England stung by Podolski strike

Germany 1 v England 0

What is the point of a friendly international? When, some twelve months ago, England last played Germany in a friendly, they were in the midst of preparations for the European Championships. Roy Hodgson (remember him) was manager and having gone 2-0 down rather quickly, England fashioned a remarkable fight back to claim a deserved 3-2 victory. On the evening in question Jamie Vardy’s impudent back heeled goal added to the sense that here was a side that might fare rather well once the Euros got under way.

You might think that but the reality, as we now all know, was somewhat different. Lacking the courage of his convictions, rather than stick with the basis of the side that won in Germany Manager Hodgson set about systematically dismantling it, his negative tinkering ultimately ending in national embarrassment with defeat against the part timers from Iceland. Thus do I return to my opening question - what is the point of a friendly if the lessons learned are deemed irrelevant?

Twelve months on and Gareth Southgate is the man to whom the poisoned chalice of England Manager has now passed. His credentials fail to excite. In his one senior managerial role with Middlesbrough, he oversaw relegation. There then followed a period of reflection travelling Europe learning lessons before the role as manager or the England Under 21 side came along. It is a job that tends to go under the radar and as such lacks the pressures associated with the top job. Which is probably why, when Roy Hodgson resigned, Southgate wrong footed the old guard at the FA by refusing to act as Hodgson’s shoo in replacement. He probably felt he had dodged a bullet only to find himself back in the limelight when Big Sam Allardyce was forced out of office. Matters could sink no lower. There was only one way things could go. Three months after turning the job down Gareth Southgate was appointed England manager.

There is, however, more to Gareth Southgate than just a man with a beard who looks rather good in a three piece suit. His thoughtful autobiography “Woody and Nord” (written with ex team mate Andy Woodman) showed an appreciation of the game that has been somewhat lost in the trough of money that now swills around it. And to that honourable perspective is an intelligent mind, one willing to look outside traditional norms. Thus did he settle on tonight’s 3,4,3 formation together with selecting players from less fashionable premier league teams. And the result was there to see. Just a shame that Lucas Podolski’s excellent strike settled the match, for up until that point, Germany had been outplayed, the midfield axis of Adam Lallana, Dele Alli and Eric Dier providing the fulcrum for an encouraging England performance.

It is only a friendly so it doesn’t really count. But Manager Southgate will have learned much. Unlike his predecessor I hope he has the courage to stick with his convictions.

©Mark Brennand