you mean in 1982, when we scored after 27 seconds? Surely you don't mean the hot potato stuff we played on Monday?
People criticise Johnson, but I see no real alternative, it is like he is the best of a defensively bad bunch. I think Young is our weakest link as he does not hold up possession well and drifts inside into trouble the whole time, which is crazy when you have Carroll upfront and there are about 8 Swedes packed into the centre.
No, I am not joking. I always thought Richards would be a suitable candidate, however after watching him against Robben in the friendly against the Dutch in Feb I was not so convinced. He is great going forward (like all of our right backs), however he is not the best position wise, the same is true of Walker - who does have time on his side, but is currently injured. Kelly may also be a good prospect but I have not seen enough of him to convince me one way or an other. Finally, did you see Jones in the build up to the tournament in the England friendly - I think it was then that Hodgson decided he would have to play Johnson. At the start of the season Jones looked a world beater but by the end I was less convinced - he is young and got burned out. I personally see the long term solution to be Smalling.
Funny, I never thought I'd be saying that I miss Gary Neville. I have never liked the man, but our current situation shows that he was a good right back, and mainly because he knew his limitations and stuck to what he was good at. Not the most talented player, but never really let us down.
It is a shame that we need to restrict our attacking options (Walcott/Ox) because we need to play someone who can track back and cover for a poor right back. However that is the problem we have. Cole doesn't seem to be getting forward like normal, is this because he has been told to sit more because Young isn't defensively minded? If this is the case then why can't Johnson do the same? I would like to see Young on the left with Walcott on the right playing behind Rooney and Wellbeck. The back five an CM pick themsleves imo. It depends on how we want to set up for the Ukraine game tho. They will have to come at us as they need a win. With that in mind then we are likely to stick with Milner and even bring in Downing as Hodgson will want to preserve what we have rather than go for the win and get hit on the break if we are caught pressing, I can see us sitting deeper and deeper and it will be panic stations for all. I would much rather go for the win as I think we are better, I just can't see Hodgson going offensive when we only need a point.
Never ever play for a draw...hard to do and can easily result in a loss. Think we will start slowly and hope for a set piece goal, but it would be lovely to get a good win and hopefully top the group.
I hope we don't and I expect Hodgson to say we will go for the win but just think he will set us up to protect what we have and then maybe exploit them in the second half with as you say a set piece around the box or with the introduction of Walcott or Ox to take advantage of tired legs. The game plan against the French worked well and they are a better side so i just think he will set us up in a similar fashion.
We won't play for a draw. I expect Welbeck and Rooney to start with Young on the left and Walcott/Oxo/Milner on the right. Johnson just needs to think about defending then, which is more than he's done so far. Terry has to boss the back 4 and tell them when to push up. If Johnson or anyone else starts sitting too deep, Gerrard and Terry need to kick their arses.
