*Written after England’s last group match on Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Part Four of SER’s FIFA 2010 World Cup coverage
Special Focus: England’s Group Stage performances in South Africa
SECOND?!
Forgive me for being completely astounded, but Ireland thrashed Algeria not too long ago in one of their warm up fixtures. Granted, Giovanni Trappattoni has done a brilliant job over there (and were robbed of a World Cup spot themselves), but surely England must be better. The squad makes an average of £100,000 a week and, bar Rob Green and Matthew Upson, play for the top teams in the country! So how did the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney barely manage a single shot against their African opponents?
Scratching their heads too
Now, instead of a route to the final via Ghana, Uruguay, and the Netherlands (in which Stevie G would spank home an absolute screamer deep into stoppage time), they face Germany, Argentina, and Spain! Of course, as my brother (and countless others) would say… that’s provided they pass the Germany test. And perhaps this is England’s turn to get one up on their fierce rivals. Joachim Low has a squad lacking in experience compared to Capello’s. They beat an out of sorts (and 10-man) Australia, were beaten by Serbia, and scraped past Ghana. Surely England can match them. Well… I’m sure the Germans are saying the same thing: England were held by the US, embarrassed by Algeria, and won against Slovenia. Hardly the form that Capello’s Three Lions produced in Qualifying.
Barry looks desperately short on fitness and his recent fondness of conceding possession is frightening given Germany’s ability to break swiftly and effectively. Their younger players look particularly dangerous against the aging pair of Terry and Upson (not that Carragher offers muchmore speed). But perhaps Wayne Rooney can find the back of the net against Germany, and maybe James Milner can build on his solid performance against Slovenia. Engand will almost certainly line up 4-4-2, and it will be Ashley Cole’s job to contain German skipper Phillip Lahm. I doubt that Steven Gerrard will provide much protection on that flank as he roams inside, looking to support Rooney and Defoe, who is likely to start following his positive showing against Slovenia.
Lahm vs Cole will be the match-up of the game
England will either be very lucky or very smart to get out of this encounter. They have to take each game as it comes, focusing on the success they have accomplished as a team. Their Qualifying form, albeit against lesser foes, was perhaps the best we’ve seen the England team play in the last decade. If they can play with the same confidence and composure, then who knows. Maybe a semi-final date with Spain?
Need to fire on all cylinders
