Milner's role in Kiev helped England get what they came for

Milner's role in Kiev helped England get what they came for

Professionals love him, pundits support him, while others believe his selection pinpoints why England might struggle in Brazil next summer.
But James Milner remains integral to Roy Hodgson's plans, and England's 0-0 draw in Kiev against Ukraine proved why substance is required over style when backs are against the wall.
And England were firmly up against it. Injury-stricken and jolted by an unnecessary suspension to Danny Welbeck, Hodgson opted for Milner on the left wing. It worked.

Hassle: Milner was earning his 41st England cap in Ukraine, and it won't be his last

Front and back: Milner's defensive qualities as well as his engine in midfield are what attracts Roy Hodgson

Type Milner's name into Twitter and you'll see 99 per cent of England fans tearing him to shreds, asking: 'What does he actually do?'
Milner's reliability is too often used as a stick to beat him with, but Hodgson knows his team and knows the Yorkshireman's strengths.
After all, Hodgson's depth of knowledge of the Premier League is what put him ahead of the likes of Pep Guardiola in line for the job back last summer.
One gripe for England fans will be knowing that Milner can be creative if given the freedom.

Get forward: A gripe for England fans will be his lack of goals, with just one in 41 England caps

In depth: Roy Hodgson knows his team, and knows Milner's strengths and weaknesses

His time at Aston Villa proved he has the ability to score goals when given a day off from being that cylindrical motor in midfield. One goal in 41 caps proves he has not been employed to be England's all-out attacking outlet.
Since his move to Manchester City in 2010, Milner has been bedded into the engine role. For England it is no different.
In the first half in Kiev, Milner stayed disciplined in his area just ahead of the halfway line on the left of midfield. He played a few clever balls into Rickie Lambert, but as expected, tracked back whenever possible.

Jugular: Fans know Milner can be an attacking force, as was proved by his time at Villa

Like for like: Milner's unattractive role at Manchester City is similar to his role for England

A single mistimed tackle, which went unpunished, was his one downfall in a solid first half, even if England came close to falling behind on the odd occasion.
It was those long, hopeful balls splitting England's defence in the first half, not Milner's lack of closing down opponents. His tireless nature kept England's midfield intact throughout, even if attacking options were lacking. If England don't want to be beaten, this is the necessary evil.
In stark contrast to Ukrainian left winger Yevhen Konoplyanka, Milner refused to commit himself if the  cause seemed unnecessary.
Did Hodgson's plan work in Kiev? James Milner's heat map from England's 0-0 draw in Ukraine

Stick to your patch: Milner's heat map shows his discipline positionally in Kiev

At one point, Milner showed his unattractive qualities by producing a brilliant tackle on Konoplyanka himself. But the Ukrainian, as proved by his heat map below, got about the left channel to a far greater extent than Milner.
After the break, Milner's task was of a similar ilk as the game as a spectacle became tired and muddy.
When Ashley Young's name was called up in the 68th minute, Milner as good as made his way to the touchline, only for the fourth official to hold up the board for England's number 10, Jack Wilshere.

Foray: Yevhen Konoplyanka's heat map shows how he used the left channel more than Milner

As the minutes wore on, that familiar dilemma rose again. Should England go for the three points or sit for the draw? Either option involved Milner directly, and Hodgson chose to keep the Manchester City man on the field.
Milner is very much in Hodgson's plans, but his minute counter at the end of this season at Manchester City will determine whether he gets on the plane to Brazil. That's if Hodgson wants to stand by his claim that he will pick form players.
Nevertheless, he's a Hodgson favourite, for all the boring reasons.

'We know what James will do,' said Hodgson after Friday’s win over Moldova.
'James isn’t and doesn’t pretend to be as exciting as some of the wingers we sometimes use these days.

Never stops: England got what they came for, and Milner was key to that

'After a long period of time where I’ve not seen many wingers in the country, I’m seeing lots of young ones.'
Can he play in an England attacking front three? It remains to be seen. England fans will hope that when the onus is on them to go forward, Milner may not be preferred to do the job.
The common consensus is that Milner is not the problem in England's uninspiring displays. Rather, the team's mentality as a whole is worrying, but on a tricky night in Kiev, one result was needed. It was duly ground out.
It may not have been Rome 1997, but England fans won't be complaining once they feel the sand between their toes on the Copacabana

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