Martin Jol believes the guile of Bobby Zamora will be the quality that sees him claim a place in Fabio Capello's Euro 2012 squad.
Fulham striker leading candidate to replace Rooney in Euro 2012
Martin Jol believes the guile of Bobby Zamora will be the quality that sees him claim a place in Fabio Capello's Euro 2012 squad.
Zamora was handed his full England debut in midweek against Sweden but missed two good chances to mark the occasion with a goal.
Indeed, the Fulham striker described his own performance as "not the greatest" but with Wayne Rooney suspended for the group games, the Fulham boss is confident his man can provide the solution.
"He was very quick to call himself, but players know when they haven't played well," said Jol.
"When a striker scores he has done well. It's about performances, so if he gets another chance or a couple of chances, he will take it because he is different.
Number nine
"They are all different. Darren Bent is different, Jermain Defoe is different, and Wayne Rooney certainly is different. And I don't feel they have a lot of players who are a real number nine who can hold up the ball.
"It's up to the manager - if he wants to play with a goalscorer, then Bent is probably the best goalscorer in England, he's certainly different to Bobby."
In the aftermath of the failure of England in South Africa at the last World Cup, Capello has sought to change England's pattern of play.
And Jol believes with the inclusion of Zamora at the apex of the attack for England, his style of play provides the national team with more options when in possession.
"If you play Bobby with the offensive midfield players he can be very useful," he added.
Versatile
"If you play him on his own with a flat midfield, you are better playing Darren Bent. They give all the options so I think Capello will think about taking him because he is a different sort of number nine.
"Capello will know he is a number nine who will hold the ball up all the time. His first touch is very good, he's good in the box, and he's a link-up number nine.
"Peter Crouch is probably similar. He's better than people give him credit for at holding the ball. But Bobby is probably the most gifted.
"He's not only a link-up player, not an immobile number nine; he's an intelligent number nine. He's very versatile."
