Time for change

Tuesday, 07/09/2010

England’s performance against Bulgaria at Wembley was one filled with verve, commitment and confidence, three commodities that were severely lacking during their World Cup campaign.

Bulgaria are a team of similar talents to Slovenia and Algeria, but why did the Three Lions breeze past Martin Petrov and co yet stutter and struggle so much against their summer opponents?

The main difference is probably the players’ fitness levels. South Africa followed a 60-plus game season slog for many of England’s finest and the energy sapping expectation and pressure, coupled with training and playing at altitude certainly contributed to four lethargic performances.

Since then the players have enjoyed a couple of weeks break and pre-season training back at their clubs, finding their fitness, sharpness, whilst feeling loved again and recapturing their confidence.

The formation hasn’t really changed with a fairly rigid 4-4-2 line-up still preferred by Fabio Capello, and many of the same personal remain, but it’s changes in the key positions that seem to have made the difference.

Capello has found the courage to blood younger players in competitive fixtures and was justified in his selection of the assured Joe Hart and the introduction of the precocious talent of substitute Adam Johnson on the wing.

Hart in particular showed a presence and command of his area that belied his age and we are surely seeing the breakthrough of England’s No.1 between the sticks for the next ten to 15 years. Keeper has been a problem position for a couple of years and fans and media alike had clamoured for Hart’s selection at the World Cup. It’s easy to see why after his Wembley display.

Being No.1 at Manchester City has clearly given him more confidence and if he improves his inconsistent distribution he should become one of the world’s best keepers.

The inexperienced centre-back pairing of Phil Jagielka and Michael Dawson also impressed and would’ve surely kept their places in the side for the encounter with Switzerland if it wasn’t for the Spurs man’s injury.

Gary Cahill looked solid when he came on, pointing towards a career as a future England regular. John Terry wasn’t really missed and even though England will face much sterner defensive tests in the future, Jagielka has shown he has the potential to be Terry’s equal.

He may not have the attitude and the profile, but his calm, assured and all business demeanour will make him extremely popular with Fabio and the fans. Despite his leadership qualities and prominence in the English game, Terry’s presence may have meant other players have withdrawn into their shells and his absence has allowed others to step into the limelight.

Terry’s Chelsea team-mate, Frank Lampard wasn’t really missed either, as Steven Gerrard’s more central role provided more balance and allowed the Liverpool man to play in the dynamic style that has characterised his club career.

Playing Stevie G in the middle also meant that James Milner, Theo Walcott and then Adam Johnson could provide the natural width and pace that 4-4-2 requires.

Lamps has given great service to his country over the years, despite some extremely unfair criticism from supporters, but his time has gone and it’s time for other players, whether young like Milner or established like Gerrard, to step out of his shadow and be themselves in an England shirt.

Up front, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe did more than enough to suggest that they should be the Three Lions’ first choice, with Rooney dropping deep and orchestrating play and Defoe playing on the shoulder of defenders and finishing with unerring accuracy with both feet.

Things are looking up, but Capello should resist recalling the likes of Terry and Lampard to get the best out of other talents with arguably more potential and more importantly, more potential to get the best from their team-mates.

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