Arsenal legend Ian Wright doesn’t believe manager Sarina Wiegman’s possible touchline absence will affect England in their Women's Euro 2022 quarter-final.
The Lionesses produced another excellent display to see off Northern Ireland 5-0 in Southampton on Friday night, their final Group A encounter, despite missing their coach following a positive Covid test.
Wiegman’s assistant, Arjan Veurink, was on touchline duties as goals from Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo (2) and an own goal secured a third straight win.
ALSO READ: Fran Kirby back to her best with England as Alessia Russo knocks on door for Euros quarter-final
England don’t know if Wiegman will return for Wednesday’s quarter-final, but Wright said that he doesn’t expect any further absence from the boss to upset their rhythm.
Wright, working as a pundit for BBC, said: “I think they’re a well-oiled machine. Sarina [Wiegman] has picked the team and she knows exactly how they are going to play.
“It doesn’t look like we [England] are going to change the way we play against anyone. I don’t think it will be as big a problem as people might be making out, I think they’ll be fine because they are set in their ways.”
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It was also revealed by goalscorer and super-sub Russo that she had been given some advice by fellow forward Wright. But when speaking after the win, the Premier League Hall of Fame inductee said he was envious of the Manchester United forward’s ability in the air.
“I'd love to head the ball as well as she can,” added Wright. “I just told her with all the players we have around her, stay in there.
“Don't be in a hurry to come out of the box. Stay in between defenders and crosses will come in. She was in there today and did brilliantly.”
The punditry team were also full of praise for Kirby, who capped another fine display with a stunning curling effort to break the Northern Irish resilience.
The Chelsea star only won her race against fitness to be part of the Lionesses squad late in the day, after three months out with illness. She has since been one of the standout players of the tournament so far.
“Once again, tonight shows Fran Kirby’s mental strength,” said BBC pundit and former defender Alex Scott. “To go through the things that she has and keep coming back.
“We always knew we needed her for England. As we saw today with her goal, she has the quality and finesse to make things happen for us.”
Wright added. “She [Kirby] has the ability and the capability of putting those passes through to Beth Mead and that is what we’ll need the further we go in the competition.”
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