England didn’t look like World Cup winners against Haiti – here’s what has to change

BRISBANE – It is possible to win without “that winning feeling”. Replicating such levels of self-belief that propelled England to European Championship glory last summer would always have been a near impossible task.

The build-up has been too gritty, too unconvincing – and that seeped into the Lionesses’ tournament opener, the final whistle greeted with relief, rather than elation. Three points, at this stage, is all that matters after all.

In October, when Wembley took in a 2-1 triumph over world champions USA, there seemed an irreversible momentum about Sarina Wiegman’s side. We know in hindsight that it was foolish to ever believe England were infallible. But world-beaters – they certainly looked the part.

That may still prove to be the case this summer, and there is no cause for alarm at not beating Haiti more convincingly. The Euros began in much the same way, with a hard-fought slog against Austria that ended with a 1-0 win.

Yet the world’s 53^rd-ranked nation have unveiled a template on how to grind England down, snap their creativity and induce them into an uncomfortably physical battle.

Starting against Denmark, England have work to do to convince the rest of the world they are capable of conquering it.

Free Keira Walsh

Should Haiti not get out of their group, they will be remembered for the outstanding Melchie Dumornay, who looks poised to make a tremendous impact at Lyon.

However, perhaps their greatest trick was shackling Keira Walsh, with the midfielder’s uncharacteristically understated contribution summing up England’s problem. Without Walsh, their lifeblood is cut off.

England’s priority has to be freeing up the space around Walsh and not allowing Karen Holmgaard and Sofie Junge Pedersen to contain the Barcelona midfielder again.

Start Lauren James

James made an impact in bursts after replacing Lauren Hemp just after the hour mark. By then, Hemp and Chloe Kelly had swapped wings, to some effect, but James can be accommodated even if Wiegman chooses to start both by moving her into the No 10 role.

Rest Ella Toone

That is likely to mean replacing Ella Toone, who after struggling in the recent friendly against Portugal was also less well-suited to Haiti’s pressing which did not allow her much time on the ball at all. A nigh-on telepathic understanding with Alessia Russo, the pair having spent three years together at Manchester United, will perhaps make Wiegman reluctant to shake up the midfield too much but England have enough depth to rest Toone.

Stick with Russo?

In one sense, England were in unchartered territory against Haiti. Though increasingly, international teams have enough stock footage of individual players and nations to analyse their opponents in advance, the Lionesses still found themselves on the back foot regarding Haiti’s unfamiliarity.

Wiegman saw enough to decide that Russo was the best fit for the opening game, but Rachel Daly can do it all – she has provided the goals of a more rudimentary centre-forward as well as her more instinctive finishes from the edge of the box.

That does not mean that the Aston Villa striker will necessarily come in against Denmark, with Wiegman largely expected to follow the same system of little rotation that won England the Euros.

Don’t rely on Earps’ magic

There is an increasingly convincing argument that Mary Earps is now the best goalkeeper in the world, just as she was recognised with that accolade by Fifa in February. The England stopper was arguably the Lionesses’ most important player against Haiti, denying Dumornay’s long-range effort and then thwarting Roselord Borgella with her feet.

It is a concern that England were reliant on two moments of brilliance from Earps, though, when Haiti were so content to sit back and had just 25 per cent of the ball. Anything less than 100 per cent from the United ‘keeper and for all their dominance, England would have dropped points.

Bright’s fitness

There were two moments when Millie Bright conceded possession that hinted at the fitness battle she has overcome to get here in the first place, having played her last competitive football in March before undergoing knee surgery.

England will not be expecting the captain to gain match sharpness overnight but 90 minutes against Haiti will have done her the world of good.