World Cup Analysis

England’s World Cup ended, inevitably, on penalties, though their performances throughout the tournament did not merit a last four place. Far too many of their hyped-up side failed to deliver, although the much-criticised Owen Hargreaves was superb against Portugal.

Paul Robinson 6/10 Robinson came into this World Cup with high hopes he could take his outstanding Spurs form to the tournament; he ended it with serious question marks over his ability to handle crosses and even his big-match temperament. Though he improved in the knockout stages, Robinson certainly regressed in Germany; fortunately for him, however, there is an alarming lack of potential replacements.

Gary Neville 7 Only played in the first and last games, but was sorely missed in between. While he was gone, Jamie Carragher brought his defensive solidarity and Owen Hargreaves the attacking verve, but their performances paled in comparisons to those of Neville. The Man Utd skipper was handed David Beckham’s armband against Portugal, and relished the task of handling club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo; the only regret was a man with the temperament of Neville did not take a penalty.

Ashley Cole 8 Cole’s lack of game-time for Arsenal in the second-half of the season was a major worry for his country going into the World Cup. But there was no need to worry, for the Arsenal left-back’s fitness was terrific throughout - he played every minute of England’s campaign. He formed a penetrative partnership down the left with namesake Joe, but was also disciplined in keeping to his defensive duties. On several occasions, such as against Ecuador when he tipped a shot onto the post, Cole was invaluable in protecting Robinson’s goal.

Rio Ferdinand 8 Ferdinand was perceived to be the weak link in the central defensive partnership with John Terry, but he cut out his lapses in concentration and was terrific throughout; his pace often made up for Terry’s lack of it. If the 2002 World Cup was the making of Ferdinand, then this tournament brought confirmation of his status as one of the best central defenders in the world.

John Terry 7 Though his place was never in question and he was for the most part dependable, Terry certainly did not perform quite as he does for Chelsea. His lack of pace is well-known but, unlike when he is in a Chelsea shirt, he could not quite make up for it through his positional sense and lack of errors. That said, any criticism is relative.

Jamie Carragher 5 Carragher was required to stand-in for a couple of games for Gary Neville at right-back, and, though solid defensively as one would expect from a man who normally plays centre-back, he offered zero threat going forward, so was dropped for an even more makeshift right-back in Owen Hargeaves. And unfortunately for Carragher, the moment from him most people will remember is the penalty miss against Portugal.

Sol Campbell 5 One nervous cameo against Sweden, in which Campbell was partly at fault for the second equaliser, was all he had to show for a World Cup that never got going. His international career could well be at an end.

David Beckham 6 It all started so brightly, as Beckham’s free-kick created England’s first goal of the World Cup against Paraguay. But, thereafter, Beckham’s crossing and set-piece delivery became virtually the sole reason for his inclusion in the side, such was his lack of effectiveness on the right flank. Beckham did contribute heavily to half of England’s goals in Germany - including the free-kick against Ecuador which meant he had scored in three successive World Cups. Nonetheless, the skipper was rarely inspirational and Aaron Lennon impressed to the extent that many supporters were actually pleased when Beckham was injured against Portugal. He has since relinquished the armband, and other options on the right - either Lennon or Steven Gerrard - now appear England’s best route forward.

Aaron Lennon 7 Having made a late burst to secure a squad place over Shaun Wright-Philips, Aaron Lennon’s pace, ability to beat players - something Beckham has never done - and sheer joie de vivre made him into one of the tournament’s most effective subs. He transformed England’s lethargy against Trinidad & Tobago, and was very effective during his 70 minutes with Portugal. At times Lennon’s inexperience was apparent - especially in his final ball - but there appears little doubt the 19-year-old will become a star.

Frank Lampard 5 Fat Frank, as he became almost universally unknown, was seldom scared to shoot, though the results when he did were alarmingly poor for a man who scored 15 goals from midfield in the Premiership alone for Chelsea last year. Lampard did well in the first half against Sweden, when afforded cover in the shape of Owen Hargreaves, but, with it clear - as it has been for a long time - that Gerrard and Lampard need a holding midfielder alongside them and cannot play together in the centre, Lampard seems to have made a potential selection dilemma for Steve McLaren a lot easier.

Steven Gerrard 7 Though it was still hard to mistake Gerrard’s performances for those in a Liverpool shirt, the all-action midfielder fared relatively well in Germany, contributing two important goals, easily outshining Frank Lampard and always having an impact on proceedings. But one could reasonbly have hoped for even more from one of the world’s best midfielders; his best performance was actually his 20-minute substitute appearance against Sweden. It was also a shame that Gerrard was asked to play on the left of the midfield for almost an hour against Portugal, a position from which he will never be able to excel in.

Owen Hargreaves 8 For Nicky Butt in 2002, read Owen Hargreaves in 2006. The Bayern Munich midfielder entered the tournament being booed by his own fans. But Hargreaves’ strength of character was shown in the way he reponded to the critics. His tenacity, tackling ability, positional sense and especially his pace brought balance to England’s game against Sweden; he coped well as an auxillary right-back against Ecuador; against Portugal, Hargreaves was brilliant, even rampaging forward at times. His value to the side has now been confirmed beyond doubt - he even scored his penalty - and it must be hoped that a regular place is now found in the starting 11 for him.

Michael Carrick 5 Was viewed almost universally as preferable to Hargreaves in the holding role but, on the back of his performance against Ecuador, it is hard to see why. Is a very good passer of the ball, as we saw at times against Ecuador, but lacks his rival’s speed or harassing ability; if he is to be in the side, he requires a role that allows him to dictate the play more.

Joe Cole 8 Provided perhaps the side’s solitary moment of genius with his 35-yard wonder strike against Sweden. But Cole was consistently amongst the side’s best players, impressing hugely with his dribbling skills and running ability, although no one could call his play selfish. The Chelsea player has certainly now made the left-side position his own; yet, despite being England’s best midfielder during the tournament, Eriksson’s lack of trust in him was shown when Cole was sacrificed following Rooney’s red card against Portugal.

Stewart Downing 5 Utilised as a sub on three occasions, Downing was a peripheral figure, lacking anywhere near the impact Aaron Lennon enjoyed on the opposite flank.

Peter Crouch 6 Crouch was the only fully fit man in the strikeforce, and let no one down during his four appearances. Impressed with his holding up of the ball and work-rate, even if Crouch’s finishing was wayward, save for the face-saving winner against Trinidad & Tobago. The Liverpool forward did as well as could be reasonbly expected; nonetheless his performances confirmed the belief of many that his niche for England will be from the bench.

Michael Owen 5 Owen had his tournament cruelly cut with a 1st minute injury against Sweden but his exploits against Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago were not those of a man full of either match fitness or confidence. The sharpness from his game was sadly lacking; he missed no clear cut chances, but there were occasions when one felt the Owen of 2001 would have scored. And Eriksson’s lack of faith was such that he was replaced before the hour in both the first two games.

Wayne Rooney 5 Completed a miraculous recovery, but for what exactly? Rooney’s talismanic value to the side was greater than his actual performances; only on occasions were the reasons Sir Alex Ferguson paid £30million for him apparent. Playing as a lone striker was never going to be Rooney’s forte, though Eriksson had a tough decision on how best to fit his star man into the side’s system; against Portugal Hargreaves was effectively starting over Crouch, and it is hard to argue with the decision in hindsight. But the Man Utd striker’s red card ended a tournament that longed for, but never witnessed, the best of Wayne Rooney.

Tags: England

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