England boss Sarina Wiegman has called on her attackers to be more ruthless, but she may have to follow the same advice when picking her team for Friday’s game against Denmark.
The Lionesses are off and running at this World Cup, but the 1-0 win over Haiti in Brisbane at the weekend was not the flying start they wanted.
England struggled to click, especially going forward, and Haiti deserve credit for the way they disrupted the Lionesses’ rhythm.
England’s problems in front of goal pre-date Saturday’s game, however, and they have now not scored from open play since the start of April.
The attack is in need of a spark and it is why Wiegman will be tempted to find a way of getting Lauren James into her starting line-up.
James is a unique player in England’s squad, combining pace and power with a level of close-ball control that makes her a nightmare for defenders.
Leah Williamson referred to her as a “cheat code” after she was named Player of the Tournament at the Arnold Clark Cup in February, and James’s style of play is very off the cuff.
She is a free spirit, on and off the pitch, as summed up by many of her tattoos being drawn freehand. “It’s just how I am,” she says.
England need creativity now and, while much has been made about the absences of Beth Mead and Williamson, it is clear not having Fran Kirby available is a major blow.
The Chelsea playmaker’s work often went unnoticed when the Lionesses won the Euros last summer, but her movement created space for the likes of Mead to shine.
Without Kirby’s creativity, turning to James seems the best solution, but the question is who does Wiegman drop to get her into the team?
At Chelsea, they believe the 21-year-old’s best position is coming off the right. Emma Hayes likes playing her there, but she gives James the freedom to roam inside. Long term, there is a belief among staff at Chelsea that James will become a No10.
James was used out wide by Wiegman on Saturday, when she came off the bench for the final 30 minutes against Haiti. The forward was bright, arguably one of England’s better attackers, and she will want to start against a Denmark defence that had an average age of 30 for their opening victory over China.
Ella Toone would appear the most likely to make way. After a bright start against Haiti as England’s No10, she struggled to make an impact. Playing all three of Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp and James as a trio off a striker would be a bold play from Wiegman, and against her usual way of working.
Wiegman is not a fan of changes. She did not make a single one to her starting XI at the Euros last summer, but it was the same when she was in charge of the Netherlands.
It is a method that understandably brings plenty of external noise. During the Euros, there were calls for Ellen White to be dropped so Alessia Russo could start. Wiegman ignored them, with results vindicating her, but there are already similar shouts starting now when it comes to James.
Wiegman is not one to panic or bow to public opinion... she didn’t make a single change to her starting XI at the Euros last summer
“Absolutely no way Lauren James should be starting on the bench,” former Arsenal striker Ian Wright tweeted during Saturday’s win.
Wiegman is not one to panic or bow to public opinion, and she will take comfort from the fact in all three of her past major tournaments she started with 1-0 wins.
A victory against Denmark here in Sydney on Friday would all but guarantee England finishing top of Group D, and most likely mean that they will avoid drawing co-hosts Australia in the last-16.
“Denmark will drop deep and have an organised defence,” said Wiegman.
“We need to keep the ball moving quicker and have less touches. We need to keep creating chances. We need more ruthlessness.”
