Gareth Southgate; fool or sage?
There was a moment during the second half of England’s group qualifier against Scotland which rekindled memories of the last time England played in the finals of the European Championships – 27th June 2016 and the infamous encounter with Iceland. As the game progressed, disaster growing ever more certain, England’s beleaguered Manager, Roy Hodgson, exuded unalloyed panic. Fast forward to Friday 18th June 2021 and with lowly Scotland outplaying their more richly resourced neighbours, Gareth Southgate’s touchline demeanour assumed a similarly troubled hue. Then, just at the point where a positive move was required, he replaced Phil Foden - England’s most naturally gifted footballer - with Jack Grealish. That the ponderous Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips should remain on the pitch, when it was Foden and Grealish who should have been working in tandem, smacked of panic. All sense of intent was lost and the jeers that greeted the 0-0 draw reflected the justified frustrations of the English fans. For all Southgate’s off field common sense, he had done little to dispel the view that after four years in charge he retains a thin grasp of on field dynamics.
Further grist to this particular mill was provided by Tuesday’s final game against the Czech Republic. Four points having already guaranteed qualification from the group the England Manager had a free hit in which to experiment with a line-up that might just possess the pace and skill to break down the likes of a Germany or a France, potential opponents in the next round. But no. Out went Foden (ostensibly to protect him from getting a second yellow card), Rice and Phillips were retained and in came Bukayo Saka and Grealish to provide flair. Other than Harry Maguire in defence, the side was unchanged. To be fair to Saka and Grealish in the first half both performed well and were instrumental in creating the opening for Raheem Sterling. But with the introduction, at half time, of Jordan Henderson any chance of incisive attacking football died. England surrendered control of midfield, the Czech’s rallied and but for some indifferent play in the final third they could well have troubled Jordan Pickford. An opportunity to meld a group of technically gifted players into a lively attacking unit had been lost.
And yet …. in our desire to see free flowing total football are we hankering after nothing more than a romantic dream? After-all, only the Brazilians in 1970 and perhaps the Spanish circa 2008 – 2012 have ever carried it off. The brilliant Dutch side of 1974 lost to the more pragmatic Germans; ditto the French world cup side of 1982 containing Tigana, Platini and Giresse. More often than not it is the hard to beat teams, the Italy’s of the world, that prevail. It is noticeable that Southgate has made much of his side’s ability to keep a clean sheet. He has also stuck with two holding midfielders. Does this mean that he knows more than we give him credit for? Is he undeserving of all the comical meme’s currently doing the rounds?
One thing is certain. England will have to play with far greater pace and invention if they are to defeat Germany in the first knock out round. And to achieve that, two defensive midfielders will not do the trick. But I fear Southgate will stick with them, the talents of Foden, Grealish, Sancho, Sako and Rashford being sacrificed on the altar of caution. It has been the pattern since 1966 and I cannot see it changing any time soon.
Fool or sage? Time will tell.
©Mark Brennand