The Under21 Championships

A competition which has largely gone by unwatched by me; the only game I saw was the only one not featuring any of my Spurs lads. England did reasonably well, however, and it is striking to see such a comparatively strong side of players on this level – most of them with plenty of Premiership experience. The game against Italy, which I watched, was very entertaining and contained some nice football. Perhaps the future of English football is not so dark after all?

Tom Huddlestone reaped praise for his efforts early on, but his absence in the Italy game was said to be a contributing factor to the increased pace of England’s game. Hmm. His sending off in the unpleasant game against Serbia (which has prompted new moves against racism) still baffles me; judging by the composed look of bewilderment on his face upon receiving the card, Tom was similarly affected. Anyone who knows what actually happened, feel free to comment.

After drawing 0-0 with the Czech Republic and 2-2 with Italy, England beat Serbia 2-0 and came up against Holland in the semi-finals. The team came very close to a 1-0 win, but the game ended a draw and had to be decided by a marathon of a penalty shootout. England at any level tend to find penalties problematic, but at 13-12 you’ve done pretty well despite losing. Special mention to Stephen Taylor of Newcastle who played on despite injury and then took, and scored, one of the penalties.

Elsewhere, Paul Stalteri and Canada did not make it past the semi-final stage of the CONCACAF cup, as they were beaten by the USA 2-1.

England efforts

Whenever I watch an England game these days, especially if I haven’t written anything before reading the paper, I feel more like analysing what other people are writing, and how, rather than the game itself. When it comes to Premiership games I usually feel as though I have watched the same game as the reporters (not always, but usually), when it comes to England – not so much. Firstly it seems as though everyone had their eyes on Beckham, intent on scrutinising his contribution and hail it either as the knight (yes, it may happen, headlines already going mad) in shining armour, saving his country – or an utter failure to add to the manager’s many shortcomings. As good old David played well it seems we are going with the former option.

I, of course, was mainly interested in seeing how Ledley got on, and hence had a completely different focus. What I saw of the game was a pretty decent but rather uninspired and somewhat defensive performance which left the strikers a bit alone – and the goal coming from a Beckham set piece. Have we seen this before somewhere? Joe Cole for all his stylish moves didn’t contribute much substance and could have come off sooner – Downing brought more action in. I would have preferred Crouch to Smith, probably for the full 90. Steven Gerrard was a one-man midfield, it has to be said, but I would still like to see him play with a strong holding midfielder (not Frank Lampard) – as it was he had too much defending to do. Jamie Carragher is a waste a right-back, through no fault of his own. He just isn’t one. Shorey did well on his England debut. And Beckham did play very competent football, not just with the set pieces. John Terry was great as, I think, was Ledley. I felt that the two of them played well with each other, covering the ground well and cleaning up nicely. Ledley made the odd (three?) mistake, but was a joy to watch. It can only get better against Estonia, a game which he should certainly (?) be selected to start in. Jermaine Jenas came on for Beckham for the final minutes and had little opportunity to make an impact, but Robbo was on fine form and made some nice saves when he wasn’t reduced to just watching the game – which was most of the time. I look forward to new matches and developments - and for the first time in a few months, so it would seem, do fans and manager...

The King Rules

Yes, the England B-team managed to beat Albania with a margin and the press has decided to be favourable about the effort. Or maybe they just didn’t watch it. All eyes on Beckham, it would seem. (And the games that matter.) B-team or not, they played pretty well and some players took the opportunity to shine in their England shirt. Some, unfortunately, not for very long – Aaron had to come off injured after a mere nine minutes and his injury, ironically, is suggested to have been a factor in David Beckham’s recall. He provided Michael Owen with at least one lovely cross before coming off, but Owen missed finishing it off. Even if Owen didn’t score any of England’s three goals, he played well and inspired a nation by his mere presence. Stewart Downing (who scored two goals) and David Bentley (who ran the show on his flank) were both very good and have, alongside the Spurs players, been included in the England squad. Jermaine Jenas elegantly patrolled the field and filled in for the at times erratic Phil Neville, while it was a pleasure to see Ledley and Michael in the middle of defence. Jermain Defoe did well with his minutes, coming on in his far too familiar role as a late-ish substitute.

With Aaron injured and competition for the other spots heavy, I don’t think we will see any of the lads (apart from Robbo, of course) start the next couple of games – unless, that is, McClaren decides to revamp his midfield and solve the eternal Lampard-Gerrard issue. Because, and I don’t think this is just my Spurs bias, Ledley was brilliant when he was pushed forward to a holding midfielder role. Steven Taylor came on for Gareth Barry to partner Michael in defence (an interesting England pair for the future), but barely had a thing to do. Ledley just ruled, gathered up balls everywhere and cleverly directed them to where they should be. It was stunning, especially for those of us who know and love him as player, of course, but perhaps even good old Steve has been given food for thought. Who needs Hargreaves (who is injured anyway) and Carrick, basically? I, for one, would love to see it at least tried out against tougher opposition (Brazil): Ledley and an attacking Gerrard in the middle with, say Beckham and Joe Cole on right and left respectively. Crouch and Owen (or Defoe?) up front. Flawless plan, surely?

Full England squad: Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Scott Carson (Liverpool), Robert Green (West Ham). Defenders: Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man United), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Ledley King (Tottenham), Nicky Shorey (Reading). Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), David Bentley (Blackburn), Michael Carrick (Man United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle). Forwards: Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Alan Smith (Man United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

And finally, special mention also to Besart Berisha, of my German club Hamburg, who was brilliant for his country and scored their goal - fully capitalising on the one time Ledley missed a trsdemark tackle...

England B
Carson, Neville (Jagielka 46), Dawson, King, Shorey (Lescott 73), Bentley (Defoe 72), Jenas, Barry
(Taylor 64), Lennon (Downing 10), Owen, Smith (Dyer 64).
Subs Not Used: Green, Nugent.
Goals: Smith 34, Downing 37, 58.

Albania
Beqaj (Hidi 78), Vangeli, Dede, Rrustemi, Haxhi (Ahmataj 79), Bulku, Skela (Hyka 75), Duro (Vrapi 65), Berisha, Muka (Murati 46), Bushi (Sinani 72).
Subs Not Used: Xhafa.
Goals: Berisha 44.

Attendance: 22,500
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)

The B-Team

The team for England's friendly with Albania tomorrow was confirmed today and comprises four of our lads, notably King and Dawson as the central defensive partnership. It's only a friendly, it's only against Albania and it is, just as friendlies probably should be, only a big training session - but it is still a bit interesting. I may have mentioned it before, but it seems that in a time when the general consensus is that the England team never manages to perform anywhere near the perceived glory of the potential sum of its parts, that superstars like Lampard and Gerrard cancel each other out and that the problem lies embedded somewhere in a complex pattern of managerial feebleness and unrealistic expectations coupled with underachievement, it is interesting to see a different England side. Perhaps all the biggest stars at the same time don't make the best team...?

Full team: Carson, P Neville, Shorey, King, Dawson, Lennon, Jenas, Bentley, Barry, Owen, Smith.