As I've probably mentioned previously I'm not really a massive England fan, pretty much the same as the majority of Liverpool fans I expect. But one thing I do enjoy is watching our players performing for their country and last night when Steven Gerrard crossed the ball for Andy Carroll to power in against Sweden I was as pleased as anybody. Average players just can't deliver a cross like that, and it takes someone special to head accurately with that power from fifteen yards, and it's good to know they both play for us. There have been rumours of a PSG bid of around £20 million for Carroll but I don't see it happening and I fully expect him to begin next season with us, and hopefully he and Gerrard can combine the same way for their club regularly for a few seasons to come.
England's next game is against Ukraine and sees the return of Wayne Rooney from his self inflicted rest period and there will no doubt be much debate as to who should make way for him, will it be Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck? Both strikers yesterday had one chance and scored one goal, can't ask for any more than that from them. England only need a draw against the co-hosts so surely Carroll's defensive strengths mean his inclusion is a must. And Welbeck's clever, improvised finish for England's winner means he certainly deserves to retain his position up front. No doubt defensive minded Roy Hodgson will drop one of them but I personally see two possible solutions he could use.
Firstly he could say Carroll and Welbeck both deserve to retain their places and Rooney only has himself to blame for being out of the team, if others have come in and done well they should be rewarded and his stupidity and temperament has presented this opportunity to others who have not behaved with such little intelligence. I doubt Hodgson will leave Rooney out though as if he does and England lose he knows how much criticism he will face.
The other option that presents itself is to change formation. For me the only poor performer for England over the two games so far has been Ashley Young and if anybody should miss out it should be the tumbling winger. Gerrard, Parker and Milner are more than capable of providing a solid base from the middle of midfield, Carroll could play as the focal point up front with Rooney coming in from the left and Welbeck on the right. It would be a good formation to play against a Ukraine side who almost certainly need a win and who will more than likely leave spaces at the back. A three man forward line would take advantage of this and I can see it bringing goals to the England team for this particular match. To do this would be a brave, positive move from the new England coach and would be a break from his table football style two banks of four so I don't really see it happening, but supporting England is all about dreaming anyway isn't it?
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