England Watch

After the international break, English players returned to their clubs full of confidence and this confidence was in evidence in Saturday’s Premier League games.

Frank Lampard was the star man for Chelsea

• Frank Lampard and Joe Cole were superb as Chelsea won Setanta’s Clash of the Cash 3-1. Lampard took his left-footed goal very well and controlled the game with some clever movement and superb passing. Cole setup two of the away sides goals and caused problems throughout. Cole’s namesake Ashley also had a good game, coping admirably with both Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho. However, Chelsea’s other starter on Wednesday, John Terry was controversially sent off late-on for bringing down City striker Jo.
• At Anfield central midfielders Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Steven Gerrard, who all missed Wednesday’s game, took part in Liverpool’s thrilling 2-1 win over the champions. Carrick was substituted at half time with an ankle injury. All three will have to work hard to prove themselves after Lampard and Gareth Barry worked so well together against the Croatians.
• In that game Wayne Rooney again played out of position, hugging the right touchline as part of United’s three up front. England fans will be hoping Rooney can get games playing more centrally.
• Glen Johnson and David James were both on the winning side as Portsmouth beat Middlesbrough but it was two goals from Jermain Defoe that will have caught Capello’s eye. The former Spurs striker was typically clinical with his finishing giving Fabio a timely reminder of what he offers that maybe Rooney and Emile Heskey don’t.
• Wigan drew 1-1 at Sunderland and controlled most of the game after going 1-0 behind. Chris Kirkland had little to do and it was Amr Zaki and not Emile Heskey who troubled the Sunderland defence.
• Rob Green gave away a penalty and conceded three goals in West Ham’s 3-2 loss to West Brom.
• Michael Owen played the full 90 minutes in Newcastle’s 2-1 loss to Hull. He was denied brilliantly from a header by Welsh goalkeeper Boaz Myhill but it will be good for him to get 90 minutes under his belt.
• Jimmy Bullard returned to Fulham after his first call up to the English squad but it was Bobby Zamora who was most impressive as Fulham beat Bolton 2-1. The scoreline was very flattering to Bolton and Zamora, who was superb against Arsenal in Fulham’s last league game, was a constant threat. His 41st minute goal was a brilliant right-footed finish after a wonderful turn left the Wanderers’ defenders stranded. Zamora combined well with Andy Johnson, making his Fulham debut.
• Theo Walcott started on the left for Arsenal away at Blackburn after his wonderful midweek performance on the right. The 19-year-old drifted inside to setup Robin Van Persie for Arsenal’s first and had a few more mazy runs. At half time he was switched to the right to offer Gael Clichy more protection in the form of Emmanuel Eboue. Clichy had been overrun in the first half with Brett Emerton particularly impressive. Walcott was then substituted after 63 minutes and Arsenal strolled to a 4-0 victory.

 

Theo, race and travelling England fans

Mark Perryman of the England Fans’ Group saw David Beckham make his England debut against Moldova on September 1 1996. He saw Wayne Rooney’s debut against Australia on February 12 2003 and in an interview with WNS he compared Theo Walcott’s coming out party in Zagreb on Wednesday to those debuts.

Mark spoke about the team’s performance, a decline in travelling fans and the racist abuse of Emile Heskey but he was most enthused about young Theo.

He said: “It is always a privilege to see a player emerge. I was there when Becks made his debut and I saw Rooney’s debut too. For him playing at 19 for his country and doing so well, you can see it meant a lot to him and let’s hope he goes on to have a great career for us.”

The Tottenham supporter said fans were delighted with the passion demonstrated by the players on Wednesday. He said: “It was the theme of discussion before kick-off. Recently players have been criticised a lot for a lack of passion and in some ways I can understand it.

“They are paid a lot by their clubs and those playing for the big four often win and are chasing trophies each year. It is a lot easier to be motivated when that is the case. The club sides are more successful and the players are fickle to; it is no surprise when you end up with an England side with a Portsmouth goalkeeper and a Wigan striker.

