What a month it has been for the Lionesses, leaving late May to go to Canada more in hope than expectation and just over a month later they arrive back as heroes and rightly so. When England played their first game out in Canada against the host a week before the tournament it is fair to say the team performance looked fairly disjointed with only a couple of players sticking out. Manager Mark Sampson tactics were questioned having taken a number of players who had recently returned from injury. Things didn’t get any easier for the team heading into their first group game against France and again Sampson’s tactics left fans including myself astounded. In that game for example he had right back Lucy Bronze starting on the left wing while also playing a number of others in positions which left the fans scratching their heads. England went on to lose that match but from then on the team grew and captured a nation’s hearts back home. The Lionesses won their remaining two group games against Mexico and Colombia to clinch 2nd place in the group behind and France and advance to the knockout stages. After this England did something they’ve never achieved and that was winning a World Cup knockout game where the edged out Norway 2-1 thanks in partly to a cracker from England’s player of the tournament Lucy Bronze. The Lionesses then went on to face their toughest test, host Canada in Vancouver, this was ultimately their best performance and got fans to believe that they could win the World Cup having recorded a 2-0 win. In the last four they faced 2011 Champions Japan, where the dream of lifting the trophy was diminished in a very cruel way. Having looked the more likely team to advance to the final a unfortunate 92nd injury time own goal by one of England’s stand out players, Laura Bassett saw the Lionesses bow out, but bow out with plenty of pride. A 3rd place play-off victory over a Germany side that they had never beaten in 20 attempts, saw the team break even more history. Overall the Lionesses achieved much more than what was expected of them as they capped of their best ever finish at a World Cup. For this Mark Sampson and his coaching staff as well as well as the 23 players who worked their socks off need to be praised and have. As all their hard work has inspired a nation and hopefully as a result more fans will be eager to get down and support their local women’s side. Exciting times ahead for the women’s game if the authorities play their cards right. Regarding the national side if all goes well they will be participating in the Netherlands at the 2017 European Championships, while in four years’ time France is the destination for the next World Cup and I for one am inspired to be there and play a part of it. Lionesses we are all proud of your achievement, here’s to a bright future!
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Onto to the midfield which is the most settled part of the field with the selection in most games pretty much straight forward, due to the amount of attacking players in the team (covered in next week’s blog), meaning the midfield is sparse in terms of selection. Nevertheless they have contributed massively to England’s qualification campaign with assists and goals coming from the likes of Birmingham’s Karen Carney and Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs. The dilemma England Coach Mark Sampson will face during selection is getting the right balance between the defence minded midfielders and the attack minded. So below are the contenders up for making the cut. Karen Carney The Birmingham born international has masses of experience having starred in the Champions League as well as playing in American, not to mention her 100 caps for England. Carney’s experience will be in important for the team in the tournament in the summer. The advantage of taking Carney is that she can play in a variety of positions including midfield, winger and striker. Still only 27, Carney is in her prime and her trickery unlocks doors for her team mates. Verdict: Nailed on selection as England needs Karen Carney. Jordan Nobbs The Arsenal midfield maestro has risen to prominence in recent years having firmly established herself in both her club side as well as her Country. The 22-year-old is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Country having started off at Sunderland before moving to Arsenal where she is currently forging a midfield partnership with new signing and Spanish international Victoria Losada. Nobbs is a regular for England too having impressed Mark Sampson since taking the reins and she has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy meaning she will surely be going to the World Cup this summer. Verdict: 100% she’ll be going, no questions asked. Fara Williams Williams has a rags to riches story having been homeless for six years during her early years as a footballer. She is England’s most capped player having received nearly 140 caps for her Country, making her debut back in 2001 at the age of 17. The Liverpool midfielder has won back to back WSL 1 titles and is one of the most consistent players within league. This could most probably be Williams’s last tournament and would be wanting to leave a lasting impression as she graces the World Cup stage. One thing that’s guaranteed when she plays is a 100% commitment. Verdict: Surely on the plane. Jill Scott The former Everton player, now Manchester City like many of her midfield counterparts has huge amounts of experience having made her England debut back in 2006. Her goal scoring