England --> Serious Issues To Address

[BigDub]

I will preface this thread by stating that Im in no way shape or form and England supporter. These comments are based on England's performance vs. Egypt (which I watched with a close eye) and their injury issues.

Having said that...England has some serious issues at both left and right back. The most glaring issue is at left back. I thought Leighton Baines was very poor today, particularly defending. Fact is, I just don't think he has what it takes to be England's starting left back. With the injury to Cashley and Bridge deciding to turn his back on his country, this is what England has been left with. Baines, while possessing a skilled left foot, offers very little in defense as his size and strength prevent it.

On the right- I understand Wes Brown is not going to be the regular starter for Capello in the World Cup, but with the injury to Glen Johnson, England fans have to be wondering who is going to step up here and do the job. Again, Brown isn't terrible, but if England have the hopes of winning the world cup they have to find somebody better.

In the first half both Brown and Baines were very poor. Not only did England miss chances but they allowed Egypt too many counter attacks and did not defend well at all. A big part of this was Matthew Upson who I also thought was sub-par. Just another reason why Dawson should be considered.

The point is, England MUST improve their back line and get healthy if they expect to be serious competitors for the World Cup title.

[Pitseleh]

I'd agree with most of that. Baines and Brown are simply not good enough for a side hoping to make it all the way in SA.

However, there is always the chance that both Cashley and Johnson will be fit. There are certain areas where we struggle for back-up and genuine competition for places and defense is certainly one of them.

Even our first choice back 4 look suspect most of the time. I mean, people wax lyrical about Terry and Ferdinand, they've been playing together for England for years, yet their understanding seems poor. Perhaps that's partly due to the fact that we haven't had an established first team keeper since Robbo.

Cashleys pretty solid, but Johnson, whilst better than Wes Brown, is also not the best defensively. I was surprised Warnock didn't get the chance tonight, as i too thought Baines was average. Walcott hasn't impressed me since Zagreb, for club or country, and the only player who looked like staking a genuine claim for the RM berth was Lennon, before he picked up his injury.

Rooney and Crouch/Heskey look the best options up front. We all know that Defoe is ineffective in a game if not scoring goals, making him a shoe-in for the role of supersub at 2010.

Still not sure about Lamps and Gerrard in the same midfield. Carrick could still have a say in Capello's starting 11. He looked pretty composed tonight, and more like the player we see week in, week out for Manure.

Overall, considering injuries and aforementioned circumstances, i think we can be happy with that result. Poor first half, but the games played over 90 minutes, and we came back strong. Still don't think we have a hope of winning it unless everybody, and i mean everybody stays 100% fit.

[stroud_jm]

Even our first choice back 4 look suspect most of the time. I mean, people wax lyrical about Terry and Ferdinand, they've been playing together for England for years, yet their understanding seems poor. Perhaps that's partly due to the fact that we haven't had an established first team keeper since Robbo.

Not English either, as most people know, but I watch most of the NT games and I fully agree with the part about Terry and Ferdinand. Just makes Ledders' fitness issues all the more sad... England have some issues, but I'd be pretty optimistic if I you.

I wish we could trade you one of our goalkeepers for one of your CMs. Or for Warnock or Baines.

[HeroesComesandGoes]

As much as I rate Baines on the Premiership level, I would agree his performance yesterday wasn't good enough. There is still one international left to try Warnock on that position. As for right back, Wes Brown was poor yesterday and sadly our choices are scant if Glenn Johnson is out. Gary Neville is past it...any recommendations?

[SirBillyNick]

just a friendly at a very important point in the EPL season, would be very surprised if the entire team gave their all in that game, just in case of injuries. Baines needs some more games and a few weeks away with the squad before the WC and he'll be fine.

[P UNIT 1980]

Cant read too much into it lads it is a crap friendly.

So much so that I fell asleep just after half time!!!

What was shocking though was that we gave away posession sooooooooooooo much that it reminded me of Spurs midfield!!!

Ball retention will kill teams and all other European sides hae vastly superior ball retention skills compared to us.

If your oposition dont have the ball they cant hurt you can they. And if they aint got it you have and that is when you can hurt them.

