England win in Germany and the reserves give Capello a nice problem

You’ll have to bear with me here. As an England fan aged forty-seven you have to realise that I was just four years old when we won the World Cup. I tell myself that I remember it, but I know I don’t really. So I have been a conscious England fan since the World Cup 1970. In other words, I’ve seen us win bugger all!

Reserves

Now, under Don Fabio, things look as bright for us as they have done in my lifetime. Last night, our reserves went to Berlin and outplayed and beat Germany. I know it was only a friendly and I know Germany had players missing. Despite knowing that, just allow me to enjoy a rare footballing moment of being pleased that I’m English!

It was great to see England passing the ball and playing with a confidence and a swagger that we haven’t seen for…well…ever.

Horror show

The side contained some experience, some youth and lots of pace. It was a travesty when Germany scored an undeserved equaliser following a horror show between the internationally doomed Scott Carson and the skipper John Terry, but justice was seen to be done when Terry redeemed himself with the winner.

England had taken the lead through the unlikely source of Matt Upson who was awarded the Nationwide man of the match award and in the main, Capello’s men were in total control of the game.

Staked a claim

From back to front the England team can be pleased with their performances last night and many of them have given Fabio Capello the type of problems that a manager likes to have. With most of the first team missing, the replacements came in and staked a major claim to keep their places next time around.

In goal there are definitely some problems. If David James can keep going we’ll be just about OK, but to see Scott Carson and Paul Robinson on the bench didn’t fill anyone with confidence. It was truly unfortunate that Carson should come on and make a bad mistake after his last England game in the disaster against Croatia at Wembley. John Terry tried to take the blame, and he was at least partly responsible, but we all know that Carson should have dealt with it.

Excellent

Portsmouth’s Glen Johnson at right back was excellent. He must be a genuine contender to take that position from Wes Brown when the next team is selected. On the other side of the back four Wayne Bridge did nothing wrong and he confirmed that he is an able deputy for or alternative to Ashley Cole when required.

John Terry played in the only way he knows how and after his surprising mistake, he was determined to put things right. He did so with a typical attacking header and will have consolidated his position as skipper under Capello. Next to him was the excellent Matty Upson. He didn’t put a foot wrong all night and for the first time in my eyes, showed why Capello thinks he is a decent understudy for Rio Ferdinand or John Terry. Having said that, Rio must return when he can.

Blind alleys

The midfield area was the area that raised the most questions. On the right, Shaun Wright-Phillips was very direct and pacy, but he does tend to keep running into blind alleys and brick walls. He is a threat but a fit Theo Walcott would be preferable. On the left, Stewart Downing was excellent. When the team was announced I said, ‘why is Downing playing, he isn’t good enough.’ He answered the question himself. He is.

In the middle, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry played together like they had done so for years. Between them they covered every blade of grass on the pitch and controlled the game for England. In fact, I can’t remember the England central midfield controlling a game in this manner for many years.

Sensible

The sensible thing for Capello to do when a competitive fixture arrives is to bring back Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard. Having said that, would they have done better in Berlin last night? Do Downing, Carrick or Barry deserve to be left out?

Gabby Agbonlahor up front had a decent debut. He was unlucky to be called offside in the first half when he had a great chance and he didn’t set the world alight, but his pace and directness made him a constant threat to the shaky looking German defence.

Pacy strikers

With Agbonlahor and Defoe in the first half and Bent in the second, England had two small pacy strikers and the long high ball wasn’t an option. It made England play football and I liked what I saw.

The only disappointment for me was that Jimmy Bullard didn’t get on the pitch. He is a great character and it would have been nice to be able to say, ‘England international Jimmy Bullard.’ However, I think we can see that Fabio Capello isn’t in the game of making gestures of a sentimental nature. He isn’t in the game of making friends.

It is just possible that he is in the game of turning England into a half decent team who might become genuine contenders for World Cup 2010. We shall see.