England beat world cup winners Spain at Wembley last night. That is how the papers will portray it this morning anyway. In a first half where England packed the midfield and frustrated the Spanish few chances were created at either end. Spain enjoyed better possession while England had a few decent situations.
To be fair the Spanish didn't really turn up and England grew into the match. Considerably lucky with the goal once they went in front the Spanish tried to salvage something from the game but this was a different England team.
To start with Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Steven Gerrard didn't play along with suspended striker Wayne Rooney. Last night the defensive players just were not missed. While England could have done with Gerrard's drive or Rooney's vision the history books read they were not needed.
In the centre of defence, two players plucked from Championship level made some of the best attacking players in world football look like Sunday league players. Jagielka and Lescott hadn't been on many peoples radar until recently but on last night performance they have to feature in the squads more.
Playing out of position may end up being Phil Jones's curse but the future captain didn't disgrace in midfield and broke up many Spanish attacks although his own attacking and final ball admittedly needs work. Scott Parker was everywhere and now has pushed himself up the pecking order and how could you leave him out either. Even young Jack Rodwell came on and showed what he can give the England team.
A frustrated Darren Bent had a lonely evening and was unlucky not to score when Frank Lampard turned his goal bound effort in from inches out. When he was replaced by Danny Welbeck the youngster from Manchester United showed there isn't only one England forward at Old Trafford to watch for.
If you consider that the likes of Chris Smalling, Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Micah Richards, Ryan Shawcross, Jack Wilshire and Tom Cleverley were not fit for this squad and suddenly the old players are realising that the future isn't them. The "Golden Generation" has come to an end. It died in South Africa if we are all honest.
Capello still needs work to find a few things out before the Euro's start in the summer. Other than Joe Hart who is good enough in goal. Should Glenn Johnson be selected ahead of in form Kyle Walker or Micah Richards. Who is the choice for centre back. Jones? Cahill? Jagielka? Lescott? Shawcross? Smalling? All 6 of them could easily play with each other. Can Leighton Baines deputise for Ashley Cole or will Gibbs get some game time at Arsenal.
In midfield who will get the wide selection out of Lennon and Adam Johnson. Walcott is a certainty to go we presume. Can Cleverley and Wilshire can form and fitness and force their way in. On last nights performance England still seem to be carrying Lampard and it is a shame that the management have not seen the benefits from not playing him. In fact both Terry and Lampard have both been lucky with injuries to players in better form than them otherwise their potential lack of worth really would of been highlighted.
We didn't learn much except Welbeck is a useful man up front holding the ball up and is deceptively quick for a gangly looking kid. Sturridge is set to get a start against Sweden and if Agbonlahor can continue his club form then we may end up saying Wayne who come the end of the Euro's.
If everyone was fit then there would be thousands of variations of England squads but here is mine assuming everybody was fit. It also assumes Rooney isn't selected.
Joe Hart and Scott Carson plus probably Stockdale as keepers.
Walker, Richards, Jones, Shawcross, Jagielka, Smalling, A.Cole, Baines
Walcott, Lennon, Wilshire, Parker, Milner, A.Young, Cleverley, Gerrard
Welbeck, Agbonlahor, Sturridge, Bent
Possible England Euro 2012 squad. I know that the FA lack the bottle to not select Terry and Lampard but Terry has never been quick enough for international football and Lampard's star is fading. I for one would rather suffer disappointment at an International tournament by trying some decent young prospects rather than the usual "golden" floppers.
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