The Ox. Theo, Young and Danny boy

You may have read my recent blog on the French and their chances at Euro 2012. If you didn't catch it here is a quick summary. The French are good and England better not forget it. Yet despite my conclusions on the French team I still believe that England are capable of beating them. In fact if Roy picks the right team I think we should beat them.

Technically France are a very good side. They keep the ball well in midfield and have quality wide players who can create a hat-full of chances if given half a chance. However as England have proved in the two warm up games against Norway and Belgium we are prepared to give up the ball and hit the other teams on the break. This is due to the players we have available compared to other top nations. Our best player with the ball (Jack Wilshere) is injured. France have Nasri, Cabaye and Ribery who are all technically very good on the ball. Yet this doesn't mean we are unable to compete. Are Chelsea really the best team in Europe? No of course not. But due to playing to their strengths they won the most illustrious competition in Europe. England have similar strengths and will have to play to them to have any chance against the French.

We have one of the best 'keepers in Europe. The best left back in Europe. Terry and Lescott are a solid partnership. And Glen Johnson is a lot better defensively than people give him credit for. This solid back four will be protected by the axis of Gerrard and Parker. Two players who wear their hearts on their sleeve and will fight for everything in the middle of the park and both are also very good on the ball. However the mystery will be about who will start on the wings and up front.

Can Welbeck replace his clubmate?

Here it becomes important to examine the French tactically. Their full backs - likely to be Evra and Debuchy - are both good players but tend to leave a lot of space in behind them. Their strength is in their attacking ability and therefore England will need to play wingers who are quick to exploit the space and who are also keen to track back. Both Walcott and Chamberlain fit this description. Their pace would force the French full backs to stay deeper and also maximize England's effectiveness on the break. The two Gunners used correctly could give England the edge in a tight contest.

Ashley Young is almost certain to start in the hole behind the striker where he has been effective in the warm up games. This leaves just the striker. With Rooney unavailable for the game. Should it be Welbeck or Carroll who start upfront? Looking at the French side I would plump for Danny boy. Mexes and Rami tend to leave a lot of space between them as they are often given extra protection by the two defensive midfielders Blanc likes to deploy. Welbeck can utilise his pace to exploit this gap. By doing what he does well and running in behind the defense. Carroll lacks the pace to trouble the French defense and would be unable to take advantage of the high line the French like to play.

So due to the way the French are likely to set up I think that are best chance of victory would be to start with the pacey front four of Walcott, Young, Welbeck and Chamberlain. This front four would also suit the style of play that best suits England as it would be able to create a solid 4-5-1 when we are defending.

Yet, we will probably end up starting Downing, Milner and Carroll losing the game and going out on penalties in the Quarter Finals.

Or maybe not?

jgeorge