England's loss to Czech Republic had seemed like it was coming. Despite winning our previous qualifiers, we had looked shaky at the back. I may have predicted 3-0 but that was largely down to the threat I thought our attack would cause and that, if you like, would act as a defence against Czechia, making them unable to get out of their own half. England's defending was shambolic and Southgate has been rightfully criticised for his team selection and formation.
An attack of Kane, Sancho and Sterling is up with the best in world football and they have shown that at the peak of their powers they are unplayable. They under performed against Czechia but there is no doubt that they will play well again in the future. The defence, though, is a different story. Southgate said after the match "there are players who are not playing well for their clubs" yet they started for England. That doesn't make much sense.
The full backs were an odd choice, too. It is well regarded that our best left back is Ben Chilwell and best right back is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Why, when they were both fit, were they on the bench? In fariness to Trippier he has played well for Atletico Madrid but Danny Rose hasn't for Tottenham. Like Gomez, if the best players are available then they must play. It is not about giving other players a chance. England haven't qualified yet so we shouldn't take needless risks.
It is England's frailties at the back that make Southgate deploy a holding midfielder. By removing that midfielder, there is a big gap that the opposition can exploit between defence and midfield. Why, when he knew we are vulnerable in defence, did Southgate play an advanced midfielder. Mount could have operated in central midfield, there was no reason to move Rice out of defensive midfield and in the centre of the pitch. It seems very naive and disrespectful to the other team knowing that we cannot defend competently to make us less solid in midfield and give them more space directly against our defence to operate in and punish us.
The rumours are that Tyrone Mings is set to be handed his international debut tonight alongside Harry Maguire. Although Keane is not starting, Gomez has to. Maguire and Gomez is the future partnership of English football and need to play as together as much as possible to understand each other's games. Rice must also be slotted back into defensive midfield to tighten our defensive structure.
It remains to be seen as to whether Southgate will revert back to his trusted 4-1-2-3. To the fan it is clear to see where England's problems lie. England will qualify for Euro 2020, so he has circa eight months to change England's defensive fortunes.
An attack of Kane, Sancho and Sterling is up with the best in world football and they have shown that at the peak of their powers they are unplayable. They under performed against Czechia but there is no doubt that they will play well again in the future. The defence, though, is a different story. Southgate said after the match "there are players who are not playing well for their clubs" yet they started for England. That doesn't make much sense.
England's best central defensive partnering is Harry Maguire and Joe Gomez. Gomez hasn't played a lot for Liverpool recently due to the form of Joel Matip but when he was first choice last season, he showed he has the attributes of a top defender. Michael Keane was chosen ahead of him but he isn'y apart of the team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, he is a starter for a side that has conceded thirteen goals this season and are in the relegation zone. Our two best defenders were available to play together but Southgate opted against doing that.
The full backs were an odd choice, too. It is well regarded that our best left back is Ben Chilwell and best right back is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Why, when they were both fit, were they on the bench? In fariness to Trippier he has played well for Atletico Madrid but Danny Rose hasn't for Tottenham. Like Gomez, if the best players are available then they must play. It is not about giving other players a chance. England haven't qualified yet so we shouldn't take needless risks.
It is England's frailties at the back that make Southgate deploy a holding midfielder. By removing that midfielder, there is a big gap that the opposition can exploit between defence and midfield. Why, when he knew we are vulnerable in defence, did Southgate play an advanced midfielder. Mount could have operated in central midfield, there was no reason to move Rice out of defensive midfield and in the centre of the pitch. It seems very naive and disrespectful to the other team knowing that we cannot defend competently to make us less solid in midfield and give them more space directly against our defence to operate in and punish us.
The rumours are that Tyrone Mings is set to be handed his international debut tonight alongside Harry Maguire. Although Keane is not starting, Gomez has to. Maguire and Gomez is the future partnership of English football and need to play as together as much as possible to understand each other's games. Rice must also be slotted back into defensive midfield to tighten our defensive structure.
It remains to be seen as to whether Southgate will revert back to his trusted 4-1-2-3. To the fan it is clear to see where England's problems lie. England will qualify for Euro 2020, so he has circa eight months to change England's defensive fortunes.
Comments
Post a Comment