“But that is good, it means a lot to them. It was a bit of a shame Jimmy Bullard didn’t get a game because you can tell he really wanted to pull on that shirt, the fans feel they can relate to him but they did play with heart and you have to give credit to the manager.”

“Heart” may have been shown by the players but this was not the case amongst the England fans. Only 3,000 made it out to Zagreb and Mark explained the reasons: “A lot less people travelled. Last time we played in Croatia it was on the back of the World Cup and there was a lot of hope. We went there and were humiliated and conceded one of the worst goals in our history. I think that lived long on the memory.

“People have been down about the national team for a while and the successful Olympics reflected badly on the team too. People are also a bit shorter on money at the moment.

“Having said that 7,000 people went to Barcelona on Saturday for the Andorra game which was more appealing in terms of travel because of the weekend and destination.”

Mark, who runs witty football shirt producers philosphyfootball.com, was critical of the media for its handling of the FA’s complaint to FIFA about racist chants towards Emile Heskey. He said: “I thought it was unfair of the media to focus on the abuse. We were in the stadium and couldn’t hear it. There are a lot of Croatians campaigning against racism and they know they have a problem and are trying to work together to solve it. You don’t see anything written about that.”

Indeed, the author of Ingerland, was amused with an England chant. “These gorgeous women were holding up a T Mobile logo throughout the match, so the fans started singing ‘You’re shit but you’re birds are fit’ which I thought was funny.”

He also reserved special praise for England manager Fabio Capello. “A lot of people have criticised the manager and it was an incredibly brave move to include Joe Cole, Theo and Emile Heskey.

“It is great as we have a competition for places. We don’t need Michael Owen, David Beckham or Steven Gerrard. They now know they have to fight for a place and if they don’t fuck them.

“For Owen especially the Rooney-Heskey partnership makes a lot of sense

“I’d say to the manager ‘Don’t change a winning team’”

 

Croatia vs. England: match notes

World Cup Qualifier: September 10 2008

Croatia 1 – 4 England

Super Theo

Obviously the place to start. Walcott was brilliant on Wednesday and took his three goals with composure. The 19-year-old offered England a constant out ball on the right and took on defenders. Despite, being laid out by Josip Simunic shortly after he had scored the first the Arsenal winger continued to want the ball and was rewarded with two more goals. The Croatian defenders couldn’t cope with his place and he is now ahead of the host of other English right wingers.

Left-sided problem

David James apart, Joe Cole was England’s least effective player in Wednesday’s thrashing. As usual he ventured inside too often making life difficult for all around him. In moving inside he clogs up the middle of the park and reduces the passing options of those behind him, especially Ashley Cole at left back. Joe has been doing this throughout his England career and is just not a left winger. England have had problems with this for years and Stewart Downing once again proved against Andorra on Saturday he is still not ready to be the answer to our problem. It is time to give Ashley Young a go. Yes, like Cole (J) he is predominantly right-footed but unlike Cole he hugs the touchline, something Theo did so well against the Croats. With those to on the wings, opposition defences would certainly be stretched and that would create more room for Rooney, Lampard and co. in the middle.

Amazing Emile

Pace, power, strength and a presence. Those are the attributes Heskey offers England and I’ve been saying for years that he is under-rated by many England fans. As he did against Russia last year and Andorra on Saturday, Heskey again showed his worth for his country. His ability to hold up the ball or win free kicks allowed England to keep possession, something they have struggled to do in recent years. This frustrated the Croats and really helped England get on top. Heskey is here to stay.

Fabio gets it right

It would have been easy for Capello to play David Beckham on the right or even in a midfield three, leaving out one of Heskey or Walcott. It would have been equally easy for him to include Michael Owen or Peter Crouch in the squad/team but he didn’t. He realised a change in personel was needed and gave Heskey and Walcott their chance to shine. Well done Fabio.

Who needs Gerrard?

Without Steven Gerrard and Becks in the team, England kept the ball. There were less attempts at long passes and the ball was played to feet. The England side looked a lot better playing this way and for the near future, I hope Stevie G, Becks and maybe even Joe Cole are used as (very talented) sparks off the bench.

