The Hargreaves-Carrick barricade!
by Herr EdThis could be Herr Hippo’s last throw of the tactical dice for World Cup 2006! Before the tournament we suggested that the adoption of a 4-5-1 formation could maximise the potential of England’s midfield. However, although this configuration was in place for the last game, the midfield still failed to deliver.
The only thing that can resolve this ongoing malaise is rigorous statistical analysis! WCH has worked out overall ‘form figures’ for our midfielders and attackers (from match ratings obtained in the Paraguay, Sweden and Ecuador games). This has enabled us to calculate how the team should shape up against Portugal on Saturday. The ratings are as follows:
J. Cole 7.5; Carrick 7.0; Hargreaves 6.5; Gerrard 6.5; Crouch 6.5; Rooney 6.0; Lampard 5.3; Beckham 5.3
These ratings demonstrate that lacklustre heavyweights Beckham and Lampard must make way, with the remaining six players then fashioned into a workable midfield/attack. To get the best out of this sextet England must retain a 4-5-1 formation but tweak it slightly from the 4-1-4-1 used against Ecuador, to 4-2-3-1. Hargreaves and Carrick have both performed respectably in Germany and should comprise a defensive midfield pairing. Rooney intimated against Ecuador that he can play as a lone striker, but he is surely better in a freer role running at defences from deep. He therefore drops back to to act as one part of an attacking midfield trio positioned behind Crouch. Joe Cole and Gerrard take up the remaining midfield slots.
England have shown nothing to suggest that their creative impulses are even simmering below the surface. The team’s shape must therefore be dictated by its performative limitations. The best we can hope for is to keep a cleansheet and steal our remaining game(s) from set-pieces or with long-range efforts. The Hargreaves-Carrick barricade can shut down Portugal’s attacks - and if we do somehow make it to the semi-final, this approach provides the best means with which to stifle Brazil’s free-flowing game. However, there is nothing intrinsically defensive about this configuration: the reinforced midfield base may enable the advanced players to flourish and the full-backs to push on. So if England serendipitously develop some attacking prowess, this formation will not be a millstone but a firm foundation on which to build.
June 28th, 2006 at 10:42 am
I think this is perfect – it’s certainly the form team and has more than a whiff of Argentina about it in terms of formation. Beckham and Lampard are, sadly, utterly out of form, while Cole, Gerrard and Rooney are patently are best chance to score goals. Aregntina emply two holding players and let the rest of their forward players do the rest. I think this works
June 28th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Would be ok as long as Carrick and Hargreaves don’t keep falling over each other.
I’d be happier with 3-1-4-2 to be honest.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
How about a back three of Carragher, Ferdinand and Terry?
June 28th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Definate potenital in this line up - any chance you can email it too Sven say care of Mclaren. If need be we could always take off Carrick in 2nd half switch Gerrard to the middle and stick Lennon out on the right.
I’m still waiting for wonderkid moment with Walcott making his mark with a Lineker style bundle over the line in the last 3 minutes when we’re inevitabley 2-1 down against Portugal.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
They’d be as confused as a wasp in a corale. No chance.
June 28th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
But think how confused the Portuguese will be.
June 28th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
No way do we win through skill, it has to be a subtle combination of guile, experience and well-disguised ankle-tapping. To that end I suggest an entirely new call-up: back four Sol Campbell, Phil Neville, Stuart Pearce, Terry Butcher, midfield Wise, Ince, Gascoigne, McManamanaman (in the all-important ‘free and wandering about aimlessly’ role), and up front the big man Heskey and oh I don’t know, Alan Shearer.*
Robinson can stay in goal, I like his scary baldy head.
(*in all seriousness part of me’s starting to wish we had Shearer on the bench)
June 28th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
I agree, Shearer on the bench instead of in the BBC studio.
I’d rather see Richard O’Brien’s scary bald head in goal.
June 29th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Not sure about playing Robinson up front, with Terry and Ferdinand pushing up. Neville and Cole as wing backs seem very advanced and the back three of Rooney, Gerrard and Joe Cole, while adventurous, might not provide the cover we need against Ronaldo, Figo and Maniche. Unless I’ve read this wrong, I’m concerned.
June 29th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Also Crouch as a defensive sweeper? He’s obviously got a good touch for a big man, but does this formation utilize his impact qualities?
June 29th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Hang on, Crouch is in goal isn’t he. He’ll need a different coloured shirt then. Come on Hippo, you’re making basic mistakes.
June 30th, 2006 at 10:26 am
I think Fouldsy has had too much liver and ale pie! England are playing ’scramble goalie’.
July 4th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Looking at this line-up again in retrospect, it could’ve worked couldn’t it? Would’ve given Rooney someone to play with, and if it ended up still 0-0 with half an hour to go, could’ve pulled Carrick and put on Lennon. Hippo wisdom, Herr Ed for England supremo say I.