Mixed build-up for England

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 30

Mixed build-up for England

It is 12 years since England appeared in the World Cup finals. Then, in 1970 in Mexico, it reached the last eight in a group which included Brazil, Rumania — and Czechoslovakia, which by coincidence is again lined up against England. Perhaps that is a good omen for England’s chances of at least progressing beyond the first stages in the group which also includes France and Kuwait in this year's finals which start in Spain on June 13. The England manager, Ron Greenwood, who took over after the failure to qualify in 1978, has been particularly hard hit by injuries during the run-up to Spain this year. He has rarely been able to call on anything like a settled team and a couple of weeks ago, had only six fit players available for training. Of course, much of the trouble is the over-crowded League and Cup programmes in England. Right up until the last days in May, clubs have been involved in important relegation and promotion battles — which gives Greenwood very little breathing space. He has other worries too, not the least being the in-and-out form of the key midfield player, Glenn Hoddle, of Tottenham. Hoddle is the man with all the talents when he plays for Spurs, but they tend to" evaporate when he wears an England-shirt. An in-form Hoddle could make all the difference to England’s fortunes in Spain, but on recent England performances he is hardly going

to be the key factor. In fact, there is a school of thought among some , critics that Greenwood should look elsewhere for his midfield magic. That points to Trevor Brooking, the experienced West Ham tactician who still has the ability to turn a match with one glorious pass or shot. Unfortunately, he is 33 and Greenwood would no doubt like to use him sparingly. Experience is obviously an advantage in the heat of a World Cup series, but perhaps too many of England’s players are teetering on the 30 mark. The captain, Kevin Keegan, is 31 and despite his ability, is more prone to injury than he was. The defenders, Mick Mills and Phil Neal, have both passed their thirtieth birthdays while Stoke’s Dave Watson, named in Greenwood's original 30, is halfway to 40.

However, there are some good youthful signs for the England manager, not least the encouraging all-round form of Bryan Robson, the Manchester United SIM man who can operate just as well at the back as in the midfield. Robson, at 25, is just coming to the peak of his powers. He is probably the best tackler in the side and likes nothing better than to storm forward into the attack and score 'vital goals. He is a good distributor of the ball, too, rarely allowing a loose pass to be snapped up by the opposition. Central defence is one of Greenwood’s - biggest headaches. Bad injuries to Terry Butcher and Alvin Martin did not act as a sedative; neither did long spells of reserve team football for Phil Thompson and Watson — though both are now back playing well.

Injuries, too, to the strikers, Trevor Francis and Paul Mariner, have meant experiments in attack at a late stage — and this is another area of England’s side that has caused some .concern. Greenwood has indicated that he would; like to switch back to the old fashioned wing play, but neither Peter Barnes nor Tony Morley has been wholly impressive. One of the most versatile players in the England set-up is Steve Coppell, who at 26, has 34 caps in his cupboard. His stamina seems endless and he could well be the man Greenwood calls on to play wide and worry the opposition on the flanks. England kicks off ■ its programme in Bilbao against France on June 16 — and finishes its group matches against Kuwait in the same stadium nine days later. In between, it tackles Czechoslovakia, which could well form its biggest hurdle to progress. ■ When, El Salvador last appeared in the World Cup finals in 1970, it failed to gain a point in the group which included the Soviet Union, Mexico and Belgium. Also, it failed to score. El Salvador hopes to improve on that dismal record this time, though -it is up against perhaps even sterner opposition in Argentina, Belgium and Hungary. El Salvador’s main problem is, in attack. It scored only twice in the final group qualifying matches — but it did manage a 0-0 draw with Honduras, which also qualified for Spain. Honduras is in

a group with Spain, Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland which seems a slightly easier road to travel than that of El Salvador. The Honduras strength is complete dedication, a willingness to run hard and tackle for 90 ■ minutes. No team can relax against it — and it is one of the minnows most likely to land a big fish.

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