Absolutely. Gerrard doesn't possess the discipline required to play in central midfield in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Only manager to regularly play Gerrard in his best position was Benitez, most of Liverpool know this but still managers persist to play him deep. But what Hodgson does best is organise a team in a rigid 4-4-2(4-4-1-1) with the two banks of four playing very disciplined and with attacking restrictions. Gerrard is his captain, hence he will be played deeper than where he can do other teams most harm. Your hope will be that with Rooney suspended in the first two games Hodgson will play Gerrard behind a lone striker, if this turns out successful he might be kept there.
Terry is going for a scan on his hamstring, lets all hope for a bad tear and we wont have to watch him and it will also increase Englands chances of winning.
England bored the pants off me. Good shape wiithout the ball but no teeth, nothing different, nothing exciting. We were at home weren't we? If Belgium had a striker they'd have won easily. Then England nearly always bore me to death.
For those who rated Belgium today, have to say Norway, perhaps rather surprisingly given Belgium's new (re)generation, posed a much bigger threat last week - although they also lacked the cutting edge up front. As for the Hodgeson safety-first factor, England will hopefully be better equipped to prevent us being over-run by the likes of Germany as happened in the last WC.
I'm not sure England can play any other way. The players lack the technical ability to do anything with the ball so the only way is to soak up the pressure, be disciplined and nick the odd goal. They will concede possession time and time again. I'd say Hodgson already knows that.
Just back from Wembley and have to say that was a rather pathetic performance from England. Uninspiring, safety-first and lacking any inspiration or creativity. No cutting-edge up front, slightly improved when Rooney and Defoe were together but you sense this is a manager who will simply do the bare minimum to get a result. Was very disappointed with Oxlade-Chamberpot, didn't really get too involved. Belgium were a typical continental side, very good on the ball moving it around with ease but they were also lacking that cutting-edge and flattered to deceive outside the box. All-in-all I can't see us getting past Spain if we get out of our group, but will need to be far more incisive in midfield to make the quarter-finals...
Did I miss anything? I was otherwise preoccupied making a baked Alaska for lunch tomorrow whilst the game was on and the preferred to watch that Swedish cop drama on BBC4 than the ITV highlights . I take it we were ****e/did enough yet failed to convince ? Plus ca change as DT would say
A-ha, I was just preparing my breakfast for the morning Wubs. I'm on duty tomorrow so it's ...Haricot bean in a pomodoro salsa with le beurre brioche pain grille
