Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp – tipped by many to become England’s next manager – has criticised current coach Fabio Capello’s use of striker Peter Crouch in Tuesday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Montenegro (Spurs 13/5 – Top 4 finish).
Redknapp is generally a fan of the Italian and believes the former Milan and Juve chief is the right man to successfully guide the Three Lions to Euro 2012.
However, he has questioned his usage of Spurs forward Crouch, who was deployed alongside Wayne Rooney at Wembley this week.
“Peter Crouch is 6ft 7in tall so his best asset is an obvious one,” he said in his column in The Sun.
“It’s no good putting him up front and then trying to play the ball to his feet all the time.
“Peter is a technically good player but England should use his height – because he towers above most defenders.
“I’m the last one to advocate the long-ball game but, if you have a player like Steven Gerrard who can put the ball on his head from 35 yards out, do it.
“While he does that, the team can surge forward as a group and pick up the second ball, the knockdown they know is coming.
“If you’re not going to make the most of Crouchie, don’t play him, simple as that. Use a little striker instead.”
Redknapp also believes Capello needs to get the most out of key trio Rooney, Gerrard and Frank Lampard if England are to become a major player on the international stage once again.
“I have a vision of a ‘golden triangle’ for England,” he added. “Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the middle, with Wayne Rooney playing off a striker and dropping back a little bit.
“In that way, he can play just in front of the two central midfielders and is a great link-man between midfield and up front.
“There is no doubt Rooney is still a world-class striker. But again when Lampard is missing, there is an obvious gap in the team.
“I think Rooney is perfectly suited to the role of dropping off a main striker, because he is superb at running at defences with the ball.”
Redknapp, whose Spurs side go to London rivals Fulham (Spurs 9/5, Fulham 7/5, the draw 9/4 – 90 minutes) this weekend, remains confident England can not only make it to Poland and Ukraine for the European Championships but says they have the ability to win the tournament outright (8/1).
“England had a poor World Cup, yet we still have the players and manager to go and win Euro 2012,” he said.
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