RELATED
Everton's Jagielka's Shortcomings Show That Terry Is Still England's Best
Jagielka is as dependable as they come for his club side, but on the vast Wembley pitch his poor positional sense and lack of leadership was ruthlessly exposed by technically superior opponents.
Jagielka is as dependable as they come for Everton, but on the vast Wembley pitch his poor positional sense and lack of leadership was ruthlessly exposed by technically superior opponents while Chelsea’s Cahill watched on in frustration.
After 40 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Ukraine last night, Yevhen Konoplyanka curled a stunning 25 yard effort past Joe Hart, after stepping inside Steven Gerrard in frighteningly similar fashion to the way Samir Nasri managed to break down England’s defensive wall in the Euro 2012 group opener. Last night however, the defensive wall was long gone and you can probably tell from the title where I lay the blame. The goal had been coming, Ukraine were playing well, but you expect an England defence to be resolute and on this particular night that was nowhere to be found. For the goal, the defence were back on the 18 yard line and there were 5 men between Konoplyanka and the back of the net, but with no pressure on the ball and no directions barked to Gerrard it was easy to get off an effort, and there was always a very real chance it would be a spectacular one when you come up against players of his quality. It wasn’t just Gerrard’s fault, or just Jagielka’s fault, but everyone who was in between Konoplyanka and the goal could have done either more pressing or more communication.
On a night where we needed a leader to step into the position vacated by Terry’s injury, up stepped Jagielka to give one of his worst performances in an England shirt. A man who has 14 caps and so much Premier League experience, often plays well for Everton, got torn apart by Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko, rushing out from his defensive line to chase balls and close down players that he had no need to. Many of these times times it was noticeable that the more experienced head of Terry would have sat back and watched a play develop, communicated with the midfielders and stepped in if or when necessary. To top off a dismal night, his passing was sloppy and rarely useful, wasting possession far too often, another trait we rarely see at Everton.
On a night where we needed a leader to step into the position vacated by Terry’s injury, up stepped Jagielka to give one of his worst performances in an England shirt
For me, Cahill is the better of the two backup centre-backs we have in that England squad, and having played a big part in Chelsea’s Champions League winning campaign last season has really helped him step up to the next level. Playing in the same team as Terry, he will have learned a trick or two about when it is wise to close the ball down and when you’re better off delegating that to a teammate in a better position, even if it means giving someone in the team a kick up the arse. Cahill is better with both his distribution and also in positional play, two of Jagielka’s biggest problems last night. The real issue though, is that Ferdinand is miles ahead of Lescott, Cahill and Jagielka but is constantly overlooked. We all know what went on, but Rio still wants to play for England and our national side is far better with him in it than watching from home. Whatever the reason for his exclusion, is it good enough to sacrifice having our strongest starting eleven?
The lack of discipline last night was also evident, with England picking up 6 yellow cards, a startling lack of organisation and some questionable refereeing decisions contributing to the tally. Organisation that you get game in game out with Terry in the side, but we can’t rely on him forever so we all need to pray that Cahill is learning from his Chelsea teammate and also that Terry is passing on his best knowledge to his eventual replacement for club and country. Despite picking up more injuries and losing a bit of pace in the last few years, Terry is still the best English defender out there and if he and Cahill can have a successful campaign at the heart of Chelsea’s defence then there’s no reason they can’t see us through both a successful qualifying campaign but also a successful Brazil 2014 itself.
If you liked this, you’ll love these
Everton Legend Kevin Sheedy: The Genius Who Stole My Sky Blue Heart
Everton’s Marouane Fellaini: All Hail The Divine Afro
Everton: Losing Jack Rodwell Isn’t That Bad, Is It?
Chelsea’s Lampard & Liverpool’s Gerrard Still Don’t Work Together
Roy Hodgson Is Mad To Pick Sterling Over Swansea’s Dyer
Adam Lallana: Succeeding Le Tiss As Mr Southampton
Chelsea: Beating Barcelona Trumps Liverpool’s Comeback In Istanbul
Criticising Chelsea’s Victory Over Barcelona Is Anti-Football
Click here for more stories on Football and Sport
Click here to follow Sabotage Times on Twitter
Click here to follow Sabotage Times on Facebook
If you like it, Pass it on
COMMENTS
lescott gave the ball away and the midfielder stepped inside onto his stronger foot leaving gerrard in his wake but you blame jagielka?
Hahaha you tedious bell. Gutted your blue eyed boy Cahill didn't get the nod for your beloved England? Lescott was terrible all game and responsible for the goal but he plays for city right? City are en vogue so Sky have told you thay you can't criticise them. John Terry is simply not all that mate, and a massive.cockstash to boot. Same as yourself. Swerve that pipedream of being a sports journalist as you're a dull little tit who is angry at being pubeless at seventeen. Now do us all a favour and kindly never ever use the internet again.
