England should be able to regain some rhythm and momentum against Algeria that can help them for tougher challenges later Few doubted that Fabio Capello would do an excellent job with England since he always has both a practical plan and the force of character to ensure his men apply it. The surprise lay in the verve shown over the World Cup qualifiers that made his side the highest scorers in Europe, with a total of 34 goals. It might seem that such a spree is sure to come to an end at the finals, where opponents are supposed to be more obstinate, but, in practice, the contrast is not so stark. England scored nine times over the pair of games with Croatia, yet the losers then still enjoy a far loftier ranking than the Algeria line-up that Capello’s side take on in their second group fixture. If no one dares assume that England are about to cut loose once more that is because of the slightly hesitant air in the draw with the USA. The team played well in patches yet did not add to a fourth‑minute opener from Steven Gerrard even though that goal was engineered with confidence. • Follow the Guardian’s World Cup team on Twitter • Sign up to play our great Fantasy Football game • Stats centre: Get the lowdown on every player • The latest team-by-team news, features and more An explanation would incorporate the comments that Wayne Rooney made the other day. It must have slipped his mind to pretend that he is in peak condition and instead he had a few wistful words about the mid-season break that is widely appreciated on the continent. In England, the holiday period at Christmas and New Year is frenetic for footballers who, by tradition, are expected to entertain a public with time on its hands. Even with the pause in Champions League, there was a welter of work for key men such as Rooney. Despite the great influx of foreign players, the Premier League retains a frenetic character that outsiders mostly have to accept since they cannot alter it. Capello was well aware that there would need to be a regeneration of his squad at the World Cup. It has not been witnessed just yet and there are ramifications to the shortage of dynamism. Robert Green has had to sweat over his prospects of staying in the line‑up after conceding that equaliser to the USA. His circumstances would have been eased markedly if his team‑mates had made light of the mistake by re-establishing a lead and securing the points. Even so, there is ample time and talent to alter the tone of the campaign. Gerrard made inroads when scoring on Saturday, but with Gareth Barry not risked because of his ankle problem the captain had some orthodox duties in midfield and could not be allowed the licence Capello generally grants him. Gerrard sustained his contribution regardless and was at least competing vigorously for the ball when England’s cutting edge was dulled in the second half. The midfielder could bring back some of the verve that will be essential to the team as the tournament progresses. No matter how many miles have been run since last August, a World Cup is also a world apart and Capello’s side, like any other, will be increasingly invigorated if they start to believe an adventure is taking shape. For all the sophistication of sports medicine, the principal rejuvenation comes when people begin to be convinced of their prospects. The remaining two fixtures should leave England feeling that they are in control. Fatigue can then recede. The manager may be toying with the reintroduction of Jermain Defoe at some point, although his one goal for his country since September will barely enter the record books since it came in the practice game with the South African club Platinum Stars. There is stress on attackers because England have less hope of keeping clean sheets now that Rio Ferdinand is unavailable. Barry will make a difference but that is not simply because of his reading of the play, when he closes off the passing options available to opponents. With the Manchester City player in action once more, there should be expanded licence for Frank Lampard. England will be relieved if he can be reminiscent of the player who scores so heavily for Chelsea. There is no escaping the fact, all the same, that the side’s fortunes are tied most tightly to those of Rooney. He is the principal figure. When he meandered away from the attack because of his craving to get on the ball the Manchester United player reduced the strain on the USA. It is improbable that he was obeying instructions, yet neither Capello nor anyone else seemed able to make him go back where he belongs. That cannot be repeated and, again, England may recover the virtues mislaid on Saturday in this match with an Algeria squad that appreciates how close to elimination it already is following defeat by Slovenia. Routs are rare and the opposition, conquerors of Egypt in the qualifiers, have their moments, yet England should recover a rhythm that will assist them in matches of greater moment that ought to lie ahead. England Algeria World Cup 2010 Group C World Cup 2010 Kevin McCarra guardian.co.uk
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World Cup 2010: Gareth Barry’s return can lift England against Algeria| Kevin McCarra
