…England, a thousand miles apart?
The Olympics have provided us with a wonderful two weeks of entertainment and Team GB (why do they call it this? What happened to Great Britain?) exceeded all expectations and finished in a lofty fourth position in the medals table. Padraig Harrington won his second Open in succession and lifted the fourth major of the year, the US PGA to enter golfing folklore. Lewis Hamilton is leading the F1 World Championship and has re-ignited interest in F1 in this country. Ok, the cricket went a bit pear shape but it was a great series contested by two evenly matched teams and the England boys have started the one-day series very well. All in all, a most enjoyable summer of sport. Three months without football is, I know, to some of you a terrible time. I actually quite enjoyed it and felt relaxed and less agitated than I do during the autumn and winter months. But all that has changed now football is back. Everything seems to have changed, just not the football!
Two games in and already the same patterns are appearing. These are the same patterns that have characterised the game in this country since the turn of the century. Chelsea and Manchester United to fight it out at the top again (by the way, I think Chelsea could walk it this year). The mid-table teams will be scrapping it out to finish 5th or 14th. The 3 promoted teams will be locked in a battle for survival with two or three more established teams having a bad season. West Ham have most of their squad injured, no change there then. Tottenham fans will tell you that this year their team will be the best thing since the sliced loaf as always but in reality, this season has started in much the same way as last. The Barcodes seem to have made a fairly decent start and are bucking the trend a little. I hope I’m wrong but I’m sure the status quo will be re-established when Owen gets injured again. In short (no pun intended, Michael), not much changes.
However, the thing that is really bugging me (I wish I could be sunnier and brighter) is the performance of our national team last Wednesday. Fabio has now had 5 games to get to know his squad and implement his ideas. Five games since taking over from Mary Poppins. What has changed? England are still playing without direction, initiative or passion. The tactical nous I was expecting after watching Capello’s teams for years is not there.
Now I admit, I only saw extended highlights of the game against the Czech Republic last week but I had seen all the previous games. From what I saw, nothing had changed. However, something very strange happened last Wednesday whilst watching ITV’s highlights of the game. An ITV pundit actually illustrated something worth talking about after the game, something to highlight England’s inefficiencies. Now of course, this was not David “mind your hub caps” Pleat spouting such wisdom, nor was it Robbie Earle, although I think he is a thoroughly nice chap. Tony Adams was in the studio with Andy Townsend. We could all see the poor defending on display from the back four. First, Wes Brown decided to dive in before Captain Terry was turned much too easily by Milan bloody Baros and goal. However, Mr Adams in the studio pointed out the way the midfield decided to go looking for the ball instead of holding their positions. Numerous moments in the match were highlighted where Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard went looking for the ball in typical Roy Race fashion and left the back four hopelessly exposed time and again. May be ITV have changed! I won’t hold my breath.
The person who seemed to come out of the game with little credit was Gareth Barry. I have to say that I do have a bit of sympathy for Barry. Yes, he is a good central midfield player. However, he is not a defensive midfield player. Gerrard and Lampard came in for their usual lambasting. These are two excellent midfield players. They both play in teams with strong central midfields. Liverpool and Chelsea both play with a defensive midfield player, Liverpool sometimes play with two! The point is, the defensive midfield players at these clubs, Maschareno and formerly Makelele are the key to Gerrard and Lampard’s success. These guys are not looking for glory goals. Yes, they can both pass the ball very well. But they are smart players who know when to go short, when to go long and when to concentrate on protecting the back four. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea replace Makelele.
This is the kind of player England are crying out for. Yes, our attack looks very blunt but first things first, we need to solve this position. I am a big admirer of Carrick at Manchester United. However, I’m not sure he is as competitive as I would like. We need a player who does the dirty work, some would say a water carrier. A Deschamps a Makelele. Is there a player in England prepared to do this? My suggestion is for someone like Reo Coker to be moulded in to this kind of player. He has some way to go but he has a great engine, loves a tackle and has passion. Of course, how he plays for Villa is decided by Martin O’Neill but I think he has the potential to be a Makelele. Whether he would be happy with this is another matter. Barry should be in the England squad but he should be fighting for a place with Gerrard and Lampard. Why are players not played in positions that suit them? Where is the pace in the team? There are many problems for Capello to solve but I think the defensive midfield position is a must.
So no change then. Football is back, England are still rubbish and Gerrard and Lampard still can’t play together. Let’s hope some good changes are just around the corner.
