In praise of Gerrard

Whilst we have few players of real technically ability at this point in time we are seeing very disciplined and organised performances put in by the England players.

Quite often, if you watch close enough, you see the good that people do 'off the ball' as well as on it.

For me Steven Gerrard has been a prime example of this.

Yep we have seen his ability on the ball in most games but it is the things that go unnoticed at times that make him, probably, the player of the tournament for England so far.

Following the Ukraine win Roy Hodgson, talking to Radio 5 live, paid tribute to the captain: 'you've got to single Steven out.

'I think to some extent he's been our man of the match in every match, it was a captain's performance.'

Fair call!

Whilst, as Paul put it in his match report (here), Wayne Rooney 'looked rustier than the tin man in a lake' it was good to see him back with Hodgson adding: 'you know what Rooney can do, you know his qualities.

'He gave an extremely disciplined performance, I think he and Welbeck worked extremely well together.

'I've played this down, but it was his first game in a while and the fact he's had 80 minutes in this match will fill him with confidence.'

Rooney, and the rest, need to be much sharper for the Italy game though!

But back to Gerrard...

Often knocked for not quite delivering for England on the biggest stage I think the Liverpool man has been fantastic at this tournament, to be fair this makes it two tournaments on the trot for England that I think he will be able to walk away from with his head held high having been one of the best, if not the best performers as he was in the shambolic showing in South Africa a couple of years back.

More of the same please against Italy, and hopefully beyond...

Vital England on:

Vital England on:

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