But where did it go wrong? Changing managers so close to a tournament is an easy excuse, it's not helpful but England's problems lay deeper. For once these players did show passion for their country but for most their time has gone, it's time for an influx of young, fresh players who are hungry and who have lots to prove. The same can be said for the manager, Hodgson is not responsible for all of the blame but a young fresh face would help with a young team therefore Roy or Harry Redknapp would not be the right choice for the job if the decision was right now. The majority of English managers seem to be living in the past as formations such as 4-4-2 are now becoming almost ineffective and outdated with the likes of the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 dominating.
Tactics, manager and formation aside could this Euro campaign ended differently for England if the squad itself was changed. Hindsight is a beautiful thing and easy to dwell on but looking at the team a few changes would certainty have helped and with the changes the tactics themselves would have had to be different as well for it to work.
The squad was as follows:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Jack Butland, Robert Green.
Defenders: Glenn Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Leigton Baines, Phil Jones, Martin Kelly, Phil Jagielka
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, Jordan Henderson, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, Jermain Defoe
The squad had depth and it is undoubted that it has quality but it still lacked some of the star studded, stand out players that could turn a game on its head. With some fresh players and new ideas the World Cup in Brazil could be a success, England almost certainly won't win it as all 6 of the World Cups held in South America have been won by a team from the continent. If this European Championships had been used to help bring some younger faces in who knows what could of been but it's over with now so the qualifiers for the next World Cup should be used as the starting point for a new England, the next generation then in 2014 the tournament can be used as a stepping stone for Euro 2016 in France which in 4 years England could definitely be a contender for to come out as winners.
With all of that being said if I was to pick a starting 11 for England right now with everything that has been mentioned it would be as follows.
Formation:
4-3-3.
Goalkeeper:
Joe Hart
He is an
excellent goalkeeper, one of the best in the world and Hart is only 25. If it
wasn't for the Manchester City shot stopper England would have been out earlier
in the Euros or been humiliated by Italy. Having a great goalkeeper is the
perfect backbone for a winning team.
Right
Back: Kyle Walker
Unfortunately
the Tottenham man was injured and missed out, he is England's best young right
back and should be backed up by Micah Richards. Walker will start throughout
the qualifiers for Brazil 2014 and be in the tournament whereas Richards'
exclusion from the Euro's was mind blowing with him not even being chosen over
Martin Kelly which was surely the biggest mistake by Hodgson.
Centre
Backs: Phil Jones and Gary Cahill.
Both are
great young players, Cahill played brilliantly in Chelsea's Champions League
triumph and will only get better learning from John Terry. Phil Jones is a
future England captain and has many years in his career to improve with him
being only 20, for the Manchester United youngster the future is bright and
like Cahill he will be able to learn from an experienced club team mate; Rio Ferdinand.
Left
Back: Ryan Bertrand/Keiran Gibbs
Whoever
plays the most out of these two young players in the next couple of years
should start at left back in Brazil. Bertrand is learning from Ashley Cole at
Chelsea whilst Gibbs has always had talent, expect the Arsenal man to have a
breakout season this year.
Midfielders:
Jack Rodwell, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
These
three in the middle could easily light up a tournament. They all have bags of
energy and even better bags of talent. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Scott
Parker are all in their 30s. Don’t rule either 3 out of being in the squad but
with Rodwell holding, Wilshire's passing ability and Chamberlain's bulldog like
approach if they were given the chance who knows what they could achieve.
Wingers:
Aaron Lennon (right) Ashley Young (left)
It would
be easy for anyone to not include Young in the squad after the tournament he
had but it was his first tournament and his first season at Manchester United.
He will improve in the next two years and continue to be an asset for England.
Speaking of easy anyone would have thought that Aaron Lennon would be in the
squad after his performances for Tottenham, how he wasn't in over James Milner
or just generally is baffling as Lennon's game has come on leaps in bounds
season by season.
Striker:
Wayne Rooney
Despite
his critics on his day Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the best players in
the world. He has brilliant control, a fantastic shot and a great footballing
brain which means he can read the game so well and unlike many strikers he can
drop back in to midfield to pick out 30 yard passes with his great range. He
just needs a manager to bring the best out of him as England's tactics don't
seem to suit his game. In 2004 England played attacking football and that is
what Rooney loves, it is why he is so good at for Sir Alex Ferguson at
Manchester United. Maybe making Rooney England captain would motivate him and
show him that they want to build the team around him, in 2 years he will be 28
and at the peak of his career so despite whatever will be said come the World
Cup if England are doing well come the tournament he could set it alight.
After
reading the choices a 4-2-3-1 would also be suited, Wilshere and Rodwell holding
with Chamberlain playing off of Rooney meaning Young and Lennon would attack
the wings and defend when England didn't have the ball.
Overall
the 23 man squad would also include the likes of Danny Welbeck and Daniel
Sturridge up front. Theo Walcott in midfield. Chris Smalling in defence and
players such as Nick Powell and Henri Lansbury have the skills to become
England internationals. Sometimes experience is overrated but admittedly it
does help so some seniors should be in the squad but with some fresh blood in
side and an overhaul of the England team which is definitely needed the future
could be oh so bright for English football.
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| 46 years and counting... |
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