Here we look at performance data supplied by Castrol EDGE to assess what impact these bright young stars will make on the Saturday’s game.

Overall Jack Wilshere comes out ahead of Ramsey in one on one situations, while the Welsh midfielder is better around the box.

Comparing Ramsey’s 2009/10 campaign with Wilshere’s first full season with the Gunners, their stats tell a story. Ramsey thrives in attacking situations, scoring three goals in the league before his leg-break against Stoke, averaging at a very respectable rate of one every 260 minutes.

He also delivered three assists, all of which is more than Wilshere this season (one goal, two assists) and all the more telling since the England international has played more than double the time Ramsey spent on the pitch last season.

Wilshere’s importance lies in his capacity to beat his direct opponent and unleash his more attacking teammates. He boasts higher success rates than Ramsey in duels, dribbles and tackles. The effort he puts in can sometimes be “over-enthusiastic” as shown by the number of cards he’s picked up this season, 4 yellow’s and one red.

Finally, their impeccable delivery is highlighted by their passing accuracy. In the final third, both players complete more than three in every four passes.

Wilshere v Ramsey – Premier League

Wales main problem appears to be in scoring goals, they have so far managed to convert a ridiculous 3.6% of their shots in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, well below the 13% average in the competition.

Wales only goal in the competition so far came from Gareth Bale in the 4-1 defeat away to Switzerland, and with the Spurs wing back ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from.

Wales currently have zero points from there three games played so far, and in their combined total of 408 minutes of action in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, Wales’ strikers have mustered just six shots on target between them. With no goals to their names so far, the Welsh forward line will need find their shooting boots if they are to trouble Fabio Capello’s Three Lions.

Welsh Strikers In the UEFA EURO 2012™ Qualifiers

The Castrol EDGE Performance data makes a strong case for the inclusion of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in the England starting line up, the player has notched up an impressive 11 Premier League goals in 1,712 minutes of action this season, only Darren Bent can compare, but the Aston Villa striker has played 717 minutes more.

While Rooney’s place in the Three Lions’ first 11 is set in stone under Capello, the second striking berth has yet to be claimed on a permanent basis. However, Carroll’s strike rate of a goal every 156 minutes in the league this season and a total of three assists, are both superior figures to those of his fellow England hopefuls.

Aston Villa’s Darren Bent comes closest to matching Carroll’s figures, and the striker has hit two goals in his last two appearances for England. However, the Liverpool man’s physical presence, along with his goals, makes him an ideal foil for the more creative Rooney.

English Strikers In Premier League 2010/11

Castrol prediction:

Wales win 15%
Draw 22%
England win 63%

Sports betting fans knew that the game had little meaning overall in the grand scheme of things but as friendlies go, the game was played at high tempo and though neither team were committed to 50-50 challenges, the game was a good test for both England and Denmark before their next European Championship qualifying matches against local opposition in Wales and Norway, respectively.

18-year-old Christian Eriksen used the game as a shop window for all Premier League teams to sit up and take notice of this teenager midfield general currently playing his football with Ajax; and after a magnificent performance I would be surprised if he doesn’t follow his former team-mate Luis Suarez with a move to England in the summer.

There were several Premier League players in the Denmark team including Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson and Liverpool’s Christian Poulsen and Daniel Agger.  Agger opened the scoring with a great headed cross though it was helped by poor defending by Michael Dawson.

After falling behind 1-0 in the seventh minute, England quickly responded just three minutes later. Wayne Rooney crossed a great pass from left to right, finding Theo Walcott on the edge of the Denmark goal area.  Walcott’s determination to get a cross in left him with a cut eye from a flailing arm. The ball was drilled across the six yard line and met by Darren Bent in the 10th minute.

As with all international friendlies, Fabio Capello had agreed to use six substitutes and only play 45 minutes to certain key players. It was apparent that Capello was doing his best to keep on good terms with the teams in the Champions League as the substitutes were made.  Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, Tottenham’s Michael Dawson, Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney were all substituted.

Two more Aston Villa forwards joined Darren Bent in the second half, Ashley Young and  Stewart Downing; and they combined with Glen Johnson for Ashley Young to score his first international goal and the winner for England in a good second half performance.

Jack Wilshere had an impressive 45 minutes before being substituted at half time, even though he was played as a holding midfielder.  Whether this was Capello’s plan to see if a young Wilshere who loves to go forward was disciplined enough to play simple passes and keep his position or just a way of fitting him in alongside more seasoned midfielders Frank Lampard, Theo Walcott and James Milner, it marked Jack Wilshere’s arrival as an England player.

