Real test now for England and Roy Hodgson
England beat Lithuania 3-0 and ended their European qualification campaign with a perfect record. England are now the only team to win all of their qualification games in this campaign. But does that make them favorites for the tournament?
Roy Hodgson fielded a youthful team against Lithuania and the players were eager to take their chances with Ross Barkley particularly impressing. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got on the score sheet to make a case for his inclusion in England's first choice starting eleven. It was a comfortable win for England but it is now that the real test starts for England.
England are the sixth team to reach the tournament with a hundred percent qualification record. But only one team out of the previous five has gone on to win the trophy. So it is evident that a 100% qualification campaign record means next to nothing when the tournament begins. England were similarly impressive in the previous World Cup's qualification matches but they stuttered on the big stage.
England's toughest opponents in the group were probably Switzerland, and even they were no threat to a full strength England team. In fact, out of the ten matches not once has England struggled. That is an impressive feat actually, as we have seen current world champions Germany struggling in their last two qualifiers. But the problem for England is that they haven't faced a proper tough opposition yet.
England play two friendlies against Spain and France next month and that should provide an indicator of how far this team has come after the horror showing at Brazil in 2014. England were not favorites to qualify from their group in Brazil, but the way they went out without winning a single game was disappointing. Even against Costa Rica, they couldn't score a goal.
Now where does the problem lie for England? Undoubtedly, they have quality. Hart is a fine goalkeeper. Defence is probably their weakest area with John Stones the better of the lot. England's defence was never really tested in their qualification matches. England also lack a proper defensive minded midfielder but they never had to use a defensive midfielder in their qualification games. When facing teams like Germany and France, these weaknesses could be brutally exposed.
Further up, England has a very talented and youthful midfield with the likes of Barkley, Wilshere, Sterling and Chamberlain. All of them are very creative and talented players but can they respond when their team is in crisis? Once you go 2-0 down, can these players inspire a comeback? We have never gotten the chance to see that yet, in truth. But that will be something Hodgson needs to look at.
England have a lot of striking options with Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck all offering Hodgson a variety of options.
Wayne Rooney is the most experienced player of the lot and his form will be a big worry for Hodgson. England needs players like Rooney to be able to respond when the team is in crisis and this young lot has not yet proved their credentials in that aspect. Hodgson may even drop Rooney from the team if his form doesn't improve.
But again, England has so far beaten whatever has been put in front of them and who knows, we might see an unlikely hero rise in the Euros next summer.
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| Roy Hodgson |
England are the sixth team to reach the tournament with a hundred percent qualification record. But only one team out of the previous five has gone on to win the trophy. So it is evident that a 100% qualification campaign record means next to nothing when the tournament begins. England were similarly impressive in the previous World Cup's qualification matches but they stuttered on the big stage.
England's toughest opponents in the group were probably Switzerland, and even they were no threat to a full strength England team. In fact, out of the ten matches not once has England struggled. That is an impressive feat actually, as we have seen current world champions Germany struggling in their last two qualifiers. But the problem for England is that they haven't faced a proper tough opposition yet.
England play two friendlies against Spain and France next month and that should provide an indicator of how far this team has come after the horror showing at Brazil in 2014. England were not favorites to qualify from their group in Brazil, but the way they went out without winning a single game was disappointing. Even against Costa Rica, they couldn't score a goal.
Now where does the problem lie for England? Undoubtedly, they have quality. Hart is a fine goalkeeper. Defence is probably their weakest area with John Stones the better of the lot. England's defence was never really tested in their qualification matches. England also lack a proper defensive minded midfielder but they never had to use a defensive midfielder in their qualification games. When facing teams like Germany and France, these weaknesses could be brutally exposed.
Further up, England has a very talented and youthful midfield with the likes of Barkley, Wilshere, Sterling and Chamberlain. All of them are very creative and talented players but can they respond when their team is in crisis? Once you go 2-0 down, can these players inspire a comeback? We have never gotten the chance to see that yet, in truth. But that will be something Hodgson needs to look at.
England have a lot of striking options with Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck all offering Hodgson a variety of options.
Wayne Rooney is the most experienced player of the lot and his form will be a big worry for Hodgson. England needs players like Rooney to be able to respond when the team is in crisis and this young lot has not yet proved their credentials in that aspect. Hodgson may even drop Rooney from the team if his form doesn't improve.
But again, England has so far beaten whatever has been put in front of them and who knows, we might see an unlikely hero rise in the Euros next summer.