Note to Fabio: Gerrard is not the answer to the left-sided problem.

In goal

David James had another shaky game for England. The Portsmouth goalie looks brilliant when playing for his club but still doesn’t convince when he pulls on a national shirt. The problem is we don’t have anyone better.

Paul Robinson is still in shocking form.

Rob Green is a great shot-stopper but his poor comand of a penalty box means he should never be considered.

Chris Kirkland is good but not quite international class, although maybe should be next in line.

Ben Foster doesn’t play enough.

Scott Carson like Robbo is lacking in confidence.

So for the moment we have to stick with James, who is the best anyway but also most likely to cause a Capello heart-attack.

Setanta replays

I know it was probably a Croatian host broadcaster but the replays during Setanta’s coverage of the game were very frustrating. Often showing insignificant fouls or bits of play, while the action had restarted. Unless there is a goal, great chance, great bit of skill or controversial decision we don’t want to see replays. Sky do this very well, as did the BBC but you often notice the difference when watching an England away game or a European away game for that matter.

 

Croatia vs. England: player ratings

World Cup Qualifier: September 10 2008

Croatia 1 – 4 England

England (4-4-2)

Gk: David James: 6 – Didn’t have much to do but when he was called into action he was hardly convincing. At his worst when he dropped a cross under pressure when the score was still 0-0. He is an top class keeper, if he doesn’t make mistakes but without mistakes Titus Bramble is a pretty good centre half. Point is, there are still question marks over James.

 RB: Wes Brown: 7 - Capello rightly chose him over Glen Johnson. The United right back was very solid and works well with Theo. He has come on so much as a footballer since Gary Neville’s most recent injury problems and with Neville maybe coming towards the end of his career both United and England have a ready-made replacement.

CB: Rio Ferdinand: 8 – England’s best defender as usual. Calm and composed on the ball and in defence.

CB: John Terry: 7 – Worked well with Rio and covered for Ashley Cole when needed in the first half. Unlike the Andorra game he found a white shirt regularly with his passing.

LB: Ashley Cole: 6 – Very poor start to the game where he seemed intent on giving Croatia the lead. He was beaten too easily and gave the ball away in dangerous positions, thankfully JT was on hand to help him out. He improved as the game went on.

RM: Theo Walcott: 9 – Caused problems right from the start and scored a magnificent hat-trick. Earned his place in the team after doing well against Andorra. His final ball may need work but on yesterday’s evidence, the boy can finish. A brave but brilliant choice by Capello.

CM: Frank Lampard: 8 – His early set pieces suggested he was nervous but he was tireless in midfield and proved he can play well for his country. Had his best England game for a while, without Steven Gerrard in the team – should we be surprised?

CM: Gareth Barry: 8 – Worked well with Lampard in a balanced midfield.

LM: Joe Cole: 6 – As usual too narrow. Maybe he is best doing what he did against Andorra as a spark off the bench. Thankfully he was ok after being carried off.

CF: Wayne Rooney: 9 – A hand in all the goals, looked so comfortable playing off Heskey.

CF: Emile Heskey: 8 – Didn’t get the goal he deserved but did everything else. He worked very hard up front and gives England a target, like Peter Crouch, unlike Crouch he also has pace and strength which caused the Croats real problems. He should have had a penalty when the score was 0-0 after being blocked off by Robert Kovac.

Subs

Jermaine Jenas: (replaced J.Cole, 55): 7 – Preffered on the left off the bench to Stewart Downing which says more about the Boro winger’s dismal performance in Andorra than Jenas. His work down the left gave Rooney England’s third.

David Beckham: (replaced Walcott, 84): N/A – Walcott has taken over; David Bentley, a rejuvinated Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon are all competing for the right midfield spot. Maybe Becks should leave them to battle it out.

Matthew Upson: (replaced Terry, 88): N/A – Should have been Jon Woodgate.