6 key puzzles Gareth Southgate is Russian to solve now underwhelming England have booked 2018 World Cup place
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Gareth Southgate has got just eight months to solve England’s World Cup misery.
Even manager Southgate admits that isn't enough time to work miracles and turn his Three Lions into a Spain and make them a real force to be reckoned with in Russia next summer.
Although England have a remarkable 38-game unbeaten record in qualifying for World Cups and European Championships, they have managed just THREE knock-out phase wins in major tournaments since Italia 90.
Expectations have never been lower, with last year’s Euros disaster against tiny Iceland following on the heels of England's worst ever performance at a World Cup finals — they failed to get out of their group and were eliminated with a match to spare at Brazil 2014.
(Image: Getty)
(Image: AFP/Getty)
Southgate has key issues, and worries, to tackle ahead of next summer if he is to turn around our World Cup fortunes.
After the scruffy 1-0 win over Slovenia at Wembley on a last-gasp goal, he said: “There are lots of things we believe we can look at. We know a certain direction we want to take the team in.
“Qualifying campaigns are tough... you’re trying to evolve. Now we look at how we build and evolve the team and improve the team.
(Image: AFP/Getty)
“That is the job of a coach, because in international football you don’t have a chequebook of hundreds of millions [to buy in new players for problem areas]. So we have to coach and work to improve people and to improve the team and that is the great challenge.”
It is certainly a challenge.
Here are six major puzzles Southgate must try to solve before Russia.
PLAY A STYLE THAT RE-ENTHUSES THE FANS
England have learned how to win ugly — but that is the only way they seem to know how.
It was a turn-off against Slovenia on Thursday, the travelling fans left early in Malta last month and they also laboured against Slovakia at Wembley a few days later.
None of those three are European let alone super-powers.
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Southgate has tried to get England to play, building from the back in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but in doing so they have become almost more tedious than they were under Euro 2016 boss Roy Hodgson — who was at least a bit more direct.
They have got to find some rhythm, speed and movement to bring the best out of players — Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker to name but three — who are performing with such style for their clubs but struggle to find their best for England.
Southgate must look at using a back three, find a midfield system that works and get the confidence flowing.
At the moment, the fans have lost heart — turned off by the dull football.
BRING DELE ALLI BACK DOWN TO EARTH
England are not blessed with world-class talents, but midfielder Alli is their best hope on that front.
For goals and assists, he is Tottenham’s great weapon, but he is currenrtly struggling for form with both club and country.
Why? There are growing concerns within the England set-up that Alli is getting carried away with all the hype and the talk of mega-money moves abroad.
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He is changing agents, been punished for his middle fingered salute, caught diving and there are question marks about the advice he is getting off the pitch.
Tottenham are confident of tying Alli down to a new contract and that would be a major boost because it would stop talk of Real Madrid and Barcelona — and get his feet back on the ground.
Alli has also struggled to produce his best form for England. Southgate must find the best way to use his most exciting talent.
CRACK THE MIDFIELD CONUNDRUM
Is there a way back for Jack Wilshere? England were awful in the centre of the park against Slovenia as the partnership of Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson didn’t gel.
Dier was given a chasing, Henderson had an off night. But more than anything, England lacked the craft of a top-quality passer — someone to unlock the opposition with a through ball.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
It once again raised the issue of Wilshere, who is on the comeback trail with Arsenal after his latest injury but is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Can Southgate see the 25-year-old getting back in?
“Well, we’re in a position where there’s no way we would dismiss any creative player but of course people have to be playing and of course have to be playing at a good level,” said the manager.
So, he's effectively opened the door for Wilshere.
Adam Lallana will come back to help after his current injury, but England need more quality in there and if Wilshere can prove his fitness then he may have a chance of being on that plane.
WHAT IF THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS — A KANE INJURY?
Striker Kane is England’s No1 threat to World Cup opponents. But do they have a Plan B in case he gets crocked before the finals?
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Daniel Sturridge is terrific, but not playing regularly. Jamie Vardy has struggled with injuries, too. Jermain Defoe has dipped at new club Bournemouth.
And then what?
England do need an alternative — different options to avoid Kane’s health becoming a national obsession.
The other concern is if players are not appearing regularly.
Dier, for example, may lose his place at Spurs when Victor Wanyama is over a knee injury — and then England would be stuck.
BAG YOURSELVES A HAPPY HOME IN RUSSIA
England are close to signing a contract for their World Cup base-camp.
They have found the ForRestMix Club, 20 minutes outside St Petersburg.
It is a luxury hotel and spa but without the lavish trappings of the past, which has indulged the superstar egos and their WAGs.
If there is a desire to keep it simple, Southgate is on the right lines.
“We’ve had a look at a few different bases. We’ve got a couple of options. We’re happy with all of those options. The most important thing for me is that we have a base which is exclusively ours. It gives the players a chance to relax. It’s important.
“I want their families to be able to come in at the right moments.
“Base-camps don’t win tournaments. Environment can play a part, but tactical, technical ability on the field will win it.
“I think we will create a base-camp that the players enjoy, with an atmosphere they will enjoy being a part of. They are going to have a fantastic life experience.”
FIND A WILD-CARD TO SHAKE UP THE SQUAD
Last time, it was Marcus Rashford — who burst onto the scene for Manchester United in the February and four months later was in the squad Hodgson took to Euro 2016.
Is there an outsider this time?
There are three players on the fringes with a genuine chance.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks was drafted into the seniors this week because of his passing and control in midfield. With England short of options there, he's got a shot.
Southampton winger Nathan Redmond has been in previous squads under Southgate. If he can find top form, he must have a chance with others such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struggling.
Watford's former Chelsea starlet Nathaniel Chalobah is the midfield anchorman Southgate wants but, having fractured his kneecap, is racing the clock to be fit.
But if he is, he will be in.