Roy Hodgson has given the team a shape that is hard to break down but they need to show more invention when going forward
England enjoyed a good work-out for 60 minutes against a Belgium side rated 44th in the world in the Fifa rankings. Belgium displayed a greater composure in possession but lacked conviction in front of goal and ignored several shooting opportunities.
Roy Hodgson's team is taking shape, with its focus on defence, and both full‑backs are more aware of their covering responsibilities than chances to raid forward. Belgium never had a chance to overload England's defence with a counterattack, as the hosts were never caught short of bodies at the back and never lost their shape. When Belgium came forward in numbers, England blocked the ball in central areas and encouraged them to pass it wide, and invariably the creators, Moussa Dembélé and Eden Hazard, accepted the bait. It meant that England were able to prevent Belgium from troubling their under-worked goalkeeper, Joe Hart.
Without Wayne Rooney, however, England look bereft of a goal threat. Danny Welbeck took his one chance brilliantly after accepting Ashley Young's canny pass, and showed willing and mobility. But in the areas in front of Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker, England did not have enough interchange of movement.
There is a rigidness in the wider areas and although Young enjoys the role off the main striker, he needs to drift wide at times to use his craft from these areas. Belgium's Hazard, similar to Young in skill and in his lightweight frame, lacked a cutting edge but moved forward and to the sides, seeking possession and maintaining continuity of play. When England's wide players, James Milner and Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain, got pinned down by their immediate opponents, Jan Vertonghen and Guillaume Gillet, they needed to switch flanks or play the ball inside and follow their pass. Hodgson needs a little more imagination and creativity if England are to score goals, particularly in the absence of the injured Frank Lampard.
In the first half, Young and Gerrard, both trying to emulate the Chelsea man's style of running forward on to passes behind a square back four, too often ended up in offside positions. But they are vital runs as they try to break up the opposition's defence. Welbeck's break and run for his goal reflected this. As long as the ball is not played from too deep for defenders to comfortably read – and without Andy Carroll up front, it will not be a temptation to hit early passes forward – England must look for this third-man run, particularly if their wide players play rigidly and are unable to penetrate.
Gerrard can do this and must be encouraged to attack while Parker does the dirty work behind him in midfield. Unlike many international teams, Thomas Vermaelen ignored Timmy Simons's lack of pace and pushed the Belgium defence out, leaving space in behind. The thought of the damage a Jack Wilshere pass might have caused prompted a moment of sad reflection. In this game, England badly missed the injured Arsenal midfielder, because he has the vision to play the precise forward pass that hurts defences.
If England find space in their opening group match against France in Donetsk, they will need to produce an occasional killer pass if the three attackers behind Welbeck are too set in their positions. Zonal defence is fine, but if attacking players are unable to gain ascendancy in their own positions, more variety is required – you need to switch and mix your qualities.
Wingers coming off the line and inside, dragging full-backs with them, exchanging passes and using the mobility of the front man will be key if England play without Carroll. Read More
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