Same New England (England 4-0 Bulgaria)

A convincing four-nil scoreline in this new era for England should suggest a new leaf has well and truly been turned in the book of English international football. New faces, new(ish) kit, new purpose, a whisper of optimism and contrition from the England camp. However this brave new future demands closer examination.

A seemingly emphatic victory against Bulgaria suggests England have indeed learned their harshly taught lessons. But a more critical inspection in-spite of the warm glow of a victory at Wembley show this veneer of freshness thinly veils England’s same old deficiencies and frailties. England started with the jugular piercing purpose, tenacity and passion which is a bare minimum expected by all who follow England.

The determination was clearly there from each and every player to show the world England had no World Cup hangover. The droning vuvuzelas of South Africa were mercifully replaced with the brass of England, and the early goal suggested all was right in the life of an England supporter again.

However as the game progressed the early short, sharp, intelligent passing England began with, steadily morphed into long, hopeful and often pointless one dimensional balls from back to front. England’s inability to keep long spells of meaningful possession, with good decision making, intelligent movement, tactically aware build up play and defensive organisation for ninety minutes, even against thoroughly average opposition, is still there for all to see.

Invention turned to predictability, control and thoughtfulness turned to Hollywood passing and needlessly rushed play with time honoured familiarity. Defensively, England’s lack of a specialist holding midfielder and openness at the back gave hope and chances to a Bulgaria side that deserved neither. Such an openness and lack of defensive miserliness will lead to inevitable continued failure for England if not addressed.

As Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard pushed forward in support of the strikers, the centre of the England defence was time and time again left dangerously exposed, with acres of space in front of it, ripe for counter-attacking. Clearly the lessons of Germany, when an often over-stretched England were torn apart by simple counter-attacking football, even from their own attacking corners, have not been learned one bit by Fabio Capello.

Another Bloemfontein-esq fiasco is surely destined for England again in the depressingly not so distant future. After dispassionate and considered analysis of the England teams set-up and play, despite the misleading scoreline and domination of mediocrity incarnate, a demoralising conclusion is that England are still not in the position to be likely to overturn the highest calibre of opposition in the highest stakes matches.

Against Spain or Holland in a European Championship Quarter Final, England will give the ball away time and time again, spending the majority of the game being pulled this way and that, chasing shadows all the way back to Heathrow airport.

Tom Huddlestone, although not yet an England regular, must surely become one soon. He and Michael Carrick offer England the true ball-playing defensive midfielder the English midfield and defence so desperately need. With Huddlestone holding and dropping back into the defence when needed, England’s flying wing-backs will have the security to get wide and forward, making the pitch as big as possible when England have possession.

Such a player gives England’s naturally attack minded midfielders the security they are lacking behind them to be progressive, and a considered, two footed passer such as Huddlestone would help England to play a more patient, possession oriented game. A fundamental prerequisite for international success.

The availability and despairingly seldom use of either Carrick or Huddlestone, and the lack of a three man central midfield are further evidence that England need new direction and leadership.

The standard four-four-two formation with two box-to-box central midfielders is an obsolete formation, especially at international level. Some may argue that Tottenham gained fourth playing four-four-two, but when attacking, the left full back overlaps, and Luka Modrić or Niko Kranjčar drift inside, giving ‘Spurs that third midfielder.

However the Bulgarian encounter did offer some reasons for a sceptical England fan to hold hope for the future; Joe Hart is the long term solution to England’s goalkeeping uncertainty. Hart displays the sharpness and concentration of mind, unwavering solidity and reliability England have lacked since the days of David Seaman eight years ago. With the composure, confidence and seniority of a player ten years his senior, he is merely time and experience away from world-class status.

Michael Dawson looks every inch a first choice England defender, and surely the natural successor to John Terry in time.
Phil Jagielka has also shown he can do a capable job in an England shirt, and can be counted on when needed for a solid display of Evertonian steel.

As for Jermain Defoe, he seems to have found confidence when he wears the other white shirt in his footballing life. The Defoe that wears the lilly white of Tottenham Hotspur it seems, now truly has the belief that he belongs in the one with three lions on the chest. Every goal of his hat-trick against Bulgaria was pure, predatory Defoe. Every bit recognisable as the marksman White Hart Lane patrons know and love.

England may at present be only a prospective hopeful for international glory. But the likes of Gerrard and Rooney at their best, allied to the new hopes of Hart, Dawson and co. under a more progressive, English management can yet make England a major force in world football once again.