Nice Article on Fabio

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6015114.ece

England 2 Ukraine 1

James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Crouch, Rooney.
Subs: David Beckham 7 (for Lennon, 58min), Shaun Wright-Phillips (for Crouch, 79) Phil Jagielka (for Ferdinand, 87).

Five games played, five games won, the group is at it’s half way stage and England are in a good position. The warning signs were evident in last night’s performance.

Ukraine are a good team and were very focussed for this game. The first half was the better half as far as England were concerned. The first half performance was lively and perhaps disjointed. One move England made was breathtaking, as Lampard flicked the ball over the bar after an interchange of passes orchestrated by Rooney. Crouch put England into arguably a deserved lead in the 29th minute from a corner from Lampard headed back by Terry, and Crouch deftly swivelling and volleying the ball from close range into the net. Peter Crouch did a good job until his eventual substition.

The Ukraine were cautious in the first half, not creating too much in terms of goal chances but the potential was always there. This was characterised by Shevchenko who had come on as a substitute, and grabbed a second half equaliser in the 74th minute, which whilst opportunist was nonetheless the threat that always existed. A free kick was floated in, and as the ball broke, Shevchenko fired the ball into the net. That England were capable of coming back and grabbing a winner again from a set piece, Beckham floating a free kick in and Gerrard heading it back across goal, for Terry to put into the Ukraine goal was heartening.

At times England played well, but there were problems. Lennon was replaced perhaps too early for Beckham. That Beckham was full of enthusiasm is of course good, but his insistence on taking free kicks and corners on the left, created a hole on the right. When the ball was cleared by the Ukraine and England looked to play the ball, there was nobody available on the right. That Beckham delivered an immaculate ball from the right for the winner was justification for his inclusion, though a question mark must remain as to whether he was introduced too early. Lennon’s pace on the right was missed, though his first 10 minutes of the second half was characterised by losing the ball and lack of quality, hence Beckham’s introduction.

The defence played well with the exception of Ashley Cole, who gave the ball away too cheaply on occasions. The best left back in the World? Not on this evidence.
Steven Gerrard on the left was largely anonymous and the strength of his style of play diluted when played there. A top class team would have no problem expoiting England’s left, if this formation is deployed.

Lampard and Barry were professional performers, not spectacular but steady. Wayne Rooney was probably the best player on the pitch, however his temperament is such that he walks a tightrope during a game. A more pedantic referee could have influenced his performance for the worse. A quick word on the referee who was sensible and managed the game very well. It is not often that a referee comes in for praise, though in this case mention should be made of his very unfussy handling of the game.

At times England were good, but the game went through phases and with the introduction of Beckham, I could not help but feel that the atmosphere of a friendly seemed to come over the game. That England were resilient and determined enough to take the win is good, but there are warning signs. The midfield is still problematic, Ashley Cole’s form is a cause for concern and Rooney’s temperament is a fine line between robust determination and recklessness.

The result is good and the table looks good. Fabio has work to do though.