Quote Goochie="Goochie":CLAP: Exactly, it's alright having the ball for minutes at a time, but if you're not going to create anything with it what's the point? England showed yesterday how to beat the Spaniards.'"
England's tactics yesterday were spot on. They didn't prove how to beat the Spaniards, they proved how England should be playing against every half decent side in the world. At the world cup, we were trying to take the game to Germany, throwing men forward for set pieces and so on and they ragged us. Yesterday, even if many people ridiculed England's 'small time' tactics, they shown quite clearly that if they are going to get results against anybody decent, they have to accept that they aren't as good and play the restrictive, counter-attacking game.
As for Spain, well, they weren't at their best but I think people are wrong to write them off or claim they aren't a great side. IMO, the current Spanish national side are the epitome of modern football coaching; Barcelona more so, but the inclusion of so many Barcelona players means Spain can also be considered in the same bracket. They play small players, they aren't about defensive tenacity or industry and they aren't even about lightning quick attacking football. They're the epitome of great tactics, they can completely dominate sides with or without the ball, yet they possess about three 'strong' players. Their midfield doesn't have prolific pace, heck, even their front line lacks an all out speedster, but they are so far ahead with their brains and their feet, it's really hard not to admire them.
IMO, more of the same from England coming up to the tournament would be nice. Get Wilshere sat in front of Parker and whoever, get him linking attacks on the counter and have whoever leading the front line, probably Rooney as he is a hard worker to be fair. Forget these slow players like Lampard and Terry, we clearly can't match most good sides for ability or tactical ability on the ball, so we'll just have to beat them in a way so typically English - tw[ia[/it 'em.
