yolesThis is the original Capello game plan. Now in theory it looks great. Gerrard as wrong-footed winger so he could play behind Rooney and open space to Cole on the left flank who could send diagonal crosses to Heskey.Rooney as a false nine so he could pull some diffender with him or just to help in gaining the midfield, Lennon as a joker who could spread the opponents zone wide and Johnson as third center back in the diffensive zone.
But the results are different. Heskey often ends up like a winger, Rooney is to far from the goal, Gerrard is nowhere, Cole can't find his way up becouse the opposing right winger who is playing between the lines in order to stop him, Lennon doesn't have a player to whom he could send the crosses, Johnson is often stacked in the back becouse of the managers general strategy. Another problem is that players possitions are not capable with their profiles: Gerrard is a classic box-to-box midfielder not a wrong-footed winger (Robben, Messi, C.Ronaldo), Barry is not a ball-winning midfielder (Essien, MAscherano, Flamini, Song, Flecher) but more of a passer (Xabi Alonso, Denilson, Carrick).
In the end, the fact is the England is great squad but the main problem is that it has too much of the same profile of players and no Xavis, MAcheranos, Drogbas.
22.06.2010
nvrPlaying Lampard and Gerard together dictates one of them plays out of his preferred role. Gerard has a bit of more experience in playing different positions, so he gets to be moved around.
I think there's a more than formations and tactics to England's disappointing tournement(s). The season is far too long for the level physicalness of the league. The players arrive at the tournements totally exhausted and do not really recover during the camp.
Maybe it's time we introduced a winter break or reduced the number of games played per season.
23.06.2010
yolesor eliminate one of the cups
23.06.2010
Jaap StamI don't think there's anything wrong with England. Italian teams always start slow to tournements and pick up form as they progress. Capello, being an Italina, sticks to that plan.
23.06.2010
