slightly delayed in my post due to time constraints, oh and well there is SOD ALL really to write about in any meaningful way. The resumption of domestic action can't come soon enough.
onwards....
Tuesday saw the final chance for England to show their wares for preparation for Ukraine/Poland in June. In fact, there is only one more friendly (due to be Holland) before the Euros start. Food for thought then. What better time for England to inflict a first defeat on world champions Spain in 15 years. Not much of a stat perhaps since the two nations have only met twice before in that period, including the infamous monkey chanting episode at the Bernabeu in 2005. The other friendly included ending a rather more - statistically impressive - 43 year hoodoo against Sweden at Wembley.
so how did everyone do?
We have to begin by commending what was, In my view, the best English defensive performance, perhaps not in my lifetime, but certainly since the turn of the millennium. England, in these recession hit times just don't do defensive performances, mainly due to the Dads Army brigade of Ferdinand, Terry and James.
These boys on the Wembley pitch showed unity, compactness and just good old bulldog spirit the likes of Walker, Parker and Pearce (watching on from the dugout) would have been proud of. Two performances in particular stood out more than others.
Its not often I am able to wax lyrical albeit freely and happily about a Spurs player. But Scotty Parker in the England midfield is just a revelation. Everybody knows he works hard, but what is refreshing to see is he really busts a gut for the shirt; THE ENGLAND SHIRT. messrs Barnes, in fact, most players who have international caps to their name, hang your heads in shame....
During the 85 minutes he played on Saturday evening he kept Xavi and Iniesta always occupied and they were almost never out of his sight. He just gives his all. I want to highlight the last 20 minutes in particular. Spain had finally began to show they cared about losing the game. But whenever Fabregas, Villa, Torres got to the ball in the box, Parker was there as like a reserve defender; a little Berlin wall in NW5. He blocked everything. He was frequently the first man to the ball in the crucial situations. England's victory against the world and european champions was in no small part down to him. When Wilshere returns from injury, he and Parker in midfielder could be nothing short of sensational for England.
One other observation I made. Everyone has always posed the question; Can Lampard and Gerrard operate in the midfield together? Despite Frank Lampards' recent resurgence, for me, he still doesnt belong anywhere near the England shirt. Yes he scored the winner but really didn't do much else except hold. But he did have a greater sense of freedom both in his play and time on the ball. So I think a more pertinent question should be; Can Lampard and Parker play together?
well, maybe.....just maybe......
The centre back pairing of Lescott and Jagielka were excellent. Obviously not unaccustomed to playing together from their Everton days together. Both of these guys and Cahill should be comfortably keeping the only remaining poison from the old England side, John Terry out of the set up, and I don't know why he is still being considered, let alone be allowed to captain the side, particularly with his recent on AND off field transgressions. I digress...Joleon Lescott in particular, ran Parker very close for MOTM. Since his £20m move to Manchester City in the Summer of 2010, Lescott was yet to hold down a permanent position. And to be honest he was good but I never ever thought of him in an England shirt. But now, with Vincent Kompany by his side at Eastlands, he seems to be learning from the best, molding into one of England's best defenders.
He now is not scared to go aerial and will on most occasions win any of those battles. But generally he is more of a presence and a dominant figure. If he keeps his form up and stays clear of injuries. He could be a shoe-in for a starting 11 berth in the summer.
So whilst a 1 0 victory against Spain was a fantastic result, it would be churlish to suggest England are now world beaters or that they have Spains' number. Particularly in the light of the fact that this was Spain's fourth defeat since winning the World Cup 16 months ago. They have suffered losses to Argentina (4-1), Italy (2-1) and Portugal (4-0). And now a 2 nil defeat the mighty Costa Rica.....Spain are struggling for goals against the big sides with an out of form Torres, who may need to be put out of his misery before next Summer.
They are the Arsenal of the International scene of last year. it would seem....
Moving back to England, there were definitely reasons to be optimistic aside from Parker, Jagielka and Lescott. Rodwell when he came on against the Spaniards looked a live wire running forward but in more close proximity in the Sweden game, where he admittedly missed a sitter of a header, yes. But he looks a very clever operator and is bullish. He's certainly a great card to play off the bench if required.England's problem lately has been leaking goals down the right due to Glen Johnson's inability to defend. But that now may be solved thanks to Kyle Walker (yes another yid. Ugh) Walker is quicker than Johnson which allows him to track back faster, but also nip down the flanks with relative ease and he can actually make a decent tackle. He fits the bill more effectively than the Liverpool right back.
Also Englands big problem is if Rooney is suspended for the early stages of the tournament, how do England compensate for this? Well I dont think it's too much of a problem. Rooney, temperamentally, is a liability and the facts are that when he plays England rely far too much on him. Welbeck on the break against Spain looked sharp, pacy and he could definitely trouble a few defences. Sturridge didn't really get a chance to shine versus the Swedes. But he definitely adds a dimension to England's play and is quick enough to open large gaps in the middle of the park. With Young to come back also. I'd also like to see Gabby get a decent chance, but sadly he seems to pick injuries up on duty. Bent will continue, but other than the assist for Lampard's goal, I an unsure what he actually brings to the table....
I will finish by showing you the team I predicted earlier this season for the future England line up...
HART
JONES CAHILL TERRY COLE
JONES
CLEVERLEY WILSHERE PARKER
YOUNG
ROONEY
I will now give you my updated thoughts...
HART
WALKER CAHILL LESCOTT COLE
JONES
WALCOTT WILSHERE PARKER
WELBECK YOUNG
It will be interesting to see what transpires...
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