europeannights: France v. England | The danger men Ahead of the weekend. Yohan Cabaye expressed his belief that Steven Gerrard was the man to watch in England’s side. For as great of a player as Gerrard may be, and for as many matches as he has turned in the past, few of those trademark type of performances have come from the middle of a flat midfield four. Furthermore, this game, with Roy Hodgson’s well document style of play, and with the type of pace that lies in the England squad, is tailor-made for someone to make their mark on the counter-attack. That man just may be Ashley, who, of the personnel that England have on the wings and up front, is the best and most in form player. It is nowhere near beyond the realm of possibility that he’ll have a chance to run at Phillippe Mexes during this match, and if he does, he’s a good shout to make the French center-back once again look as shaky as he has in pre-tournament build up. French Focus No discussion of today’s primary Group A match-up has come without first mentioning France’s best two players, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery, but in light of recent developments, it may be time for a cheeky shout. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain getting the surprise start for England, Mathieu Debuchy has become a character of note in this already interesting narrative. Of France’s two fullbacks, Debuchy has the tendency to press much higher up the pitch than Patrice Evra. Roy Hodgson has spoken about his desire to have his England wingers work harder on both sides of the ball, and his selection may hint at “The Ox’s” ability to do so, nonetheless, Stewart Downing would have almost certainly been the more assured option in terms of how England are expected to play. Ultimately, with Debuchy marauding up and down the right, and with Chamberlain’s well noted flair, France’s right hand side may just host a contest of who gets the better of whom first, and because of that, Mathieu Debuchy may just be the one to watch for France. Who do you think are the danger men for today’s Group D match?