Dont agree with this, Jagielka is England's second best centre half and the one who is better should be no-where near the team for other reasons.
Jon Startin I'll remember that name,as you talk out your arse.
Spot on england struggled tuesday because the distribution from the back was slow and neither Jag nor lescott are very good with the ball at their feet -- Terry's passing and ball playing capacity is routinely under rated and as you say his organisational qualities are supurb -- chelsea still struggle when he doesn't play but of course the 99% are so hypnotised by the nonsense and lies written about him that they don't appreciate how great he is --
You have no clue about football, i would like to say this is poor journalism but i dont think you could really be called a journalist you just write articles full of John Terry propaganda i supose baines is crap too and cashley is better in every aspect too, pull your head out of your arse
Shocker of an article. Why should it be put on Jagielka to replace Terry's leadership? What about Gerrard, the captain with 98 caps? Lampard and his 93 caps? These are the guys to step up, and bar Lampard stepping up for the glory, and Gerrard getting sent off, they went missing as per. Jags and Lescotts ball play has never been great (hence the mistake by Lescott that led to the goal). We got out done in midfield, and missed a hatful of decent chances, non of which fell to Jagielka.
First thing I've got to admit is bias here. I'm an Everton fan but I have watched, because of that, watched Jags a lot. That said I have to say much of whats written in the article here is fair comment. Jagielka wasnt at his best against the Ukraine, but, I think the slant of the article is wrong. Ukraine played a very deliberate game plan to pull the 2 CB's up the pitch which is not the place where Jags' is naturally comfortable. Certainly he doesnt play that high up the pitch for Everton (which is slightly ironic seeings as he came to us with pretensions of being a defensive central midfielder!). He is also not known, at Goodison, for his wonderful distribution...Heitinga is far better for playing the ball out from the back and it IS a big, infuriating, gap in Jags game. If you look at his performance against Italy in the last friendly though he was playing to his strengths and was, by universal acclaim, solid and effective. Thats what he gets picked for...if you need a man to make the tackles and put vital parts of his anatomy in harms way Jagielka is that man. Thats where the article falls down in my view. Play Jags to his strengths you get the Italy performance. Play him out of his comfort zone and you get what you saw against the Ukraine....bags of effort but iffy delivery. If Cahill is the better passer and more effective going forwards perhaps the question should have been levelled at the manager why, when the Ukraine gameplan become transparently obvious in the first half, did he not switch them round for the second half??.
Stupid artical designed to fit in with your sky 4, or is it now sky super 6 agenda. The centre backs had few passing options and Lampard and Gerrard should be able to take the ball on the half turn and create not just pass back to the centre backs. Lescott was responsible for the goal, Jags defensive positioning is always good. You are typical of the stupid modern day reporter, inventing evidence to support your agenda instead of reporting honestly on what you see. Should be working for the sun.
I only gave it one star as no stars wasn't an option. A long time since I have read such a load of crap
Take your Chelsea tinted specs off son, put yer dummy back in and write a reall account of what went on during that 90 minutes. Just because the CB partnership that you're used to seeing at Stamford Bridge weren't present at Wembley, you decide to single out one of the "replacement" CB's- No one player stood out in that game as it is, Ukraine played well, they came for a win, and they pressured England. Jagielka wasn't at fault for the goal, and never really put a foot wrong when being pressed, as did Lescott and the other two defenders and midfielders. The game could've been put to bed in the first half had Tom Cleverly put his chances away, but it weren't to be, I don't see you critising him at all!? Stop being a prick and go back to your day job.
This poor article falls down in a number of places but I'll just highlight my favourites: - you blame the goal the other night on the fact that no one closed the ball down and whilst you didn't point out jagielka as the main culprit you then go on to criticise him for closing down men 'he had no right to'. You also then say that your darling boy terry would have known better and 'sat back and watched the play develop'. Contradiction on more than one level. - you say that jags passing the other night was 'sloppy and rarely usefull, wasting possession on several occasions, another trait we rarely see at Everton'. Your argument is seriously floored from a journalistic point of view from this moment on as anyone who is an Everton fan can tell you 'we' have to sit there and endure this passing every week. It's dreadfull. Do your research. - Gary Cahill is not all that. Just ask Bolton. playing f -
Continued from last message: - John terry and for that matter too should not be involved with the England team any more. Both have started to show ever increasing failings in recent years and terry many times last season resembled running in humous when called to turn and give chase. Never mind both players fairly scandalous history's. And even though terry was cleared of racism its amazing he was allowed to even wear an England shirt during the time and we all know he was guilty and is generally just an awful human being/role model. And before you say what does that matter? When representing England the whole person should be taken into account, they are representing us all and frankly I don't want to be associated with the likes of most of the England team but in particular John terry. How people follow a team like Chelsea genuinely baffles me.
SABOTAGE
