England Vs Germany – How the players performed…
Losing their first competitive game at the new Wembley Stadium, England’s players were largely disappointing against the Germans but how exactly did the squad perform.
Paul Robinson – England’s under fire goalkeeper did himself no favours with a shaky performance against the German’s. There can be no complaints about the second strike which beat him however his positioning for the first and his ‘flap’ at the cross shot definitely needs to be questioned.
Micah Richards – Manchester City’s young defender continued to improve on his fantastic reputation. Big and strong in the full back position he set up Lampard’s goal and looked a consistent threat. When he moved to central defense he did not put a foot wrong and worked well with captain Terry.
John Terry – The captain did no wrong on his return from injury and although England did not defend well he looked steady and assured as ever.
Rio Ferdinand – Coming off at halftime Rio once again proved that he is part of the nation’s top defensive partnership. He worked well alongside John Terry but will soon be pressured by the developing Richards and although his marking of Kuranyi was at times questionable he will definitely be involved in the qualifiers barring injury.
Nicky Shorey – Standing in for Ashley Cole, Shorey’s defensive performance was assured for a man who has played so little International football. Going forward however he was unable to offer the Chelsea man’s width and attacking ability.
David Beckham – LA Galaxy’s right winger looked short of fitness despite a ninety minute appearance against the German’s. He provided the usual quality from set pieces nearly combining with John Terry on two occasions. Notably in the second half he slowed somewhat and seemed reluctant to get onto the ball to create opportunities.
Michael Carrick – In the midfield holding role Carrick did what so many people criticize him for and failed to take control of the area he was playing in. Collecting the ball from central defenders and dishing off to the wide players Carrick’s distribution was a little too negative and often not delivered with enough quality.
Frank Lampard – Another midfielder under pressure, Lampard won himself a few favours by performing despite a broken toe and also getting on the score sheet in the process. In the first half Lampard looked like his Chelsea incarnation, bursting onto the ball from deep and creating scoring opportunities. In the second period however he played a little too deep and failed to be as effective.
Joe Cole – Cole proved himself once more to be a superb asset to the England side and with his pace and trickery caused problems whenever England were going forward. His lack of match fitness played a part as he tired in the second half and was later replaced by his club colleague Wright-Phillips.
Michael Owen – Like Beckham and Cole, England’s premier striker looked noticeably short on confidence and fitness. Missing three chances which you would normally expect him to score, the Newcastle frontman offered little threat in the second period before he was replaced.
Alan Smith – Worked well alongside his Newcastle colleague Owen but as usual Smith failed to provide the deadly threat a striker of his quality should. He linked together with his strike partner well but without the aerial ability of Crouch, Johnson or Bent he failed to offer Owen the service he needed to be a consistent threat.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – Chelsea’s winger performed well in another brief cameo in an England shirt. Having started the season very well with Chelsea Wright-Phillips showed excellent positivity as he helped England search for a goal.
Kieron Dyer – The newly revitalized West Ham midfielder looked bright when he came on and should perhaps have scored on two occasions, one in particular when he linked up with David Beckham. Playing off Crouch and alongside Wright Phillips he provided pace with threatened the German’s at all times.
David James – A second half replacement for Paul Robinson, James had very little to do and didn't have much an opportunity to prove himself worthy of England’s number one jersey.
Wes Brown – Coming on at right back in the second half, Brown did not provide much of a threat down the flank as Richards had done in the first period. He defended solidly whenever required but lacked that attacking threat which his team needed.
Gareth Barry – Aston Villa’s midfield man did his International chances no harm with a solid performance when replacing Carrick in the second half. Though Barry will never be a regular with Lampard and Gerrard in the squad he proved himself to be an excellent deputy to either.
Peter Crouch – As usual Crouch looked a threat to the defense when coming off the bench to help England with a plan b. Although on this occasion he was not provided with the surface he required he liked up well with the smaller wingers who played alongside him.
The Manager:
Steve Mcclaren – The under fire coach will once again receive negative headlines as his England side once more flattered to deceive. Admittedly missing several of his key players Maclaren’s side featured too many players who were unfit and noticeably suffering the effects of a lack of confidence. England began well but faded and as soon as Germany scored they never looked like they would get back into the game again, with Israel and Russia to come at Wembley Mclaren will be looking for some of his star names to heal and the crowd to once more be patient as he tries to build a successful England side.
