It worked because Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge scored the goals that spared England and Joe Hart’s blushes, after the goalkeeper was beaten by Gareth Bale for the opening goal.
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The Real Madrid forward was often an isolated figure during the 2-1 defeat to England in Lens as Roy Hodgson’s side dominated possession before coming up with a late victor.
Sturridge’s goal took England to the top of Group B and leaves Wales sweating on the outcome of their final game against Russian Federation in Toulouse on Monday.
Sturridge’s place in the 23-man squad had been in doubt due to a calf complaint during the preparation camp, but the Liverpool striker repaid his manager in spades at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
The only thing that matters for Vardy now is working hard to catch Roy Hodgson’s eye at England’s Chantilly base and producing more moments like his crucial equaliser in Lens.
“Since he’s got back from that injury situation, he did have a very settled period of play when he played on a regular basis and he just picked up that injury in the Europa League final”.
“If he has then it’s one hell of a spot but I would have expected to see him flag and then talk it over with the referee, who would have been in a better position, similar to what happened in the play-off game between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton”.
It worked because Marcus Rashford helped to drag opponents wide when he, too, was brought on as Hodgson made full, belated use of his attacking roster.
Redknapp, who was seen as Hodgson’s main rival when he got the England job in 2010, believes there is no way the Three Lions boss can justify not starting Vardy and Sturridge. “I know what you’re saying”. “We are still in the thick of it and we will go into our last game with even more strength”.
And Brown, who was watching the game while away in Ireland, now wants the strikers to stay in the side.
“That’s how I want to be and how I want to stay focused”.
“This is not the end of Harry Kane’s tournament and he still has a big part to play at Euro 2016”.
“First and foremost, we can’t concede, and if we do, we need to match them for goals”. When was the last time I lifted a weight? “The competition for places is just like it is at club level and we are all helping each other to perform as well as we can”. He could be very good and he certainly seems to have something about him.
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A hailstorm halted play for three minutes and a Northern Ireland fan suffered a heart attack and died before McGinn came on and slammed home a rebound to complete the win. “For players getting exhausted it’s probably easier to exploit but I’m happy either way, and it’s down to me in training to hopefully get into the gaffer’s mind to get a start”. He’s not scared at all.
