Expectation and anticipation is rising as the Women’s Euro 2022 has arrived and England are one of the favourites on home soil.
Former Lionesses star Sue Smith thinks England have a huge chance of winning the whole thing if they can get off to a blistering start against Austria on Wednesday – a game you can listen to live on talkSPORT.
Sarina Wiegman knows how to win the competition as she led the Netherlands to the trophy back in 2017.
The Lionesses have been in brilliant form ahead of the tournament, firing in 84 goals in their last 14 games.
Smith, speaking to talkSPORT after helping launch the VoucherCodes spending report, identified the key England stars and what they need to do to win.
She said: “It’s playing the way they can play. What they’ve done when we’ve seen them be successful, they get the ball out wide and have great players on the wing.
“Whether that’s Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Nikita Parris, whoever plays out there they have the ability to beat a player and get a cross in, or cut in and get a shot on goal.
“Play to your strengths. That’s where we are strongest, out wide. We’ve got good attacking players, whether that’s your number nine or your number 10 joining in.
“Sarina Wiegman wants them to play in thirds, she is quite happy if there’s a diagonal ball on and you do it.
“Mix it up and change things around. We’ve got players who are very flexible that can play in different positions.
“If you were to say to me now who would England’s starting XI be, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.
“That’s a positive as Austria won’t know either. We have that flexibility and players who can play in different positions.
“I love England when they play 4-3-3 and they are attacking and free flowing, they are expansive, as that suits our way of playing.
“We are a young, energetic side and I think that suits getting our full-backs involved. We’ve got great full-backs on both sides.
“I’m excited to see how it starts and I think getting a positive results and performances in that opening game then the momentum builds.”
Midfielder Keira Walsh, the Man City star who has played 42 times for England, was also tipped to have an integral role.
Smith added: “Keira Walsh, who plays the holding midfield role, never gets the headlines but is such an important player for England in the way she plays, sweeps up and reads the game so well.
“She also starts the attacks from that deep midfield area.”
Smith also backed the Lionesses to win the whole thing, despite the pressure of playing at home.
She added: “I’ve got to say England [to win]. I think the strength in depth that England have and competition for places and as you are going further into the tournament you need to be able to change that squad.
“When England rotate, it doesn’t seem to get any weaker. It gets stronger if anything. You’ve got a manager who knows how to do it and did it with the Netherlands.
“You’ve got that. Great staff and great support around the team. Everything is in place to win it. It’s at home, the final is at Wembley, it’s a sell out.
“Everything is there, but of course the expectation, the pressure. We know football doesn’t stick to any rules.”
Sue Smith is working with VoucherCodes.co.uk to launch its Women’s EURO 2022 Spending Report. For more information visit: https://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/savings-guides/guides-reports/womens-euros-2022-report
Euro 2022 live on talkSPORT
Every England match of the Women’s Euros 2022 Championship will be live on talkSPORT.
Sam Matterface will be lead commentator for England games, alongside co-commentators Lianne Sanderson and lead presenter Adrian Durham, while Faye Carruthers will be reporting live pitchside with all the latest England news.
Meanwhile, Joe Shennan and Lucy Ward will lead commentary for Northern Ireland games.
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