England Friendlies Review

As the British football season winds down we were treated to a couple of pointless England friendlies, nevertheless it gave the public a chance to gauge what shape Roy Hodgson’s team were in with the World Cup in Brazil just over a year away. 

Shane Long wheels away
after putting the Irish one up

A respectable 80,000 turned out at Wembley to witness the first meeting between England and the Republic of Ireland since 1995. There has been much debate in the Irish media regarding the Republic’s style of play since their pitiful showing at Euro 2012, but it was England’s tactics that sparked discussion between high profile pundits such as Gary Lineker. The Three Lions set up in that formation I like to call ‘just about good enough for League Two’ 4-4-2 and Ireland followed suit, the Irish started quickly and netted on thirteen minutes when man of the match Seamus Coleman crossed for the diminutive Shane Long who rose above the English defence to head home emphatically. England responded ten minutes later when Daniel Sturridge’s cross from the left was met by Frank Lampard on a typical late run into the box, the thirty four year old celebrated signing his one year extension at Chelsea by finding space in the Irish box and slotting past David Forde.  The rest of the game fell into a pattern of long balls from the Irish being recycled by England who lacked a cutting edge and any real fluency to find a winner, with captain for the night Ashley Cole wasting the best chance by firing over from close range following Theo Walcott’s volleyed cross. Lineker summed up the thoughts of many England fans, myself included saying, “Don't like England playing this system. So easy to play against, predictable and dated. It's not about playing in straight lines, it's about playing between the lines. Depth gives flexibility, passing alternatives, creativity”. 

John Barnes celebrates
scoring that goal in 1984

Next up for Hodgson’s men was a trip to Rio de Janeiro and the redeveloped Maracana, the scene of John Barnes wonder dribble and finish that showed the Brazilians how to play the beautiful game. It was however an energetic Brazil side that preceded to give England a lesson in football throughout the first half with Hulk, Neymar and Fred all going close for the home side. Despite deploying the more favoured 4-3-3, England lacked creativity which was personified with Phil Jones appearing in the hole behind Rooney numerous times in the first half. Unlike England the Brazilians had pace on the counter and were effectively pushing full backs Dani Alves and Felipe Luis forward with Chelsea’s David Luiz spraying balls all over the park. 

The Ox equalises

Rooney stuns the Maracana

Yet at half time it remained 0-0 and saw England sporting their new away kit for the first time come out with a rejuvenated spirit, which was inevitably quashed when second half sub Hernanes curled a superb effort which came back off the woodwork for Fred to pounce and volley home. Hodgson having had questions asked of his tactics previously, used all of his managerial nous by bringing on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Glen Johnson and changing to a 3-5-2 system which saw Michael Carrick sit just in front of the centre halves. This allowed the full backs to push up and Chamberlain to orchestrate the play, which he did to perfection as some clever interplay saw him hit a stinging volley into the bottom left hand corner which stunned the Maracana and showcased to the world one of England’s emerging talents. Then as if to defy logic, Rooney cut in from the left and curled a tremendous effort past Julio Cesar and in doing so sent a message to potential suitors interested in the want away Manchester United star, that he was in fact still a world beater. England were unfortunately brought back down to earth as Paulinho exquisitely volleyed Lucas Moura’s cross past Joe Hart three minutes later. Despite the start, England recovered to secure a respectable draw and Hodgson momentarily answered his critics who still crave a perfect ninety minute performance from the Three Lions.