Oh well, another jinx carries on undiminished for another year. England just cannot seem to beat Sweden and that's all there is to it.
Not that it should linger on in our minds for too long. After last night's 2-2 draw in Cologne, England have finished top of their group and avoided hosts Germany in the second round. Unbeaten after the first three matches, England can quietly feel confident of reaching the quarter finals - that is if the core of the squad can hold together long enough.
With Michael Owen badly injuring his knee after one minute and Rio Ferdinand hobbling off in the second half with a groin strain, things don't look too good at the minute. In attack we're left with Wayne Rooney who is yet to find the spark to signal the end of his recovery period, Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott, who hasn't even played a full game for England yet.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Steven Gerrard moves further and further forward upfield as the competition progresses. We may be in need of a proven goalscorer by the end of this World Cup and if that means promoting him from midfield to attack, so be it, in my book.
That would mean his support in the centre of the field would be Frank Lampard (still a capable player but looking somewhat tired, understandably), Owen Hargreaves (don't ask), Joe Cole (trying hard at the moment but a little inconsistent) and the ubiquitous but reliable David Beckham.
In defence, things are looking transitional at the moment. Ferdinand's injury may not be as bad as first thought, but Sol Campbell should be good enough to take his place on experience and technical ability alone should the need arise again. Ashley Cole still lacks a little focus but is getting slightly better with every game, John Terry is as dependable as ever and Jamie Carragher is holding his own without ever expecting to play an entire 90 minutes.
But should we be that pessimistic about England's chances of winning the tournament? I have a few suggestions that might lift the mood a little...
Let's get some fresh legs out there. First of all, let Aaron Lennon take the right-wing position where he does most damage and give Stewart Downing a chance to do the same on the left - both of whom can link up well with Beckham and Lampard in the middle.
Up front, let Gerrard have a run around with Rooney or Crouch. At the back, leave things pretty much as they are with Robinson, Terry, Ferdinand (health permitting) Ashley Cole and Carragher doing their usual shtick.
OK granted - it's not the most radical overhaul of team affairs, but I certainly think Lennon needs to be used more and Downing's no bad option down the left either. And if Sven insists on using Owen Hargreaves again, surely Michael Carrick would be a more useful alternative? Did I mention Joe Cole? Well he could be used from time to time, but in those games where he isn't firing on all cylinders, give him a rest on the bench.
You see, it's not all doom and gloom. Perhaps we just need to see some fitter, faster players being brought in, one or two being played in different positions and other players being given the day off once in a while. There's still bags of talent in the squad - we just need to be using it better.
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3 comments:
Never being one to let a good conspiracy theory pass by, I was wondering how the half time team talk went.
Sven: Okay lads, we are one up. Keep it tight but let them equalise. That way they will qualify instead of Paraguay. Remember, I might have to go home sometime.
Becks: Okay Boss, but what happens if we accidently score like?
Sven: Just make sure we let one in late in the game. If we give them enough chances, there should be the opportunity to make a complete hash of it.
On the subject of the team selection, don't you think that sometimes we have an overloaded midfield? Granted Joe Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, and Beckham are all top players, but at times they seem to be too similar especially if you want Lennon or Downing on the wings. I think Sven needs to bite the bullet and rest one of the four in order to add that little bit of spice. Becks is probably the most needed for his passing/set pieces. That leaves one of Cole, Gerrard or Lampard. For me Cole is the candidate to drop for a left winger. Although on current form, Lampard might be the best to drop and replace him with Lennon. If Sven wants a 5 man midfield, then he needs 2 out and out wingers, 2 good playmakers who can support the lone striker (I suppose Rooney in peak form could play the midfield/support role)and a holding midfielder. So my perfect team given the players in the squad :
Robinson
Neville
Terry
Ferdinand
Cole (A)
Lampard
Beckham
Gerrard
Downing
Rooney
Crouch
If Neville is out then Lennon instead of Lampard or Gerrard (or even instead of Beckham?)
That team talk sounds feasible, as does your line-up!
I can't be having Gary Neville in my side, no matter how 'experienced' he is. Carragher's more preferential to that gonk.
I go along with resting Cole and even Lampard from time to time. They can always be brought on later in a game to freshen things up.
Unfortunately the "gonk" seems to bring out the best in Beckham. Carragher needs someone more defensive in front of him, which is why I sort of proposed leaving Becks out for a game and using Lennon on the wing. Lampard or Gerrard would then have to fill in as the protection for Carragher. Against the South americans, we need to push forward with pace, while still keeping a strong defence.
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