Postby LobsterUnit » Sun Jun 27, 2010 1:16 pm
If you analyse all the top world teams and teams that win their tournaments, there are certain attributes they all have and this what makes them successful. Some of the attributes include: 1. central midfielders who keep the ball, 2. An attacking player who can unlock teams with delicate and clever moves, be it through balls or running with the ball. 3.Destructive players that can harrass the opposition and run back whenLook at the england midfield
1. Gerrard
2. Lampard
3. Milner
4. Barry
All of them are nearly of the same mould and nearly all of them lack real pace. The only difference we can say is that Gerrard is a better dribbler and has more pace than the others. The problem with such a line up is that none of those players are particularly great at keeping the ball in tight positions or making the opposition work. Another problem of the above line is the lack of any pace when the opposing team is launching counter attacks. Often times, Gerrard is caught out of position, Lampard is too slow in getting back and Barry simply isn't a real defensive midfielder . He is also too slow, as I have already mentioned. Sometimes he does well, but he doesn't get help from Lampard and Gerrard, which means that Barry is often left chasing two or three men from the opposition midfield. A consequence of this is that the opposition have an easy route to the england defence( as we witnessed in the macth today.
As a result of the aformentioned problems, England are always either chasing the opposition or trying to rush the ball and score. This is why you hear the pundits say, " england must play the premiership way". I certainly believe this is precisely the problem: it is impossible to play the premiership way in the world cup, at least not all the time. Their needs to be periods where you just keep the ball and make the oppositon work. Spain do this very well; so do Brazil; so do Argentina; and, of course, most of the other great teams. The great teams also have central midfielders who can stay focused and unlock defenses at the great time, even if they are losing or if they haven't any luck in the game. Too often in this tournament, Gerrard and Lampard chose the wrong passes or tried to be to heroic. The lad Ozil is a wonderful demonstration of having balance in your play. At times he just holds up the play. Then another time you will see him shoot from range. England attempt to start most of their games by playing the so called fast tempo game". However, it doesn't trouble most. teams,and when England don't get an early goal, they start rushing the passes, trying to play ball hollywood long balls to the strikers and rooney, the main striker, comes far too deep or too wide.
