Former Liverpool and England captain Phil Thompson was bewildered by Gareth Southgate’s side’s performance as they scrambled through to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, beating Slovakia 2-1 after extra time on Sunday afternoon.
The Three Lions needed a 95th-minute overhead kick from Jude Bellingham to save them from a humiliating elimination in the Last 16 thanks to Harry Kane’s extra-time header.
It is not the first time this tournament that England have looked second-best.
One man who has certainly not been second best is Paddy’s pal Thommo who has delivered his own bicycle kick on England’s tactics and how he would improve them against Switzerland on Saturday.
Always firm but fair is our Phil. Here are his thoughts on England’s latest lucky escape.
Southgate has his head in the sand
I worry that Sunday’s result papered over several problematic cracks that have plagued the England team this tournament.
I fear we won’t see much improvement against Switzerland on Saturday.
The manager has to take some blame for the performance against Slovakia.
I have been a big supporter of Gareth Southgate and, before the tournament, and wanted him to remain in charge beyond this summer, but I was perplexed by his substitutions on Sunday.
England were crying out for changes at half time and he didn’t make them, he has his plan and he seems determined to stick with it, despite everyone in the media saying this has got to be changed.
He knows that he is probably going to leave the job at the end of the tournament so he’s determined to continue doing things his way until the end.
Every game is a cup final for opponents
I have been there as a player, assistant manager, and manager.
When you come up against these lesser nations, no disrespect to Switzerland, but they view these games as their cup final and if you don’t raise your game you pay for it.
England did what they needed to do to top their group and got lucky to get through to this stage but now it really matters and they have to be better if they want to go any further in this tournament.
I worry we will see more of the same as what we saw against Slovakia against Switzerland.
I hope I’m wrong and Sunday’s late winner will have sparked some change, but it could be another game where England try to just get the job done.
Something has to give
Suspensions and injuries could force Gareth’s hand on Saturday and we might see a different approach.
The Swiss will come out and attack England more than their previous opponents which I think will benefit England and in my heart, I have a tentative feeling they will get the job done.
However, if we line up with something similar and play like we did against Slovakia this will be the end of the road. It is impossible to keep playing like that and continue to get away with it.
I hope the Three Lions step it up now that we are into the Quarter Finals.
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- Euro 2024 fixtures, results and schedule for this summer’s big tournament
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