record from midfield for her Country reads decent as well too having scored 13 in 90 caps, thus outlining her ability to get forward. Scott also in one of only a few England internationals to have scored for team GB during the London Olympics in 2012. Whether the manager has been Hope Powell or Mark Sampson, Scot has always been round the England and I don’t see that changing. Verdict: Pretty sure she will be announced in the team Jo Potter Only recently forced her way back into the England she does have a load of experience having been one of the central figures at the heart of Birmingham’s league campaign in 2014 that saw them just miss out on the title. She did however make her England debut over 10 years ago, back in 2004 in a friendly before missing out on selection for Euro 2005. It would be fair to say injuries have plagued her international career having to withdraw from a number of squads. After 7 years out of the international wilderness she was recalled last October and did score her first England goal in 9 years as they beat Montenegro 10-0. Verdict: May miss out due to the high amount competition in the squad. Jade Moore Like Potter, Moore is another Birmingham player to force her way into the England team on the back of the Blues impressive 2014 campaign that saw them reach the Champions League semi-final that season. Moore has won silverware already in her career when the Leeds team she was part of in 2010 won the League Cup, highlighting that she was key for them despite being 19. Now 24-years-old she has worked her way into Sampson’s plans recently but there will be plenty of competition for the place on the plane to Canada. Verdict: Close call, may miss out but wouldn’t want to call it. Katie Chapman The 32-year-old has played for all the major London based clubs (including Fulham, Charlton, Arsenal and currently Chelsea) during her playing career stretching back to her debut in 2001. Chapman has only recently forced her way back into the England fold having been a regular up until 2011, but put her International career on hold due to family care issues. England coach Sampson recalled her this March and rightly so having impressed for Chelsea through her playmaking and leadership skills that has seen the London club rise to the top of the WSL 1 where they currently sit. Chapman in the past has won 2 FA World player of the year awards, thus underlining her positive influence she has on her teammates. Verdict: It will be a close call, as it depends on how many midfielders Sampson wants to take, however her experience will be invaluable. Making up the rest of the backline are the defenders which are of course crucial to winning or in other cases drawing as if you don’t concede you don’t lose. The various defenders which played during the World Cup qualification was changed to an extent from England’s last major tournament, Euro 2013 which putting it kindly, didn’t go to well. Looking ahead to the tournament Mark Sampson does have a bit of a selection headache with a number of defenders currently on the side lines out injured. However Sampson still does have exciting talent to choose from with the likes of Manchester City’s Demi Stokes and Alex Greenwood of Notts County emerging in the left back position for example. So who will be making the trip to Canada in June, the candidates are listed below. Steph Houghton Despite only being 27 years of age, Houghton is very experienced having made her England debut in 2007 appearing in Euro 2013 as well as making the 2011 World Cup squad. She missed the 2007 World Cup and 2009 Euro’s through injury. In Houghton’s career she has won the Women’s Super League as well as appearing in the Champions League. So given her experience and most importantly that she is the captain it’s a certainty Houghton will make the cut. Verdict: Nailed on selection providing injury clears up in time. Laura Bassett One of the old heads of the squad who’s experience is vital for the team if they are to achieve World Cup success. Bassett, who made her England debut back in 2003 against Italy, has participated in many tournaments during that time frame and can be relied upon to grab the odd goal too. Like Houghton, Bassett has Champions League experience so Sampson’s judgement would be questioned should he opt not to take her. Verdict: 100% sure she’ll be there and can get her ticket now. Demi Stokes The University of South Florida scholar is one of the new breed to emerge under Sampson having worked her way up through the age groups and has established herself as the main contender for the left-back birth. At only 23, her spell in America seems to have proven vital in her development and given her versatility to play further up the field, Stokes is another ‘guaranteed’ selection. Verdict: Can be having a think about who she wants to sit next to on the flight, she’ll be there. Alex Scott The Arsenal defender who has been England’s permanent right-back for a number of years having played in three European Championships and two World Cup’s, which makes her one of the most experienced players still playing for the Lionesses. Like many of her team mates Scott too has had a stint in America playing for the Boston Breakers for a couple of years before returning to Arsenal for her 3rd spell and winning the Women’s Super League in the process. With over a 100 caps and counting Scott is an obvious selection in many people’s eyes including Mark Sampson’s, so she’ll be there. Verdict: Going unless injured, simple. Lucy Bronze The 23-year-old is another of the new breed that