Are England the biggest benefactors of VAR?
For many decades English football system seems to promote players that adept aerially (more so than other nationalities). English CB's tend towards the Adams, Butcher, Terry, Maguire, Pallister model whereas Johnny Foreigner produces more Baresi, Hummels, Miranda, etc who were/are all competent in the air but not a consistent threat at set pieces.
This is not to say England have not produced players like Rio Ferdinand, Jagielka and Des Walker but more often than not English CB's are excellent aerially and European/South American's less-so.
Add to that the fact that English forwards were traditionally "target men" and even though the Andy Carroll's of this world are a dying breed England have had many decent headers of the ball leading the line, Kane, Shearer, Lineker etc.
My point (eventually) is that England have always had the potential to do well in tournaments via set pieces because of an aerial advantage but due the defensive "dark arts" by the likes of Pepe, Ramos, Puyol etc and others in previous decades; the shirt tugging, blocking-off runs, and outright manhandling from set pieces has minimised England's threat.
Now with VAR defenders are afraid to foul because of the review system. 9 of England's 11 goals have come from set pieces. Is this the reason (as well as a cushy series of games) that England can actually become World Champions.
Croatia, unfortunately for England, have Lovren, Vida, Corluka (they should start with him) and Mandzukic to match up with Maguire, Stones and Kane so England will struggle more with set pieces this time.
If England beat Croatia I would drop Walker and pick Cahill. Whoever England play in the final they will find themselves on the back foot, they need to play deep and play for set pieces.
I genuinely believe (and want) England to win this and I think VAR has been a huge help and hopefully it will be used in all future tournaments.
For many decades English football system seems to promote players that adept aerially (more so than other nationalities). English CB's tend towards the Adams, Butcher, Terry, Maguire, Pallister model whereas Johnny Foreigner produces more Baresi, Hummels, Miranda, etc who were/are all competent in the air but not a consistent threat at set pieces.
This is not to say England have not produced players like Rio Ferdinand, Jagielka and Des Walker but more often than not English CB's are excellent aerially and European/South American's less-so.
Add to that the fact that English forwards were traditionally "target men" and even though the Andy Carroll's of this world are a dying breed England have had many decent headers of the ball leading the line, Kane, Shearer, Lineker etc.
My point (eventually) is that England have always had the potential to do well in tournaments via set pieces because of an aerial advantage but due the defensive "dark arts" by the likes of Pepe, Ramos, Puyol etc and others in previous decades; the shirt tugging, blocking-off runs, and outright manhandling from set pieces has minimised England's threat.
Now with VAR defenders are afraid to foul because of the review system. 9 of England's 11 goals have come from set pieces. Is this the reason (as well as a cushy series of games) that England can actually become World Champions.
Croatia, unfortunately for England, have Lovren, Vida, Corluka (they should start with him) and Mandzukic to match up with Maguire, Stones and Kane so England will struggle more with set pieces this time.
If England beat Croatia I would drop Walker and pick Cahill. Whoever England play in the final they will find themselves on the back foot, they need to play deep and play for set pieces.
I genuinely believe (and want) England to win this and I think VAR has been a huge help and hopefully it will be used in all future tournaments.
