30 November 2023 , 17:50
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If England manage to win their Nations League group they will have done it the hard way.
The Lionesses' first campaign in the new UEFA tournament has been fraught with difficulty from the word go. They have battled injuries, poor officiating and shock defeats over the last few months.
Scotland were highly unlucky not to take a point in the opening game, with England barely sneaking a win, before Netherlands handed them a late defeat in Utrecht back in September. A win over Belgium put Sarina Wiegman's team seemingly back on track, only for them to suffer a shock defeat to the same opponent five days later. They now sit in third place, three points behind league leaders Holland.
If they can win their last two games, against the Dutch on Friday at Wembley and Scotland away next Tuesday, the European Champions will still have a shot of topping their group. But a late injury blow has made the task twice as hard.
Interim captain Millie Bright's withdrawal from the squad will make the final two group games even harder. Her absence comes just as it looked as if the Lionesses were finally getting back to full strength.
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Minus long-term absentee Leah Williamson, Wiegman had no other major injury headaches when selecting this squad. But now she has to find a way to win without Bright, with uncapped Millie Turner joining up with the squad as a replacement, while Mary Earps will take the captain's armband.
Bright was critical to England's run to the World Cup final in the summer, starting every game and raising her game with each round. So how might the Lionesses try and cope without her over two decisive games? Here are some possible solutions.
1. Start Jess Carter in the middle of a back four
Jess Carter started every game in Australia from the final group game onwards and was one of England's top performers. The Chelsea defender partnered club colleague Bright and Alex Greenwood in defence, as Sarina Wiegman switched to a 3-4-1-2 following a lacklustre display in the second group game against Denmark.
The back three were subsequently rock solid and a big part of why England reached the final. Wiegman has since reverted to a back four, and is likely to stick with it against the Netherlands at Wembley. Carter has mainly shined both at club and international level in a three-player backline. But with Greenwood the first choice, the England manager may trust her and Carter to provide a steely defence and keep the likes of Lieke Martens quiet.
The major problem with this pairing is the relative lack of height for two centre-backs, but will their pace and reading of the game make up for it? In form Niamh Charles could complete the back four at left-back. This appears to be Wiegman's most likely option, but will she spring a team selection surprise?
Jess Carter was outstanding at the World Cup2. Give Maya Le Tissier a chance to shine
Maya Le Tissier was undoubtedly the big omission from England's World Cup squad. The Manchester United defender was one of the best centre-backs in the WSL last season but failed to earn a place in England's final squad for the tournament.
Le Tissier is now back in the Lionesses fold and with Bright missing, she could prove a useful option at centre-half. She plays there week-in, week-out, for United and her distribution into midfield is dependable.
The 21-year-old earned her first senior cap just over a year ago in a friendly against Norway. She didn't have the best night, but playing in her secondary position of right-back probably didn't help. She'll get a proper crack at the England team one day. With Bright out injured, perhaps the time is now.
Maya Le Tissier won her first cap last year in the 1-1 draw with Norway (Getty Images)3. Revert to a back three with Lotte Wubben-Moy
England are in 'must-win' territory for both games. To an extent, they have to go for it. But there is little point in playing an open game if it means you are out of the contest with 20 minutes or so to play. Reverting to a more solid back three, with Lucy Bronze and Charles as wing-backs could be the smart call.
If Wiegman does want a sturdy base for her team then both Lotte Wubben-Moy and Millie Turner could play the role of the central centre-half, flanked by Greenwood and Carter. Arsenal's Wubben-Moy appears further up the pecking order, having made a fine start to the season with the title-chasing Gunners.
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Sarina Wiegman and Lotte Wubben-Moy interact during a training session (Photo by Naomi Baker)She brings height, and physicality and is comfortable progressing the play into midfield. Wubben-Moy might not have the experience of Bright, with only 10 senior international caps, but she is a natural leader and was part of the squad at the last three major tournaments.