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Henry Winter 🤖
Can’t remember how many of the 100+ England qualifiers I’ve covered that I’ve really enjoyed. Rome 97 was gutsy and tactically smart. Munich 2001 was special, even Heskey scored. Old Trafford 2001, Beckham’s spectacular free-kick rescued England against Greece. Theo’s trio in Zagreb, 2008. England stormed through qualifying under Capello and then stank South Africa 2010 out. Naples 2022, hostile atmosphere, fighting performance and an important 2-1 win.
Currently heading south to @[email protected] to discuss England (and other matters) on Sunday Edition from 10-12. Villa Park 2-0 over Andorra was disappointing. Qualifiers are rarely true indicators. Along with expected qualification you want to see the building of an identity and a structure, the forging of partnerships, understanding and team spirit.
You want to see good players reproducing their club form. You want to see a balanced, organised, fearless team emerging. England aren’t doing this yet under Tuchel. That’s why many fans had left by full-time at Villa Park. Some positives: Anderson and Madueke enhanced their reputation.
But England took too long too often in progressing upfield. And Burn is not international level. Eze is best off the left and lacked self-belief in the 10 role; taking that extra touch for his shot indicated that. England will be better with Konsa in defence, building that partnership with Guehi.
England will be better with Bellingham, when his shoulder’s healed, back eventually at 10. Bellingham has the self-belief and ability to take players on, to create and score. He has a swagger backed up by performances, driving into the box. He has a competitive edge that England need.
Left wing remains an issue. Tuchel likes Rashford, he started brightly at Villa Park but faded. And can Tuchel truly overlook his best passer, Alexander-Arnold? Qualification is all about finding answers to questions. And Tuchel’s not doing that yet. #ENG #ENGAND
SimonWhistle report from Villa Park. “Ode to Joy” played by DJ before kick-off. Not a lot of joy tbh. 4 qualifying wins out of 4, 3 more points, 2 good individual performances from Elliot Anderson and Noni Madueke, and 1 more step towards the World Cup. But not a lot of joy. Not enough intensity or risk-taking. And how to judge England against Andorra, fourth in the world versus 174th? At least England didn’t come unstuck against the “chewing gum” opposition. Serbia away far tougher. Anyway, six things from Villa Park…
1.Anderson. Outstanding debut. Too early to judge fully, opponents too modest, and the 22-year-old will have far tougher challenges to come but comfortably man of the match. Anderson played as a 6, shielding back-four, his passing progressive, playing wide to James and Madueke or through the lines to Eze. England been looking for a holding midfielder to show strengths of Phillips v Croatia, Euro 2020; Carrick v Ecuador 2006; Hargreaves v Portugal 2006, and the likes of Ince, Batty, Butt.
Long way to go for Anderson to get anywhere near those levels. But Tuchel has to persist with him. Competitive, composed and confident. Laid the ball off to James, demanded it back. Knitted defence and midfield together. Hungry for the ball. Two towering headers over the taller Vales. Andorra captain fouled, Anderson immediately leapt up and got on with it. Twice involved in build-up to England’s first. Almost scored in the second half, but Alvarez saved.
2. Madueke, very positive, took risks. England more threatening out wide, Rashford decent but Madueke excellent. Again, only Andorra. But a constant menace with his dribbling down the right, and soon pulled back by Babot. Another run, another corner. Another run, another corner. Great run second half, weaving in from the right. Good understudy for when Saka returns.
3. England so much better when they quickened the tempo. Goals came when they went for the jugular. First goal (25): one-, two-touch…James, Guehi, Eze, Anderson, Madueke, Garcia own goal. Why did Eze not hit first time from Madueke pass early second half? Took a second touch, and the moment lost. Second goal (67): quick build-up Burn, Guehi, James cross, Rice header. Rice’s runs into the box finally rewarded, and helped by Anderson anchering.
4. Defence. Untested. Full-backs James and Lewis-Skelly played high up, James had some good links with Madueke. But at centre-back, why start Burn? Gives a threat at corners but are England going to win the World Cup with Burn, when he’ll be 34? Konsa-Guehi will be England’s centre-back combination at the World Cup. Need more time to work on their understanding. None here. Guehi came off … for Konsa. Bizarre.
5. Tuchel changes. Mabager looked to drive home advantage after second goal with more energy: Gordon for Rashford, Livramento for James, Rogers for Rice (all 68). Konsa for Guehi (76). Gibbs-White for Eze (78). Eze slightly disappointing at 10. England need Bellingham back at No 10.
6. Villa Park, thank you. England roadshow always good. National team belongs to the nation, not to North-west London. FA tries to take England on the road but has to pay off Wembley. Plus Coldplay playing there. Viva La Villa. An incident on the M6 slowed England fans, ironically around Rugby, but Villa Park quickly full. Sensible kick-off time, youthful crowd, loud rendition of National Anthem, decent atmosphere.
Mike McGrath 🤖Keir Starmer’s a w-----, sing England fans in abusive chants at Villa Park
