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They say that leaders emerge from the unlikeliest corners, taking on responsibility simply because others have found themselves unequal to the task.
Southampton’s Adam Lallana should know – his rise to prominence has been accompanied by the cherished armband on his arm, one that tells him just how very far he has come.
And while it is far too early to suggest that the Englishman could well turn out to be another hero for the Old Blighty to cherish, Lallana’s performances are certainly begging for the chance.
Much was made of Roy Hodgson’s inclusion of Lallana and teammate Jay Rodriguez for England’s friendly against Chile – many hailing Hodgson’s decision to look for English talent beyond the confines of the established clubs.
Settle down, people – this is not an act of benevolence on the part of the English manager.
The current system is just not working, and in light of that, it is fairly obvious that Hodgson needs all the help he can get.
Lallana, on his part, is certainly doing all he can to make his manager’s life easier.
And while no one expects anything better than a quarterfinal exit – at best – for The Three Lions, it may just be the perfect springboard for Hodgson to bring the roar back into the lions on the team crest.
The notorious English press has lately been resigned to lamenting at how far behind the pack England finds itself, preferring to point and laugh, with even young Jack Wilshere becoming a prime target.
And in setting the mood for the rest of the country, they may well have done their team a huge favor.
Somewhere in Los Angeles, David Beckham is laughing his head off.
“Bet you didn’t see that coming, you camera-wielding twits!!…”
For it is in this climate of resignation Hodgson has the freedom to experiment – and for once he isn’t shying away from the challenge.
Let us face the ugly truth for what it is – England have about as much a chance of lifting the World Cup as Nicklas Bendtner has of actually playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
And while Gareth Bale will have been reduced to a hysterically laughing mess at Bendtner’s claims, he will certainly not begrudge Lallana – a mate in his early days at Southampton – the chance to dance in the biggest party on planet earth.
But I say – take it a step further. Lallana should start irrespective of the formation Hodgson settles on, simply because he deserves to be there, on pure merit alone.
A look at what Lallana brings to the two formations Hodgson has preferred.
The Fantasy – the trending 4-2-3-1 (last seen in the comprehensive loss to Chile)
This England defense is certainly not capable of keeping out a probing, clever opposition.
For all their faults, the England team has always been known as a resolute force in defense, with the likes of Terry and Ferdinand marshaling the troops for years on end.
And while Hodgson is right in putting his trust in the youthful promise of Smalling, Jones and the rest, they are certainly a step behind the England defenders of old.
And it is only natural that they need time and faith to continue the glorious tradition of English center backs.
But with the World Cup on the horizon, Hodgson has to adapt accordingly – and the 4-2-3-1 gives them a certain balance.
Sitting in front of the defense will be the excellent Michael Carrick, who will certainly have to curb his sharp attacking instincts for the sake of the team.
Especially because he should start alongside Liverpudlian Steven Gerrard, who certainly loves his forays forward.
This frees up three more midfield positions for a number of candidates, as opposed to the 4-4-2 that does not do justice to the options that England possess in midfield.
Hodgson has shown considerable faith in Jack Wilshere for a while now – and rightfully so.
The Arsenal man would start in his preferred slot in the center, where his crunching tackles and incisive movement will be felt most prominently.
Continuing the theme of exciting new English talent, another Hodgson favorite would take up the spot of the inverted winger on Wilshere’s right – Andros Townsend.
Completing the trio would be our protagonist Adam Lallana, who is as comfortable playing in the center as he is on either flank.
Players like Ross Barkley, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain all represent excellent cover for this trio.
Wayne Rooney, would, of course, play up front, and his work-rate would help to compensate for the lack of a striking partner.
I can almost hear the shouts as I type out the words – but England certainly do not have the defensive nous to accommodate two recognized strikers in the team, even if Daniel Sturridge deserves better.
The Reality – The tried and tested 4-4-2 (last seen in the less humiliating loss against Germany )
Roy Hodgson
In light of the Chile debacle the England manager is likely to stick with this formation.
Sticking with the 4-4-2 can still accommodate Lallana on the left flank, with Wilshere missing out because the Southampton man is far more adept on the flanks.
At any rate, keeping in mind Wilshere’s well-documented injury problems, centering England’s play on such a flight risk could very well halt the England plane while it was still on the runway.
Daniel Sturridge, who is in fact too good to miss out on a starting berth, would be at the head of the attack, with Rooney very much comfortable in the number 10 role he has made his own at Manchester United.
The problem, of course, would be the added workload on an aging Stevie G.
Lampard, too, is no longer capable of orchestrating performances consistently.
James Milner is too tame and Tom Cleverely, clueless.
At any rate, Stevie G and Carrick are likely to start whichever formation Hodgson employs.
In the 4-4-2, that would mean Rooney dropping back a lot more to see the ball – effectively reducing Sturridge to a lone striker.
Thus eliminating any potential advantage from employing a 4-4-2, with the increased amount of time Rooney would spend in midfield likely to convince him that it was all a big conspiracy after all.
And that Sir Alex was to blame, of course.
Conclusion
The 4-2-3-1 would free up natural dribblers of the ball, like Lallana, Wilshere and Townsend, to drive forward and support Rooney.
The 4-4-2 would create unnecessary confusion, with the midfield having too much to do.
The lack of clearly defined roles within the team will make a tough task even tougher, with the lack of identity and purpose already proving to be more pronounced in the face of teams like Chile.
And Chile won’t be the only ones – the uniquely separate South American flavor that surprised the English will be complemented by flavors from all over the world.
But in Adam Lallana they have a decidedly English-flavored footballer.
An underdog who never was – with the low profile of the Southampton jersey all that has been keeping him away from the limelight.
They will want him to succeed.
If only because his fight mirrors England’s own – the quest to prove that they, too, have only been masquerading as underdogs.
That this new generation of exciting English talent is capable of creating quite the storm, alongside established stalwarts like Gerard and Rooney.
Now that is an English flavor everyone wants to see.
