England v USA Preview

Strange as it may sound, the United States make perfect opposition after a hard loss today against the Iroquois. The players can look forward to a low pressure, 'go out there and enjoy it' type experience - which should wash today's loss out of their systems.

Looking back at today, the England camp will feel that all the things that added up to contribute to their downfall were ultimately controllable. Early nerves cost them a deserved half-time lead, which uncharacteristically affected the defence as opposed to the offense, and then too many penalties down the stretch prevented them competing once they reached 8-8 in the third quarter. Team shooting, which is often the difference between the highest levels of the game, was not quite where it needed to be - 3 pipes and 18 shots off target stand out in the stats columns.

Face-offs provided the biggest positive of the day - Tom Gallon fought hard and Alistair Wallace showed some real class going 11 for 14.

Tomorrow will give the staff a chance to empty the bench and get all the bugs out on the systems side of things - expect at least one but possibly two types of six man zone, as well as more than just the 2 - 3 -1 and the "42" that we saw today.

I had a couple of requests to explain the "42" - which is not a regular 4 - 2 (two behind - two crease - two wing shooters), although it does look like that on occasion. The best way to look at it is a 2 - 2 - 2 but with one of the top middies sliding down to a high wing on the non-dodge side, with one of the back attackmen joining the two crease players before popping out to fill a "swing" position. I will see if I can get an official description from Coach Elwood tomorrow. Hope you can join the commentary at 3pm GMT.