Tuesday, July 5, 2011

England comeback gives prickly Hope Powell questions for Japan test | John Ashdown

After seeing her substitutes change the match against New Zealand Hope Powell has a selection headache today

Hope Powell doesn't particularly like talking about her team selection ? when a BBC reporter asked if she was considering changes for the New Zealand game, the England coach branded it "a ridiculous question" (which it wasn't). But on Monday when asked if her second-half substitutions, which led at least in part to England's comeback from 1-0 down, had given her food for thought ahead of the Japan game on Tuesday she was at least prepared to discuss the topic.

"We're in a better position that we've ever been in terms of depth, so it's nice to know you can bring players on that can make a difference," Powell said. "All the girls work very, very hard to be selected. And it's a very, very difficult job when you have to leave players out. Everybody's worked really hard and all they want to do is play for their country."

The selection dilemmas before today's game in Augsburg are several. Casey Stoney is on a booking and another yellow would rule her out of the quarter-final ? should she be risked against the tiki-taka-ing Japan side? Her central defensive partner and team captain, Faye White, doesn't look quite 100% after recovering from a serious knee injury ? with only a point required (and narrow defeat potentially enough to see England through) will she be rested? Up front Karen Carney and Jess Clarke were hugely influential once sprung from the bench against New Zealand ? will either make the starting XI? And if so, who drops out?

Kelly Smith looked most effective when pushed further forward from her usual position just behind the front players ? will she play there from the start? Jill Scott, usually one of two defensive midfielders, also caused problems when deployed in more attacking areas. And, with the scoreline in Augsburg essentially unimportant if New Zealand defeat Mexico (as most people, myself included, think they will), does the fixture provide the perfect opportunity to offer fringe players time on the pitch?

I don't think we'll see wholesale changes to personnel or formation, at least not until the second half, depending on scores elsewhere. I know what my team would be (a 4-3-3, with Carney playing behind Smith, Clarke and Ellen White out wide ? essentially the team that finished the game against New Zealand) but it'd be interesting to hear a few more views below the line.

Talking points

? Germany also have a selection dilemma ahead of their crunch game against France, but rather than lots of little ones, theirs is one big one ? how do you solve a problem like Birgit Prinz? The German media reckon you solve it by dropping her and bringing in one of Bianca Schmidt, Inka Grings, Alexandra Popp or, most likely, Fatmire Bajramaj.

? Somehow managed to miss part three of Jill Scott's video diary over the weekend and in the meantime the England midfielder has had time to come up with part four ? a trip to the launderette.

? Pic of the day: FC Augsburg's Impuls Arena is not what you might call characterful.

? Audioboo


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/05/womens-world-cup-england-japan

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