Germany 4, England 1. It’s yet another disappointing scoreline that reads ugly for the large population of English fans around Australia.
As much as the England fans hate to admit it though, a result like that was due to come around eventually. For me the game drew many a similarity to the Socceroos’ performance against the Germans just 15 days prior.
Let’s start with the major talking point from the match though, and the goal that wasn’t from Frank Lampard, just moments after England had been handed a lifeline through Matthew Upson’s header. The questions surrounding goal-line technology will be asked once again, as yet another error has turned a game when technology could have given the right decision.
As an England fan, I’m not going to bore you with jibes against the referees, and that we were robbed and so on. Yes the decision was incorrect, yes the linesman was well off the pace and should have been in a better position to call it. Fact of the matter is, the problems within the English team are much deeper than a costly error that turned the game.
For most of this tournament, England has struggled to capture the imagination of football fans around the globe. Tonight in particular, the slow tempo that the three lions had played with during the group stage was exposed by a potent trio of lively German attacking midfielders.
England had 59% of possession up to half time, but you wouldn’t have known it due to an overwhelming lack of adventure. Playing the ball across the back boringly before unleashing a long punt up field was exactly what Per Mertesacker and Arne Freidrich would have been hoping for before kick-off. Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe were never going to win a header against those two, so why play that game plan? Surely the option of Peter Crouch would have been more sensible if you had intentions of doing that?
The word ‘slow’ was probably the best way to describe that performance from England in a nutshell. Not only was the movement of the ball slow when in possession, but the pace (or lack of) from John Terry and Upson meant that players such as Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski had no problem threatening in advance positions. Terry in particular probably had his worst game for England tonight, which was unfortunate in such a big game. Similarly Gareth Barry was invisible as a holding midfielder, and his lack of strength was highlighted for the fourth goal when he was beaten to the ball by Ozil wide on the left.
With such a lack of speed at the back, cover should have been offered from Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole on the flanks. Yet again though, each thought they were a winger instead of a fullback, which allowed Ozil and Podolski to have a field day on the flanks. Signs of this were shown in the group stage, but they weren’t made to pay, and against a team as ruthless as Germany you will be punished.
So far, England has been slow at the back, they have been slow on the ball, and slow in dealing with an efficient counter-attacking game. As I was watching the game at my local pub tonight, I was crying out for the substitution of Milner who wasn’t as effective on the right as he had been against Slovenia. The logical change for me would have been Aaron Lennon, who had pace to burn which could possibly have stretched the game in the later stages. Fans favourite Joe Cole was introduced though, and once again he looked under-cooked as he struggles to adapt to the top level after injury.
Take nothing away from the Germans though who were absolutely fantastic through the 90 minutes. A solid back four supported well by holding midfielders Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger, didn’t give England too many opportunities at a time when the game needed to be forced. 80 caps at just 25 years old, Schweinsteiger has proved at the highest level that he is a real gem and with Muller and Ozil supporting, the future looks very bright for the ‘Mannschaft’.
But where to now for England? A repetitive story has unfolded where we are looking back on a major tournament having seen many of the big names underperforming.
A “golden” generation has surely passed now without silverware, and just like the cricket and the rugby sides, we simply need to rebuild. Players such as Joe Hart, Adam Johnson and James Milner will hopefully be given more time to develop during the qualifiers for the European Championships in two years time. Others such as Emile Heskey, Gareth Barry and even Frank Lampard may have to be moved aside to allow younger blood to flourish.
The debate surrounding Lampard and Steven Gerrard has been ongoing for a while now, and if they can’t play together then the next manager (if Capello goes) has surely got to acknowledge that. Somebody like Lee Cattermole is exactly the sort of player England should be looking to bring in, after a fairly good U-21’s world cup last summer. Tough tackling, lion-hearted and giving 110% is what England are going to need as they look to start from scratch in the years to come.
Appointing Fabio Capello will be also deemed as a failure. Back when he was first appointed, I was questioning whether an Italian manager was right with a team full of players that compete in the world’s most frenetic domestic league.
In my opinion, England just needs to be England. We definitely are not Argentina, Brazil or Spain.
Just like Mike Tyson is a brawler, he’s not Mohammed Ali.
Just like England are known in the rugby for their tough hard-hitting pack. So why try and play an expansive game?
Success over the years has been under English coaches who play the style of game that suits the players. We seem to have an ideology that we are technical enough to beat these sides with a short and fluent passing game. That’s now how we play in the Premiership though, and we falter because we try to be something we aren’t. Move the ball early, move it direct and play to the strengths that you are known for worldwide. The time has got to come surely where a Roy Hodgson or Harry Redknapp will bring this back for us.
