Learning Opportunity

Forget about the result. As a fact finding mission on the brink of the World Cup finals, England’s B international friendly against Belarus provided a great deal for Sven Goran Eriksson and his staff to contemplate and in that sense it left little to be desired.

There were many plus points and the biggest by far was provided by the smallest player on the field. Spurs winger Aaron Lennon terrorised the Belarus defenders with his pace and dribbling skills and his confident performance, which might easily have included a goal, gave every indication that he could play a prominent part in Germany. In addition, Peter Crouch looked impressive and the experienced trio of Michael Owen, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole demonstrated both fitness and sharpness. In addition, teenager Theo Walcott, given the difficult role of late substitute striker which has dashed the hopes of many of his predecessors, showed two flashes of brilliance which should (but probably won’t) silence many of the doubters. Almost immediately, his electric pace almost took him past two Belarus defenders until one of them earned a yellow card for the desperate lunge which brought him down. And moments later a neat piece of control set him up for a fizzing half volley which brought a good save from the opposition keeper.

On the debit side Owen Hargreaves did nothing whatsoever to suggest that he can be regarded as capable deputy for Gary Neville or anyone else; Jenas (in spite of a goal), Carrick and (briefly) even Joe Cole were disappointing in midfield; Downing conspicuously lacked the flair and pace of Lennon and offered nothing by way of compensation, while Tottenham’s Dawson made a brief but undistinguished appearance at centre back that allowed Belarus the penetration which brought the winning goal. And the goalkeeping situation was not enhanced by glimpses of irresponsibility from David James and a serious groin injury to the unlucky Robert Green, who now seems certain to miss the World Cup.

It has become a well-worn cliché for managers to declare in post-match interviews that much has been learned from a performance – but on this occasion the stock answer is entirely justified.