England show spirit with honourable draw

Italy 1 v England 1

Did you know that since his England debut 14 years ago, Michael Carrick has never started more than four games in succession. The reason, I would hazard, is that he doesn’t do box to box and thus isn’t good enough. Phil Jones does box to box which is why he was selected ahead of Carrick for this evening’s friendly against Italy. Good call Roy.

Over the last thirty years England as a footballing nation has been on a mission to shoot themselves in the foot. Not content with having a dearth of genuine footballers - by which I mean players who can control the ball quickly and move it on seamlessly, or can pick out a pass, or do something out of the ordinary - the few that did possess these skills were messed around. Glen Hoddle was such a player but he like Carrick was a bit part performer on the international stage. Paul Scholes was such a player but he had to be “accommodated” on the left of a four man England midfield. Rather than treat these players as luxuries to be sampled now and again, England should have built their sides around them. But they never did. “You never know what you’re goin’ to get guv whereas with box to box it’s guaranteed.”

It would be an overstatement to suggest that Michael Carrick’s introduction turned the tide of this evening’s game. But he certainly made a difference allowing England to retain possession rather than simply lumping it aimlessly forward as they had done for much of the first half. But I would wager that he won’t start the next competitive game. Age is sadly against him as is Jordan Henderson the archetypal box to boxer. Whether he can spot a pass is irrelevant.

Clive Tildesley said at the end of the game that England will have learned lessons from this encounter. So what were they?

In the not good enough column are; Nathaniel Clyne, Chris Smalling, Phil Jagielka, Fabian Delph, Jordan Henderson and Theo Walcott.

In the work in progress with a possibility of making it column are; Kieron Gibbs, Harry Kane, Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley. Phil Jones is between this column and the above.

In the assured of a place column are; Joe Hart, Michael Carrick (but he won’t be picked), Wayne Rooney.

Of those who didn’t play Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge are just about good enough. Forget Jack Wilshire. He will never be fit.

European Champions 2016?

I doubt it.

MB
.