Reputation is one thing, performance is another. At the moment, we have neither.
tommy_doleman
Roar Pro
I agree completely. Richards has to come into that team. Too early to call on Jones at the moment, but Gibbs could work depending on gametime. I'd still like to see Leighton Baines given a fair go though first. I'm sticking to my guns with Cattermole though (provided he stays injury free) 2014 is a long way away though, they need to just prepare themselves for the next qualifying campaign for Euro 2012. We always see teams for "the next world cup" come out. Pointless articles in my opinion because we are getting too far of ourselves. Terry, Cole Gerrard and Rooney would be the other players I'd retain for my next XI. (experience down the spine) Hart, Richards, Dawson, Terry, Cole, Milner, Cattermole, Gerrard, Adam Johnson, Agbonlahor, Rooney. I think the four players i've retained are worthwhile keeping, while these new additions also have plenty of u-21s experience and should be able to slot it. I mean look at Ozil, Khedira and Boateng... It was only 12 months ago they were playing our 21s and now they're thumping our first team!
Colin N
Guest
I said at the time, when Walcott was being linked with all these clubs, that he would be better served going to somewhere like Everton, who would ease him into first team action slowly, like they did with Rooney, but would also play him in his best position. There was an interesting thing in today's British newspaper, The Independent which showed a potential side for 2014: Hart J.Rodwell P.Jones (Blackburn) K.Gibbs G.Johnson J.McEachran (Chelsea, part of under-17's) Milner Wilshere A.Johnson Rooney Wickham But that's missing out the likes of Dawson, Cahill, Agbonlahor, Downing, Young, Richards etc. Surely Micah Richards has to be the number one right back in England even now? Glen Johnson is surprisingly slow, whereas Richards is a very good athlete, who has good touch and defensively sound, IMO anyway. I've never seen Richards let England down and even when he does get caught out, he has the pace to make up for those mistakes, whereas Johnson has been completely exposed on occasions.
Roger Rational
Guest
Schwarzer, no chance. He's always been absurdly over-rated in Austalia. Regular watches of the EPL know how often he makes bizarre clangers, which is why a poor team like Middlesbrough weren't upset to see him go. Kewell, no chance. The Australian equivalent of Michael Owen, whom Capello correctly discarded two years ago. Wilkshire - are you having a laugh? A Bristol City reject in the England team? Cahill - would have made the squad, I reckon, though probably not the team.
Roger Rational
Guest
Yeah, but England still won 55.2% of the possession. They weren't exactly out-passed Barcelona-style. The Germans played classic counter-attacking football as played by many EPL teams.
Roger Rational
Guest
Precisely. The English media isn't unusual. What is unusual is that everybody else seems to care so much about what they write.
tommy_doleman
Roar Pro
Colin - I've seen glimpses of Wickham at Ipswich and he looks a real prospect. Wilshere also with more game time will grow as a player I'd hope. I think the difference is though, if we were to put all those names together there isn't somebody in there who is an out and out wonderkid. These players are all quite good, but most of them need to develop and play regular first team football. Arsenal in particular have been criminal over the years with English kids whos careers have spiralled. Walcott looked amazing at Southampton then he just didn't get a game at Arsenal and look what happened! I think Young and Downing need to be more consistent, but they can play a part. They need to persist with Milner and Johnson on the flanks due to all that U-21s experience they have. Squad players though for sure. Also, I for one was surprised Agbonlahor wasn't on the plane in the first place.
westy
Guest
As Tony says how many Englishmen regularly play in the top 4 EPL teams. Is Rooney really a great striker or a good one who plays with a very effective and creative EPL midfield who utilise his very good anticipation . Bluntly Rooney in international games for England is a failure. I am prepared to concede he has been hurt by lack of a creative midfielder or playmaker but I would prefer to have severl other foriegn players in the English team and lose Rooney.
NY
Guest
Take out Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney, after that England is a nothing team. I would go as far as saying that Tim Cahill, Luke Wilkshire, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer would have made that England team. Four Australian players. Something you would have never said 4 or 5 years ago.
Colin N
Guest
Steven Taylor is still playing well for Newcastle, but he sustained an injury in January which ended his season, but should be back for the Premiership season.
Colin N
Guest
"Apart from Johnson and Cattermole who else do you see breaking through to senior squad?" As well as who Tommy said, there's Jack Wilshere who looks like the brightest prospect. Looking further down the groups, Conor Wickham helped England to the under-17 European title. He's only 16 but is already playing first team football for Ipswich and impressing. Also, I suppose there's players like Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Agbonlahor, Gary Cahill, who are still young but playing at a good level, while I like the look of Gosling, Tomkins, Carrol and Sturridge. Cleverly is perhaps a name to watch out for as well, who's proven to be a real star for Watford this season, on loan from Manchester United.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
The title alone is worth a cheer. You're welcome.
tony yeboah
Guest
Bad luck Tommy, good article. The thing that i found incredible was the Capello played the same formation and similar fashion to the Australians against Germany's five man midfield. The result you can see. Ozil had acres of space in the centre of the park, England didn't press hard enough and Germany basically just by-passed England's straight line midfield with clever diagonal runs and through balls. Maybe cause Rooney wasn't fully fit Capello thought he couldn't play up front by himself or as mentioned earlier they can't play 4-2-3-1. Verbeek is an average coach and he stuffed up, Capello is on $9 million dollars a year and that is what he has come up with. The fact that they don't play like they do in the premiership is simple because there are not enough englishman playing. I find it incredulous that arguably the biggest and best club in England, Manchester United had only 1 player (and only 2 in the squad) out there playing. Arsenal play the most attractive football in the EPL for me and guess what, not one player in the England squad. England need to do what Germany did after the shocking Euro 2000 and develop there youth much better. If they get the World Cup in 2018, then they better hurry up!!
