It’s worrying.
That was my initial reaction when the referee blew his full-time
whistle in Ukraine last night as England played out a 0-0 draw, and the
consensus among fans seems to be similar. Shouldn’t we be beating a team like
Ukraine if we’ve got aspirations to reach the World Cup finals next year? Where
was our goal threat? Where on earth was Kyle Walker, because he certainly
wasn’t in Kiev?
True, England were poor; there was very little attacking threat
without our stars like Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge, so we
were playing with our ‘4th choice’ striker, if you will. That said, Rickie
Lambert didn’t have a bad game, he was pivotal and when he had the ball, he did
well to hold it up and lay it off, although when it came to set pieces where he
is most dangerous, he was nowhere to be seen.
The issue seemed to be in midfield, where there was very little
creativity or flair from the old guard standing of Steven Gerrard and Frank
Lampard, with Jack Wilshere in front of them. In all fairness, Ukraine did
fantastic to crowd us out whenever we were in possession, and even the usually
pacy Theo Walcott struggled to beat Fedetskiy down the right. James Milner
wasn’t in the game at all.
BUT, one thing that last night’s performance does show is that we
can get a job done; all we needed was a point, and we got that so we still sit
top of the group with 2 home games remaining! We went to Kiev last night to
play a Ukraine team who were unbeaten in their last 8 internationals (W7, D1),
and have conceded just 2 goals in that time. Fair to say many teams would
struggle...
The MOTM went to Gary Cahill, and with good reason because the
Chelsea centre-back was dominant at the back, and the 27-year-old looks to be
growing in club-mate John Terry’s mould as that fearless, never-say-die
character that an England centre-back needs.
And that was the beauty of last night, Ukraine rarely had a sight of
goal (managing just 3 shots on target) because despite making mistakes, England
were always there to make a last ditch save. Gerrard yet again epitomised that
when at one point he found himself covering for Cole at left back and clearing
a very dangerous cross from Yarmolenko to the back post.
That is the attitude England will need when it comes to Brazil next year
because it will be tough, and with the back looking secure - albeit with a
couple of improvements - then we just need to add the goals, and we might
qualify from the groups into the knockout stage in Brazil.
The biggest disappointment of the night was not bringing on Andros
Townsend because he has been in great form for Spurs, and why should a game be
“too big” for someone? This is our problem, we stall when it comes to trying
something new. The young players need to be blooded in, soon, and what better
way than throwing them in at the deep end, because there aren’t that many games
left before Rio for them, and that is the only time a match is potentially “too
big” to hand players their international debut...
If you ask me, we should write off Rio, it isn’t going to happen.
Although it is unfortunate for world stars like Gerrard and Lampard because
they will never achieve the ultimate in their career, the one thing I would
like to see happen is a consideration for the future of England; only the most
naïve will believe they will last forever, and after Rio, the old guard need to
be phased out, with the under-21s coming through.
Despite their disappointing run in the Euros this summer, there is a
lot of talent in that squad, and it is up to Hodgson to start bringing them up
after next summer, while it is for Premier League clubs to try and utilise them
to get them used to playing at the top level. Just look at Luke Shaw, he has
blossomed for Southampton, and rejected a proposed move to Manchester United on
the grounds he wants to play regularly in the top-flight, which counts for a
lot more than just being at a top-4 club. Hopefully that is a trend that can
catch on, and quickly, so that new FA Chairman Greg Dyke could potentially see
us lift the World Cup in 2022, perhaps even 2018 if we act now.
By @willtm10
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