ADL Index - England vs. Bulgaria
Saturday 04 September 2010
ENGLAND 4
Defoe 2, 61,85, Johnson, A, 82
BULGARIA 0
Jermain Defoe’s superb hat-trick against Bulgaria helped Fabio Capello’s England on their way to qualifying for the 2012 European Championships following a summer of disappointment. The Tottenham striker struck inside five minutes to send the home side on their way to repairing some of the damage inflicted by Germany at the World Cup. Despite the nation’s loud cries for change on the field and Capello’s insistence to play younger players in their qualifying campaign they lined up with seven of the men that experienced the 4-1 drubbing in Bloemfontein. But back them he did, and he was duly rewarded with Defoe’s well taken second-half strikes before the man of the match limped off the field four minutes from time. The game was marred by another injury to a Spurs player-Michael Dawson appearing to fall over awkwardly on his right ankle which ended his afternoon early. There was a high level of energy that shut out the visitors for most of the match with Joe Hart only having to make one important save to deny Dimitar Rangelov- Rangelov going one on one with the Man City keeper only to be denied by an outstretched glove. The Bulgarians spent a large proportion of the match chasing shadows as England piled up the passes for the stats, and there was a new sense of positivity up front with players rushing to get forward. Adam Johnson’s blasted finish on 83 minutes wrapped up the win for England as they looked to erase the memories of June.
Substitutions
54: Gary Cahill on for Michael Dawson
74: Adam Johnson on for Theo Walcott
86: Ashley Young on for Jermain Defoe
1 Joe Hart
Position: Goalkeeper
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 8/10
Played the full 90 minutes, and will probably continue to for the next decade. With Scott Carson letting in six against Chelsea before pulling out to an injury, David James fading to obscurity and Paul Robinson retiring it seems no one wants it more than Hart. Wasn’t troubled in the first-half bar a couple of catches, but produced a couple of good stops to get the team going again. Punching a well hit shot out of the box before standing his ground in a one on one provided his contribution to the win, and both were greeted with rapturous applause. That’s one piece of the jigsaw firmly in place, and for many years to come.
2 Glen Johnson
Position: Right-back
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 6/10
Played well going forward, but still exudes the impression that he will be troubled when constrained to his defensive duties. It’s worth noting that most of Bulgaria’s counter-attacks came from the right-hand side that Johnson should have being occupying, and although Gareth Barry can track back, he can’t be four places at once. A miss-kick in first half almost brought an own goal had it not been for the excellent reflexes of Hart. It’s no denying he’s a threat going forward, and Phil Jagielka seems more than happy to cut across, but should this be the best way about it?
5 Michael Dawson
Position: Centre-back
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 55/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 6/10
Looked the shakier of the two centre-backs before being carted off with what looked like a nasty injury. Passes the ball well, but let a few too many balls bounce- with one nearly bringing a goal for the away side as Ivelin Popov dragged wide. He grew into the game before falling awkwardly on his right-ankle. The injury will hit Spurs more than it will England.
6 Phil Jagielka
Position: Centre-back
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 7/10
Although not exactly new blood he has never been given a string of games in the team. One major plus point is that he fits right into the tactics employed by Capello, remaining calm under pressure as well as decisive in decision making. Didn’t play one long-ball all game, and used Gareth Barry in defensive-midfield when he could. Although John Terry is bound to come back at some stage, he may have his partner sorted out should Rio Ferdinand’s recovery be delayed.
3 Ashley Cole
Position: Left-back
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 7/10
A typically assured performance from an England stalwart, Cole still has that hunger that made him a standout candidate for England’s best player in South Africa. Used the ball more constructively that his fellow full-back - gliding past numerous defenders as well as unselfishly playing sensible balls to James Milner in front of him. Tracked back as well, and made a number of interceptions to push the side forward. If Fabio wants to cement his starting XI early then Cole has to be the first name on the sheet.
