Sturridge spares Hart’s blushes

England 2 v Wales 1

Prior to the start of Euro 2016 I sensed a feeling amongst English support that we must suppress any hint expectation because on every subsequent occasion since 1966 it had never been realised. Indeed at the last two major championships so awful were our performances that we couldn’t even fall back our default position as gallant losers. Further evidence of continuing national decline is provided by the percentage of home born players finding a slot in the starting line ups of English Premier league clubs (currently flat lining at around 30%). In Spain, Italy, France and Germany the equivalent percentage is closer to fifty five and above.

And yet with such an apparent paucity of players to select from, the team that turned out against Germany in March of this year demonstrated that in Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Adam Lallana there are players who have both the skill and temperament to prosper at the highest level. Was one therefore entering La La land to think that, if the above could be melded around a newly discovered midfield libero in the form of Wayne Rooney, they might just have a side which could fair rather well at Euro 2016.

Before we enter the zone of heightened expectation we must first acknowledge that it is still early days and that the Hodgson Babes are very much a work in progress. But there are signs of hope. Compared to their performance against Russia, today’s against Wales was stuttering and rather disjointed. Yes England dominated possession but they moved the ball far too slowly and gave it away far too cheaply. But such was their dominance that eventually it paid off and for that one must praise Manager Roy Hodgson. Last time out I criticised his negative substitution of Rooney before the deal was sealed. Today, all that he did was positive and it came off. Yes the goals were scrappy but the introduction of Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford changed the dynamic and for the first time in competition football England came back from a deficit to win.

The central defensive pairing is still dire and goalkeeper Hart fails to instil confidence. But going forward the options are multiple. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are possibly the best attacking full backs in the tournament, Rooney is potentially the best midfield player and in Marcus Rashford we may yet see the best new entrant. Anyone who counsels against playing youngsters because they are not yet ready is a fool. You can either play the game or you cannot. Rashford can play in the same way that Raheem Sterling cannot. And before we go overboard about our great saviour, Daniel Sturridge, too often greed allows him to get caught in possession when releasing it early is the far better option. He could learn something in that department from Rashford who I would wager is already a better footballer.

As for Wales they worked and harried England tirelessly for ninety minutes. But they fashioned barely two real chances in open play and scored with a dead ball kick. They will need to show far more flair in their final game v Russia if they are to progress from the group stage.

Putting its’ support through the mill is the raison d'etre of the English football team. But for the first time in many a tournament they have that all important win meaning that progress is very much in their hands. Let’s keep expectation in check but if they win the group this team could go far.

©Mark Brennand