Micah Richards – Manchester City’s young defender continued to improve on his fantastic reputation. Big and strong in the full back position he set up Lampard’s goal and looked a consistent threat. When he moved to central defense he did not put a foot wrong and worked well with captain Terry.
John Terry – The captain did no wrong on his return from injury and although England did not defend well he looked steady and assured as ever.
Rio Ferdinand – Coming off at halftime Rio once again proved that he is part of the nation’s top defensive partnership. He worked well alongside John Terry but will soon be pressured by the developing Richards and although his marking of Kuranyi was at times questionable he will definitely be involved in the qualifiers barring injury.
Nicky Shorey – Standing in for Ashley Cole, Shorey’s defensive performance was assured for a man who has played so little International football. Going forward however he was unable to offer the Chelsea man’s width and attacking ability.
David Beckham – LA Galaxy’s right winger looked short of fitness despite a ninety minute appearance against the German’s. He provided the usual quality from set pieces nearly combining with John Terry on two occasions. Notably in the second half he slowed somewhat and seemed reluctant to get onto the ball to create opportunities.
Michael Carrick – In the midfield holding role Carrick did what so many people criticize him for and failed to take control of the area he was playing in. Collecting the ball from central defenders and dishing off to the wide players Carrick’s distribution was a little too negative and often not delivered with enough quality.
Frank Lampard – Another midfielder under pressure, Lampard won himself a few favours by performing despite a broken toe and also getting on the score sheet in the process. In the first half Lampard looked like his Chelsea incarnation, bursting onto the ball from deep and creating scoring opportunities. In the second period however he played a little too deep and failed to be as effective.
Joe Cole – Cole proved himself once more to be a superb asset to the England side and with his pace and trickery caused problems whenever England were going forward. His lack of match fitness played a part as he tired in the second half and was later replaced by his club colleague Wright-Phillips.
Michael Owen – Like Beckham and Cole, England’s premier striker looked noticeably short on confidence and fitness. Missing three chances which you would normally expect him to score, the Newcastle frontman offered little threat in the second period before he was replaced.
Alan Smith – Worked well alongside his Newcastle colleague Owen but as usual Smith failed to provide the deadly threat a striker of his quality should. He linked together with his strike partner well but without the aerial ability of Crouch, Johnson or Bent he failed to offer Owen the service he needed to be a consistent threat.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – Chelsea’s winger performed well in another brief cameo in an England shirt. Having started the season very well with Chelsea Wright-Phillips showed excellent positivity as he helped England search for a goal.
Kieron Dyer – The newly revitalized West Ham midfielder looked bright when he came on and should perhaps have scored on two occasions, one in particular when he linked up with David Beckham. Playing off Crouch and alongside Wright Phillips he provided pace with threatened the German’s at all times.
David James – A second half replacement for Paul Robinson, James had very little to do and didn't have much an opportunity to prove himself worthy of England’s number one jersey.
Wes Brown – Coming on at right back in the second half, Brown did not provide much of a threat down the flank as Richards had done in the first period. He defended solidly whenever required but lacked that attacking threat which his team needed.
Gareth Barry – Aston Villa’s midfield man did his International chances no harm with a solid performance when replacing Carrick in the second half. Though Barry will never be a regular with Lampard and Gerrard in the squad he proved himself to be an excellent deputy to either.
Peter Crouch – As usual Crouch looked a threat to the defense when coming off the bench to help England with a plan b. Although on this occasion he was not provided with the surface he required he liked up well with the smaller wingers who played alongside him.
The Manager:
Steve Mcclaren – The under fire coach will once again receive negative headlines as his England side once more flattered to deceive. Admittedly missing several of his key players Maclaren’s side featured too many players who were unfit and noticeably suffering the effects of a lack of confidence. England began well but faded and as soon as Germany scored they never looked like they would get back into the game again, with Israel and Russia to come at Wembley Mclaren will be looking for some of his star names to heal and the crowd to once more be patient as he tries to build a successful England side.