In doing so the Italian, who defended his use of a 4-4-2 system just days before the game, may have provided the fans with a glimpse of the future.

To steal a line from Andy Townsend, something I would usually be loath to do, the opening 45 minutes provided more movement and imagination than four games in South Africa.

The mish-mash of a 4-4-2 that was used during the World Cup stifled England, it failed to get the best out of the big players and restricted the freedom they were allowed.

The most notable beneficiary of Capello’s change of approach was Steven Gerrard, who played with a great deal more confidence in a more advanced central midfield role than he had done when looking lost on the left as the team feebly exited the World Cup.

The use of wingers also gave England a much more balanced approach; it allowed the play to be stretched while the use of three central midfielders when required meant they dominated for the most part in midfield.

A 20-minute spell after Bobby Zamora came on at half-time saw England revert back to a more rigid 4-4-2 than that deployed in the finals, but the difference once Rooney had been replaced by another midfielder, James Milner, was clear to see.

But while Capello may have decided that now, with two years to go before England’s next possible major tournament assignment, is the best time to coach a new style into players he believes to be slow learners, the players themselves must take a greater responsibility.

It was clear that the belief returned to English feet once they strode out at Wembley, they had the confidence to take people on and be inventive with their passing.

That didn’t happen in South Africa. The players failed to embrace Africa’s World Cup, they looked bored and frustrated and didn’t appreciate the chance that had been given to them.

They cruised through qualifying for that tournament looking confident and creative, but when the four weeks that count arrive they had lost their belief and looked like they would rather have been anywhere else.

In the next two years Capello must not only engrain a new approach into their minds, he must also alter a mindset so that the players are ready to embrace the unique challenges and opportunities a major tournament provides.

Having watched Portugal dispose of North Korea by seven goals to nil, the World Cup has definitely come to life. This brings optimism to even us England fans! After a disappointing start to the tournament, we have the chance to put things right in our 3 o’clock kick off on Wednesday against Slovenia.

Now, if you have been following me on Twitter you will have realised that I am an optimist when it comes to England. Whilst I do not, and did not prior to the World Cup, believe that England will win the World Cup, the post-match negativity from some fans is depressing to say the least. One can only imagine what the reaction would have been like if we had lost to either the USA or Algeria. I, like most, expected England to beat Algeria yet I thought the draw against the USA (who are only six FIFA world ranking places behind us) was not as catastrophic as some have declared it to be. This is where we could learn some lessons from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland inasmuch as they realise that they will not and cannot win every match, yet they support their team win, lose or draw. I do not say that disrespectfully to supporters of these nations; it is a trait I admire hugely. I see booing as counter-productive and believe our role as ‘supporters’ of the national team is to ‘support’. This said I have not travelled to South Africa and have therefore not spent the vast amounts of money that some have to see England play. Perhaps they have a right to boo as is being suggested. Everybody is entitled to an opinion and that is what makes football so special. I wouldn’t say it is wrong to boo or jeer, but I fail to see how it provides the confidence boost that team so obviously requires. Was Wayne Rooney wrong to blast fans for booing immediately after the game? Yes. Yet he had a point. A man I have a huge amount of respect for as a writer is Paul Grech. For me, he summed up the booing perfectly after the game when he tweeted: “Remind me, is it England till I die or England till the team plays badly, at which point I boo the players? Always get confused.” With that in mind, let’s get behind the team on Wednesday.

Looking forward to Wednesday, reports are surfacing that Matthew Upson is set to deputise for the injured Ledley King and suspended Jamie Carragher to partner John Terry at the heart of England’s defence. There is also reason to believe that three or four other changes may be made to the starting eleven. I do not think we’ll see four changes but I can see one or two and perhaps a change of shape. The 4-4-2 deployed by Fabio Capello in the opening two group games appears to be dated somewhat. Maybe Capello will opt to play 4-5-1 with Rooney leading the line. After initially experimenting with this formation early in his reign, it appeared that he was not convinced that Rooney could lead the line successfully on his own. After an outstanding season playing in that role for Manchester United, maybe it is time to give it one more try. New formations can take time to gel but perhaps it is the kind of risk we must take. Having lacked creativity so far in the tournament, perhaps now is also the time to recall Joe Cole to the starting eleven as he is one of only two or three players in the squad who can make something out of nothing.

Finally, as mentioned above, I am an eternal optimist. Slovenia have proved that they are tougher to beat than most, myself included, expected. They are at the World Cup on merit after qualifying from a tough qualifying group that included the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Poland before defeating Russia in the play-off. This said, England have to beat them and I expect them to although I think it will be a narrow victory. If I had to make a prediction, I would say 2-1.

Seeing as we are on the topic of predictions, let’s have a go at predicting the team too.

