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.
