Securing the Playoff Spot

Sitting on the bench, Aldrich watched the game while his mind wandered, his focus fixated on one player: Gerrard.

When it comes to players like Gerrard and Lampard, the word "versatile" is overused. Sure, Gerrard could theoretically play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or on either flank. But on closer inspection, is there a single position—apart from central midfield—where he could be fully trusted to perform at a world-class level?

Aldrich trusted Lampard for the starting lineup. It was the obvious choice given his knowledge of the players' abilities and development. Gerrard, on the other hand, had spent his career at Liverpool switching between defense and midfield, making him less of a natural fit in Aldrich's system.

This was the tough part of being a national team coach. If Aldrich had been able to bring Gerrard in earlier, he could have guided his development and helped him avoid some of the detours in his career. But now, Aldrich had no influence over club decisions and could only accept the situation.

Aldrich was speechless, much like when he thought of Carragher. How could he possibly depend on Carragher to make an impact for the national team?

Last season, Carragher played as a right-back. This season, he's been deployed as a left-back for Liverpool—a utility player shuffled around wherever the team needs him.

Sure, in the future, people will call him "versatile." Defensive midfielder? Check. Defender? Check. He can do it all.

But the reality?

At full-back, he's been torn apart by top-class opponents. There's a world of difference between being able to play a position and excelling in it.

From a technical standpoint, Gerrard's skill set was undoubtedly well-rounded. The challenge lay in how to utilize him effectively—how to unleash his potential and make him a vital asset for England.

Aldrich needed substitutes on the bench who could act as game-changers, players capable of delivering something unique. Gerrard, however, couldn't be relegated to merely a backup for central midfielders. That would be a waste of his talent.

Aldrich couldn't help but think of an old acquaintance: Benítez. There was one season when Benítez used Gerrard brilliantly.

During that year, Liverpool's midfield had Mascherano anchoring the defense, Alonso orchestrating the play, and Torres leading the attack. Gerrard played as a second striker behind Torres, forming the iconic duo known as Liverpool's "Twin Stars." That season, Gerrard delivered his best Premier League performance, scoring 16 league goals with an average of over 0.5 goals per game. Liverpool finished second in the league, just four points behind Manchester United. If not for Torres missing over 13 league matches due to injury, Liverpool might have won their first Premier League title. In just 24 appearances, Torres scored 14 goals—his importance was undeniable.

Expecting Gerrard to focus purely on defense was unrealistic. Nor was he entirely reliable for intricate playmaking. Ultimately, his greatest strength lay in his ability to drive forward with pace and power.

Gerrard's strengths are unmistakable—his powerful strides, expansive style of play, and decent shooting technique. His late runs into the box create a real threat, especially when he's allowed to push forward without worrying about defensive responsibilities.

The recent adjustment was aimed at doing just that: freeing Gerrard from his box-to-box role and pushing him further up the field, from the halfway line to the opponent's goal. The idea was to see how he'd perform with more attacking freedom.

No one can question Gerrard's determination. For a footballer, determination is measured by how much they run. Players who don't run lack spirit, while those who run tirelessly demonstrate unyielding resolve.

Meanwhile, Joe Cole's move to the wing made him more active and engaged in the attack, further bolstering the team's offensive dynamics.

After a cross from the left flank reached the far post of Albania's penalty area, Heskey fought for the ball but couldn't manage a shot. Spotting a teammate advancing from the opposite side, he headed the ball into their path.

Gerrard!

His unexpected run caught the Albanian defenders off guard. Gerrard met the descending ball with a volleyed shot, but it soared high over the crossbar—embarrassingly off target.

Having taken the shot, even Gerrard felt a wave of self-consciousness. He hung his head as he jogged back, silently vowing to stay calmer next time and time his strike more precisely. This time, his swing had been premature, and he barely made clean contact with the ball, effectively turning his shot into a clearance.

England's battle to crack Albania's defense continued. They dominated possession but couldn't find the back of the net.

This scenario wasn't what pundits predicted before the match. Most expected England to dismantle Albania with ease.

However, Aldrich's mid-game tactical adjustment—shifting from a 4-3-2-1 to a 4-4-2 formation—required a period of adaptation.

Unlike the traditional 4-4-2, this aggressive version appeared to feature Heskey as the sole striker. In practice, when the fullbacks joined the attack and McManaman and Joe Cole cut inside, it morphed into a three-forward setup. Gerrard lurked behind them, with Lampard providing pressure from long range. Breaking down Albania's compact defense required England to stretch the field, occupying every attacking zone and exerting relentless pressure.

Once England settled into their new rhythm, their offensive threat became much more palpable.

In the 41st minute, McManaman delivered a cross from the right. Gerrard, arriving at the far post, headed the ball on target, forcing a save from the Albanian goalkeeper. The ensuing scramble saw a defender scuff a clearance, sending the ball rolling to Joe Cole, who had cut inside from the left.

