The former England goalkeeper looks ahead to Tuesday night’s game against Slovenia and names the one change he would make to the team.
England’s performance against Denmark was really frustrating. This team is better than what they have shown in the tournament so far – everyone knows that – and that’s where all the negativity is coming from.
The criticism winds me up a little bit, though, because it isn’t easy playing in tournaments like this under pressure. We used to go to the Euros and the World Cup without many expectations, but now the expectations are high and the criticism comes along with it. It’s a double-edged sword.
There’s no doubt that we have great players who show what they’re capable of when they play for their clubs. They aren’t doing it for England, but it is a different level of pressure and the team needs to deal with that.
Gareth Southgate will obviously have put a plan in place, but I don’t think the players are executing it at the moment. They aren’t playing in the way he’ll have instructed them. As much as people want to blame Gareth, the players need to play as a team, rather than themselves. I’m seeing a little bit of that creeping in.
It’s not all doom and gloom. We’ve got four points and only need a draw against Slovenia to go through. It’s not the way we would want to get there – we haven’t been playing the attractive football that we can – but looking at it professionally, it’s all about qualifying, not peaking at this point of the tournament.
One change needed ahead of Slovenia
I don’t think we need to make big changes, although one player does probably need to come out of the team.
I would keep the back four as it is, as there have been no questions with their performances so far. I would also leave Declan Rice at the base of midfield because he bosses the area in front of the back four. He might not have the passing range, but that’s not his job. He’s in there to link the back four with the midfield and to help out defensively.
The problem is finding another creative midfielder in front of Declan. With his attributes, Trent Alexander-Arnold looks the ideal fit but he is not a central midfield player. He has a great passing range, but ultimately this is an England team training a player in a new position in the middle of a tournament.
Conor Gallagher has come off the bench in both matches so far and it sounds like he will
start the next game, but I would play Kobbie Mainoo as he has looked brilliant for England. Gareth said England are missing a Kalvin Phillips replacement and I think Mainoo fits that role better than Gallagher, if that’s what Gareth is looking for.
I’d also need to have a strong word with Phil Foden. He needs to stay out on the left, which I’m sure is what Gareth is telling him to do. Foden coming inside is causing us problems, as he and Jude Bellingham both want to play in the same position. If he keeps doing it, then I’d have to think about bringing on Anthony Gordon to offer some width.
Sad to see Tierney injured again
I was really disappointed to see Kieran Tierney stretchered off for Scotland against Switzerland. He just can’t catch a break.
You could immediately tell it was a bad injury from his reaction, as it appeared that his hamstring went and then he hyper-extended his knee. It’s really bad luck for Kieran as now his tournament is over.
Arsenal’s left-back situation is interesting now because they have Jurrien Timber, who will almost be making a fresh start as he returns from a cruciate ligament injury. It’s a chance for him to prove himself, too. Now Arsenal will have two players coming back from injuries and that’s something they will need to be careful with. Tierney will obviously want to be playing – that’s why he went out on loan – but his focus now will have to be on sorting his injury out.
Neto a perfect fit for Arsenal
I’ve enjoyed watching Pedro Neto play for Portugal in this tournament and I would take him at Arsenal all day long. He’s a perfect fit as a back-up for Saka, he’s creative and he would put pressure on other players in the squad as well. I think he’s a really good player.
I think the fee to get him would be decent, but not massive as it would reflect his injury problems. When you see him on the pitch, he’s special.
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