I gave England no chance coming into the game with Spain. Yet they won. How on earth did they do it? Simple, I reckon it was because Rooney and Terry weren't on the pitch. It's the first time that Rooney has missed an England international in ages, Terry as well, even though he was on the bench. I think it's no coincidence that the moment they don't play, England play brilliantly and beat the World Champions.
England played as a team last night. The tactic wasn't simply pass the ball to Rooney and take orders from Terry, there was freedom in place, and it clearly showed in England's performance. It is without doubt the best England performance I have seen since before South Africa. Long may this continue.
However, there is a problem. Capello. I'm pretty sure his next move will be to reinstate Terry back into the team for the next friendly and then Rooney after that. It will just go back to the same old thing of depending on two players. But this also means that at the Euro for the first three games without Rooney, England should deliver some top class performances.
England without Rooney and Terry isn't enough to win the Euro though. A lot of the players that played last night I really think do not deserve to go to Poland/Ukraine. Downing, Barry, Cole (for his off the pitch behaviour) are some examples. Below is the squad I would take at this stage to true Euro 2012. This could change as we get nearer to it, and assumes all players are fit, but for now here it is.
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, David James
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jones, Micah Richards, Gary Cahill
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, James Milner, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, Frank Lampard
Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent, Theo Walcott, Peter Crouch, Gabriel Agbonlahor
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