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Gary Neville Proposes Questionable Tactical Shift For Gareth Southgate's England

Gary Neville Proposes Questionable Tactical Shift For Gareth Southgate's England
Eoin Harrington
By Eoin Harrington Updated
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The inquest into England's drab draw with Denmark continues, with even the most loyal of defenders beginning to question some of Gareth Southgate's decision-making.

The EURO 2020 finalists came into this tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way, but they have flattered to deceive in their opening two games against Serbia and Denmark.

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Though they got over the line against Serbia, they were ultimately held to a draw by the Danes, and the English media have begun to accept that there are major issues with the balance of Southgate's team.

They are all but assured of a place in the last 16, though it is clear to most viewers that they are not going far in the competition unless something changes.

One of the biggest issues - not just at this tournament, but at the three others Southgate has taken charge of with England - has been their inability to get the most out of their attacking players.

An ultra-defensive setup was arguably what cost them in the EURO 2020 final - which is why it's all the more surprising to hear Gary Neville propose a return to that setup as a solution to England's ongoing problems.

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READ HERE: Van Dijk Singled Out ‘English’ Referee After Controversial Netherlands Decision

READ HERE: Anthony Daly Had Brilliant EUROs One-Liner During Hurling Schedule Debate

Gary Neville floats change to three-at-the-back for England

Appearing on ITV's coverage of Turkey v Portugal on Saturday afternoon, Gary Neville was asked whether he would make any changes to the England team or tactical setup in response to their drab opening to EURO 2024.

The ex-Manchester United man suggested that youngster Kobbie Mainoo should be brought in for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and also said that the pace of Anthony Gordon could be a game-changer down the left.

However, he would then go on to say that Southgate could make an even more radical change and return to the back three he favoured at the 2018 World Cup and EURO 2020.

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[There will] definitely be a change. He'll disrupt it, he has to.

We talk about a partner for Rice and some pace alongside Kane...that's [Anthony] Gordon and that's [Kobbie] Mainoo.

He must have a partner in midfield, Declan Rice who can get us playing out from the back. I think that pace question is there.

We've been talking about this for a few days, I do actually think he could even be disruptive enough to do what he did at previous tournaments which is go to a three-at-the-back as well.

It's that left wing-back slot that's a little bit difficult for Gareth this time.

Eni Aluko alongside Neville in the ITV studio suggested that playing a three-at-the-back would also allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to fit more naturally into this setup at right wingback.

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It would be a questionable move but it would be in keeping with the conservatism we have come to expect from Gareth Southgate's England in recent years.

The ex-Middlesbrough manager has not been known for his expansive setups, and the tendency of his teams to retreat after scoring first has been on full display in both games of this European Championships thus far.

Another issue with the back-three setup proposed by Gary Neville is the absence of a natural left-back. In truth, this is an issue regardless of the formation chosen by Southgate.

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Manchester United's Luke Shaw is undoubtedly the best English left-back when fit but, with the 28-year-old not having played since February, it is doubtful he will be available before the end of the tournament.

Questions can reasonably be asked of Southgate's decision not to bring a second left-back with such question marks hanging over the fitness of Shaw.

Though they may already be looking ahead to the knockout stages, England need a big performance against Slovenia in their final group game to ease the pressure on them from the national media.

SEE ALSO: “Who Is He?” – Sam Allardyce Rips Into James McClean’s Declan Rice Criticism

 

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