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
This! England looked much better when they moved the ball around - it just wasn't often enough. The press from the Germans was right up the park, making it difficult to build up from the back - forcing the long ball and giving up of possession. England did press - after they pulled one back - but it wasn't for a prolonged period of time.
tommy_doleman
Roar Pro
Art Sapphire - I've always been a big fan of Micah Richards. I think it's only a matter of time until he gets given a shot at right back for Johnson (or even at centre back) who clearly looks out of his depth against better opposition. Also what happened to Newcastles Steven Taylor? He's represented England at every level and has just dissapeared completely. I like Cattermole a lot, I think he has the right attitude and would be a good leader eventually. A lot of the current U-21 squad depends on how they develop though, and whether they get given gametime or sent out on loan? Kyle Walker, Victor Moses, Jack Rodwell and Fabian Delph are a few names I can think of, that look like bright prospects. I do agree that they aren't superstars like Muller and Ozil though.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Good piece Tommy, I posted this earlier but it is more appropriate on your thread. The English public yearn for success but the won’t get it as their football industry is based on making money for the EPL clubs and not making successful national teams.The English attack was led by some one in desperate need of a holiday who plays in a league where there is no winter break and where only 34% of the players are local. End result – The English end up getting played off the park by a 20 and 21 year old. Much like Australia, England is about to enter a transitional phase.However, I don't see anyone with the class of Ozil and Muller coming through. Apart from Johnson and Cattermole who else do you see breaking through to senior squad?
Colin N
Guest
But the reason England started playing long balls was because the movement wasn't very good and the play slow. And in contrast Germant pressed us. England don't intend to play long ball football.
Colin N
Guest
The English media is only as bad as some of the others. The Brazlians by all accounts are under far more pressure to perform. The only reason, I suspect you read a lot about the English is because we speak the same language. Realistically, the media didn't think or expect England to win the tournament, but what they and the public do expect, is the team to put in a performane representative of their ability. For instance, you saw how the country rejoiced after England's performance in Italia 90 - why was that? Because they gave a good account of themselves and pushed the Germans all the way in the Semi-finals. Re: The formation - I think you are absolutely right about the five-man midfield, but I still didn't expect Capello to play the formation during the tournament, because he had never experimented it previously. It was actually tried under Eriksson in the 06 World Cup against Ecuador, with Carrick and Lampard together, Cole and Beckham on the wings and Gerrard in behind Rooney. It didn't really work because Rooney wasn't fully fit and hadn't played a lot on his own at the time. I also believe you need games to get used to the formation. I know people will say that they are professional players and they should be able to adapt etc etc, but international football isn't like that and they get very little time togther as it is and therefore need time to get used to it. However, I agree it's the way to go and hopefully in the next few England games, Capello won't be so stubborn. (if he's still there - I personally think he should be given until Euro 2012 and if they don't qualify then he will go)
tommy_doleman
Roar Pro
The non-goal was obviously huge Dejan. We can't hide from the fact that it was such a game changing moment. We would have been a lot more conservative at the start of the second half and probably wouldn't have conceded Mullers double as we did. That said, I still think we would have lost. The media over there is the worst in the world. There's a perception that because the Premiership is one of the best leagues in the world, England are one of the best teams in the world. It's completely false and it puts the pressure on us before a ball is even kicked. As for Crouch, I would have started him particularly with the giant Per Mertesacker in their defence. I dont have a problem with Defoe and Rooney, but as I touched on in my article Capello really didn't play the gameplan that suited Defoe or Rooney. It definitely suited the type of player Peter Crouch is. If you are going to play long balls, you don't play with two smalls up top, its commonsense. Defoe or Rooney may have been more effective off the Crouch flick-on. I can understand keeping the same XI though at the same time though. England just needed to win that last group game and hope momentum would see them through the Germans. Clearly not.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Well said Tommy. Do you think the English media is too full on in the lead up to the Cup? I note we read lots of stories about them before the tournament starts. Excitement would be huge over there but if they are doing more harm than good...? I wrote yesterday I thought Capello might consider Crouch because of what Nikola Zigic did to the German defence. Do you think he should have, particularly given the get out clause is to hit a ball long? Also, should he have played with five midfielders to counter the five Germans and what effect did the non-goal have on the game in your opinion? It was huge in mine.
tommy_doleman
Roar Pro
Yossarian - you are spot on about the media, I think they've finally realised that our performance didn't warrant any progress in this tournament. I'm not saying that England should play kick and hope because sides like Slovenia will put 10 behind the ball and better sides like Germany deal with it easily. I was talking more about the pace of the domestic league and questioning why we "try" to play a style that is different to way our league plays. After all our whole squad is from the Premiership, so why are we trying to play Italian football. If we had started diving around and feigning injury, i might have thought i was watching Italy.