EURO 2012 Qualification: Switzerland vs. England: English team’s player by player Review – Part 1
England scored an emphatic 3-1 win over Switzerland to win their second qualification match from Group G. A group which includes the likes of Wales, Montenegro and Bulgaria, England have done themselves a massive favour by winning their first two matches, one out of which was termed as perhaps their toughest test so far.
In the English camp, all was not well before the game started, allegations on their star striker Wayne Rooney of infidelity with regards to his wife were rife and it was speculated that his performance will be a subdued one.
On the other hand, England’s outstanding goalkeeper from the first match against Bulgaria, Joe Hart was retained by Capello in goal. A lot of praise has been lavished on Joe in the past two months, ever since the English Premier League season kicked off; Hart has undoubtedly done remarkably well for his club side. Against, Bulgaria, he was brilliant for England as well as the three lions kept a clean sheet.
Therefore it was inevitable that he would have a mighty fall sooner rather than later. However against Switzerland at St. Jakob Park, Hart performed at his usual level barring some uncanny clearances. The young goalkeeper should be given the benefit of the doubt as it was pouring quite heavily in Switzerland and handling the ball must not have been easy for the Manchester City man.
Nonetheless, for Switzerland’s only goal of the match, Hart was not at fault. It is perhaps safe to say that no keeper in the world would have gotten near Xherdan Shaqiri’s shot which almost ripped the English net off. Glen Johnson kept his place at the right back spot for England and his game and frankly the usual combination of uncertain defending but some solid attacking moves. The Liverpool full back was credited with getting the assist for England’s opening goal.
Ashley Cole played as England’s left back and the Chelsea man was superb down the English left. He capitalized on James Milner’s tendency to drift inwards and exploited the space that was so frequently available to him in the Swiss defence. As far as his defensive performance is concerned, it was hardly average as he ran the risk of getting sent off for one of his uncharacteristically dangerous tackles.
Joleon Lescott was Capello’s surprise inclusion in the England’s starting line. With Michael Dawson and John Terry injured, Lescott did quite well at the centre back position, a role which he is not that familiar with, considering the fact that he has been playing at the left back spot for his club side so far in the English league season. Minus some of the indecisive moments that he had at the start of the match, Joleon was solid at the back for England.
Lescott’s partner Phil Jagielka was at the top of his game as well. For once he showed that England did not lack pace at the back, his ball control and aerial prowess was second to none in Basel as he performed rather confidently for an inexperienced centre back as far as international football was concerned.
Critics might say that a true review of his performance will have to be put on hold until England comes up against a proper top class international side but Jagielka has been England’s outstanding defender so far in EURO 2012’s qualification campaign.
The position that Gareth Barry plays at for England is quite an inglorious one. Mop up the remains of the opposition’s attack and then distribute the ball to your team’s wide men or your fellow midfielder. That is Barry’s job description.
A problem that arises with such a role is that when you don’t perform to expectations, detractors jump out in open condemnation. When one’s performance is fairly satisfactory, pundits fail to give credit where it is due. Such is the case with Barry, who was effective and efficient against Switzerland without being England’s standout player.
Tags: