England continue to search for solutions
Marc Fox
June 4, 2016
Their display against Portugal was variously labelled as "lacklustre", "unconvincing" and even "worrying" by one former England defender in a withering analysis of Roy Hodgson's tactics with the Euro 2016 opener just one week away.
However, England's hierarchy rallied around the under-fire team to insist that the national team - with three wins from three warm-up games ahead of their opener against Russia in Group B on June 11th - is on the right track to put a disappointing World Cup two years ago behind them.
While England haven't entered a major tournament being ranked among the likely winners for some time, hopes - and expectations - have been steadily rising throughout the last two years of Hodgson's tenure as national coach.
Foremost, his side's easy progression from the qualifying stages, with 10 wins from 10 matches to top the group, has led some to predict that a youthful England side could spring a surprise in France.
In addition, the team's spirited comeback from 2-0 down against World Cup holders Germany in March to win 3-2 has given some licence to believe that England at last have the firepower to match Europe's heavyweights.
Indeed, allied to these performances has been the fact that Hodgson is now able to call on a wealth of attacking armoury from clubs that have been contesting the Premier League title this season.
Nonetheless, it is almost the deluge of goals scored by the likes of Harry Kane from Tottenham and Premier League title winner Jamie Vardy of Leicester City that has caused Hodgson the greatest quandary in the run-up to his third tournament in charge of the national team.
Kane and Vardy scored 49 goals between them last season; yet, neither one has yet convinced that he is able to play with the other in a twin strike force.
Moreover, Hodgson seems set on Wayne Rooney - England's record goalscorer - retaining his position as the team's No. 10 despite the captain's more recent outings as a central midfielder for club side Manchester United.
Given the scoring abilities of Vardy, Kane and Rooney, it is no wonder that Hodgson is finding it increasingly difficult to leave one out of the starting XI for the Group B opener.
However, in the slim 1-0 win over Portugal at Wembley last night, the presence of all three in attack somehow marginalized their individual creativity, forcing Vardy and Kane to play too far apart and limiting them to minimal chances against a side that played with 10 men for virtually the last hour of the match.
"We were asked to play together against Portugal and we won the game," said Kane afterwards. "Of course we would have wanted a few more chances and few more shots at goal, but it's something we are still working on so there is no reason for anyone to get too downhearted.
"It's a learning curve. These games were to prepare us for the Euros and I feel they have done that."
One of the largest criticisms of Hodgson's decision to play all three strikers is the subsequent effect on attacking midfielder Dele Alli of Spurs, who looks a certainty to be included in the first game of the Euros after a sparking maiden season in the Premier League, but who is pushed deeper into midfield than he plays for Tottenham when Rooney occupies the No. 10 position.
Hodgson would be a brave tactician to omit one of Kane or Vardy from his opening selection next weekend; however, Alli and Kane have developed such a rising understanding as the season has progressed that it is hard to see their natural partnership discouraged.
Indeed, Alli, at just 20 years old, despite starring in England's win over Germany earlier this year is still sufficiently raw to show his frustration, as he did last night as Portugal's defenders sunk deeper and absorbed more pressure.
Hodgson will know that he has a matchwinner in Alli. But he needs delicate handling at this early stage of international development and should be allowed to play centrally where he can dictate the team's attacking forays or else England risk being left vulnerable to his potentially fragile temperament.
Whatever his selection choices, the misperception of the England manager's conservatism will certainly be blown away in France you fancy. However, will a penchant for over-attacking ultimately cost him?
Related
Buy tickets for soccer matches around the world