Foyle: England's game against Germany hinges on teams' defence (From York Press)

Foyle: England's game against Germany hinges on teams' defence

10:53am Saturday 26th June 2010 in World Cup news By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

YORK City manager Martin Foyle believes England’s crunch World Cup clash with Germany tomorrow afternoon could be decided by which team defends the best.

Foyle has reservations concerning both back fours with the respective centre-half pairings of John Terry and Matthew Upson and Per Metersacker and Arne Friedrich facing question marks over their pace going into the Bloemfontein encounter.

The City chief believes England’s group stage hero Jermain Defoe could play a crucial role in the last 16 contest while the movement of Miroslav Klose, available again after suspension, could cause Fabio Capello’s men problems at the other end of the pitch.

Foyle said: “England were more positive in their passing against Slovenia, going forward more than sideways and backwards. They also raised the tempo and created a few more chances but it perhaps helped that Slovenia did not want to come at us.

“John Terry and Matthew Upson put in some fantastic blocks but I worry that decent sides will open up that back four. We don’t look comfortable with the ball at the back and it might have been a different story had the USA scored 15 minutes earlier and Slovenia thrown everything at us.

“Klose could give our defence problems because he knows where to go to score a goal. I think their centre-backs also look vulnerable though.

“I’ve always been a fan of Defoe and he knows where the net is as well.

“They will be scared of us – don’t worry about that – and might even change their formation to combat Defoe and Wayne Rooney. I think it could come down to one goal and who defends the best.”

Foyle, who watched the Slovenia game with City fans at Bootham Crescent’s Social Club, added that he believes the Three Lions have a “great chance” of progressing to a quarter-final meeting with either Argentina or Mexico, despite finishing second in their group while Germany topped theirs ahead of Ghana, Australia and Serbia.

He said: “Germany are a young, enthusiastic side with a good team spirit who played well in their first game. They are comfortable on the ball and create and take chances.

“Australia were poor though in that first game and the Germans haven’t set the world on fire since. I think England have a great chance against them if they believe in themselves.”

The City boss also feels the game will be a huge test for Aston Villa winger James Milner, relatively inexperienced at international level but one of England’s leading performers against the Slovenians.

He said: “James Milner did well against Slovenia but you don’t really know what you are going to get from him. He’s unproven in a game like this.”