Phil Neville might not have acknowledged it but England go into their World Cup quarter-final against Norway tomorrow evening with a problem.
Centre-backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright are both “major doubts” to play in Le Havre, while right-back Lucy Bronze is also a worry.
Houghton is battling against an ankle injury picked up in the dying moments of Englands chaotic 3-0 win over Cameroon in the previous round, while both Bright and Bronze are struggling with a virus amid Frances heatwave.
Read more: Phil Neville lays into shameful Cameroon behaviour
Neville is completely relaxed about the situation. Hes rotated his side readily over the past year, so if Leah Williamson and Abbie McManus have to come into central defence theyll be ready for the challenge.
“If Steph and Millie are out we bring someone else in, no problem – it will be a seamless transition,” he said. “Everyone knows the system, the way we play and Ive utter belief in all my players.
“I said six months ago I didnt want to get to the quarter finals of the World Cup and throw someone in we havent tried or tested. As a coach you plan for these moments. Im totally relaxed.
“Injuries and illnesses mean opportunities for others. I would put my life on Leah Williamson and Abbie McManus being the best two players on the pitch.”
Injuries and illnesses happen and cant be helped, although Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth isnt convinced by the Houghton prognosis. “Its nice for them to let me think shes injured but I think shes going to play,” she said.
Neville is of course right to point to his preparation and instil confidence in his players. But the potential loss of three of his back four before facing a talented and dangerous Norway side could be a real handicap.
Houghton is not only the captain: she is a natural leader and third-most capped player, behind Karen Carney and Jill Scott. The Manchester City defender has established a partnership with Bright, playing alongside each other in three of their four World Cup games so far.
By contrast, McManus started the 1-0 win over Argentina and came off the bench against Scotland, while Williamsons only World Cup involvement so far came as an 84th-minute substitute in the Cameroon clash. They have won just 23 England caps between them.
The pairings relative inexperience is a concern, but how they will adapt to Nevilles demanding system may prove more significant.
Despite winning all four of their games so far the Lionesses have at times laboured over their possession-based ethos, with both Houghton and Bright guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas while carrying out orders to play out from the back.
The Japanese high press in the second half of their final Group D match in particular had England rattled and it was only several strong saves from Karen Bardsley which spared them.
Phil Neville might not have acknowledged it but England go into their World Cup quarter-final against Norway tomorrow evening with a problem.
Centre-backs Steph Houghton and Millie Bright are both “major doubts” to play in Le Havre, while right-back Lucy Bronze is also a worry.
Houghton is battling against an ankle injury picked up in the dying moments of Englands chaotic 3-0 win over Cameroon in the previous round, while both Bright and Bronze are struggling with a virus amid Frances heatwave.
Read more: Phil Neville lays into shameful Cameroon behaviour
Neville is completely relaxed about the situation. Hes rotated his side readily over the past year, so if Leah Williamson and Abbie McManus have to come into central defence theyll be ready for the challenge.
“If Steph and Millie are out we bring someone else in, no problem – it will be a seamless transition,” he said. “Everyone knows the system, the way we play and Ive utter belief in all my players.
“I said six months ago I didnt want to get to the quarter finals of the World Cup and throw someone in we havent tried or tested. As a coach you plan for these moments. Im totally relaxed.
“Injuries and illnesses mean opportunities for others. I would put my life on Leah Williamson and Abbie McManus being the best two players on the pitch.”
Injuries and illnesses happen and cant be helped, although Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth isnt convinced by the Houghton prognosis. “Its nice for them to let me think shes injured but I think shes going to play,” she said.
Neville is of course right to point to his preparation and instil confidence in his players. But the potential loss of three of his back four before facing a talented and dangerous Norway side could be a real handicap.
Houghton is not only the captain: she is a natural leader and third-most capped player, behind Karen Carney and Jill Scott. The Manchester City defender has established a partnership with Bright, playing alongside each other in three of their four World Cup games so far.
By contrast, McManus started the 1-0 win over Argentina and came off the bench against Scotland, while Williamsons only World Cup involvement so far came as an 84th-minute substitute in the Cameroon clash. They have won just 23 England caps between them.
The pairings relative inexperience is a concern, but how they will adapt to Nevilles demanding system may prove more significant.
Despite winning all four of their games so far the Lionesses have at times laboured over their possession-based ethos, with both Houghton and Bright guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas while carrying out orders to play out from the back.
The Japanese high press in the second half of their final Group D match in particular had England rattled and it was only several strong saves from Karen Bardsley which spared them.
