England v Ecuador
by Herr Ed
A 1-0 victory over Ecuador progresses England to the quarter-finals, but does little to advance their credentials as potential world champions. The format was a familiar one: Ecuador presented little threat, but neither did England display any offensive nous. It required an impressive free-kick from Beckham for England to win the game. This performance therefore cultivated no further belief that England have the capability to breakdown better teams from open play.
It was hoped that a 4-5-1 formation would allow Gerrard and Lampard to play their natural games, unfettered from excessive defensive concerns. However, both underperformed despite a structure being in place which should have enabled them to flourish. In fact it was Carrick playing just behind the regular midfield quartet, and Rooney playing in front of them, who put in the most convincing displays. Rooney was isolated at times, but improved as the game went on and was full of confidence. England should persist with the same formation in the next game: if our talented midfielders can muster some collective enterprise and provide effective support for Rooney, we can make it to the semi-finals. But a realistic appraisal suggests that England will be departing the World Cup on Saturday!
7/10 – Carrick: A sound display with some good distribution. Provided a platform for the rest of the midfield, but they failed to perform on it!
Rooney: Not much impression early on, but showed aggression and dynamism in the second-half.
6/10 - Hargreaves: Secure replacement right-back, but no real advance on Carragher going forward.
A. Cole: Great block early in the game to thwart Tenorio.
Ferdinand: An assured performance.
Terry: An uncertain header almost gifted Ecuador the lead - regained his composure though.
5/10 - Beckham: Meagre presence on the right, but won the game with a great free-kick.
Gerrard: A long way off his best, although he was livelier in the second-half.
J. Cole: His most subdued performance of the tournament so far.
Robinson: Misjudged one cross badly and booked for time-wasting.
4/10 - Lampard: Made very little impression.
June 25th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Is Frank Lampard going for a new World Record of poor shots? He’s currently had 21 shots of which only 9 have been on target. Rooney laid one on a plate for him in the second half and he still skied over from 12 yards.
June 26th, 2006 at 2:40 am
I agree with sticking with the same formation for the next game, if Lampard and Gerrard can start providing for Rooney and get shots on net, they will be a real threat. Overall they just looked nervious as a team though, need to get the early goal next game.
June 26th, 2006 at 7:31 am
Early goal? England usually stop playing once they’ve scored.
I thought A. Cole was worth 7 out of 10, that block was as good as a goal for us and he didn’t do anything wrong the rest of the game.
Hargreaves looked to be a slight improvement over Carragher. He showed more energy and vitality than Carragher did, although wasn’t truly tested defensively.
June 26th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Cole was definately worth a 7 and Hargreaves looked better going forward than carragher.
What is the problem in midfield though? Despite apparently having one of the most talented group of midfielders in the world, no matter what formation we play they seem unable to deliver.
I’m beginning to think Rio has played another one of his hilarious ‘world cup windups’ on Lampard and swapped his normal boots for clown shoes!
June 26th, 2006 at 10:26 am
I can see Rooney getting sent off against Portugal.
June 26th, 2006 at 10:52 am
If they use the same ref as Portugal v Holland, I can see Rooney, Becks, Ferdinand, Figo, Ronaldo and Carvalho getting sent off.
Realistically I can see Rooney getting booked in this game and in the semi, thereby potentially missing the final, a la Gazza in Italia ‘90.
June 26th, 2006 at 11:50 am
Beckham will be sick as a parrot if he’s booked.
June 26th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
I’ve never actually seen a sick parrot or a parrot be sick, but I imagine even a sick parrot would know how to cross a ball in so it clears the first man, or at least have the good sense to let someone else take set pieces if he/she couldn’t.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Maybe Beckham could dress up as a parrot for the next game.
In fact why not make England v Portugal the first ‘fancy dress’ World Cup match, the tournament could do with livening up.
Any ideas?
June 27th, 2006 at 9:39 am
I would give Carrick 6/10.