Castrol say that the former Middlesbrough starlet has also been in impressive form for Manchester City in the league this season, netting once and creating a chance every 54 minutes on average. Of the widemen named in Fabio Capello’s squad, only late call-up Stewart Downing has netted more often than Johnson in the league while Johnson’s minutes per shot and minutes per dribble rates are significantly superior to any of the other wingers.

It is with England in the  Euro 2012 qualifiers where Johnson has really excelled in recent months, creating two goal-scoring chances and completing 80% of his dribbles along with a two-goal haul. With Theo Walcott and James Milner both out of action with injuries, along with Aaron Lennon, Johnson now has the chance to cement his place in Capello’s first 11.

Performance of Wingers in Current England Squad in Euro 2010 Qualifiers

The case for Frank Lampard

According to Castrol Performance analysis, despite enjoying an impressive start to their Euro 2012 campaign without the injured Frank Lampard, England have still performed better in their competitive games when the attacking midfielder has played, winning 65% of those games compared to 63% when he hasn’t appeared.

Lampard, who is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a hernia, also compares favourably to fellow schemer Steven Gerrard in terms of England performances as well as the now-retired Paul Scholes. Indeed, since 2000 (when Gerrard made his competitive debut), the Chelsea star has scored more goals on average, mustered mores shots per game and won a higher percentage of his tackles than either Gerrard or Scholes. While the Three Lions may be coasting through their Euro 2012 campaign so far, the importance and influence of Lampard should not be dismissed.

Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes for England in Competitive Games since Euro 2000

The Castrol verdict for tonights Euro 2012 Qualifier:

England win 80%

Montenegro win 6%

Draw 14%

Lineker went to Spain to see how they had turned around their own misfortunes.  It’s difficult to see how, now they are currently European & World Champions but before this latest wave of success, Spain had an even worse record than England for underachieving in the big competitions.

Comparisons were drawn to the way La Liga attracted some of the best players in the world in the 1980’s while ignoring the importance of nurturing home-grown Spanish talent.  Gary Lineker himself was a success at Barcelona, as was English manager Terry Venables; and though Spain have only conquered Europe and the rest of the world in the past four years, it was a revolution that allegedly started when Dutch maestro and former player, Johan Cruyff, returned to manage Barcelona in 1988.

Cruyff stated that the national side would be perennial underachievers if the top teams in La Liga continued looking to foreign players for short-term success. Cruyff’s model was to produce better quality indigenous players by a matter of inclusion and focus on a longer term strategy that started at grassroots and ended with national success.  This coupled with the fact that when boys are coached to play football at an early age, they should be learning the skill of playing with the ball, not simply competing to win.  A criticism levelled at English football.

Jurgen Klinsmann kick-started a German revolution after replacing Rudi Voller as manager of Germany in 2004.  Klinsmann initially attracted criticism from some quarters with some poor results leading up to the 2006 World Cup.  He had axed many aging stars and attempted to change the way Germany play.  He wanted Germany to be less rigid, offensive and less constrictive in their play.  For change to take place Klinsmann, like Cruyff at Barcelona, needed to think long term and have the backing of the German FA to see it through.

England wasn’t the only nation to have a poor World Cup in South Africa.  Italy and France had shockers too.  But England’s last and only glory was 44 years ago now; and the England crisis is far deeper than other nations.

While English Premier League teams continue to enjoy European Champions League success the England national team have become worse.  So, as Jose Mourinho said, look at the clubs that have done well in Europe over the past few years (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United) and count their English players.  That is definitely a factor in England’s demise.  But England was failing to qualify for the World Cup and European Championship finals long before the Premier League and English football was filled with top foreign players.

Another cause for England’s poor standing in European and world football is a more entrenched problem.  Boys are told to compete and win over learning to be skilful. I left secondary education in 1981 and I remember way back then we were being told the reason every Dutch football player looks so comfortable and skilful on the ball, is because he is; and England players hoof the ball around and get the ball into the opponents’ penalty area as quickly as possible because that’s what they are taught to do from an early age.

Italy and France relied on past glory and older players, and England juggled unrealistic hope and expectation once again.  All were found out in South Africa, while Spain and Germany, along with Holland, were the best and most exciting teams in the World Cup finals.

