Roy's Reign Begins

Norway   0     England   1

                                       Young  9

It was far from the most dominate game of football you will ever see, but a positive result for new England boss Roy Hodgson on Saturday night left reasons for satisfaction at the Ullevaal Stadium in Norway. Despite a low-key event Hodgson seized the chance to try different options, not least in the attacking area, before the opening game of euro 2012 in Donetsk next month.

The opening minutes saw England happy to concede early possession with the threat of a goal on the break, which is exactly what happened with nine minutes on the clock. After Hodgson’s decision to pair Ashley Young with Liverpool’s Andy Carroll was rewarded as they combined to produce the decisive goal on the night. When £35 million striker Carroll used his strength advantage to release the quick feet of Young who skipped past Fulham defender Brede Hangeland with ease before a cool finish gave him his fourth goal in as many games for England.

Four goals in four England games for Ashley Young

After that the visitors remained resilient and tough to beat, a trait familiar to Hodgson’s previous teams, while the pace of Young continued to cause difficulties for Norway. At that time England, in the ascendency could have doubled their lead with half an hour played when James Milner broke clear only for his tame shot to be denied by Rune Jarstein.

But that was as good as it got for Hodgson as he watched his new side fade before half time, making too many errors and getting sloppy in possession.

In the second half England never reached great highs in quality but continued to be solid giving few clear cut chances to the Norwegian side. Captain Steven Gerrard’s removal at half time also took also took the sting out of the England’s attacks. While Gerrard’s replacement Garth Barry suffered a pivotal groin injury which will now rule him out of the tournament.

However Hodgson did get the chance to give the bright future of seventeen year old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his first cap. While Barry’s likely replacement, before the official squad announcement next week, Jordan Henderson also got on the field.

So overall a positive result for the new boss against an average Norway team.  As he still has a lot to think about before the first Euro game against France on June the 11^th While the final friendly against Belgium is on June the 2^nd.

Player Ratings

Rob Green   6 – Looked a bit nervous early on but keep clean sheet

Phil Jones   6 – Vulnerable at right back to Riise threat

Phil Jagielka   7 – A few sloppy passes towards end of first half but

Joleon Lescott   7 – Solid night but not against best attacking force

Leighton Baines   6.5 – Not much chance to get forward but defended well when called upon

James Milner   6 – Played out wide and in middle of midfield could be valuable member of team with injury’s in that position 

Steven Gerrard   7 – Replaced at half time joined in going forward threat was lost in second half

Scott Parker   7 – Carrying Achilles problem gave good cover for defence before replaced in second half

Stewart Downing   6.5 - Started well left foot looked a danger but faded as match went on

Ashley Young   7.5 – Biggest threat with his pace took goal well

Andy Carroll   6.5 – Worked hard in defence and up front only got one early chance

Subs

Garth Barry   4.5 – Played just under half an hour before taken off and will now miss the tournament

Theo Walcott   5 – Came on in second half could be good weapon for late on in tournament games

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain   5 – Gained valuable experience on first cap not afraid to take people on

Venezuelan Victorious

After Juan Pablo Montoya’s win in Brazil eight years ago Williams long drought for a F1 win came to an astonishing end as one of F1 most unpredictable seasons continued at the Spanish Grand Prix. Like Montoya in 2004 it was a South American driver who repaid his team, as Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado made his big breakthrough in the sport with his shock maiden victory at the Catalunya circuit.

The Williams driver held off competition from world champions Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen in a tactical battle between the teams. Lewis Hamilton’s penalty to the back of the grid for not carrying enough fuel in qualifying meant Maldonado was an unfamiliar pole sitter ahead of Alonso and the two Lotus drivers of Roman Grosjean and Räikkönen.

Maldonado takes his first podium

Experience was crucial into the first corner, as home favourite Alonso squeezed up the inside of Maldonado into the lead to the roar of the crowd. The only casualty at turn one was the unfortunate Sauber of Sergio Perez, after he was caught by Grosjean sending him to the back of the pack with a puncture.

Ferrari were the first to blink as Alonso was called in on lap eleven followed by the Maldonado on lap twelve. Further down the field Michael Schumacher’s worst start to an F1 season dragged on after he misjudged his breaking at turn one running into the back of the other Williams car of Bruno Senna.

Elsewhere McLaren’s catalogue of errors this year also continued disrupting Hamilton’s charge up the grid, when he hit a removed wheel in the pits costing valuable time.

