Slow England 0 Slovenia 0 in Slovakia. Echoes of stalemate at seniors Euros last year in Cologne. Maybe it was the heat, 28C at kick-off, 26C at f-t, pitch not watered enough, Slovenia (population 2.12m) v well-organised but England too lethargic until last 10. Beadle, Cresswell and Anderson did fine.
No real goal threat - Nwaneri, Elliott briefly – until Stansfield on. Offered late focus, threat in behind. Hinshelwood late header tipped over by excellent Turk. Elliott named Player of the Match. Slovenian c-b Jevsenak asked for Elliott’s shirt (65). Elliott pointed to tunnel. Man of the match award should really should have gone to young Turk or No 10 Seslar. Seven other issues raised by the game….
1.Tactics. Carsley stayed with the same 4-2-2-2 formation. 2 changes from win over Czechia. Nwaneri for Hutchinson, Hackney for Scott. Set-pieces focused on looking to free Cresswell away from forest of tall Slovenians.
2.Nwaneri showed flashes of his undoubted quality. Such is his youth that a year ago he was playing at Uefa Under-17s. Began left. Great chance (27) from a driven Rowe cross. Turk got a slight touch, affected Nwaneri connection. Second half, went right, more of a threat, took risks, cut in on to his left. Shot over (61). Shot blocked (70).
3.Changes. Carsley sent on Hutchinson for Rowe, Hinshelwood for Anderson, Norton-Cuffy for Gray (64). McAtee went false 9. Carlsey tried to inject more threat. Stansfield for Nwaneri, Morton for Hackney (72). Hutchinson went right, McAtee left, Elliott off Stansfield. Stansfield looked to get in behind, tested Slovenia. Hinshelwood denied by Turk.
4.Seslar. Great left foot. Bicycle kick over, shot near-post, saved by Beadle. Already capped by the senior side. Twice denied again by Beadle. Interviewed by Uefa TV reporter at half-time.
5.McAtee. England captain. Gutsy. Went up for a header as gk came flying out. Good save from Turk second half. Tactically flexible, shifting positions.
6.Cresswell. Very vocal c-b. Calling England to move up. “Keep working.” Read danger well. Imperious in air.
7. Fans. 5,217 at 7,400-capacity Stadion pod Zoborom. A theme of this Under-21, for the first time in my experience, that substantial travelling supports, Bratislava very busy, now including England. Fair representation, inc Nottingham Forest (four flags), Barnsley, Chelsea, Palace, Wednesday, Sutton United, Port Vale, York, West Ham, Sunderland. Even a burst of the unwelcome “No Surrender” in the National Anthem. A far more acceptable blast of “Lee Carsley’s Barmy Army”. But they lacked a finisher. Also in crowd were FA Pro Licence candidates. Interesting to know what they learned. #ENG #ENGSLO #U21EURO
