A good warm up game this one - with Belgium, on paper at least, looking like quite a tricky proposition. I think it was the first England game I've actually looked forward to since the World Cup! Hodgson set up the team in a similar way to the Norway game. Organised and solid. The performance wasn't mesmeric, but a classy finish from Welbeck saw us run out winners and also secured our second clean sheet in a row under Hodgson.
Negatives included Cahill doing his jaw in (and thus missing the tournament), Gerrard and Parker looking a bit pedestrian, and our lack of ability to dominate a game.
Positives included Welbeck stating his case (we will surely be easier on the eye with him in the team instead of Carroll) and the defence looking solid again (a fact which seems to be getting particularly overlooked in the media led 'Ferdinand clamour')
Our squad is probably now in its final state, with the team having flown out this morning. The loss of Cahill and Barry, whilst a blow, is not fundamentally going to affect our chances I don't think. Gerrard and Parker are looking totally adept in the ponderous midfielder role already, without the need for backup. Cahill I like as a player, but Jagielka will be able to cover him ably - especially if he ends up alongside Lescott. As for Kelly being drafted in,, I have no strong opinion. I've not seen much of him and think it is a shame Richards is not there - but agree 100% with Hodgson's stance there.
Having tried to come across all principled by refusing to go on a standby list, Micah Richards has essentially opted out of representing England in a major tournament. I expect he will be feeling like a bit of a tool now.
Any further injuries, I expect, will need to be carried through the tournament.
Now into the final couple of days before it all starts - time to get a couple of bets on and to stock up the fridge!
No comments:
Post a Comment