Mark Sampson’s brought in having worked her way up through the England youth teams. There is no doubting Bronze’s credentials having won 2 WSL titles with Liverpool and the 2014 PFA player of the year award which will aide her cause for a spot at the World Cup. In her favour too is the fact that Bronze played a lot of the qualifying campaign so would be considered above a number of other options. The only factor which may stop her from going would be fitness having just returned from injury, however if she can prove it I’m sure Sampson will pick her. Verdict: Only fitness would stop her, I would have a down as almost a certainty to go to Canada. Alex Greenwood Greenwood at 21 would be one of the youngest members of the squad should Sampson select her. A graduate from the renowned Everton centre of excellence, Alex has worked her way up through the ranks and established herself as the clubs main left back in 2011 and earned PFA young player of the year in 2012. Greenwood is relative new to the senior international setup having made her debut in 2014 while at Everton, but due to the clubs relegation she moved to Notts County to remain in WSL 1. Would rival Stokes for the starting birth at left-back and should definitely be there. Verdict: If not a starter, a back-up to the left-back position, but either way Greenwood will be going. Gemma Bonner Lucy Bronze’s defence partner during their WSL title winning seasons with Liverpool proved vital to the clubs success in maintaining clean sheets and gave England manager Mark Sampson a readymade centre-back pairing. However now Bronze has moved to Manchester City, Bonner has a new defence partner, nevertheless will maintain the connection they built up over the couple of seasons they spent together at Liverpool. Like many of the other candidates Bonner has experience despite her young age and is captain of her club meaning Sampson has another leader amongst his ranks to select from. Verdict: Played her part in qualifying so would think that her selection would be a non-brainer. Casey Stoney With over 100 caps and 6 goals for her Country, Stoney has masses of experience in the game and was captain of England under the previous regime. She has played at every major tournament since 2005 (European Championships and World Cup’s), so would be worth taking even if Stoney is just there to act as a mentor to the younger members of the squad. Furthermore her individual honours are second to none having won the Premier division twice when it was the top tier, three FA Cups and four League Cups. In 2008 Stoney also won FA International player of the year award, thus highlighting how highly rated she is in the game. If Sampson does select her I can’t see her being in the first eleven, but a good reserve to have. Verdict: Injury and fitness may play a part but if Sampson wants experience look no further than Stoney. Anita Asante The defender who can also play in midfield, has won all major honours in England with the exception of the Women’s Super League, although she did win the Premier division when that was the top tier. Another player full of experience who too has spent a few years in the United States which adds to her credentials. Along with her spell in the States, Asante played at the London 2012 Olympics so can handle playing in front of a big crowd. Should Sampson take her to Canada, Asante will be looking to add to her 70 caps she currently has. Verdict: Being experienced and versatile may favour her as she looks to gain a place on what would be her second World Cup. Claire Rafferty An outsider for the team perhaps, but did make the most recent England squad against China. Rafferty’s international career to date has been plagued by injuries having only made just over a hand full of appearances, although she did make the Team GB team for the London Olympics in 2012, so she does have some big game experience. England manager Sampson would also take note of Rafferty’s recent form for club side Chelsea, who currently sit top of the league having won all 4 games. Verdict: Can force her way in and her versatility may help her (full-back & winger), however she made just miss out. A late push
Dunia Susi Earned her way into the team shortly after Mark Sampson took charge of the reigns after impressive form for Notts County last season. However she has dropped out of the team recently due to injury. In her favour Susi can play defence or attack meaning a spurt in in form could give Sampson a selection headache ahead of naming his squad. Amy Turner One play who’s seen her stock rise rapidly having been ever present for her club side, Notts County over the past number of seasons. Her form has also seen her nominated for PFA young player of the year so there’s no doubting her quality. Turner made her debut at this year’s Cyprus Cup and has impressed, Sampson. Her versatility to play anywhere in the back line may help her case, but she’s down the pecking order. Jemma Rose Rose who has represented England at under 17, 19 and 23 levels is an outsider to go to Canada this summer, however given certain defensive injuries there is still a number of games left for Rose to impress in and earn a late call up. Sampson may opt for Rose as she has plenty of international pedigree, despite only being 23 years of age. Furthermore she been in a number of squads since Sampson took the helm and not forgetting he did manage Rose at Bristol Academy. A slight chance to go but should the others be fit I feel she may just miss out. |
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