Yes, if you look back at my pre-match build up to the friendly, I did say England would gain a narrow victory, and look what happened? I've got to say I thought we would play a bit worse than that; we looked a bit more driven than we had in recent games and that was pleasing to see. I moaned yesterday about the endless presence of meaningless friendlies, but atleast the players gave a toss and put a performance in. I was also pleased with the presence of some fringe players to inject a bit of freshness into the side; Jack Wilshere had a good game up until half-time, both Darren Bent and Ashley Young scored and Scott Parker did his international prospects no harm at all with a fine second-half performance. Good from England.
The formation was pleasing aswell; we looked to attack and that's something these players are good at; getting forward like the English crowd likes to see and we need to push on like that in the up and coming qualification games. We face the Welsh on March 26 and, with the inclusions of Steven Gerrard, Jermain Defoe, Rio Ferdinand and hopefully a return to form from Wayne Rooney, we should be okay for that game. But give the likes of Wilshere, Parker, Walcott, Young and Bent to continue to impress. I think Walcott is improving in his position on the right side of midfield; he is set to have his best goal return this year for Arsenal and is playing more often also; and James Milner will always put in a good shift on the left for you. A more dangerous option, Adam Johnson when he returns, but you can rely on Milner.
It's a good start to 2011, nothing more than that but nothing less. Let's push on in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, get into the tournament as quick as possible and start planning for a potent mixture of youth and experience that can hopefully see us go further than the quarter-finals in Poland and Ukraine.
Sort It Out Pompey: Give Us A Chance
I think all us Pompey fans were gutted at the end of the January transfer window, but none of us were really surprised. Lack of funds and our down-turn in form mean we aren't going to get loads of players wanting to come here, but nothing on deadline day? Ritchie De Laet and Jonathan Hogg are welcome additions and have slotted into the team well, but we are desperate for bodies in the side. Yet we've got two seasoned midfielders training with the club every day, collecting their wages from Mr Chainrai, but down to pure stupidity and extraordinarily shortsighted management neither can appear for the side.
I'm talking of course about Richard Hughes and Michael Brown. Both have made over 300 league appearances and have made more than decent contributions to the Blues in their time at Fratton Park, but due to contract clauses Steve Cotterill is unable to pick them. If either plays another game for Portsmouth Football Club, we will be obliged to offer them new contracts on Premier League wages we cannot afford. Fair enough we can't afford it, the previous owners didn't know how to run a football club so it's no surprise to the fans. But surely after the worryingly quiet January transfer window, someone at the club can sort the mess out?
Both players have indicated they are willing to negotiate with the club a new deal that levies that clause, and Chief Executive David Lampitt has said that talks have been held but weren't successful. But now with the transfer window shut, neither was moved on, so it boggles belief that the club can't just sort out a deal that can see both players play for us again. God knows we need players of their calibre in the side at the moment. So come on Pompey, sort it out, please. For the sake of our season, sort it out.
And here's highlights of England's victory in Copenhagen. Enjoy :)
NWR
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