The 4 Changes Phil Neville Must Make to Get the Lionesses Back to Winning Ways
On Saturday evening, the Lionesses played in front a record-breaking crowd at Wembley Stadium as they took on Germany during an international friendly. An audience of 77,768 watched on as Phil Neville’s squad were beaten 2-1.
But the large attendance and electrifying atmosphere may have been overshadowed by the fact that Neville’s side have been rather disastrous since the World Cup.
The Lionesses have endured a bad spell of form since making it to the semi-finals in the Women’s World Cup this year, winning just one of their previous seven fixtures.
However, the problems they are currently facing won’t come as a surprise – and Neville will have to do something fast if he has any chance of picking up some much-needed results.
First Choice Goalkeeper
Since Mary Earps has been placed in goal, England have conceded goals a worrying rate. On Saturday, the Manchester United keeper again looked nervous and should have done better for Germany’s opening goal within the first ten minutes.
However, this isn’t the first time the 26-year-old has struggled in goal for the Lionesses, as her mistake cost England in their 2-1 defeat against Brazil last month.
With Karen Bardsley out injured, Carly Telford may be the more appropriate option going forward.
Penalty Taker
However obvious it may sound, England need to find an appropriate penalty taker after their recent woes. Nikita Parris has now missed three consecutive penalties, and after captain Steph Houghton’s miss in the semi-finals against the Unites States, it's clear that things need to change.
Ellen White made a superb comeback from injury, having scored the Lionesses’ only goal in their defeat on Saturday. Although not the designated penalty taker, Neville may have to make some changes if his side have any chance of scoring from the spot.
Defensive Struggles
Although the Lionesses have some clear issues up front, their main problems remains in defence. A key talking-point for England, both during their recent friendlies and the World Cup, was their struggles at the back – and Neville still doesn’t have the solution.
During Saturday’s game, his decision to start the inexperienced Leah Williamson was a poor one. The Arsenal defender often made some dangerous choices, passing back to Earps under pressure and not committing herself against the German attack.
Houghton was also underwhelming, misplacing passes and allowing too much space on the field, leading to Germany’s two goals. England are still slow when playing out from the back and during an important fixture, like the one on Saturday night, need to be more aggressive.
Substitutions
When it was announced that Neville was going to swap his entire front three in the 73 minute, it was a bold move – and one that didn’t particularly pay off. The England coach took off Parris, White and Beth Mead for Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp and Jodie Taylor before swapping Jordan Nobbs for Georgia Stanway. However, they failed impress.
Chelsea’s forward Beth England has been in fantastic form for the Blues and her call up for the Lionesses highlighted her chance to play against the Germans. However, it wasn’t to be, and Neville brought on the more experience Jodie Taylor during the final stages of the game, despite her lack of spark in recent fixtures.
It may be time for Neville to take some more risks or perhaps, make some more clinical substitutions, especially when his squad are in need of that all-important win.