James

Johnson Terry Upson A. Cole

Lennon Lampard Barry Gerrard J. Cole

Rooney

Don’t forget you can follow Mark on Twitter!

The absence of Owen

The question remains. How do England get the best out of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard? We certainly didn’t see it from them last night as Fabio Capello’s men laboured to a predictable 1-1 draw with the United States in their opening game of the World Cup.

Something that seems to have been waylaid somewhat in the buildup to this tournament is the solace that England fans took from their exit in Germany four years ago. Because it seemed as though Gerrard and Lampard had finally found their water-carrier.

In that quarter-final defeat to Portugal, the FIFA man of the match was, correctly, not Gerrard or Lampard but Owen Hargreaves. England fans delighted in the scampering midfielder’s energetic performance.

Winning with workhorses

Energy is the key word. In the World Cup, unfashionable workhorses are vital. How England could do with the industry of Park Ji-Sung or even Jonas Gutierrez.

Both Gerrard and Lampard looked tired on that disappointing day in Gelsenkirchen, while Hargreaves appeared capable of continuing for another ninety minutes. The 20-goal a season men both missed penalties in the shootout to confirm the departure of England from Germany and Sven-Goran Eriksson from England.

Fast-forward four years and Sven is back, albeit with the Elephants rather than the Three Lions. So are Gerrard and Lampard. England’s 2006 quarter-final man of the match, however, is not. And how Capello’s midfield could have done with Hargreaves last night.

The water-carrier

It was Eric Cantona who coined the derogatory phrase “water-carrier” to describe a player who exists solely to pass the ball to his more talented colleagues. Cantona was referring to Didier Deschamps, who had the last laugh by playing the role to perfection as the holding midfielder in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side.

The water-carrier role has followed an interesting timeline in the twelve years since France ’98, becoming essential to the vogue formations of 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.

When Deschamps retired after winning Euro 2000, his mantle in the international team was assumed by Claude Makelele. France have since failed to add to the two major international honours they won with Deschamps in the side but Makelele was to bring the role across the Channel to England where he helped to break Manchester United and Arsenal‘s duopoly over the Premier League.

Chelsea thrived with Makelele playing in front of a back four. Under Jose Mourinho’s astute stewardship, Makelele was instructed to sit and allow his fellow midfielders to roam forward in search of goals.

When Makelele moved on to Paris Saint-Germain, with whom he signed a new one-year contract this weekend, his replacement was John Obi Mikel. Although a rough diamond in comparison with the polished Frenchman, Mikel has aided Chelsea’s return to the top of the tree this season from the same position that Deschamps and Makelele each occupied.

Security on Merseyside

In parallel, Rafa Benitez saw the merits of a holding midfielder or, for extra security, why not two? The Spaniard had employed David Albelda and Ruben Baraja in defensive midfield roles at Valencia and, although it took a while to come to fruition, Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 eventually arrived at Anfield as well.

Central to Benitez’s approach was Javier Mascherano, expert at breaking up play and passing the ball simply to more creative team-mates.

The cruel mistress of injury meant that Frank Lampard was unable to watch his club colleague Mikel in opposition to Gerrard’s midfield partner Mascherano as Argentina faced Nigeria ahead of England’s clash with the United States. It would have offered the perfect sigh of reflection after their own frustrating inability to keep possession in Rustenburg.

Gerrard scored early to calm fears he could not compete effectively against international opposition with just Lampard for company in the middle. But he was unable to dispossess Clint Dempsey in that space in front of the back four just prior to half time. Those same fears came rushing back as the Fulham man capitalised with a helping hand from a West Ham opponent.

Can Barry carry the water?

England’s safety net this time around, with Hargreaves recovering from injury far too late to merit inclusion in Capello’s squad, is seen to be Gareth Barry. Many will be clamouring for his inclusion as the insurance policy behind the marauding Gerrard and Lampard.

But, just at Stamford Bridge and Anfield, a manager has seen fit to buy from abroad to provide extra resilience in Manchester as well. In fact, not just one manager but two in the space of just a year. First, Mark Hughes signed Nigel de Jong from Hamburg and then Roberto Mancini drafted in Deschamps’ 1998 understudy Patrick Vieira. Both are defensively-minded and both provide a platform for Barry. Mancini’s thirst is still not quenched.

Fans of England and the Premier League love the headlines. Midfielders are heralded for scoring twenty goals per season. We are told that we cannot afford to exclude one of Gerrard or Lampard for this reason. But, given the lack of a water-carrier to aid their attacking instincts, the real expense of including both men will be a sense of deja vu.

Mourinho’s midfield

France are similarly bereft of their Deschamps or Makelele after injury robbed them of Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra. Whether Mourinho retains Diarra at the Bernabeu or not, the first name on his teamsheet will be that security in midfield.

