The Three Lions now have one foot in the door as Poland/Ukraine looms large for Fabio Capello’s men. Ranked number four in the world, but for years flattering to deceive, England can ill afford to miss out on first spot in their group, after missing out on the Euro’s all together last time. This campaign has been a rather strange one for the under-fire Italian as England have struggled at home at the new Wembley whereas they have performed rather well on the road.
Traveling to Vasil Levenski, Bulgaria, the England manager knew only a win would be considered an acceptable result in their quest for automatic qualification as Lothar Matthaus’ Bulgaria would offer scant resistance. Bulgaria have steadily fallen off from the football map; “the Golden Generation” consisting of the likes of the one and only Hristo Stoichkov and the irrepressible Yordan Lechkov among others have long hung up their boots. Even the last Bulgarian superstar – Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov has called it a day as the Bulgarian football team looks to be devoid of any inspiration.
England must have fancied their chances against such a beleaguered opposition and it’s fair to say no one was betting against the eventuality. In the end a professional display by Wayne Rooney and the rest of his England team mates was too much for a Bulgarian side that defended like boys all night long. The traveling English fans made their voices heard and completely out-sang their Bulgarian counterparts; the players on the pitch didn’t disappoint either. Results elsewhere added to the delight among the supporters, who must surely be dreaming of a place in the European Championship next year.
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Fabio Capello’s Line-up: Caution Over Aggression
England’s midfield two consisted of a mixture of grit and steadiness to put it mildly, as Gareth Barry and Scot Parker were given the nod over the likes of Frank Lampard and the very much in-form Tom Cleverley. Ashley Young on the other hand was played behind Wayne Rooney in the hole, another strange decision considering Young’s recent exploits on the left wing for his new club. Wayne Rooney is having the time of his life right now for both club and country playing in the withdrawn role of the front man, but against the Bulgarians Rooney was curiously played as the lone man up top.
As the game went on Rooney kept dropping deep to get the ball and link up play with the likes of Young, Downing and Walcott. Rooney found himself in a position just in front of Parker and Barry and controlled play from there, another reminder perhaps for the Italian to start his talisman in the role he looks more comfortable in.
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Although the Barry-Parker combo worked well, but in the face of tougher opposition, Capello should perhaps look to use someone who would use the ball a lot better in possession, someone with bit a more guile and panache . England won 3-0 but never really looked incisive through the middle, Jack Wilshere is like a god send for Fabio Capello and the talented youngster would perhaps walk into any England midfield at this moment of time.
Lampard, Gerrard and Carrick all provide a lot of options and a varied skill set for Fabio; the England manager must chose the right partner for the young Wilshere and just let him dictate the play.
Downing, Walcott, Rooney and Young: Speed And Mobility Guaranteed
A front four of Rooney, Walcott, Young and Downing has all the ingredients to cause havoc on the counter and so it has to be agreed the much-maligned Italian got this one right. Rooney regularly dropped deep to orchestrate play ergo there was space for the likes of Young and Walcott to exploit. The front four deployed by Capello had one more thing going in their favor – the ability to swap positions as all four are adaptable and pretty clinical in front of goal.
Yet, in the games ahead, Capello should play a striker up top possibly Darren Bent given that he is fit and firing. Rooney can play off the front man while Ashley Young should start from the left flank. The right flank is still up for grabs though, Theo Walcott, Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson all in with a shout.
The English Rearguard: Solid As Ever?
Although the Three Lions have time and again disappointed on the world stage, it would still be fair to say that the defence has largely held its own. But with Rio Ferdinand’s injury woes bothering him repeatedly and John Terry not getting any younger, English defence needs a new lease of life. The experiment with the likes of Mathew Upson failed horribly and Capello must think young and in Gary Cahil he has found himself a good option to call upon. The much in-demand Bolton Wanderer’s man was outstanding in both defence and offense all night long and got England on the front foot with a nicely taken goal.
United’s Chris Smalling made his England debut at Right Back and looked good for the majority of it. However Bulgaria never really threatened too much and Smalling should know that tougher tests surely lie ahead. Glen Johnson and Micah Richards would also be eyeing the Right back spot.
Yet again, with everyone available and fit England could have an embarrassment of riches in their defence. Rio Ferdinand and John Terry would be the first choice Center Back pairing with the likes of Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Phil Jones pressing them hard. At Left Back the ever dependable Ashley Cole would be hard to dislodge and Leighton Baines would be a more than accomplished understudy.
Joe Hart Verdict: Room for improvement
The goal keeping position has for ages been England’s bugbear, ever since the pony tailed England number 1 called it a day. Joe Hart has for now cemented his place but his last two outings have been rather iffy. Against the Swiss, he was unconvincing and against Bulgaria he had his moments of discomfort too. Hart rushed for a cross once too often when he didn’t really need to only to be bailed out by his defence.
Hart needs to replicate his club form for the national side, but worryingly for Capello there isn’t anybody closing on his heels. Ben Foster can have his miraculous days but is also known to have a liking for catastrophe. The Robert Green ship has for long sailed past and thankfully too. On the bench yesterday was Ipswich Town’s David Stockdale – a cause for concern perhaps.
England-Montenegro: The Winner Takes All
With two games to go in group G and with three points separating England and Montenegro, the game at Wembley this Tuesday has now gone up a notch or two in importance. Wales did England a huge favour by defeating their closest rivals Montenegro. Now Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey come down to Wembley with a view to dent England’s chances and with Capello’s men’s recent showing at the Wembley Arena nothing is a given any more. England have it in their hands now to go 6 points clear of their closest challengers and virtually seal their birth in the competition they so embarrassingly failed to qualify last time around.
With the England national team everything seems to be in extreme, the praise as well as the derision. The first step towards redemption is often the most difficult but nevertheless the most important one, the team looks to be heading in the right direction for now and with a few minor tweaks England can hopefully give a good account of themselves on a bigger stage. The next two games will decide the destiny of Fabio Capello and his much-ridiculed Lions. If John Terry’s Team England gets the job done, it will be nothing more than this football crazy nation starved of international success deserves.