Three things we learnt from England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia

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Walker and Walcott Go Together Like Toothpaste and Orange Juice

England’s right side was dysfunctional from an offensive perspective for most of the evening. Theo Walcott and Kyle Walker seem to have no synergy whatsoever, and are too similar in their intentions. Both want to run in straight lines without the ball and attack space, and neither is particularly subtle with it. In an Arsenal shirt, Walcott has the La Masia educated Hector Bellerin tucking in behind him to keep the ball moving. Walker has the velvety Erik Lamela in front of him at White Hart Lane, and the fact the Argentinian is left footed leaves plenty of room for the overlap. When Andros Townsend replaced Walcott, he and Walker were able to recreate this dynamic and things improved slightly.

In the absence of Rooney, Walcott was chosen as the night’s popinjay on social media. The Arsenal man was indeed poor and was frequently caught in possession. However, he could not have played in a team less suited to his strengths. Walcott is never going to beat four defenders and smash one into the top corner; he is a simplistic forward who wants to run in behind and be fed a through ball. At the Emirates, he well nourished by Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka. England’s midfield is populated by strong athletes and powerful runners, but there is a desperate lack of creativity.