England job by making people like him and think he’s a new thing. But this was also the most shapeless, weirdly arrogant attempt to reinvent the basic notion of international football against a team that can actually play.
So then, Lee Carsley may not be the answer. And England will never play a false 9 again, after doing without once since 1872. What an odd, and actually rather exhilarating defeat to Greece that was. First of all, congratulations, Greece. If that one was for George Baldock, then all credit to them. It’s quite amazing they managed to put together such a coherent performance.
Meanwhile, England were the opposite of coherent. A mess, frankly, and here’s where the recriminations begin. Carsley will take the blame, and Gareth Southgate will be yearned for. Not easy, this, is it? There’s Finland to play yet but Carsley’s post-match words seemed to suggest he’s happy to go back to being Under-21 manager. So there’s a vacancy. And that’s where the fun starts.
All that, and the various international reaction, plus the continuing adventures of Manchester City’s lawyerball team/the Red Cartel (delete as applicable). And whatever else we can find.
Join us.
Source: theguardian.com
