England Could Be Worse

Filed in archive England on November 15, 2006

The knives will be out for Steve McClaren after England's 1-1 draw with Holland tonight. There'll be complaints that going 4-3-3 to match the Dutch is cowardly, complaints that Andy Johnson has been screwed over again (will he ever get to play in a front two or what?) complaints that England had yet another brief defensive panic (why can't we defend crosses?) allowing Holland to score and complaints that the midfield still doesn't look right.

But on the upside, Micah Richards was pretty impressive. Though Arjen Robben embarrassed him once, it was just the once. The rest of the game the 18 year old right back was solid defensively and keen to bomb forward.

Andy Johnson, despite being played in an awkward position, did well. He genuinely looks like he's got the touch, the intelligence and - crucially - the pace to make an impact at international level.

Maybe next time McClaren will let him play centre forward.