I personaly think we need to be far more inteligent when we dont have the ball in making space and offering options. This is the result of All coaches in England for the past 30+ years doing it the FA way. Their coaching scheme has damaged the English game and continues to do so. They are an old boys network who wont let outsiders and people with differing views into their organisation and this has lead to stagnation of Englisg players and the national team.

Changes at the top need to happen and it needs to filter right the way down to grass roots. A more European/South American/Combined style of football needs to be taught to make the best free flowing style of football in the world.

Just my opinion of course.

[Pitseleh]

I agree wholeheartedly unit.

I've always felt the problems with our NT come right the way up from grass-roots football. Kids these days are playing 11-a-side football from the age of about 12. They don't see enough of the ball to be able to improve technically, learning instead to value commitment and good-old-fashioned heart. On the continent and beyond, those values are traded for touch, vision and tactical awareness. How are 11 12 year old kids supposed to move the ball quickly, along the ground and with any real intent when the pitch is that big for them? Running before you can walk comes to mind.

For years us Brits have been sentimental about these old values, and we've reaped what we've sown. Blood and thunder just can't work against skill and technical ability at the highest level. We have plenty of players who ply their trade in the prem and are leaders for top sides.. Lamps, Gerrard etc.

Those two are lauded the world over for being extremely good, world-class footballers, but at the very highest level their flaws become apparent. They give the ball away constantly, are found out positionally and they have been ineffective for most of their careers for England. Barry has been earmarked by Capello imo, he's started every game under the new boss (I think) as he's the best technical CM we have. He uses the ball better than the likes of Gerrard and Lampard, who admitedly possess a better head in the final 3rd than him. But if we can keep the ball in the middle 3rd whats the point?

Keeping hold of the ball at the highest level is where we fall down. We do have the odd good technical player, Rooney, Bazza, Carrick, Rio but they are too few and far between.

I can predict with a certain amount of confidence what will happen at this years World Cup. We'll get throught the groups, dragging our heels on the way, and then be soundly beaten by a team that can hold posession better. We'll run around like headless chickens with all the same "blood-and-guts" sentimentality thats been our bread and butter for generations, get fatigued and eventually lose out in what will be described as another "spirited performance"

I'm just being realistic.

[P UNIT 1980]

We can win it mate but we need to have options.

Diferent options to combat to threats and strengths of the other better footballing sides.

We also need to be hugely lucky, as does anyone that wins a mojor tournament.

[BigDub]

PLUS there is that huge obstacle....the USA looming....

[PrimetimeSpur13]

PLUS there is that huge obstacle....the USA looming....

you're gonna be eating those words..im tellin ya

we have proven that we can hang with the big boys (spain, brazil, netherlands)

[stroud_jm]

PLUS there is that huge obstacle....the USA looming....

Not taking the bait, other than to say we can only dream of one day rivalling footballing titans South Africa

Regarding England, I think the English folks on this thread are being a little too harsh on themselves really- it's not like you're consistently played off the park in World Cups and European Championships.

If England players had performed better in penalties, you'd have one of the best records in international competitions over the last 20 years.

[HeroesComesandGoes]

Not taking the bait, other than to say we can only dream of one day rivalling footballing titans South Africa

Regarding England, I think the English folks on this thread are being a little too harsh on themselves really- it's not like you're consistently played off the park in World Cups and European Championships.

If England players had performed better in penalties, you'd have one of the best records in international competitions over the last 20 years.

Ditto for Tottenham - because of that we only got one point from Everton rather than 3.

[BigDub]

you're gonna be eating those words..im tellin ya

we have proven that we can hang with the big boys (spain, brazil, netherlands)

Im on your side, comrade!

[PrimetimeSpur13]

My mistake my friend

Here's to hoping Davies, Dempsey and Onyewu are fit for the England match

[thfcire]

stop bleeding moaning will ya,id give my right conker to be at the world cup this year ha ha.all teams get injuries running up to world cups england are no differant.cant beleve im saying this but england still even with injuries have one of the best squads there{jesus i need a bath after saying that ha ha}.i hope it doesnt come down to a defoe peno though hee heee.