As Cole controlled the ball in the box and prepared to shoot, he glanced up and froze.

One, two, three, four!

Four Albanian defenders were charging toward him. A shot? There was no angle left!

Calmly shielding the ball, Cole turned and passed it back to an unmarked Lampard at the edge of the box. Lampard stepped into a low drive, aiming for the open space on the right side of the goal.

The ball zipped into the net.

"England has finally scored! The goal comes from young Frank Lampard, whose precise strike from the edge of the box breaks the deadlock!"

Lampard's goal opened the floodgates. Breaking a compact defense always hinges on that first goal.

When a team focused on parking the bus concedes, the psychological impact is immediate. Some players may continue defending, while others push forward to claw back the deficit. This lack of unity disrupts the team's tactics, throwing them off balance.

Exceptional coaches prepare for this contingency, instilling a backup plan in their players during pre-match preparations to mitigate the mental blow and adjust tactics swiftly if they fall behind.

But Albania, a weaker side, lacked the ability to adapt and compete with a powerhouse like England.

"Once the siege is broken," Aldrich mused calmly from the sidelines, "no amount of parking the bus can save them, as long as our team stays focused and unified."

In the 56th minute, another chaotic scene unfolded in Albania's penalty area. Lampard's long-range strike forced a rebound from the goalkeeper, McManaman's follow-up was blocked, and Gerrard pounced on the loose ball to bury his first international goal.

"Congratulations to young Steven Gerrard on his debut goal for England, doubling their lead and securing victory!"

Despite Gerrard's goal, Aldrich still found his tactical impact somewhat lacking.

"Perhaps it's just a matter of time and experience," Aldrich thought. "You can't expect him to be a consistent threat right away. At least he's showing promise by seizing opportunities in chaotic situations rather than running aimlessly."

Aldrich wondered if the issue lay with him—Aldrich felt he struggled to make good use of a traditional target man. Was it his tactics, or was it simply down to the player not being good enough?

Heskey had few chances during the match, but he wasted two golden opportunities that should have been converted.

Aldrich was never a fan of rigid, point-to-point attacking systems. He found them too predictable and easily neutralized, especially against top-tier defenses.

Heskey, for all his ability to hold up play and act as a pivot, just couldn't score. Watching him struggle in front of goal was enough to make anyone's patience wear thin.

By the 70th minute, Aldrich made his move. Heskey was substituted off for Alan Smith, while Butt was replaced by Hargreaves. 

In this match, the defensive line faced minimal pressure, with their main tasks limited to intercepting passes and contesting loose balls. There were no significant errors at the back. Butt had little to do and wasn't truly tested, making his substitution a logical choice. Aldrich brought on Hargreaves, not with the expectation of sharpening his skills in this game, but to help him acclimate mentally and soak in the atmosphere.

In the final ten minutes, Aldrich stood on the sidelines with his hands in his pockets, his expression calm and composed.

The substitutes delivered average performances. Smith struggled to make an impact in congested areas, while Hargreaves was steady but hardly involved, touching the ball only a handful of times.

Some younger players on the pitch lacked adaptability. Joe Cole, for instance, had technical ability but was clearly inexperienced. With Heskey off, the team had no aerial presence in the penalty box, yet Cole persisted in delivering crosses from the flanks.

Aldrich refrained from stepping in to correct them. There wasn't much time left in the game, and sometimes players needed a breakthrough moment—a realization, so to speak—to grow.

When the final whistle blew, the scoreline remained unchanged.

"England claimed a 2–0 victory away to Albania, wrapping up their fifth World Cup Qualifier with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss. They now sit on 10 points with a goal difference of +10. Meanwhile, a draw between Finland and Germany has allowed England to leapfrog Finland, who now have 9 points. England trail Germany by just 3 points and are in a strong position to challenge for the top spot in the group, which guarantees direct qualification to the World Cup finals. With three matches left in the group stage, England's next game is in September against Finland, as they will sit out the next round of fixtures in June. A victory over Finland would all but secure a playoff spot, setting up a thrilling penultimate-round clash with Germany in an England-Germany showdown. Best of luck to the Three Lions!"

After the match, Aldrich stepped onto the pitch to shake hands with the players, offering words of praise. With many young players on the field, he believed this victory deserved encouragement and recognition.

As he left the pitch, Aldrich's gaze sharpened.

They had crushed Greece and racked up eight goals in two matches against Albania, bringing England's goal difference from -1 before his tenure to +10.

Were goal differences important?

Absolutely.

With three matches remaining, England and Germany were set to face each other. If both teams won their other matches, even a victory against Germany would leave them tied on points. In such cases, goal difference would be the deciding factor.

He wouldn't share these calculations with the players, but they were firmly etched in his mind.

The next target? Finland.

This World Cup qualifier felt like climbing a ladder to the sky.