No England side has ever won all their games at a major tournament. Even the 1966 World Cup winners drew their opening game 0-0 with Uruguay. That's why it's still coming home. Maybe.
The win over Croatia saw an overreaction as to how well England played. The odd selection of Kieran Trippier at left-back worked with England preventing the Croatians from being effective in wide areas. Kalvin Phillips had a sensational performance in central midfield, more advanced than his usual defensive midfield position for Leeds, and assisted Raheem Sterling, whose place in the starting eleven had been questioned.
It was, though, not as sensational as some had made out. Similar problems that plagued England on Friday night were evident in the win. There was only two shots on target and Harry Kane was anonymous in attack.
 |
| Harry Kane has been ineffective in England's opening two games. Photo by Brad Tutterow |
Then came the Auld Enemy, who played the game and rose to the occasion. Scotland deserve as much applause as England deserve criticism. England dominated the ball but lacked any intensity on and off the ball. It was very easy for Scotland to defend as the build-up play was very slow and safe. Southgate introduced Reece James and Luke Shaw, two natural, attacking full-backs, but they remained in deep positions.
This was not the same for Scotland. Steven O'Donnell and the interchangeable duo of Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney were the main outlets throughout the game. The first chance was for Che Adams who would have converted from an O'Donnell cross if John Stones had not blocked the effort. O'Donnell forced Jordan Pickford into action with a powerful volley, too. The influence of the full-backs showed who was safe and who was adventurous.
England's progression with the ball was slow, not a surprise with the midfield selection. Declan Rice and Phillips are defensive midfielders and Mason Mount is more of a runner than a playmaker. Needed in midfield was Jordan Henderson, to offer more drive to speed the attacks up. At the 2018 World Cup, England didn't have that creative midfielder and relied on set-pieces. Their best chance came from Stones, somehow putting an unmarked header from six yards out onto the post.
What Southgate does have at his disposal is creative wingers in Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho. He has resisted the national clamour for Grealish to start in the first two games but introduced him as substitute. He had 30 minutes to turn around a disfunctional team. He did not.
Southgate must have a BT Sport subscription so he is familiar with Sancho. He was electric in the DFB-Pokal final, scoring two and assisting one. To not feature in the either of the games is frustrating for a man of Sancho's talent. Southgate has been trying to calm expectations on the 21-year-old, citing his inexperience at the highest level. If you're good enough, which Sancho is, you're old enough.
The first two matches has seen Southgate instruct his full-backs to be defensive, the midfield is functional at best, the wingers are not effective and the entire team look fatigued. To the biggest problem in his captain, striker Harry Kane.
Nobody looked more lethargic on the pitch than Kane. In the second half, England had the opportunity to counter attack but Kane was so leggy that he was eventually fouled. He has had six touches in the opposition box over the two games. The service to him, which comes from the midfield and wingers, has not been good enough. His tendency to drop deep is also counter-intuitive for England.
Southgate has given Kane a confidence boost by confirming he will start tonight. That is the correct call. Someone with his record at international and club level deserves patience.
The manager does not have the same luxury. He is trying to copy the French template of pragmatic football but it does not suit the group of players he has. It is strange that when England looked so tired, which Southgate acknowledged after the game, he only made two substitutes. His game management is not his strong point.
Changes are needed but not too many. There is a need to freshen up the side but being radical would not be clever. Panicking is the last thing Southgate, or fans, should do.
Comments
Post a Comment