After twenty six laps it looked like the two Lotus cars were struggling to keep up with the leading pair, before Maldonado made his a decisive second stop in a bold move. Alonso was quick to react a lap later but it wasn’t enough to stop the Venezuelan who retook the lead posting the fastest lap of the race.

Both the leaders made their third and final stop on lap forty two leaving them over twenty laps to go on one set of tyres. The closing stages then turned into a titanic battle, as the Lotus of Räikkönen came into play lapping a second a lap faster on fresher tyres.

But there was no change in the order as Maldonado capped off a brilliant drive to take the chequered flag. Alonso was delighted with second in front of his home fans while Lotus strong start to the year saw them take third and fourth. Sebastian Vettel finished sixth and is now joint championship leader with Alonso. While an impressive drive from Hamilton saw him fight back to eighth after being the only driver to two stop. 

 

Maldonado later said “it was a wonderful day” and he is happy “the car was so competitive” this was a huge, surprise result for Williams and answers critics about Maldonado’s talent, Showing he is not just a driver to bring money to the team but one who can win races as well. 

1                              Pastor Maldonado                           Williams                                                 25 points

2                              Fernando Alonso                             Ferrari                                                   18

3                              Kimi Raikkonen                               Lotus-Renault                                        15

4                              Romain Grosjean                             Lotus-Renault                                       12

5                              Kamui Kobayashi                            Sauber                                                   10

6                              Sebastian Vettel                               Red Bull                                                  8

7                              Nico Rosberg                                  Mercedes                                                6

8                              Lewis Hamilton                                McLaren                                                 4

9                              Jenson Button                                  McLaren                                                 2

10                           Nico Hulkenberg                              Force India                                              1

    

My Euro Selection

After last week’s sudden appointment as England manager Roy Hodgson will be forced to make some big decisions over the few days, as he looks to form a far from established England team for this June’s European championships. With a deadline of the 16^th of May the new boss must decide on a 23 man squad with both experience and youth while trying to avoid dressing room disputes.

Just for fun here’s who I would take to the Euros

Keepers

Joe Hart – Without doubt England’s number one after a great session with Manchester City

Ben Foster – Strong season with West Brom deserves another England chance

Scott Carson – Now at Turkish club Bursaspor will provide cover in goal 

Defenders

Chris Smalling – Up and coming talent after breaking into Manchester United team

Ashley Cole – England most capped full back and a strong finish to the season with Chelsea  

Kyle Walker – Break though year at Spurs, loves to get forward showing real pace

Phil Jones – Still shows inexperience at times, but a future leader and has shown ability in different positions

Leighton Baines – Regular in Everton side with good crossing and free kick ability

Micah Richards – Has had strong spells at Manchester City with pace going forward

Gary Cahill – Has had some good performances with England while getting big Chelsea transfer

Joleon Lescott – Played a big part in Manchester’s City’s probable title win alongside Kompany in defence desires England chance  

Midfield

Steven Gerrard (C) – Captain at Liverpool always an inspiration when he plays

Scott Parker – One of the players of the season with Spurs offers vital protection for defence

Ashley Young – Quick feet cause problems for defenders

Frank Lampard – Strong finish to season with Chelsea maybe last chance for international silverware

Garth Barry – Big part of Manchester City’s success with big performance in Manchester derby

Adam Johnson – Not seen loads of football at City but can beat defenders at will when brought on

Theo Walcott – Pace is deadly and can play on wing or up front

James Milner – Can play in centre or on the wing offers crossing ability

Strikers

Wayne Rooney – Misses first two games but on his day one of the best on the planet and would you dare leave him out?

Danny Welbeck – Broke in to Manchester United team this season scoring some important goals

Daniel Sturridge – Stand out Chelsea player in first half of the season and impressive in England’s last game with Holland

Andy Carroll – Difficult time at Liverpool but has hit form at just the right time with two performances against Chelsea offers height up front 

And her's why I wouldn't take

Jack Wilshere – Looked a definite before injury which keep him out of whole season and will miss the tournament

John Terry – Recent mistakes Liverpool and silly error in Barcelona makes me think he is not at his best at the moment

Rio Ferdinand – Missed numerous England games with injury and another player who is past his best

Peter Crouch – Strong season at Stoke but Carroll’s recent form gives him the edge for me

Jermain Defoe – Not enough game time at Spurs

Aaron Lennon – Good season at Spurs but I would have to go with Young, Walcott and Johnson instead

Who would you chose?