England’s makeshift (first-choice) back-line under examination
 ENGLAND 3
Crouch 56, 80 Wright-Phillips 75
 EGYPT 1
Zidan 23
The back-four that lined up for England against Egypt on Wednesday may have been makeshift, but should Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole fail to return from fitness in time, it will also be the back-line lining up against the United States on June 12. So how did the stand-in national defenders do, and is it cause for concern?
As the opening exchanges of the 2009/10 season played out in the August sunshine, Fabio Capello may have been forgiven for having more than an inkling of who will line-up in England’s back four in South Africa. Other than a seemingly minor niggle to Rio Ferdinand, the Italian’s first-choice rearguard were all fighting-fit and raring to impress.
After a breakthrough season Glen Johnson appeared to have made the right-back position his own, securing himself a big-money move to Liverpool in the process. Ashley Cole was in the form of his life, marauding down the Stamford Bridge touchline, adding a clinical goal-scoring touch to his armoury. John Terry continued to fulfil his role as captain reliable, a bastion of reliability and consistency for Chelsea.
Six months, two high profile scandals, a medial ligament tear, a fractured ankle, and a mystery lower-back injury later and the back-line to start his team’s first match against the USA has become an unexpected and unwanted conundrum in the run up to June 12 for Capello. What should have been a dress rehearsal for England’s regulars against Egypt on Wednesday night instead proved to be an audition for a cast of understudies.
Matthew Upson probably had the least to prove amongst the second string. Under Capello he has become the first alternative in the absence of Terry or Ferdinand, starting in four of England’s last six games. The 30-year-old West Ham defender got past the early setback of being culpable for Egypt’s goal via a slip to put in an assured performance alongside Terry. After a series of strong performances for country and a season in which his undeniable quality has often saved an otherwise ordinary defence at club level, Upson’s place in South Africa is almost guaranteed.
In recent seasons Wes Brown has become a vital utility man for both club and country - happy to bide his time on the sidelines when the leading men are available, Brown has proved that he can step in across the back four whenever required. Wednesday night was indicative of this. He slotted in at right-back with little fuss or drama, giving England a different option to the attacking dynamism but defensive frailty of Johnson. Theo Walcott may have had a different night if Brown had got forward more, providing him with balls to feet and a more regular option on the overlap but that simply is not the way he plays. If Johnson is fit and has enough time to play himself into form he will probably start, Brown should also be on the plane though, if not for his versatility but to also add a different dimension defensively to Johnson who will struggle to contain world class wingers in the latter stages should England get there.
After a whirlwind few weeks culminating in the shattering and humiliating loss of the captaincy, John Terry did little to silence or give further fuel to his critics. Walking out to a far from unanimous chorus of boos, and playing his first game in a long time as just a rank and file member of the national team he did just enough to prevent any further questions being raised. Almost unthinkable just weeks ago, the well-documented turbulence in his private life has coincided with a devastatingly bad run of form for himself and his club. Despite an acceptable performance, the eyebrows of both Capello and Carlo Ancelotti would have been raised when Mohamed Nagy beat him for position and pace in the second half. Despite the pantomime theatrics from the crowd, England sorely need a fit and mentally-focused Terry in South Africa.
In his unusual position as the sole beneficiary of Terry’s indiscretions, Cole’s injury and Wayne Bridge’s subsequent withdrawal, Leighton Baines got over some early jitters to produce a performance good enough to alleviate concerns that we have little hope if Cole fails to recover in time. In winning his first senior cap he was arguably given the hardest assignment of the night marking the attacking wing-back Ahmed El-Muhammadi. What he lacked in quality delivery from set-pieces and from open play in the final third he made up for in solid defending, largely getting the better of the relentlessly ambitious Egyptian, who’s constant advances gave the 25-year-old little opportunity to bomb forward.
Barring any further injuries and assuming Terry’s dip in form is just a blip compounded by external factors he will partner Ferdinand in the middle. The full-back positions still beg further questioning however. There is no doubt that Baines and Brown have enough defensively to deputise in the absence of Johnson and Cole but Capello will have concerns over the loss of pace and incision in wide positions going forward, as well as the vulnerability to counter-attacks from opponents. Capello will be reasonably happy with a solid if not remarkable defensive performance, whilst also secretly praying form and fitness return to Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry and Cole.
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