Redknapp offers England suggestion

(GSM) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has offered his suggestions on how England can exploit their vast attacking options.

Redknapp is among the candidates to succeed current England manager Fabio Capello when the latter vacates the post after Euro 2012.

And the Spurs boss has ideas for Capello to utilize Peter Crouch in the national team following England’s disappointing goalless draw with Montenegro

Crouch started up front alongside Wayne Rooney but Redknapp feels the Tottenham striker could be more effective if he is played as a lone target man.

“Peter Crouch is 6ft 7in tall so his best asset is an obvious one,” the Spurs boss said in his column in The Sun.

“It’s no good putting him up front and then trying to play the ball to his feet all the time.

“Peter is a technically good player but England should use his height – because he towers above most defenders.

“I’m the last one to advocate the long-ball game but, if you have a player like Steven Gerrard who can put the ball on his head from 35 yards out, do it.

“While he does that, the team can surge forward as a group and pick up the second ball, the knockdown they know is coming.

“If you’re not going to make the most of Crouchie, don’t play him, simple as that. Use a little striker instead.”

England missed Frank Lampard at Wembley’s stalemate, sparing Capello the much-discussed issue of fitting the former with Steven Gerrard.

But Redknapp believes England would benefit from what he called their ‘golden trio’.

“I have a vision of a ‘golden triangle’ for England,” he explained. “Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the middle, with Wayne Rooney playing off a striker and dropping back a little bit.

“In that way, he can play just in front of the two central midfielders and is a great link-man between midfield and up front.

“There is no doubt Rooney is still a world-class striker. But again when Lampard is missing, there is an obvious gap in the team.

“I think Rooney is perfectly suited to the role of dropping off a main striker, because he is superb at running at defences with the ball.

“England still have great width and the emergence of two new wide players – plus the likes of Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and the others – is an encouraging sign.”

Redknapp maintained his faith in the current English crop and Capello: “I am still bullish about the team.

“England had a poor World Cup, yet we still have the players and manager to go and win Euro 2012.”