England and The Case of the 4-4-2

There are four guarantees in life 1) Death 2) Taxes 3) Halle Berry's endless beauty 4) England International football team underachieving.

Whereas the first three are unchangable (seriously have you looked at Halle Berry's photo catalogue?) I can't help but think that once a manager is able to rid the shackles of the FA, Media and Fan pressure then we might not be one of the laughing stocks of international football. After scowering numerous football sites in the aftermath of yet another dismal performance by England last week, I came across Chris Wright's article on why Rio and Co weren't able to penetrate a stubborn but equally lacklustre Montenegro side.

As expected the formation was under scrutiny; with so many international and club teams now adopting varied formations with a 3 man midfield (and being successful) it is no wonder why so many are baffled as to why Capello adopts "The English Way". However as a traditionalist myself (at least with my diamond formation on pro/fifa and football manager) I can appreciate what the Italian man has tried to do. Whereas I agree with Wright's thesis of a 4-4-2 as "quickly becoming antiquated and obsolete as far as top level football goes" I still believe it serves a purpose and rather than 4-4-2 being the reason why England couldn't score in a brothel are failing, it is rather the choice of players within the 4-4-2 that are letting the country down.

There are no excuses for England's 0-0 display last week as no matter what formation they play or who they choose bar Heskey, they have enough quality in the squad to beat a team ranked 73rd in the world, cliched fact! But if you are going to play "The English Way" then get it right. A true English 4-4-2 consists of 2 full backs and 2 centre halves in defence, 2 wingers, one defensive midfielder or holding player (with guile) and one attacking (preferably playmaker) in midfield and two strikers up front (of the two, one has to be a goal hanger).

The obvious problem with Capello's (Mclaren's and Sven Goran Eriksson's) 4-4-2 is that he tries to accomodate for well known players. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard will never co-exist in a 4-4-2 and Gareth Barry is too average to take responsibility in that formation; Rooney seems to shy away from an out and out striker role which leaves a conundrum of leaving him out or pairing him with a goalscorer. We'll get to that in abit.

If I Was Capello My Team Would Be...

The goalkeeping department has improved with Joe Hart easily England's number 1 goalkeeper even though Green's extraction from the starting line-up was a little harsh.

Verdict: As is, Hart in goal with Foster, Green, Kirkland, Turnbull etc as back-ups.

Unfortunately for Capello it has been a while since he has been able to use a consistent back four due to injuries. Rio Ferdinand and John Terry as first choice centre halves is ideal but with neither being able to stay fit over the course of qualifiers AND major competitions it is important to have players such as Dawson, Jagielka, King and Shawcross have as much playing time as possible in "perceived" weaker group games. Lescott is not the answer and never will be, and Carragher must step aside for younger and faster defenders. Ashley Cole at left back will never be a problem unless he gets injured before a high profile game....can the likes of Warnock, Gibbs and Baines deputise? We will only know if they're given games against the weaker teams in the group to build confidence. Glen Johnson as right back is a worry for me simply because he attacks better than he defends. I've always wondered why Tony Hibbert was looked over, it was understandable when he was up against Gary Neville but he is very consistent and has a great delivery and defends acutely.

Verdict: Hibbert, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole with sqaud defenders playing two or three group games.

As stated earlier, an english 4-4-2 needs a defensive midfielder who can distribute the ball and an attacking playmaker. Gerrard and Lampard are neither but can adopt the attacking role, however I feel both players having now reached 30 would benefit more in a 3 man midfield. If 4-4-2 is to be established then the attacking role must include someone with flair and creativity. Not since Pauk Gascgoine have England filled the void. Chances of that were squandered when Paul Scholes spent the most productive years of his career on the LEFT, same with Gerrard. Joe Cole would have proved a great option in earlier years but his development was surprisingly stifled under Mourinho and spent his days on the wing which wasn't his natural position. Options now fall under Jack Wilshire or even Lee Milner who had his best year in English football in the middle. Wilshire is class and deserves a run, is it too early for him now? I would take a look at Charlie Adam who is an old fashioned creative midfielder with bundles of desired qualities. Someone is needed to spice up the midfield. They wouldnt have to worry too much with a defensive midfielder with guile alongisde them.

Owen Hargreaves injury has been a major blow to England as 4 years ago he proved himself to be a vital component of their team. Yet since his injury, rather than replace him with a like-for-like, England have worryingly brought in holding players with no guile (Carrick and Barry). Though both good passers of the ball, they don't offer much and the likes of Scott Parker who plays with his heart on his sleeve have not been given the chance. It is no coincidence that England's best wins over recent times have been because of defensive midfielders (Nicky Butt Vs Argentina in 2006 world cup anyone?). What alot of people forget also is that Gerrard starting his career as a defensive midfielder with great distribution and box to box quality, to save his legs he could do that job again.

Until recently England's use of out and out wingers have been minimal; with no naturally left footed winger managers found it problematic to form a threat on the left hand side. What baffles me til this day is why they wouldn't try a right-footed winger but rather put naturally central midfielders such as Gerrard, Scholes and Joe Cole on the left. Kieron Dyer, Theo Walcott, Lennon, Wright-Phillips have all been used on the right but never tried on the left. Downing blew it unfortunately. Nevertheless time has moved on and I am glad to see Adam Johnson and Ashley Young in the team. Capello's use of the wingers against Montenegro was wrong, not his fault due to club positions. Johnson on the left and Young on the right is the correct way for an England game. Its their natural position and both have skill, pace, delivery and an eye for goal. Using them regularly will prove fruitful in a more active midfield. Verdict: Young, Gerrard, Wilshire, A.Johnson with Parker, Hargreaves, Milner, Adam as options in the middle and Aaron Lennon, Matt Etherington, Wright-Phillips and Theo Walcott (I say this reluctantly because he isnt a winger) as options on the wing.

The frontline has been a problem since Shearer's retirement and Michael Owen's exclusion from the team. Wayne Rooney proved he is capable of being an out and out goalscorer last season but his willingness to be at the epicentre of every move means he is more designated to forward than a poacher. If this is the case then he must be paired with a goalscorer; Jermaine Defoe seems to have taken up the role but has been plagued by injury. Darren Bent would therefore be a viable choice. Crouch and Zamora will naturally be target men and can't play with Rooney but can play with goalscorers. Despite all of this I would still recall Michael Owen to the squad as he is the only striker who scores in big games and when it counts, the rest shy away. Indeed it would be somewhat unfair as he doesn't even start for his club but you are guaranteed goals in Owen.

Verdict: Rooney and Owen with Defoe, Bent, Walcott, Crouch and Zamora on standby.

Of course if Capello was to adopt a 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, whatever you want to call it, it would be a whole other story but we'll save that for another post.

Capello must start being his own man and pick accordingly to form AND compatibility. What he has done is conform to media and FA standards, playing the big names instead of the right names. After the world cup he panicked and picked names sporadically, Kevin Davies deserves his cap but he will not play in 2012 so why choose him? If you are to keep a 4-4-2 then pick right or you will stand having reactions such as Chris Wright's and the fan below....