Width is the key to breaking down solid Slovakia defence

ROY HODGSON made five changes against Slovakia in Euro 2016, but even though that might have been a mistake, the real problem for England in that game was failing to break down an obdurate and organised Slovakian back four. The flying full-backs who came in for the game, Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne, both did really well, especially Clyne, who was constantly getting past his man. However, with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana as the wider players in a front three, England lacked a traditional winger who wants to hug the touchlines. I know the idea was for the full-backs to provide width, but sometimes we can over-think that in the modern game. Wingers are wingers for a reason: they want to attack, the want to beat their man and they have better quality crossing the ball. England lacked a bit of that against Slovakia in France. If you’re breaking down a defensiveminded team, first you need to make the pitch as wide as you can, to give yourselves more space and natural wingers do that. Second, you want your wingers going outside your attacking full-backs to give you an overload of players. Once you do that and get to the byline to cross, you create an issue for the defending back four. Do they pull players out of position and sacrifice their team shape? Give them problems to disrupt their strategy. In St Etienne, Sturridge and Lallana tended to come inside a lot, with England hoping to pick their way through the defence with the likes of Jack Wilshere playing in central midfield. That’s all well and good if you have Xavi and Lionel Messi. But an England team will probably have more joy going wide on the outside — not all the time, but at least as an option. I would imagine Sam Allardyce has studied the tape and will ask Raheem Sterling to play wide at times, stretch the pitch and encourage that overlap with Kyle Walker. At home, you would expect Slovakia to show more ambition than they did in France. But nevertheless, there will be long periods when England are in possession and expected to break them down. Let’s hope they have more success this time.