Tonight England host Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifying game at Wembley.  Look at their squad and ask yourself, how many of those players would get into the Spanish or German starting eleven?

Will England win the next World Cup?

The short answer to ‘will England win the next World Cup?’ is definitely not. Furthermore, they won’t win it again until these deep-rooted problems are addressed; and that can only be achieved with a long term plan and strategy in place. By appointing Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, the English FA has put its head in the sand and attempted to buy the World Cup in the same way as the Premier League buy the best players in the world. So, the only thing England fans can do right now is be grateful they’re not Scotland!

Brunt was particularly impressive in the Baggies’ recent shock 3-2 win away at Arsenal. In that game, Brunt provided one assist and created a total of three chances while he also made 42 passes, more than any of his team-mates.

In that contest, he rarely strayed from the right wing, while in Northern Ireland’s recent win over Slovenia in their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying game, he also switched to the left but could only manage to provide one goal-scoring chance for a team-mate. However, if the schemer can star to recreate his current club form in the green jersey of his national side, Nigel Worthington’s men could seriously trouble Italy on the 8th.

Corey Evans, brother of Manchester United’s Jonny, can’t wait for the game although it he is not sure to start. But that will not bother the youngster so long as he has a chance to come on as sub, after scoring the winner with his first touch after being introduced in Northern Ireland’s  Euro 2012 opener against Slovenia.

It seems England are not the only international team struggling with goalkeeping problems, Italy, having to find a replacement for the injured Gigi Buffon have yet to settle on a first choice goalkeeper. Both Bologna’s Emilio Viviano and Palermo’s Salvatore Sirigu have played a game each so far in the Italian’s Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Sirigu was given the nod by manager Cesare Prandelli for Italy’s opening fixture away to Estonia. However, the 23-year-old was at fault for the home side’s goal (the game ended 2-1 to Italy) and was duly replaced with Bologna’s Emiliano Viviano for the next fixture against the Faroe Islands, with the towering ‘keeper enjoying a predictably easy game, making just one save in the Azzurri’s 5-0 rout.

In domestic football, Parma’s Antonio Mirante, who has been called up to the Italian squad for the upcoming set of games, has impressed with a 78% saves to shots rate, a figure which betters Sirigu’s 73% rate and equals that of Viviano. Interestingly, Milan’s experienced ‘keeper Christian Abbiati has himself posted superior saves to shots figures (83%) to all three current Italian squad members, giving Prandelli yet another possible option between the posts as the campaign develops.

Castrol Performance verdict:
N.Ireland 21%
Italy     48%
Draw      31%

This would appear to be the closest game to call of the three matches previewed here, the Republic of Ireland have continued to adopt the long ball game, getting their heads on the end of more punt’s forward than any other team in the Euro 2012 qualifiers so far.

During the World Cup 2010 qualifiers the Irish team played 439 long balls forward, over one hundred more than any other team, they also racked up 147 flick-ons during those games, significantly more than any other.

This simple but effective style of play took the Irish to the play offs in the World Cup and coach Giovanni Trapattoni has stuck with the formula for the Euro qualifiers and with two wins out of two games it is certainly working well for them.

Russia’s failure to put away their chances shows a team seriously out of form averaging just one goal at every 14 attempts.

Interestingly, while their goal threat has dropped, the Russians have been seen a steady improvement in their defensive play. Still, without an improved cutting edge up front, Russia may well struggle to fulfil their undoubted potential once again in the Euro 2012 campaign.

Castrol Perfomance verdict:
Ireland  37%
Russia   31%
Draw     32%

Czech Republic v Scotland

Castrol Performance analysis shows that the Czech Republic are failing to put away their chances and make the most of their possession in games, issues central to their defeat against Scotland in a friendly in March, and more recently, in their opening game of the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania.

In that friendly at Hampden Park, which was Craig Levein’s first as Scottish boss, the Czechs mustered a total of 11 shots compared to the home side’s four attempts on goal, while the visitors also had significantly more of the ball, but a failure to put away their chances cost the Czechs the game.

This profligacy was also central to the Czechs’ defeat against Lithuania last month. In that game in Olomouc, the home side mustered an impressive 21 shots, compared to the visitors’ haul of eight, and had a massive 64% of the ball, yet once again they failed to find the back of the net. If Michal Bilek’s side are to kickstart their Euro campaign with a win against the Scots, they’ll have to rediscover their clinical edge.

