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Wednesday June 14, 2000, 10:24 AM London Time
Keegan set to Wise up his tactics
By Michael Hart in Spa
Arsenal's Martin Keown and Chelsea's Dennis Wise are emerging as England's potential Euro 2000 saviours.
Keown is almost certain to replace his injured Arsenal team-mate Tony Adams in Saturday's clash with Germany in Charleroi. Wise and Everton's Nicky Barmby are rivals to deputise for Steve McManaman, like Adams injured in the 3-2 defeat by Portugal.
'We're very fortunate in having players of this quality to bring into the equation,' said England coach Kevin Keegan. 'Because of the injuries I'm forced to make two changes, but there may be more.'
Keegan is almost certain to switch to a 3-5-2 formation against the Germans. Wise, the Chelsea captain, stiffened England's overrun midfield when he was introduced as a 58th minute substitute against Portugal.
He's a better option for both the wide left role and Paul Ince's ball winning position in the heart of midfield. He was one of the outstanding midfielders in the Premiership last season, winning a recall to the national side and playing in both the big pre-tournament friendly matches against Argentina and Brazil.
Wise worked well with Paul Scholes in both games and my own inclination would be to re-establish this midfield partnership. Scholes was one of the few players to emerge from the Portugal match with much credit and is now a key component in Keegan's first choice line-up.
His goal against Portugal took his total to 10 in 25 England appearances, a remarkable record for a midfielder, rivalling players likes David Platt (27 goals, 62 caps) and Bryan Robson (26 goals, 90 caps).
But, as England reflect on the implications of their opening defeat, Keegan will also consider the claims of former Spurs forward Barmby, who impressed in Malta and as a substitute against Ukraine.
A neat, inventive passer of the ball, his qualities were precisely what England lacked against Portugal.
David Beckham and Scholes apart, England's passing was woeful and, unless it improves significantly, Keegan's men will again find themselves chasing the game against the Germans.
A 3-5-2 formation would at least provide England with an extra man in midfield where the Germans are particularly strong with players like Jens Jeremies, Thomas Hassler, Mehmet Scholl, Dietmar Hamann and Christian Ziege.
The defending champions were no better than functional in their 1-1 draw with Romania but Keegan takes no comfort in that.
'Germany will be a very different proposition when they play us,' he said. 'They'll go up and gear. And so will we.'
The introduction of the resilient Keown, one of the best man markers in the Premiership, should re-establish some defensive security after the disasters against Portugal.
I suspect that he would have been one of three centre-backs against the Germans, regardless of the calf injury to Adams. As it is, he will now probably partner Sol Campbell and Gareth Southgate, with David Beckham and Philip Neville filling the wing-back roles.
This was the formation, with Adams in place of Keown, that played so well in the 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley last month. Although he must be in some personal turmoil, Keegan remains ebullient and confident that England will qualify.
Irritated by a strange media suggestion that he felt 'euphoric' after the Portugal defeat, he replied: 'I'm a realist. What is the point of going into a press conference and slashing my wrists. I wasn't euphoric.'
Having witnessed the hand-wringing desperation of some of England's former managers it was encouraging to note that this one at least wasn't going to be reaching for the Paracetemols after every setback.
'My job is to tell the players the truth, and the truth is that qualification is still in our own hands,' he added. 'Whether we're good enough is another thing. We don't necessarily have to beat Germany to get one of the two qualifying places.
'If we draw and beat Romania in our last match that could be enough.'