When people ask me about England’s opening game at this World Cup, I tell them I would much rather it be against Denmark.
They are a European team, one the Lionesses know well, whereas Haiti have absolutely nothing to lose. They are playing against the European champions — and if that does not spur them on in their first World Cup, then I don’t know what will.
From what I have seen of Haiti, they have got quality up front and some players who can really hurt you. England should not take them lightly.
The Lionesses, of course, have their own real quality in attack. They have not scored in their last three matches going into the tournament, but I would not be too worried about that.
If you are creating opportunities, it is just a matter of getting the right execution. The question for England manager Sarina Wiegman is who does she start? And it is really hard to read her thinking.
At the Euros last summer, the England team pretty much picked itself. Take a player like Ellen White. The beauty with Ellen was that she had the goals and the work rate, which made her a starter.
I don’t feel like Alessia Russo is that type of player, in terms of wearing defences down, and I feel like we might lose the best of her if she is used in that role. That is why, for me, I would start with Beth England.
If Sarina is going for Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp for her wide players, in the way that they play for Manchester City, I look at Beth as the one who is so much more like a White or a Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. Beth’s aerial ability is fantastic and so is her work rate. I feel like she is made for that kind of job.
Beth’s aerial ability is fantastic and so is her work rate... I feel like she is made for that kind of job
People talk about starters and finishers, and you have got players that can come on and produce moments, like Alessia did so well at the Euros. Then, if you are looking at Rachel Daly playing in that position, her runs in behind, her speed, that is a real advantage if you are bringing that on late on in the game.
There are so many different ways Sarina can go and I am not sure that will happen — but that is what makes it so interesting. It is a bonus. She can have plans with three strikers that all score goals, but are all different.
It would not surprise me if Lauren James started against Haiti in a kind of No10 role, because she gives you so much more creativity in attack. And if you have got someone like a Keira Walsh, who shores things up in midfield, you can possibly take a risk with a player that is maybe a little less defensive-minded.
In defence, I would partner Alex Greenwood with Millie Bright at centre-back. One of Leah Williamson’s biggest strengths is coming out from the back and driving out into midfield.
I think that is a strength of Alex, too. She is great on the ball and her left foot is one of the best have seen. For me, I think that would work nicely alongside Millie.
That leaves a question of who is going to play left-back, and I think I would play Jess Carter, because as a one-to-one defender she is one of the best. It is so hard to pick the team, though, and this will definitely challenge Sarina in a positive way.
When you look at how she has managed the Netherlands and England in previous games, it seems like keeping the same side is her preferred style. But maybe that can be a good thing, because it makes a coach look at things differently and brings out another way of thinking. I don’t see it as a negative.
