss of concentration.
King limped off with a groin injury to be replaced by Carragher who was left reeling by Altidore with a super turn and shot in the second half. Heskey spurned a golden chance when put clean through by a super ball from Aaron Lennon. And that was pretty much that.
So where did we go wrong?
The choice of Robert Green has to be questioned. His performances were at best average in the Premier League this season and if David James was fit then his experience coupled with his ability should have been the order of the day. My personal choice would have been Joe Hart who has been the most consistent English goalkeeper by some margin this season. Although he lacks James' and Green's experience, Germany have put their faith in a goalkeeper who only has 4 caps to his name.
Milner wide left seemed a choice out of leftfield, especially given he was struggling with a virus in the build up. Surely Joe Cole was worthy of a starting spot given his pre-tournament form.
Gerrard and Lampard paired together again ended with Gerrard playing well and Lampard struggling somewhat. The best case all round would be to do one of the following:
- Move Gerrard further forward and play him off Rooney - they quite clearly have an excellent chemistry
- Or play with a holding midfielder - the now fit again Barry - allowing both Gerrard and Lampard to get forward in support of a lone striker in Rooney with support from out wide from Lennon and Joe Cole.
Heskey is a useful tool but we should only using him as a battering ram against sides where we will struggle for possession - namely top South American sides or superior European teams.
Hopefully Capello has the answers for the remaining group games because he fell woefully short in his first audition.
