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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Rachel Yankey

Rachel Yankey column: New Lionesses formation will be tested to limit by swift Nigeria counters

If England are going to stick with their new formation in their last-16 match against Nigeria on Monday, then Jess Carter will be key.

The Lionesses are not blessed with loads of pace defensively but Jess can bring that to the back-three.

She reads the game so well and has shown at Chelsea she is one of the best in the Women's Super League in terms of covering and one-on-one defending.

England's new 3-4-1-2 formation worked well on Tuesday but that was against one of the worst China teams I have seen in a long time. That meant it was the perfect game for England to try a different tactic.

Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze in training (PA)

The formation clearly worked going forward and the Lionesses got a lot of joy because there was more freedom, with Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly joining the attacks from wing-back.

We now know this formation brings goals but Nigeria will show us how good it is defensively.

If England's wing-backs push on then they could leave themselves exposed to the counter — and that is Nigeria's biggest weapon.

That is the fear for me. It is really hard to play against players with pace and who are good on the ball. Nigeria are just so quick on the counter with players such as Asisat Oshoala.

You have to stop her early by pressing high so she cannot get the run on you. That should suit Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright, who are both front-foot defenders who like to get tight.

That is why Jess is so important. She can read the game well behind Alex and Millie, and tidy up anything that gets through.

The two holding midfield players who faced China, Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem, will also be vital. They will need to cover any gaps if Lucy or Rachel get forward from wing-back. Alex and Millie are great talkers and that midfield will need directing to get in the right positions.

At some point, Nigeria will hit England on the counter. In a way, the Lionesses have to accept it and just make sure their players are comfortable with one-on-one defending.

Then when you are in front of goal, you have to be ruthless.

It sounds a bit like Newcastle under Kevin Keegan — 'we'll score more than you' — but this game could be like that.

Nigeria have nothing to lose and no fear.

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