by Grob » Tue May 25, 2010 4:43 pm
Good test, good warm up. Interesting setup from Capello, i hope the lose affiliation to 442 that we saw last night is a sign of things to come. An elastic 442 is Englands best chance of success. We have neither the right mix of midfielders or attackers to make the 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation, so often prefered over the past few years but by and large beginning to fall out of fashion, work.
Mexico were more nsync then we were. Thats not a surprise as they're squad has been together longer than ours in prep for the WC. England got better as the game went on which was a good sign.
Negatives
Baines/Carrick/Huddlestone not up to it. I'd cut the 3 of them now from the squad.
Gerrard was hopeless outwide
Walcott's decision making leaves much to be desired
Milner looked a squad player at best
King uncharacteristically paniced often
Defoe was anonymous
Positives
The regulars had good games (Rooney, Plug, G Johnson, Gerrard in the middle, Crouch)
Caragher looked assured when he came on
Both keepers did well, but Joe looked more commanding.
Walcott looked a threat with his pace, Lennon too.
The problem area that needs to be balanced is midfield. AJ and Joe Cole need to be looked at on the left. Barry would be a massive loss after seeing Carrick and Huddlestone attempt to play his role last night. Parker could be an option though. Also, the cover at full back is truely dire. It may be a case of taking just Caragher as cover and hoping nothing happens. Baines was just completly out of his depth. Phil Neville would have been a better bet as cover.
If i was picking a team now mine would be
--------------------Hart
G Johnson---Terry---Ferdinand---A Cole
Walcott----Barry----Gerrard----A Johnson
-----------Rooney-----Crouch
The only 5 positions you would say are pencilled in are the back 4 and Rooney. Gerrard and Barry maybe if Capello has the bottle to leave Lampard out and Barry is fit. The rest of the starting spots are probably still up for grabs.
Capello is a better manager than Sven and McLaren. I think he will have us right.
