Foto : Reuters
Roy Hodgson has three main concerns as he prepares to face Uruguay, the biggest being the Manchester United striker’s loss of form.
How Gerrard recovers from Manaus
Over the next couple of days, as the sports science team assess the physical state of the players, Roy Hodgson will be having a quiet word with his captain, just to make sure he can go again on Thursday.
Over the next couple of days, as the sports science team assess the physical state of the players, Roy Hodgson will be having a quiet word with his captain, just to make sure he can go again on Thursday.
Steven Gerrard could hardly break into a jog in the final moments of Saturday night, the 34-year-old’s legs having given everything. That depth of exhaustion obviously takes its toll on someone of this age so the manager will naturally be anxious to gauge Gerrard’s speed of recovery.
England clearly don’t want to lose the midfielder for this one, a game they could now really do with winning. His experience and advice in the middle of the park becomes ever more valuable in a team bristling with youthful enterprise but not with so much know-how when the pressure cranks up.
We saw that in Manaus towards the end when England’s attempts to equalise lacked measured composure. If Gerrard did need a breather with the Costa Rica game in mind, England could always turn to Frank Lampard for that linchpin role. But with all due respect to the squad’s other senior statesman, that isn’t quite the same as having your main leader in a situation verging on the critical.
Worrying form of Johnson
Of all England’s performers against Italy, you have to say that Glen Johnson suffered more than most. For whatever reason, the full-back just doesn’t look right at the moment, his form having also been poor in the lead-up.
Worrying form of Johnson
Of all England’s performers against Italy, you have to say that Glen Johnson suffered more than most. For whatever reason, the full-back just doesn’t look right at the moment, his form having also been poor in the lead-up.
Confidence looks low in someone who, at the best of times, could never be described as a doughty defender. His talents have always leant towards the attacking side. That said, Johnson is normally better than this. It must make Hodgson think about the alternatives.
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