Randy Waldrum reveals tactician plan that frustrated England star Lauren James

Randy Waldrum has revealed the plan he used to neutralize Lauren James in their Round of 16 clash at the just concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The England star had registered three goals and two assists in two starts heading into the tie but the American devised a plan to subdue her goal-scoring threat as the Chelsea young talent didn’t have a single attempt on goal.

A frustration led James to bagging a red card for a stamp on Michelle Alozie and she didn’t make another appearance until the second half of the final against Spain after a disciplinary committee review handed her a two-match ban.

Recounting on his most priceless moments of the tournament, the 66-year-old opened up on his game plan to frustrate the European champions to a goalless draw before bowing out on penalties.

“When I saw England play China and China sat in with a low block, England just went right through it,” said Waldrum, told Irish Mirror.

“China played the block but they didn’t play an active block, when it came into the area they didn’t go defend it. And so England played through it.

“The key for me against England was Lauren James. And I felt their three backs had so much time on the ball that all the play was set through them and their holding midfielders.

“So we made a conscious decision to press their three backs and man-mark the two midfield players.

“Then I put one player on Lauren James, Halimatu Ayinde, to follow her. And I think we really took them out of their rhythm.

“I don’t think they could get the ball forward to the two strikers the way they normally had. James was so frustrated in the game that she didn’t get any time on the ball. She was, I felt, very ineffective against us.”