For every Kaka, there’s a Diarra. For every Sneijder, there’s a Cambiasso. And for every Gerrard or Lampard, there needs to be a Mascherano or Mikel.

For Capello and England, the search continues.

Despite the sheer plethora of games on offer this week, there can only be one way to kick off this preview as old enemies Manchester United and Liverpool prepare for a lunchtime showdown on Sunday. This fixture is one of the league’s showpiece encounters  and the two most successful clubs in English football history rarely fail to serve up a healthy dose of action. Last season’s corresponding fixture saw United humiliated as they fell to a 4-0 defeat to their most  bitter of rivals however Alex Ferguson’s side had the last laugh as they marched on to claim the League title and move level with their Northwest neighbours in terms of domestic league successes.

Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, the potential to add to their eighteen titles is well beyond them this season but the chance to deny United the opportunity to do just that becomes a priority by default. This year Pool fans have watched in abhorrence at some of their team’s displays and it seems only a mixture of a watertight contract and boardroom turmoil that manager Rafael Benitez still has a job. Despite their often miserable form, Liverpool are still firmly in the hunt for the last Champions League place, which along with the Europa Cup offers the only saving grace to a disappointing season. Victory at United this weekend would be a massive boost for a side who desperately need to pick up points to avoid a potentially catastrophic slip outside of the league’s elite.

Fergie’s mind games have been clear for all to see this week as he lashed out at the FA disciplinary commitee for failing to sanction Steven Gerrard depite the Red’s skipper going on a one-man warpath against the idea of common decency, first flicking a V-sign at a referee ((pictured, right) and then elbowing a fellow professional in the back of the head for having the gaul to run in front of him. The United boss is seething that Gerrard is available to face his team, despite Rio Ferdinand being retrospectively banned for striking Craig Fagan just a few months earlier.

There is absolutely no love lost between these teams, red cards are almost as frequent as goals and the fixture seldom sees shortages of full-blooded tackles and scuffles. Fierce as the rivalry on the pitch undoubtedly is, it has been often overshadowed by that held between the bosses of the two clubs in recent years. Neither Benitez or Ferguson  have made much effort to disguise their contempt of each other in the past and Feguson’s claims that he “feels sorry” for Benitez this week must be taken with a pinch of salt as nothing would give the Scotsman more pleasure to inflict further despair on his opposite number this weekend, especially since he has come out second best in the last three meetings of the sides.

In team news, Ryan Giggs is fit again after missing the last seven games with a broken arm picked up against Aston Villa. Wes Brown, Rafael da Silva, Anderson, John O’Shea and Michael Owen are all injured while despite his return to reserve action in midweek, Owen Hargreaves remains far from fitness and will not feature for another few weeks. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will continue at the back for United but whether the Serb will see out the full encounter is questionable having been dismissed in each of the last three ties between the sides.

For Livepool, Fabio Aurelio and Alberto Aquilani are major doubts while Martin Skrtel and Albert Riera, suspended from the club by Benitez following his outburst are both certain to miss out. Fernando Torres will start up front, eager to continue his proliferance against the Red Devils.

While those two powerhouses slug it out, Chelsea and Arsenal will be hoping to capitalize as they face far easier ties this week. The Blues sit just two points off United and will get a chance to move to outright top spot this week as they fulfil their game in hand with two away fixtures against Blackburn and bottom side Portsmouth. Carlo Ancelotti has been made painfully aware of the expectations held for his side as talk of the uncertain nature of his future was rife following a crushing defeat to Inter Milan in midweek. His side remain firmly in the hunt for a league and cup double however, no mean feat for any manager in their first season at a club. Chelsea do not look the ruthless machine they once were in the past but nonetheless anything but six points in their two fixtures this week will be seen as a shock, despite the fact that Blackburn have lost just twice at Ewood Park all season. Both sides will be without their number one goalkeeper as Petr Cech continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and Paul Robinson sits out due to a torn calf muscle.

Arsenal face fellow Londoners West Ham in Saturday’s evening kick-off and will be eager to avoid the necessity for late drama seen in last weekend’s snatch and grab victory against Hull City where Nicklas Bendtner’s 93rd minute goal gave the Gunners all the points and saved their blushes.

Arsene Wenger’s men have won their last five games and look unquestionably more comfortable at home than on their travels. If West Ham can take anything away from the Emirates this weekend it will be a huge bonus, not only for them but also Arsenal’s title rivals.

The Hammers sit just three points above the drop zone and Gianfranco Zola will not be willing to let any opportunity to pick up points slip away easily despite the measure of the task on hand  in this one. Good news for Arsenal come in the news that inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas (pictured, left) is fit to come back into contention following a hamstring injury.

