Despite the impressive 3-1 scoreline, there was not a lot to shout about regarding England’s performance against the Mexican’s on Monday night. There were very few outstanding performers, if any, and the formation showed no real strengths, nor did it weaknesses. Capello has to take something from the game though, so let’s try and analyse it in the best way possible.
First of all, let’s take a look at the back four and the goalkeeper. A half each was given to the two available stoppers on the night, with Green coming out with his reputation the most enhanced. A fine save down to his right prevented a certain goal from Carlos Vela, although a spilled bobbling shot just minutes after another important save gave worrying thoughts. Hart in the second half was solid, although not having a great deal of work to do, he did what he had to with minimal fuss. Glen Johnson showed yet again his great ability as an attacking fullback, getting forward whenever possible and scoring an absolute peach from the edge of the area, but questions do still remain about his defensive positional sense. Leighton Baines at left back didn’t have the best of games as he failed to get close enough to the ball on a number of occasions, resulting in dangerous balls being played across the face of goal. He could also have been blamed for Franco’s goal as his unconvincing clearance off the line from Marquez’s header allowed the forward to fumble the ball in, although had Ledley King not allowed Marquez to wriggle free of his marking in the first place, danger could have been averted. King admitted he didn’t have his best game, but to see him come through 90 minutes of football was an encouraging sign. In his first game as full time captain Rio Ferdinand worryingly lost a number of straight races, displaying his lack of pace and more importantly, lack of fitness.
In the first half of the game, Mexico ran the midfield and we didn’t do nearly enough to break up their play and to keep the ball ourselves. Michael Carrick in particular had a poor game, including far too many misplaced and needless passes, with James Milner not stamping his authority on the game as he has been all season for Aston Villa. Steven Gerrard once again started out on the left wing, a position I believe that doesn’t show the best of Gerrard and neither the team. Far too often he drifts infield leaving the flank and the left back exposed. Against a team like Brazil who play an effective counter attacking game - for once, Brazil have a very strong defence and one of the best goalkeepers around to protect them - this could spell danger, so we definitely need a more disciplined Gerrard, or a better option, a more natural winger. In the second half we looked to have more shape, after Capello moved Gerrard into the centre, brought on Huddlestone for Carrick and put Milner out on the left. Adam Johnson came on for the last 5 minutes of the game, and turned his defender nicely, but if you want to see what a player can do, he needs more than 5 minutes. I think South Africa has come to early for him, but expect him to have an important role in the 2012 qualifiers. On the right wing, Theo Walcott showed how much fear raw pace brings to a defence, although yet again his final ball was lacking. Running at the fullback and getting to the bye line is Walcott’s strength, but then deciding what ball to play, and executing it is his weakness. I feel he would be more effective through the middle as a fast striker playing off the shoulder’s of the centre backs with Aaron Lennon a far better choice on the right.
Up front Wayne Rooney didn’t have one of his best games, but the fact that he escaped the Wembley pitch unscathed at least put a relieved smile on my face. Say what you want - and most people do - about his strike partner on the night, but his 21st goal in 38 appearances is a record that most international strikers could only dream of. There is still something about him though, that doesn’t make him a world class striker, even if his record does suggest so. I was very surprised not to see Emile Heskey nor Darren Bent get any game time, especially seen as it appears it will be one or the other on the plane this summer.
With one game left before Capello names his 23, I would expect him to select as close to his proposed staring 11 as possible with any undecided players he has in his mind coming on for a chance to impress
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