Decidedly, these four League of Nations meetings might leave traces. After the elimination and the 2 out of 12 of France, the slap of the Devils received once morest the Netherlands, England also received a hell of a slap. A spanking 0-4 and a historic defeat because the Three Lions had not lost on this score at home since 1928.
After this meeting, it is not necessary to go far to seek the culprit designated in England: Gareth Southgate. Chants from Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton’s stadium, were quite explicit: “You don’t know what you’re doing” (“You don’t know what you’re doing”).
Hard, very hard. Especially when we know that the coach took his selection to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2021. On Twitter, Jamie Carragher, former English defender and consultant, wanted to defend the balance sheet of the coach. “Shut up, clowns. This manager has taken the country to the highest level it has reached since 1966, in two tournaments,” he said. Hard to fault him. In 2016, he took over a selection in the midst of an old age crisis and eliminated ingloriously by Iceland during the Euro. In the absence of a flamboyant game, Southgate preferred to focus on efficiency. The results prove him right so far.
Saving Private Southgate
After the criticism, as usual, the former England international has been a diplomat. “I understand the reaction of people in the stadium, but I want to tell them that this group of players has been incredible for the country”he began. “It’s important that people continue to support these players, because they will still be very strong in the future.”
Which proves one thing above all: Southgate believes in his group and defends it. “It’s my job to protect the players, they were exceptional in their attitude and the results are my responsibility.”
A bit like France, also last in their group, England must ask themselves if they really have to throw everything away? For Harry Kane, the selection needs calm and to capitalize on its achievements. “The defense has been the basis of our success for the last 4-5 years”, explains Tottenham’s number nine. Especially since the context of this Nations League has been strongly decried. “It’s not the time to panic, it’s the time to raise our heads. At the end of the day, we have to prepare for what will be a great World Cup. That’s the main objective. We have learned a lot during this gathering and we will have to learn for the matches in September.”
For that, it will be necessary to do better behind than once morest modest Hungary. “In the second half, it’s quite unacceptable, following the 2-0, to concede the goals we conceded.” To build his results, the coach has mainly relied on a group of players who have known each other for a long time. Faced with the insane calendar, he had to tweak, like all the great nations in general. “I tried to find the balance, between seeing new players and taking care of the players that we mightn’t call on all the time, more experienced and better players. In the end, the teams I fielded didn’t weren’t strong enough to get results once morest Hungary.”
For its last two games, the English will travel to Italy and receive Germany. Two life-size tests where fatigue will no longer have a place in the equation. Will Southgate’s men be ready? See you following the holidays!
