Jack Wilshere: Victory margin should have been greater

Monday 13 Oct 2014
Jack Wilshere gets stuck into the midfield battle

Jack Wilshere says he was happy that England picked up another three points in Tallinn on Sunday night, but believes the victory should have been more comfortable.

The Three Lions had to wait until the 74th minute for the match-winner, as Wayne Rooney's free-kick finally broke the deadlock against ten-man Estonia, clinching a third consecutive Group E win.

Estonia 0-1 England

European Qualifier
Group E
A. Le Coq Arena
Sunday 12 October 2014

And with England dominating the game throughout, with 77 per cent possession, the Arsenal man feels he also should have opened his international account with a chance in the first half.

"We're happy with the win but, as well, we are happy with the performance, especially in the first half we dominated the game," Wilshere told TheFA.com after the match.

Jack Wilshere talks to FATV after the Estonia win

"We knew it wasn't going to be as easy as San Marino, they were a well-organised team, it was away from home, but I thought we did well.

"But we're happy with the win and on another night we would have scored more."

He continued: "We created a lot of opportunities and I should have done better with my chance.

"I don't know what I was thinking taking it with my right foot. I probably should have cut in and put it on my left foot. But the main thing is we got the three points."

The 22-year-old was again employed as a deep-lying midfielder, a role he says he has been enjoying since he played there in the first European Qualifier in Switzerland last month.

However, it did not stop him moving forward to link up with the attack, and the midfield rotation with Jordan Henderson and Fabian Delph, allowed him a bit more freedom.

Jack Wilshere gets stuck into the midfield battle

Jack Wilshere gets stuck into the midfield battle

And he linked up with the England forward-line and says his understanding with the skipper is improving all the time.

"When we had sussed out their formation there wasn't anyone too deep in that position that I had to be worried about - they had a striker but we had two centre-backs to deal with him so I could push on," said Wilshere.

"Even when I pushed on, Jordan and Fabian have got the intelligence to see that and step in. 

“I said after the Switzerland game, I'm only going to get better in this role”

Jack Wilshere 

"But there was a good balance in there tonight and going forward we were looking good.

"I said after the Switzerland game, I'm only going to get better in this role. It's a little bit difficult because I don't play it for my club, but that's what I spoke about - doing your homework and watching players who play in that role and learning form them. 

"I'm feeling better as each game goes on, I'm starting to get an understanding with Wayne [Rooney] and if he keeps making those runs he's going to break that goal record."

He added: "[Wayne's goal] is the sign of a world-class player, he had a few other opportunities but when it comes to those moments of magic he can produce them. 

"He's done that throughout his Manchester United career and his England career. He's still got it and we're lucky to have him.

"There are still seven games to go, we're top. We've done all we could do, have got nine points out of three game and are looking forward to the next one."

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor in Tallinn