French strike force short of firepower

The French team got off to a perfect start with their emphatic 3-0 victory over South Africa. They have some incredibly talented players but there were still doubts about whether they have sufficient firepower to go all the way in the tournament.

Playing in front of the partisan home crowd is a massive advantage as we saw with England in the European Championship in 1996. This early win will mean the French people will really get behind their team now. Aime Jacquet’s side looks very solid and have a wonderful talent in midfield with Zinedine Zidane pulling the strings but there are still one of two question marks about their strikers. They will be relying on a couple of inexperienced players in Thierry Henry and Stephane Guivarc’H for goals plus the unpredictable Christophe Dugarry.France are still among my top six to win the tournament because of home advantage but the goals could dry up against top class opposition. Unfancied Denmark have also made a decent start beating Saudi Arabia. When you have agoalkeeper of the calibre of Peter Schmeichel in the side you will always have a chance.If you compare the Great Dane to some of the other shot-stoppers we have seen in the tournament so far you can see what an advantage it can give you. Defenders can leave crosses safe in the knowledge Schmeichel will collect them all day. In Brian Laudrup, they also have a proven goalscorer at international level.It is make or break time for Craig Brown’s Scotland when they take on Norway. After their valiant defeat against Brazil they have to win the match.

Scotland will knock it about in midfield and try to draw the Norwegians to them before launching an attack but you still have to question whether they have forwards to worry a team at this level. A lot rests on the shoulders of Kevin Gallagher becuase I thought he showed enough against Brazil to suggest he has the tricks to get in behind defenders.(Professional Management Group)Peter Shilton won 125 caps for England as goalkeeper and has played three World Cupfinals.