The race for fourth hots up even further this week as both Manchester City and Aston Villa, both with two games in hand on Liverpool face two games in quick successon this week. On Sunday City take on the conquerors of Juventus as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage and then welcome Everton to Eastlands in midweek. These are anything but easy ties for roberto Mancini’s side but if they are to have any hope of making fourth spot theirs, an absolute minimum of three points is a must. Villa battle local rivals Wolves in the early kickoff on Saturday and then face resurgent Sunderland in midweek. Meanwhile, current residents of the much coveted fourth spot, Tottenham must travel to the Britania Stadium and seek to overcome Stoke City in order to consolidat their position.

Finally, we move toward the dregs of the League and take a look on what is going on down there. New Hull City boss Iain Dowie faces an immediate “must-win” clash this week with his side travelling to bottom club Portsmouth. Three points are an absolute necessity as the Tigers sit three points away from safety despite having played one game more that their nearest rivals in the race for safety – West Ham and Wolves. Dowie’s appointment was an odd one, especially given his past record of management in the top flight. Rumour has it that he stands to pocket £500,000 if he guides Hull to safety so if that doesn’t inspire his to get his game together nothing will. Interestingly, both Wolves and West ham play each other in midweek so if Dowie can somehow begin to arrest Hull’s horrific form there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for the club, and for Dowies bank manager.

Elsewhere in the battle of the bottom, Wigan face Burnley. A win for the Latics will be another huge step towards safety while a defeat for Burnley will be all but  another crushing nail into their coffin it seems.

Frankly there are just too many games on this week for me to cover in a fashion that gives each the attention it deserves, so my advice is to copy my lead: sit back, take the phone off the hook and don’t even consider doing anything else but watching as much as it as possible.

This week’s fixture list in full:

Saturday 20th March

12:45 Aston Villa vs Wolves

15:00 Everton vs Bolton

15:00 Portsmouth vs Hull

15:00 Stoke vs Tottenham

15:00 Sunderland vs Birmingham

15:00 Wigan vs Burnley

17:30 Arsenal vs West Ham

Sunday 21st March

13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool

15:00 Fulham vs Man City

16:00 Blackburn vs Chelsea

Tuesday 23rd March

20:00 West Ham vs Wolves

Wednesday 24th March

19:45 Aston Villa vs Sunderland

19:45 Man City vs Everton

19:45 Portsmouth vs Chelsea

20:00 Blackburn vs Birmingham

]]> http://backpagefootball.com/general/premier-league-preview-6/feed/ 2 http://backpagefootball.com/europe/messi-scoops-top-fifa-award/ http://backpagefootball.com/europe/messi-scoops-top-fifa-award/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:54:34 +0000 Neil Sherwin http://backpagefootball.com/?p=2849 Lionel Messi has capped a superb year by picking up the FIFA World Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Zurich last night.

The Barcelona and Argentina star was selected from a shortlist which is also contained his club team mates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Messi, the first Argentine to win the award, was understandably delighted, thoughplayed down the plaudits being lavished on him.

“No, please, I am not king of the world now, nor the number one, I don’t believe in those things,” he said.

“I am the same person as always and I have the good fortune to play in a great team. It was an historic year for Barca and for me but it’s thanks to the work of everyone.”

The award, which is made up of the votes of captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams, saw Messi scoop 1,073 votes, Ronaldo 352, Xavi 196, Kaka 190 and Iniesta 134.

Premier League stars Nemanja Vidic, Steven Gerrard, Patrice Evra and Fernando Torres were named in the FIFPro World XI.

Cristiano Ronaldo picked up the inaugural Puskas Award for the best goal of the year for his long range effort for Manchester United against Porto in the Champions League last season.

Brazilian Marta (right) won the Women’s World Player of the Year for a record fourth consecutive time.

The 23 year old starred in the revamped Women’s Professional Soccer League in the U.S., where she won the Golden Boot and was elected best player of the season with Los Angeles Sol, and also claimed the titles of the women’s Copa Libertadores and Copa de Brasil with Santos.

She overcame Germany’s Birgit Prinz  and Inka Grings, England’s Kelly Smith and Brazil’s Cristiane to win the FIFA award.

FIFPro Team of the Year:

Casillas

Dani Alves, Evra, Terry, Vidic

Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard

Ronaldo, Messi, Torres

An FA official statement revealed the Liverpool midfielder will sit out the game along with Ben Foster who withdrew after suffering a knock in Sunday’s Community Shield.

Steven Gerrard will not travel to Amsterdam this morning for England’s friendly with Holland on Wednesday

No replacement has been named, however Birmingham ‘keeper Joe Hart has been called up to replace Foster.

England squad for their friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday:

• Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)

• Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

• Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

• Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)