And now, the end is here…

And so it may be for today’s captain Lampard and Gerrard who won’t start.

Hodgson is banking on a changed England line up, to the branded Young Lions, to restore some form of pride after being left in a ‘realm of despair’ after 2 defeats and the shortest World Cup for almost 60 years. 9 changes from the defeat by Uruguay, only Cahill and Sturridge survive.

Against the surprise group leaders, Costa Rica, Hodgson will field many of the players that haven’t started or played in the two previous games.
Alongside Lampard will be Wilshere and Barkley, with Milner and Lallana behind Sturridge. At the back Luke Shaw is due to start as is Phil Jones and Chris Smalling as well as Ben Foster in place of Joe Hart.

Myself, I’m in two minds, the game means nothing, but wholesale change to give those on the bus a run out, not so sure. At least Spain, also on their way home fielded a team to try and restore some national pride.

If we are serious about regaining pride, why doesn’t Roy play the best 11, thinking obviously to the Euro 2016 campaign. Will two of the first names on the sheet against Switzerland be James Milner and Ben Foster? Not so sure.

If anything, while defending better than the previous 2 games, we want to see a return to the attacking style shown against Italy, and a precision in front of goal that was missing and gave us an early bath.

And so they face the final curtain.

A more upbeat performance and a win for England with Lampard scoring in what will be his final game with 3 Lions on his shirt

Explore posts in the same categories: England Away, The Aftermath, World Cup 2014

Tags: #3Lions, #younglions, Daniel Sturridge, Frank Lampard, roy hodgson

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