Published: 29 May, 2013
by PAUL COWLING at Wembley Stadium

International Friendly
England 1 Republic of Ireland 1
Attendance: 80,126

IF some England observers think that changing the kit will help to make the national side play (and win) like Germany, then this performance – and result – against the Republic of Ireland – was more akin to the Derby County who finished bottom of the Premier League in 2008 with 11 points and just one win.

After a bright opening ten minutes, England sank into their usual mire of disjointed play, as an Irish rearguard, which included players from Millwall, Reading and Leicester kept a tepid England attack at bay.

The Republic's defence were superb all evening – except for the one moment that allowed Frank Lampard to equalise on 23 minutes for 1-1. A mistake by Sean St Ledger allowed the Chelsea man to bundle in from close range to cancel out Shane Long's looping 13th minute header.

England improved to an extent in the second half, but it should have been enough to see off the Irish, who posed no further goal threat.
Phil Jones (on for the consistently poor Glen Johnson) made some good attacking runs in his right back role, but like all of England's play, he lacked a final touch.

Former Arsenal left back Ashley Cole could have crowned his 102nd cap with his first ever England goal, but St Ledger intervened at the last, to clear the danger.

But, this should have been the game for Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain to thrive, but the two Arsenal flyers had games to forget.

Both had chances to win the game, but they were each denied by Irish goalkeeper David Forde.

Oxlade Chamberlain had the best chance on 83 minutes, but Forde charged off his line to block the Arsenal man's  goalbound shot.

What would have concerned all England fans, was the paucity of resources on the bench.

Once an inefectual Jermain Defoe had come on for the injured Daniel Sturridge, there was  little in reserve to effect the game.
The Spurs man will have to play a forward role against Brazil on Sunday, but he is struggling to regain full fitness.

"Basically, we will have the same fifteen players who finished against the Irish, who will play against Brazil," said coach Roy Hodgson.

But, this roll-call was less an end-of-season injury list excuse, and more a sign of the dearth of English talent that he can call on at any one time.

"We played well enough tonight, but give credit to the Irish for being competitive and making it difficult for us." said a surprisingly upbeat Hodgson.

But, based on this performance, Sunday's match is one to watch from behind the sofa for England fans.

"Brazil play a different type of football" said Hodgson without any hint of irony. What he failed to say though, was that it is a style that is far better than England's.

Whatever the result on Sunday, the real business in Brazil begins a year later at the World Cup Finals, and England will need to show far more  invention and belief if they are going to be there when it matters.

England:  Hart (Foster), Johnson (Jones),  Jagielka, Cahill,  Cole, Lampard, Carrick, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Milner), Rooney, Sturridge (Defoe)