Much like Sven-Göran Eriksson failing to utilise Michael Carrick at the 2006 World Cup, or Roy Hodgson putting Wayne Rooney in his midfield at Euro 2016, Gareth Southgate has fallen into a familiar trap. His tactics are leaden, his starting XI is unbalanced and one of his biggest mistakes - being seduced into fitting too many similar types into a one-paced attack - has made England by far the hardest team to watch at Euro 2024.
The good news, though, is that there is time to fix England before their last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen. A few tweaks could easily help England to build on their slight improvement in the second half of their draw with Slovenia. The first change is obvious enough: Conor Gallagher out, Kobbie Mainoo in; get the teenager on the ball in midfield and don't worry about his defensive weaknesses. As for the second, Southgate has to address the left-back problem. He needs to recognise that Kieran Trippier is struggling on the ball and is also going to be targeted by better attacks.
Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Debt, IT woes and no chief executive What returning Asda boss has in store
Allan Leighton faces a back-to-thefuture challenge as he once again takes charge at struggling Asda.
Sweeney's RFU salary rises to £1.1m amid job cuts and losses
The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, was paid £1.1m for the 2023-24 financial year despite record losses and swingeing job cuts at the governing body.
'Probably more out than in' Salah leans towards exit with Liverpool yet to offer new deal
Mohamed Salah says he is disappointed Liverpool have not offered him a new contract and feels \"probably more out than in\" in terms of staying beyond the end of the season.
Reds' contract dance with Salah was always likely to be complex
Revamp after Jürgen Klopp's exit did not help and time is short for Liverpool to make their talisman feel wanted
Guardiola insists ageing squad is not behind City's alarming drop in form
Pep Guardiola has denied that a key factor in Manchester City's run of five consecutive defeats is that nine of his squad are aged 30 or older, with the manager pointing to how the same players were Premier League champions last season.
Wan-Bissaka seals West Ham win to take heat off Lopetegui
On a bitterly cold Tyneside night, West Ham finally remembered how to fight back.
Arteta seeks ruthless edge to fix away-day woes in Europe
Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal team to fix their patchy European away form against a vibrant Sporting tonight, admitting they need to improve a record of one win in their past eight continental trips.
I've got my mojo back ... I actually felt unwell at the end at Chelsea'
After recharging her batteries in the US, Emma Hayes reflects on the grind of club coaching and fresh ambitions
Spurs blow as Vicario faces long spell out after surgery
Guglielmo Vicario has had surgery to repair an ankle fracture sustained in Tottenham's 4-0 Premier League win at Manchester City on Saturday.
Verstappen in 'that club' with Senna and Hamilton
Red Bull chief Horner claims his driver's fourth, and most challenging, world title puts him in same class as the greats