by Durhamfootman » Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:44 pm
decent enough match today. I missed the first half hour, but I enjoyed what I did see.
I'm usually a critic of Keira Walsh... she always feels to me as though she sucks the life of any forward intent, but England were in danger of being overrun when she came on and her arrival coincided with a marked upturn in England's play, so her worth was there to be seen today.
Spain, obviously, dominated possession, but my problem with England atm is their lack of team understanding. When Spain move the ball around, they know where the players are around them and they all seem to know what everyone is going to do or where they're going to be. England don't seem to have that understanding, so a lot of passes were played behind or went straight out because no-one seems to know what others are doing, or where they are going to be. That's probably because this is a much changed England with a lot of players coming in and out of the side. Something to work on, but it does feel to me as though the main players need to play together more often amid the merry go round of team selection. I completely understand the new coach trying new players, new player combinations and formations, btw. Bronze is very obviously working her way back into match sharpness, White looked as though she was running in treacle tonight, Kirby seems shorn of all confidence and never seems to want to shoot these days. Hemp is in and out of the side and when she is in she's constantly being switched from one side to the other. She nearly scored within 30 secs of coming on, but the woodwork came to Spain's rescue
I'm liking Jess Taylor. I've seen her a couple of times playing for Chelsea, although I'm sure she was at right back for them, but she seems assured, composed and aware. Not so keen on what I've seen from Russo and Toone and very surprised to see Jill Scott back in the side. Good to see Nobbs back in an England shirt after all her time out with injury, but also a little surprising.
The star of the night for me was the goalkeeper Hampton. I have no idea who she is or who she plays for, but it was a terrific debut against a technical side like Spain. She made the saves she needed to make, her positioning was good and she looked competent and confident on the ball........ and she's a catcher, not a puncher.... how very old fashioned, but how very refreshing. Even when she had to dive full length to her bottom corner she clung onto the ball and snaffled out any chance of Spain getting onto the rebound. Looks very young too, but had a debut to be proud of.
Germany up next mid week
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