Belgium and Norway games again exposed frailties at the back but manager should be given a chance to make improvementsFive goals conceded, four scored. England’s travels to Belgium and Norway have been bountiful. Just not in the right way.If England’s 3-0 victory in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway gave the impression that Phil Neville’s team had clicked, then a 2-1 defeat by the same side just over two months later, albeit in a friendly and pre-season, has had a chastening effect. Related: England manager Phil Neville says links to USA manager’s job are ‘flattering’ Continue reading...
The England coach should not have changed a winning formation that put key players out of positionI have incredible admiration for USA and the determination they possess as a unit of 23 players and staff to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Winning means everything to them. England came up against a better and more experienced team, and now need to think about how they can make a difference to get to the same level.The tournament has been hugely positive in terms of how we see the women’s game and there is no disgrace in losing to the holders and favourites in the semi-finals, but England were, in the end, tactically deficient and fell short. Related: England...
Phil Neville knows the names of his players’ pet dogs, but with the World Cup looming his squad need to be more clinical on the fieldEngland face two big tests in their preparations for the World Cup when they play Brazil and Australia in the next few days and I’m really excited to watch how they cope with stronger opposition having booked their World Cup spot in France.After watching the qualification campaign, it was hard to say that England looked ready to win a World Cup but these two games could be an indication of progress under Phil Neville. Related: Sport enters the WhatsApp age and dreads ever being asked to leave | Emma John The USA are always strong...
Phil Neville has made a quietly impressive start as manager and Lucy Bronze has grown in stature but there are still faults to be ironed out in time for next year’s tournament in FranceThe World Cup is just days away and while Gareth Southgate’s side attempt to write a more cheerful chapter to the long Three Lions story, in the background the Lionesses are cruising to qualification for the Women’s World Cup next year.On Friday Phil Neville’s team leapfrogged Wales to once again top their qualification group with a comfortable 3-1 win against third-placed Russia. It was their fifth qualifying win (fourth under Neville) and Elena Danilova’s strike to reduce a 2-0 lead was the first goal they have conceded....
The new manager has made an impression on the Lionesses despite their narrow defeat against the USAAt the end of a week in which he had looked increasingly sure-footed it was perhaps appropriate that Phil Neville reached for a mountaineering metaphor. “The last step of climbing Mount Everest is always the hardest and that’s where we are now,” said the new England women’s coach following his side’s creditable performance in the SheBelieves Cup.A 4-1 victory against France in Columbus, a 2-2 draw with Germany in New Jersey and a 1-0 defeat to the USA, the tournament winners, in Orlando emphasised that, while both physically and tactically the Lionesses are a match for anyone, a slight technical shortfall remains. Related: Lieke Martens, Alex Morgan...