How England Should Lineup Against Andorra and Croatia

If it’s not too arrogant to assume we’ll beat Andorra (see team photo, left) then I’m thinking that mixing it up a bit might be a decent idea. Rooney has looked a little bit, well, dogshit lately so no need for him to play 90 in Barcelona when there’s a much much tougher game a few days later.

Everyone seems a bit worried about Rio Ferdinand’s fitness too, which is a massive concern. Whatever Chelsea fans might tell you about the bravery of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand is a better international defender because he’s got some pace.

So, from the 23 Capello has chosen, here’s my preferred lineups versus Andorra and then Croatia.

vs Andorra

——————-James—————–
Johnson- -Terry- -Lescott- -Cashley
Bentley- -Lampard- -Barry- -Cole- -
———–Defoe- -Heskey———

I see Johnson and Cashley getting forward a lot, with Lescott (or Upson, Lescott hasn’t started 08-09 all that well) getting some international experience while Rio recuperates.

Bentley gets a start out wide and Lampard gets to play sans Gerrard as the actual attack minded mid. Up front Defoe and Heskey should be a nice big man little man partnership with more than enough for Andorra while Rooney takes a break.

From the bench: Walcott can come in and play up front or out wide, Jimmy Bullard can get a good half hour under his belt by coming on for Lampard and Stewart Downing can relieve Joe Cole on the left at some point (or Cole sits if he’s even slightly injured, and Downing starts). Either way: job done, everyone happy.

Of course, that’s not what Fabio will do. You just know Beckham will start over Bentley and a half fit Rio Ferdinand will hobble around before injuring himself and missing the Croatia game, while Rooney has an effective but exhausting runaround. But if I had Fabio’s job, we’d be doing the above (and he’d be writing this blog, in Italian.)

Then the serious business in Zagreb.

My guess is Fabio will get all cautious in Croatia, and not just for the awesome alliteration. A 4-5-1 with Heskey as lone striker and Rooney at left mid (just to have him on the pitch) wouldn’t be a huge surprsie. But I’d go 4-4-2(ish), like so:

vs Croatia

—————–James————–
Brown- -Terry- -Ferdinand- -Cashley
Becks- -Lampard- -Barry- -Cole
—————Rooney—————
———————Heskey———-

Bit more experience here and a bit safer (though less exciting) with Brown and Becks instead of Johnson and Bentley. If Ferdinand isn’t fit then God help us, because I don’t trust either Lescott or Upson and wish Woodgate was in this squad.

Up front it’s Hesky as the focal point with Rooney playing a bit deeper, possibly as a fifth midfielder when necessary. If we get out of Croatia with a draw then that’s a step forward from last time we were here.