Scotland too have been suffering in front of goal, their misfiring strikers make them amongst the least effective strike force in Europe.

In their Euro 2012 campaign so far, Scotland’s strikers have managed only three shots on target between them, with Kris Boyd paying for his poor form by losing his place in the squad for the upcoming set of games.

In their last game against Liechtenstein, the Scots needed a last-gasp goal from defender Stephen McManus to avoid an embarrassing draw. If the Scots are to make their mark in Group I, their strikers will need to rediscover their shooting boots sooner rather than later.

Castrol Performance verdict:
Czech Republic 67%
Scotland             11%
Draw                    22%

Wales v Bulgaria

Castrol Performance analysis shows that recently named Welsh Player of the Year, Gareth Bale is once again proving to be one of the best wide midfielders in the Premier League, attempting more crosses than any other player and embarking on the third-highest number of dribbles.

The Tottenham star was Wales’ outstanding player in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, embarking on more dribbles than any other player in the competition (67) and creating a total of 19 goal-scoring chances, more than any of his team-mates.

Bale created an impressive four goal-scoring chances in Wales’ opening day defeat to Montenegro in the  Euro 2012 campaign and if his league form is anything to go by, the former Southampton starlet could well be the player to inspire interim boss Brian Flynn’s side to a welcome victory against Bulgaria.

Bulgaria meanwhile are struggling to fill the boots of recently retired striker Dimatar Berbatov, the current international strike force have failed to score so far in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, managing just one shot on target between them.

Berbatov was responsible for scoring five goals in Bulgaria’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers, accounting for 29% of the teams total goal haul.

While Berbatov currently enjoys his best-ever league season in England (six goals in seven games), new Bulgaria boss Lothar Matthaus will be hoping the likes of Valeri Bojinov and Dimitar Rangelov can fill the gap left by the Manchester United man, starting with the visit to the Millennium Stadium.

Castrol Performance verdict:
Wales    43%
Bulgaria 29%
Draw     28%

joe hart

Well, England put in a sound performance against Bulgaria at Wembley last Friday in the first of the Euro 2012 qualifiers, with Fabio Capello seeming to fill the gaps left by the withdrawal of regulars Frank Lampard, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand with apparent ease.

But most of all England fans will surely be happy to have kept a clean sheet against a reasonable Bulgarian team and Joe Hart has emerged as the leading contender to keep the England goalkeepers jersey.

Castrol Performance research proves that Hart is indeed the current number one choice for England, his performances so far in the Premier League shows that he is well ahead of his English rivals and the Manchester City keeper is statistically second only to Chelsea’s Petr Cech so far this season.

The former Shrewsbury Town starlet has ousted Shay Given from the number one spot at City and in the first three games of the season he has conceded only once, saving an amazing 94% of the shots fired at his goal.

In contrast other contenders such as Ben Foster at Birmingham has conceded five times with no clean sheets and West Ham’s Robert Green has let in nine goals with no clean sheets.

In fairness, Manchester City are considered to be title contenders and Joe Hart is surrounded by international defenders of repute, while taking nothing away from Birmingham or West Ham, neither team has resources similar to those available to City.

None the less, Hart has started in superb form and fully deserves the opportunity to stake his claim for England, he appears focused and confident, so long may that continue.

Hart and the England defence will be aware of the aerial threat posed by Switzerland, twelve of their eighteen goals in World Cup 2010 qualifiers came from headers.

Switzerland were as disappointing as England during the World Cup finals, so both teams have a lot to prove. With Congolese born Blaise Nkufo not included in the Swiss squad expect the aerial bombardment to come from Alexander Frei and Marco Streller.

castrol performance research

Castrol make England favourites to win the game in Basel with a 44% chance, Switzerland to win 27% and a draw 29%.

castrol performance research

Using data collected over the last two years of competitive international games, Castrol Performance have analysed some of the key individual head to head areas of tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier between England and Bulgaria.

On paper the statistics are stacked in England’s favour and it would appear that Bulgaria need a miracle to get anything out of this game.

While Glen Johnson poses a massive threat to any team with his frequent excursions into the opponents half of the field where he produces his best football, it is a commonly held opinion that he still has a lot to learn in the art of defending.

