So we've just ended our penalty jinx, but some other things to note about our road to the final.
- We almost lost after blowing a 3-0 lead.
- We have 3 players unable to play in the final, Abonglahor and Joe Hart have accumulated 2 yellow cards over the tounament and Frazier Campbell in a moment of madness got himself sent off against Sweden.
- Mancienne seems to put in some dodgy displays, he seems to have lapses in concentration when playing high up the pitch, his defensive positioning is a little off and he doesn't have the speed to compensate.
- Gibbs seems to have shrugged off his blunder from last season.
- Milner has now missed 2 penalties in this tournament. His contributions on the wings with his running and his crossing have been superb, but maybe he shouldn't be our go to penalty taker.
- Muamba had a great opening to the tournament, but I think with the constant speculation of Rodwell usurping him after a amazing display against Finland seems to have his confidence a little rocked. Maybe not quite mentally ready for the rigours of top flight football.
- Rodwell should get a full international call up.
- The 4-2-3-1 we borrowed from the senior side hasn't really worked because, a) we don't have a physically imposing striker up front and we lack the ability to play killer passes.
- Pearce has been right up till now, but I start to wonder, was it smart only calling up 3 strikers? 2 are now suspended for the final and Walcott doesn't quite have the composure to be a lone striker, he's much more effective from the wing, but he hesitates in front of goal, which may prove troublesome. Other than Abonglahor, Campbell and Walcott, Pearce's only other option maybe to have Milner play as a makeshift striker.
- Cranie and Onuoha are definitely dangerous at set pieces, but seriously lacking in pace at the back.
- How I would like to see England line up for the Final
-----------------------------Lewis----------------------------
Cranie--------Richards-----------Tomkins---------Gibbs
----------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------Rodwell---------------------------
--------------------------------------Cattermole------------
--------------------Noble-------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------Johnson
Milner---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------Walcott-------------------
Have Johnson operate more as an offensive wingback with Gibbs overlapping frequently, have Walcott drift wide to the right to start attacks allowing both Noble to surge forward and Milner to drift towards the centre. Rodwell's defensive resposibilities will be the area vacated by Noble and Milner, while Cattermole needs to just cover the back four. Due to the lack of attacking options, we may have to prepare to defend and counter-attack. If things go badly, I'd suggest subbing Noble for Muamba and sit 3 defensive midfielders in the style of Chelsea.
Thoughts?
