Things We Learned From The Friendly With Egypt

March 4th, 2010 | by: Rob | View Comments

Usually, the main point of friendlies is to learn. To try things out, to see what works, and build from it. Certainly, last night’s friendly with Egypt (highlights above) was quite productive in that case.

4-4-2 Should Be Left In The Past

We’ve got a big soft spot in this country for 4-4-2 as we won the World Cup using it. But the game has changed, and we’ve looked much better in Capello’s 4-2-2-1-1 formation. Or 4-1-3-1-1. Whatever it is. He experiemented last night with 4-4-2, mainly to employ a new strike partnership, and it didn’t really work – Gerrard was too deep and restricted, and we only had one way to attack. Expect us to line up against Mexico with Capello’s preferred formation back.

Peter Crouch is now ahead of Jermaine Defoe in the pecking order.

Both will likely to go to South Africa, but you now have to feel that Defoe is going to be Rooney’s back up, rather than his potential partner. Crouch meanwhile, has to have a real shot at being Rooney’s starting partner in South Africa – 20 goals in 37 appearances speaks for itself. What was notable, was that Crouch scored two from the bench, but both were along the ground. Never mind that one was offside – the point is he gives England two ways to attack instead of Defoe’s one – he is obviously a threat in the air, but he can have the ball crossed low to him as well, and can score.

Rob Green is probably going to keep goal in South Africa

I can’t imagine that, unless he embaressed himself, Rob Green would have played 90 minutes last night and not been favourite to play a starting role in South Africa. He’s a solid choice – while he isn’t quite in the form Joe Hart is in, he does have more experience, and always seems to have a pretty steady head. And he can save penalties. So I’m happy to get behind him, and reconsider Joe Hart for after the World Cup.

The position on the Right Wing is still up for grabs.

It’d be weird if we lined up in South Africa without Theo Wallcott, who lest we forget, was a big part of us getting there, but he looked really out of match practise yesterday. Shaun Wright-Phillips came on to replace him, and two things were notable after his (slightly lucky, lets be honest) goal – David Beckham was on his feet clapping before anyone else, which made me smile, clearly he’s just pleased for England to win, and Fabio Capello allowed himself a wry smile. He knows he’s got a call to make about that right wing berth.

The 45 Minutes Hoodoo Might Still Be There

Under Sven, the big criticism of the team was that they could only really perform over 45 minutes. This wasn’t strictly true – we beat Argentina in 2002 because of a 90 minute rearguard performance for example – but there were games, such as the one against Sweden in that World Cup that that might have been true of. Last night we trailed after 45 minutes, but performed much much better in the second half and won the game. Lets hope its not something here to stay.

Fans are only going to boo John Terry when he looks shakey

Obviously, to start with John Terry was going to get a rough reception, even at Wembley. I don’t have a huge problem with it, along as its not gratuitous, and to be fair, the boos petered out as the game continued, probably because Terry started making good tackles and clearances. It wasn’t a top-drawer performance by any standard, but he looked a bit better than he has for Chelsea of late.

Gerrard needs a Free Role

When he was trapped a proper winger i the first half, he looked pretty average, but in the second half he roamed all around the pitch often trying to find a way to link up with Rooney. Defensively that’s a worry as he’ll still have a job to do when we come up against a team with real quality wide players, but attacking he needs to space to express himself.