7 Theo Walcott
Position: Right-midfield
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 74/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 6/10
A typical game from the Arsenal winger shows nothing’s changed - bags of pace, good intentions, but poor execution on numerous occasions. Time and time again Theo would run forward with such intent, and almost always beat Ilyan Stoyanov at left-back, but the cross or shot was always off balance. Adam Johnson’s flashes of brilliance can’t be helping him at all win a permanent place in the squad. Unplayable on his day, but only if he can get the final ball right.
8 Gareth Barry
Position: Centre-midfield
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 8/10
Simple but effective. The ‘Makelele role’ fits the Man City midfielder to a tee, and it allows whoever’s alongside him to attack at will. With both full-backs pushing forward there was a real need for someone to come across and help out. Short passes were his forte as the stats will show tomorrow, as well as tracking any runs through the middle. It’s a role that just links the play, but as long as the goals keep coming, it’ll keep him in the team.
4 Steven Gerrard
Position: Centre-midfield
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 7/10
Overshadowed by the efforts of Barry and Defoe, but was always the first to congratulate the scorer with an arm over the shoulder. Although it is wise to build teams around the likes of Gerrard, there is evidence of the new tactics not fitting in with his game plan. Known for huge Hollywood passes across field, there’s little room for it in a team that plays within five yards of each other. Tried to play to his strengths by using his route one tactics but continued to miss his targets throughout. Still, by no means a bad performance and Fabio’s new regime will always welcome a 30-yard belter.
11 James Milner
Position: Left-midfield
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 29/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 6/10
Really struggled to get into the game as the deep play cut to the chase towards Defoe and Rooney on a number of occasions. Nevertheless he got stuck in - forcing Zhivko Milanov to barge him into touch after the ball had gone out of play. In true Milner fashion he got straight up to take the resulting corner, and that’s why the fans love him. Played some decent passes when he could, but there’s still some debate as to who should play on the left-side, as always.
9 Jermain Defoe
Position: Forward
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 86/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 9/10
Limped off smiling after his hat-trick which was greatly received by the faithful. Whether or not the smile is still on his face when the scans come back is another matter. Constantly found new ways of getting behind the defence, and not once hid away when the side came under pressure - tracking back to look for the ball in a deeper position. Looked like the player everyone thought he was above anything. Fast, and with three great finishes to boot, it seems only injuries can keep him out of the starting line-up.
10 Wayne Rooney
Position: Forward
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 90/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 8/10
Should remain more than happy with creating the supply rather than tapping them in. Played like an old-fashioned number ten by drifting through tackles and finishing off moves with superb passes. His most notable contribution was the lovely chip to find Cole for Defoe’s opener inside the third minute, and it was all up from then. Any questions about a lack of confidence should be dispelled by the impudent chip which sent Mihaylov scrambling to tip over. A moment of pure genius..
14 Gary Cahill
Position: Centre-back
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 35/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 6/10
Came on to play out the last half an hour in place of the injured Dawson and spent most of his time on the field watching Jagielka play the passes out of defence whilst being barked instructions by the patrolling Barry. Let a couple of attackers get the better of him when Bulgaria went forward, but came up with a few handy blocks to keep out some long-range efforts. With the Dawson situation not looking good he could very well get his chance on Tuesday. It will be up to him whether he wants to take it.
16 Adam Johnson
Position: Right-midfield
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 16/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 7/10
Looked sharp as a tac as he looked to overshadow Walcott’s performance within the 16 minutes allocated. The difference between the two being Johnson’s well taken goal to quash any hopes of a comeback for the visitors. Although not a great finish with Mihaylov beaten at his near-post, his rightful place on the score-sheet will ensure he is in Capello’s thoughts regarding a more prominent role against Switzerland.
17 Ashley Young
Position: Forward
Minutes played (game/tournament total): 4/90
Rating (game/tournament average): 5/10
Touched the ball less than five times as his appearance was welcomed by the departing Defoe. Now that he’s probably edged ahead of Wright-Phillips in the pecking order it will be interesting to see what he can do if given the chance.
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