What Exactly Is Wrong With The England Football Team?

Why is it that the England football team often struggles against quality opposition?

I honestly don't think it's the players. At Euro 2012, all of Roy Hodgson's regulars were world class, or of an international standard. Before I tell you what's wrong with the England team, here are my player ratings for the 0-0 draw against Italy, after which England went out of the tournament on a penalty shootout;

Hart 6. Generally protected well by the defence. A few good-ish saves.
Johnson 6. Defended well, with some good forward runs, but surrendered possession too often.
Cole 6. Defended well, didn't make much impression down the wing.
Terry 8. Again marshalled the defence with aplomb. Two crucial interceptions.
Lescott 7. Continued to impress, probably did as well as Rio Ferdinand would have done.
Gerrard 7. Good ball distribution first half, but looked tired after that, and occasionally gave away possession.
Parker 6. Continues to surprise, whilst deputising for Frank Lampard.
Young 5. A bit quiet again. Sometimes surrendered possession unnecessarily, and missed the crucial penalty.
Welbeck 5. Occasional good defensive support, but failed to get into the game.
Rooney 6. Fit, but not match-fit. Good level of effort, but often struggled.
Milner 6. The occasional good cross, but struggled a little.
Walcott 5 (Sub). Saw little of the ball, just one good run in almost an hour of play.
Carroll 6 (Sub). Game performance, but often looked swamped.
Henderson 4 (Sub). Barely got a touch.

Overall, a battling defensive effort fortunately earned the penalty shootout, which might have turned out differently, had Young not unluckily hit the bar, with the crucial penalty. England tried to follow instructions to push forward, when in possession, but after the first 25 minutes, were unable to do so, because of lack of possession in midfield.

And that's what's wrong with the England football team. A good, but not great Italian side dominated midfield possession, and gave England little time on the ball. When Italy had the ball, they sprayed it around well, and always had time, and numerous passing options. In contrast, England were always rushed, with few passing options, and gave the ball away, because Italy closed them down so well. 

And if you can't get the ball in midfield, you can't drive forward, and the ball will always come back towards your penalty box. BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen said it best, England always seemed a man short. And that's exactly the problem in midfield. It was also the problem in the 2010 World Cup, although issues in the camp didn't help.

It's OK to play a rigid 4-4-2 formation against the lesser teams, because you'll see enough of the ball, for enough of your quality to come through. But against the better teams, you need an extra man in midfield, or you won't get enough possession, and will be dominated. So why play two strikers against the better teams, when you can play just one, and use a 4-5-1 formation, giving you the extra man in midfield you need? This is what I fear Roy Hodgson should have done against Italy, and should do against the better teams, in the future.

Nevertheless, I thought that in general, England put on a good show in Euro 2012, and were unlucky in the penalty shootout.

Euro 2012: Suggested England Line-Up For Italy v England, Sunday 24 June

I understood the defensive set-up against Ukraine, given the need to stop them scoring, guaranteeing at least a draw.

But I think England can afford to go for it a bit more on Sunday, for the Quarter Final against Italy. Italy don't have that much poke up front, and England have a very good defence, well supported from midfield, by Roy Hodgson's technically rigid 4-4-2 system. England's goalkeeper, and three of the four England defenders are world class, and Lescott has done very well.

To increase England's attacking options, Walcott should I think replace Milner on the right wing. Walcott has electric pace, and can run all night. By contrast, although Milner has proved his international pedigree, he does seem to struggle a little in humid conditions. I also think Carroll should replace Welbeck, who was pretty ineffective against Ukraine and Sweden, regardless of his excellent finishing skills.

So here's my eleven to face Italy;      

Hart, Johnson, Cole, Terry, Lescott, Gerrard, Parker, Walcott, Carroll, Rooney, Young.

Who's going to win on Sunday? I think England have a real chance of beating Italy. My money's on a score draw after extra time, with England winning on penalties, because Hart is the better goalkeeper. You'll be chewing on your fingernails, as England progress to a Semi-Final against Germany.

Euro 2012 Match Report: England 1 Ukraine 0

A more defensive England set-up, designed to stop Ukraine scoring, and you can't knock Roy Hodgson for that. Ukraine should have been awarded a goal in the second half, when a strike of theirs was clearly over the line. But England deserved their win, of both the game and group. Job done.

Hart 7. Assured, defence protected him well.
Johnson 6. Quiet. Gave away possession unnecessarily x2.
Cole 6. No mistakes. One good shot.
Terry 9 (MoM). Marshalled defence superbly, 2 crucial touches to deny goals, dangerous at England corners.
Lescott 6. Understandably super-cautious, did nothing wrong.
Gerrard 7. Great vision again.
Parker 6. Quiet, but solid.
Milner 6. Workhorse, not best suited by defensive set-up. Seems to struggle in humid conditions.
Young 6. Quiet, fundamentally because of defensive set-up.
Welbeck 5. Ineffective, surrendered possession needlessly x3, no goal this time.
Rooney 6. Looked fit, but out of practice. Often surrendered possession. Goalkeeping error gifted his tap-in.
Walcott (Sub) 6. No real impact, did nothing wrong.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub) 6. Looked a bit untidy, but made a nuisance of himself.
Carroll (Sub) 6. Little time to make an impact.

Job done sums it up. I'd expect a different approach for Sunday's Quarter Final against Italy, and I think England have a real chance of progressing, to a Semi-Final against Germany.

Who's going to win on Sunday? Check out http://tinyurl.com/cxzyutk 

Euro 2012 Match Report: Sweden 2 England 3

I thought England deserved the win. Going forward, they looked more dangerous. Midfield was scrappy and clustered all game, and Sweden had the better of it, but England defended well, which was evidenced by the fact that both of Sweden's goals came from set pieces.

Hart 6. Confident, largely untroubled.
Johnson 6. Quiet but assured.
Cole 5. Uncharacteristically out of position often, needlessly surrended possession x5.
Terry 6. Lack of pace again exposed, but played well.
Lescott 6. Solid, did nothing wrong.
Gerrard 7. Great cross for the first goal, great vision.
Parker 6. Solid, continues to surprise.
Milner 7. Workhorse, some good crosses, continues to justify his selection.
Carroll 8 (MoM). Workmanlike, fantastic header for the first goal.
Welbeck 7. Not enough overall impact, but great touch for the third goal.
Young 7. Always looks dangerous and creative. Good vision.
Walcott (Sub) 8. Great strike for the second goal, set up the third.
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub) 6. Little time to make an impact.

Overall, a good England performance, showing spirit, commitment, desire, urgency, and promise for the future. I think they'll get the point they need against Ukraine, to qualify for the knockout stages.