Five things we learnt from England's 0-0 draw against Ukraine

As the Olympic Stadium in Kiev benched around 70,000 people, it played host to a turgid 0-0 draw against England. Hodgson’s men came under scrutiny for not delivering a top-notch performance expected of them. Despite winning against just two teams in the qualifiers, Moldova and the timid San Marino, they neatly sit at the top of group H and in pole position to qualify from the group.

Is that a reason strong enough to celebrate or to fret? Needing two wins from two home games against Montenegro and Poland, England are far from being one of the favourites for the World Cup.

“It was probably a fair result. In the first half, there were quite a few interesting situations. Perhaps we did not have quite the quality we needed to make that count.” Hodgson said in the post-match conference. If Hodgson’s team continue on this dismal pace, it is pretty certain the “Golden Generation” would not lay its hands on another trophy.

A lot can be inferred from England’s performance so far. Here are 5 things we learnt from this draw.

Lampard and Gerrard- the perfect pair?

Steven Gerrard (L) and Frank Lampard (R)

This question sparks a debate dating as long as their first match together. There is no correct answer to this question, and all possible answers have been pondered over enough. Hodgson employed the duo in their usual roles in the central midfield in Kiev.The youthful dynamics of these box-to-box goal scoring midfielders has given way to a more mature, deep down the field approach, which helps their ageing legs. Their partnership in 61 matches has yielded more sighs than smiles over the years. Neither can be dropped, owing to the immense experience each has at respective club level.

The games of these veteran midfielders was clearly a leg out of place against Ukraine, with Gerrard giving Joe Hart a scare at the back after dangerously clearing a pass. One of the centurions has to be dropped, and that should depend on who the captain is. Currently, the Chelsea man should be benched to allow Gerrard to partner Carrick up front and Wilshere alongside him. It’s a serious issue, one that could undermine Hodgson’s team to shine at the World Cup.

Roy Hodgson – caution or invention?

England manager Roy Hodgson.

In the pre-match press conference, Hodgson’s demeanour clearly reflected the importance of NOT losing. It would be job almost done for him, if his team comes out with a draw. He had predicted the Ukraine side to start ambitiously, and they did. By half-time, Hodgson was clearly pushing his team to be solid at the back, rather than make exhilarating runs forwards and score goals.

The structural organization achieved under Hodgson has been multi-fold. This has been his style of managing, from Fulham to Switzerland to West Bromwich Albion. But it tricked him at Liverpool. And going by the current England squad, it will not take them too far into the World Cup either.

The motivation for invention up front should not be dwindled in any case, should England dream about being at the top.

A dearth of strikers

England striker Rickie Lambert.

Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll were all out.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Fraizer Campbell, Kevin Phillips, or any other top flight English striker was not selected.

These striker problems left England with just Southampton‘s Rickie Lambert and Tottenham’s Jermaine Defoe available to them yesterday, with Lambert getting to start. Striking woes have long been persistent at England, none more so than what the scenario was at Kiev. Shortage of able strikers is something to deliberate closely in the England Camp.

England’s goalkeeping woes – Joe Hart and more

England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

At the start of the game, Joe Hart did little to justify his place as first choice goalkeeper for the Three Lions. The Manchester City goalie hastily cleared the ball in the first minute which could have resulted in a penalty.

Hart, minutes later, carelessly let the ball bounce a second time off him when wrestling to clear it from Ukraine’s Zozulya. Gary Cahill saved him twice, but Hart’s confidence and concentration looked shattered.

For England, this position has rather been a matter of availability than choice. With the performance of Hart in doubt, a team like England cannot afford to go into the World Cup without a superior alternative.

English potential – Need to develop from the roots

England midfielder Jack WIlshire.

We keep hearing this from managers and players alike – the need to develop English potential in the game from the grassroot level. Although there is an existing quota in the Premier League for English players, not enough is being done to hone players from the entry level.

Foreign influx has largely been responsible for not encouraging young budding English playmakers to make their mark on the team. Arsene Wenger has always voiced his concern over the issue.

English players made up only around 32 per cent of teams’ starting line-ups in the Premier League last season and former England Manager Glenn Hoddle fears that figure will only continue to dwindle.

“We all know it is difficult, because at the end of the day the rules are the rules and the Premier League will just abide by that,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

Recently, Rio Ferdinand joined chorus stating that the Premier League should give budding players equal opportunities.