World Cup 2010: England fail to deliver

England fail to deliver

England did not enjoy a good campaign. This blog has already discussed their failings in the opening game. Sadly we faired no better against Algeria. Capello to his credit did make some positive changes for the Slovenia game with Milner and to a lesser extent Defoe coming out with some credit. Sadly an over-reliance on 4-4-2 and players seemingly unwilling or unable to pass a football saw us humbled by Germany.

A brief look at the Germany game shows that we struggled to live with their system. The Germans appear to have adopted the in vogue 4-2-3-1 system with Oezil in a free-role behind Klose and Podolski and Mueller either side of him. Schweinsteiger and Khedeira sit and protect the defence.

Although Oezil looked to be the man causing problems Schweinsteiger was actually the free man. When we pushed someone up to press him it freed up Oezil who would run beyond Barry. The centre-halves were all over the shop. Instead of sitting in a line and marking zonally they began following players. Klose, Mueller, Podolski and Oezil pulled them all over the place. If we'd stuck to zones then we could've picked them up. Instead they picked us off at will.

The way to counter-act that was to either have dropped Rooney off the front and on to Schweinsteiger - its better to allow the German back four possession rather than Schweinsteiger. Alternatively drop Rooney wide left and tuck Gerrard in one. We are then matched up formation-wise and can push one of our midfielders on to Schweinsteiger with Barry covering Oezil. Barry then communincates with Terry/Upson to pass him on when he moves into their zones.
Unfortunately none of the above happened, Barry and Lampard were somewhat over-run in midfield. Gerrard tucked in to compensate and we were left with a rather ragged shape.

Selecting Matthew Upson when Ledley King had returned to full fitness proved to be a huge error of judgement from Capello, sadly not the only one. The sight of Emile Heskey coming on for Jermain Defoe was baffling. The side could also have benefitted from much needed pace - Aaron Lennon, although not in his best form after injury could definitely have been used more effectively.

A number of questions were raised about Capello's position but it appears he is now confirmed for the next two years.

Where do we go from here?

I'm agnostic towards Capello He made some major mistakes, tactically and selection-wise. However believe me, there is no way Capello would have people running out of position in the way England did against Germany. He was ranting and raving on the touchline. There is talk about preparation etc. I don't buy it. These players have had 3 different managers, all of having different management style and tactics and still they fail.

At somepoint they have to shoulder some responsibility. That time is now.


So time for new blood for the next qualifying campaign.

James - at 39 is closer to management than playing.

Terry - clearly too powerful in the dressing room - a cancer that needs to be removed. Since his indiscrections Capello's authority has been undermined.

Gerrard - Has gone over the "tipping point" of a 30 year-old. Poor form for Liverpool and is on his way down from here onwards.

Lampard - 31 - time for younger players to step forward and take their chance.

I'd also add to the list - Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Emile Heskey. Basically due to injury proneness and age restrictions.

So from that I'd be looking at something like this in 2 years:

-----------------------------Hart

--Richards---Dawson---Jagielka----Cole

----Milner------Carrick----Huddlestone

Lennon----------------------------------Johnson

-----------------------Rooney

Or something along those lines - Richards/Johnson at full-back. Centre-halves from Daws/Jagielka plus Lescott, Jones (at Blackburn) and one of the two centre-halves at Birmingham, with Wayne Bridge in at left-back

Midfield 3 mentioned plus Wilshere, Barry and Jack Rodwell.

Wingers - these two plus Walcott and Ashley Young.

Up front Crouch, Defoe, Bent, Sturridge (from Chelsea) in reserve.

Hopefully we can then build a solid base for the World Cup in 4 years time. The worry is that there is very little coming through beyond these players. The under-21s have been selected for their size rather than their technique. We were embarrassed in our own back yard by Greece just a few months ago as their technical players passed and moved the ball around us. Worrying times ahead indeed.