This is borne out by the stats that claim Zhivko Milanov has won an incredible 100% of his tackles compared to just 78% for Johnson. However the Bulgarian is not prolific at pushing forward and has completed no dribbles compared to 59% completed by Johnson, no goal assists and no shots on goal. Johnson meanwhile has assisted in four of England’s goals and had seven shots himself.

In midfield Stiliyan Petrov proves to be a fantastic ball winner, claiming 94% of tackles won compared to Steven Gerrard’s measly 65%, the Bulgarians pass rate is also superior to the England player with 86% success to Gerrard’s 77%.

However the Englishman comes into his own in front of goal with four goals scored to Petrov’s one, 23 shots compared to 11 and an incredible 21 chances created including assists to the Bulgarians four.

In the front line England’s Theo Walcott has shown that his blistering pace can unsettle some of the best defenders and compared to Martin Petrov he is a far better dribbler of the ball, but both players have created nine chances and one assist, while Walcott edges it with eleven shots on goal  and three goals scored. Petrov very close with nine shots on goal and two scored.

It is not so easy to compare Wayne Rooney with his opposite number in the Bulgarian team as between them strikers Dimitar Rangelov and Valeri Bojinov have completed half the time on the field compared to the England striker.

Neither Bulgarian has managed to hit the target during that time though, while Rooney has scored nine times for England. Between them the two Bulgarians have managed eleven shots to Rooney’s 42 and created nine chances compared to 26 for the Manchester United player.

On the evidence of these facts England will find the Bulgarians a difficult team to break down through midfield and defence, but England have enough strike power to win the game comfortably and put some points in the bag for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

theo walcott

Maybe as a a consequence of missing out in the South Africa World Cup finals, Theo Walcott has started this Premier League season in sparkling form, easily the most dangerous of England’s wide men he has already bagged four goals in 187 minutes of football action.

He will surely have earned himself a starting place up in Fabio Capello’s team who take on Bulgaria this Friday in the first of the qualifiers for Euro 2012.

Castrol Performance analysis confirms that Walcott has compared very favourably to England’s alternative wide men, scoring more goals, mustering more shots, being more accurate with his crosses than all apart from Ashley Young and only behind James Milner in terms of successful dribbles.

Also Walcott will feel he has a point to prove and where better to do that than at Wembley in an England shirt.

With the statistics showing that Bulgaria were at their most vulnerable during the first 15 minutes of their World Cup 2010 qualifiers, Walcott may never have such an opportunity to prove his ability at international level.

Walcott shows lightening pace at the start of any game and the Bulgarians will have their hands full contending with the nippy Arsenal player as he runs at their defence at speed, hopefully creating chances of an early goal or two for himself or his colleagues.

While the Castrol stats show that England were more potent later on in their World Cup qualifying games, Bulgaria will be mindful that four of England’s goals in the campaign were scored inside the first 15 minutes and three of those were scored at Wembley.

Bulgaria will have to be at their most focused if they are to get anything out of this game and England are massive favourites to get themselves off to a winning start on Friday.

castrol performance research

Castrol say England are 76% most likely to win, 15% for a draw and Bulgaria have a 9% of upsetting the odds and winning the match.

Bob Bradley renews US contract

It looks as though the USA coach Bob Bradley has done the sensible thing and extended his contract with the US international team and put an end to any speculation linking him with the Aston Villa managerial vacancy.

Latest reports suggest that Bradley has agreed to remain in charge of the American team until 2014, a just reward for the achievements he has made with the international team during his current tenure.

Bradley has been responsible for the emergence of the USA as serious contenders at international level, their recent endeavours at the South African World Cup saw them reach the last 16 where they were beaten by Ghana.

It was at the 2010 World Cup where Bradley led the team to finish first place in their group for the first time in 80 years, having previously guided the team to the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the final of the Federation’s cup in 2009 where his team lost to Brazil after ending Spain’s long unbeaten run in the semi finals.

There is no doubt that Bradley deserves the plaudits for his achievements with the US team, he has taken a fairly limited squad of players and turned them into a tremendous team full of spirit, who will not be humiliated by ‘bigger better’ teams and who are prepared to fight for their country and each other and of course their coach.

The reason I believe it is the right decision for Bob Bradley to stay in the US is simply that Premier League football is a very different animal to what he knows, while I have no doubt that he would do an excellent job at Villa given time and resources it is not so easy seeing him fit into the in your face style of English media reporting, something that has quickly taken its toll on other coaches making the switch from international to EPL football.