Steven Gerrard deserved much credit on Tuesday, and not
just because he had the courage to contradict an England coach who
is fast becoming impossible to comprehend. From Gerrard there was
no attempt to hide the truth with questionable statistics. No
suggestion that, while "dealing in reality", everyone else suffered
from a lack of perception. Even for Gerrard, however, there were
things that had to remain unsaid before Wednesdays match against
Andorra here. Things that occupy his mind whenever he represents
England and often leave him frustrated and
unfulfilled.
If the opposition pose a threat and Hargreaves has to occupy the
holding role, McClaren abuses Gerrards remarkable versatility and
pushes him to the right. If McClaren wants to play with wingers,
Hargreaves now appears to pay the price. The problem, of course, is
how McClaren accommodates Frank Lampard. Rather than make what
would be a brave decision, Englands coach would prefer to take
what looks like the easy option. Hargreaves is used to being left
out.
Lampard, of course, is not. Even when his form is suffering. Which
is ridiculous when McClaren has seen on so many occasions how
unhappy a midfield marriage Lampard and Gerrard represent. Who sits
and who goes? It is a problem Englands two finest midfielders have
never solved. A problem Sven Goran Eriksson blamed on their mutual
reluctance to shoulder the defensive responsibilities.
Hargreaves provided a solution during the last World Cup and what
must depress both Gerrard and the hugely talented Bayern Munich
midfielder is that not once have they been given the opportunity to
form an exciting new partnership. Unless, that is, Lampards
injured wrist does rule him out. An argument that McClaren does not
need a holding midfielder against part-timers who boast a policeman
and an insurance broker among their ranks is a flawed one because
Englands forwards can perform more effectively when there is
balance in central midfield.
Likewise, an argument that England will score four or five anyway
offers no guidance for the more demanding challenges ahead. The
injury Lampard suffered in training on Monday provided McClaren
with a reason for dropping the Chelsea vice-captain but he has even
shied away from that, preferring to indulge a player who, to his
credit, is prepared to play through the pain.
It means McClaren will learn nothing, the only benefit to this
evening being another three points and a minor boost to Englands
shattered confidence.
