Friday 15 June 2012

Who Should Roy Pick For England V Sweden?


TN5 give their view as to who should be in the starting line-up for England’s game against Sweden



After a reasonable point against France, England now face Sweden in what many are seeing as a must win to avoid a “do or die” match against host nation Ukraine in the final game. With calls for the team to be more adventurous, question marks against the fitness of some key players, and the continued absence of Wayne Rooney, this is TN5’s view of how we should line up for the game:

More adventurous?

Many commentators have stated they are looking for England to be far more adventurous and attacking in this second game, after the point against France. Even Steven Gerrard suggested England should be looking to dominate possession and the play far more than they did in the opening game. We think this has potential to be very dangerous.

The danger is that “being more adventurous” can easily be translated as throwing in an extra forward, or seeing Gerrard bombing on from midfield to support the front line. This will leave England dangerously exposed and whilst Sweden may not capitalise this strategy, other teams further in to the competition will. Our view is that yes we need to push further up the field and dictate the play more, but this should be done by releasing our full backs to join in the attack – something they both excel at. Italy have shown the advantages of full backs getting forward, and whilst we are not suggesting 3 at the back, this can be done if you have 2 holding midfielders sat in front of the two centre halves.

The formation

As with the opening game, we believe England’s best formation is 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders. This is how the top sides are lining up -  Busquets and Alonso, Schweinsteiger and Khedira, Van Bommel and De Jong. The added advantage for England is we have two great attacking full backs who are better at attacking than defending, certainly in the case of Johnson. This needs to be utilised to make us more attacking. Cole and Johnson pushing on in the spaces out wide, with Gerrard and Parker holding their positions to provide the protection.

In effect when we are on top, it will be a 2-4-3-1 line up as we look to attack down the flanks.

Back 5

The keeper and defence will be kept the same, although we maintain Jagielka is a better alternative to Terry.

The key change is getting Cole and Johnson on the front foot, safe in the knowledge they are covered by the midfield pairing.

Defensive Midfield

Highly likely to be Parker and Gerrard again. However, if either were struggling with tiredness, I’d have no hesitation in bringing in Jones to that position, or even Milner. Jones is an excellent short passer and Milner works his socks off, willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the team.

The key to this role is discipline. Far too often Parker is caught out ahead of the ball when a move breaks down. He doesn’t need to influence the play going forward the way he tries to. He is far more effective when he is in position protecting the back line. Alongside the “tackler” we need a passer. And Gerrard is certainly that. If the pair of them are disciplined and learn to sit in their position, they provide great protection, but can also move the ball around well to retain possession.

If Gerrard needs a lesson in how to play the role, have a look at Schweinsteiger’s performance against the Dutch. Always in position when the move breaks down, but backing-up play when the opportunity arises and creating chances. We need Gerrard to fulfil this role.


Attacking Midfield

Young to be retained in his role behind the front man, but Roy should bring in Walcott down the right. His pace and ability to set up a chance is ideal for the formation and he will put 2 or 3 good chances the way of the striker.

On the left it’s a choice between Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had a reasonable game against France (and the one we’d stick with), or Milner. His industry down the flank would combine well with an overlapping Cole.

Forward

Our favourite comments from pundits this tournament was the BBC panel “Welbeck was Man of the Match for me”, followed by “Other than Lescott’s header, we didn’t create any chances”. Surely a contradiction if ever there was one? Is it not the job of the forward to a) score goals; and b) create chances? If Welbeck did neither, was he really Man of the Match?

Whilst Welbeck had a reasonable game, we still believe Carroll offers a much greater threat, especially in the formation we believe England should play. His power and presence would have been a real handful for France, and will be for Sweden. With the right supply line from attacking full backs and pacey wingers, he has the height, technique and power in his shot to be a top marksman this tournament.

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