For the match against the Ukraine, it would be wise of Hodgson to play as defensively as possible, taking into account he only has two out-and-out strikers at his disposal. The best option would be to pack the midfield by reinstating Ashley Young and retaining the services of Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott and playing Lambert as a lone striker. This would give Hodgson the ability to push Young or Walcott forward if needed but also to sit back and defend what would be a respectable draw, all things considered. The pressure will be on Ukraine to attack in their home stadium against a side badly hit by injury, and the Three Lions are going to have to weather the inevitable storm in the opening stages of the game. Playing 4-5-1 might be defensive, but it could also be the best option open to Hodgson as things stand. Option 5: 4-5-1 Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole; Young, Wilshere, Lampard, Gerrard, Walcott; Lambert Should Hodgson stick with 4-3-3 against Ukraine or revert to a more defensive formation to resolve his striking crisis? Let us know in the comment section, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
