Former Liverpool and England captain Phil Thompson was less than impressed with the Three Lions’ efforts in their dire 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024 on Thursday evening.
Gareth’s gang took the lead before retreating into their shell and conceding an inevitable long-range strike in a performance that seemed bereft of ideas and inspiration.
Now, why does that all sound very familiar?
One man certainly not lacking in ideas and inspiration is Paddy’s pal Thommo who’s gone in two footed on the England set up, but also dished out his fair share of constructive criticism.
Always firm but fair is our Phil. Here’s his thoughts on the latest meek England showing.
I understand why England retreat
There was a bit of déjà vu from the first game which was so frustrating. I tend to put myself in the shoes of the players and I can understand why, sometimes, when you go ahead you protect it, you fall back.
The other side of that is to capitalise on your advantage and go forward. It’s part and parcel of football.
I can understand the psyche of why that happens
Once you’ve had five or 10 minutes of not taking the game to the opposition the other team starts growing in confidence. What disappointed me the most was that we couldn’t even pass the ball from A to B.
The other big issue was the press, or lack of. Every other team seems to have it down to a tee. We just don’t seem to be able to do it as a unit.
Kane and Bellingham’s poor press a problem
One of the big things was Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, they’re your first line of pressing. If you don’t get that one right then the midfield and defence are all out of tune because you’re all five, six, seven yards back from where you should be, so it has to come in tandem.
Everyone has to be in harmony, once one is off it doesn’t work and you could see it so often. I’m looking at it and I’m thinking, the opposition in the two games have got the press completely right.
They’re going at us, they’re making us go back and they’re making us make mistakes. It is all about results in the early rounds, but England have to better than what they have been.
Both things were off, the press and the passing. I thought the passing was absolutely shambolic.
Everybody was responsible.
Line up and system need to change
The line up wasn’t right, the style wasn’t right. I’d like one as a holding midfield player in a 4-3-3 which would allow more to go forward.
You have to change your style. Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s one of the best right backs in the world, they’re giving him a chance in midfield.
Lots of Liverpool fans have wanted to see it, but the only way it can work is if he’s on the right or the left of a holding midfielder.
Being one of the two is alien to him so I think he is the one who has to come out, I’d probably look to change Harry Kane as well but that would be a huge decision.
Kane will be fortunate to keep his place
We’re not getting the best out of Phil Foden so he might have to make way. He’s been the player of the year in the Premier League so why are we not getting more out of him?
It would be a shame for Foden because I love him but he’s not being used in his best position and I think Kane will be fortunate to keep his place. He’s the one who starts the press and, to me, he’s not done enough to warrant his place.
He’s a great goal-scorer, I’ve no doubt, but as a team unit it’s not working. I do think Harry will play against Slovenia – but only by the skin of his teeth.
Listen up, Gareth
Gareth did take the heat and he did say the performance was all down to him. He needs to look at it and they need to change it.
Most of the teams like Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all play 4-3-3 so changing to 4-2-3-1 is a little bit different. I’d have Bellingham and Foden either side of a holding player, I think that could work and you could bring Ollie Watkins onto the left for his goal threat.
Maybe even Cole Palmer could play there but I’d certainly go with Anthony Gordon on the left with Foden inside with Bellingham and Rice in the middle.
At the end of the day it’s all about getting through because the opposition play the game of their lives against England at a major tournament. It’s always hard. I’ve been there, I’ve seen it and I’ve done it.
More on Euro 2024
- Euro 2024 Predictor: Plot the path to glory with Paddy’s snazzy simulator
- Euro 2024 TV schedule and channels: your complete guide to watching the euros
- Euro 2024 top goalscorers: who leads the race for the golden boot?
- Euro 2024 fixtures, results and schedule for this summer’s big tournament
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