Why Southgate must ditch the ‘experience needed’ ethos with England
It’s been quite a turbulent time as far the England national team are concerned, with Sam Allardyce relieved of his duties and Gareth Southgate stepping up in the interim. The Under-21 boss has been tasked with taking the reins of the Three Lions next four games, starting with the sort of match against Malta that has bought fans close to tears in the past.
While the decision to give Southgate an extended period with the squad is perhaps a sensible decision to enable the FA to conduct a conclusive search for a new boss - one they didn’t expect to be undertaking - it does leave the young coach with a great deal of responsibility. After all, the former Boro boss will take charge of at least 40% of this qualifying campaign, and it’s one that had been earmarked as vital to establishing an identity that was never really fostered under Roy Hodgson.
To be under caretaker charge at a stage when reinvention is so crucial is, to say the least, not ideal. Moreover, with a relatively enviable group of talented young players to choose from at this time, some stable guidance is required, with Allardyce previously identified as the man to offer it.
The one obvious positive is that given the average age of the squad, a number of the players likely to be selected during his time in charge will have worked with Southgate in the Under-21s. Stones, Keane, Alli, Dier, Lingard and Rashford from the current squad have all played under the former Three Lions defender, as too have the likes of Butland, Barkley, Sterling and Kane.
Finding a way to get the best from that set of players, or at least a majority of them, should surely be the target of yet another favourable qualifying group. Settling on a way of playing and, more pertinently, a favoured formation also wouldn’t go amiss given England hadn’t really managed either ahead of Euro 2016, highlighted most by the switch in tactics in the warm up friendlies prior to to tournament. While having a plan B is of course important, being fully immersed in plan A is certainly more so.
This, then, is where Southgate must attempt to lay the groundwork for his successor, should he not take up the role permanently of course. With Arsene Wenger an optimistic favourite to take charge in the long run, an effective warm-up to the ideals of whomever may take the reins would be very helpful. Schooling the younger players in such a way is something that should be seen as a priority then, with matches against the likes of Malta surely a prime opportunity to try and forge an understanding with one another.
The one area of the side where this crop of England players certainly appears strongest is in attack, and while Hodgson was said to be spoilt for choice up front, the wide options available right now are certainly notable.
Raheem Sterling once again looks like the greatest talent in the team, despite falling foul of a number of the fans. Still only 21, the winger looks back to his best this season (7.63 rating) so his absence for this double header is a blow as Southgate aims to establish a settled side. So too in that sense is the injury to Adam Lallana - the match winner in Allardyce’s only match in charge - who has also enjoyed a notable start to this season (7.26 rating) and despite having his doubters, offers something his teammates cannot.
Then, of course, there is a revitalised Theo Walcott - finally seeming content with a place on the wing with the freedom to drift infield at Arsenal - and a certain Marcus Rashford, who is proving his adaptability in wide areas. The latter should surely be handed a first start for the senior side in this break given he, unlike those mentioned before him here, is relatively untainted by England’s disastrous tournament showings in recent years.
It’s for that reason why England must move on from a group of players that have proven capable of success in qualifying campaigns against the likes of San Marino only to come up short when it matters most against a Costa Rica, or an Iceland. Captain Wayne Rooney is of course the target of most criticism right now, more for the insistence of those to stand by a player that has been in decline for well over five years than any abuse targeted at the player himself.
While phasing out players such as Rooney, Gary Cahill or even Joe Hart may seem the courteous thing to do, it will only hamper the progression of a group of players that do promise much. The next England manager needs a bit of edge and the courage to make final decisions. Allardyce was seen as that man - although his use of Wayne Rooney against Slovakia and the quotes before and after led many to instantly question that assumption - and whether Southgate or indeed Wenger have that ruthless streak is certainly up for debate.
Stones and Smalling should be the centre-back pairing in this qualifying campaign until a player proves more worthy, with Cahill way down the list on current form (6.65 rating) but unquestionably selected due to his familiarity with what is a defunct set up. Southgate’s reasoning behind a bizarre recall for Glen Johnson that experience was needed in this squad is certainly somewhat concerning then. Another show of respect to opponents that, to put it harshly, haven’t earned it.
England’s fixtures are with Malta and Slovenia after all, with the fans and the management caught in a state of juxtaposition in that the former often underestimate opposition and the latter are far too cautious. Almost too polite. That has been an issue for some time, as if fielding a team of players inexperienced of international football would be disrespectful to whichever minnow they may be facing.
The assumption that the ‘experienced’ players are a benefit to this side should surely now be left behind. What sort of experience do they offer after all, other than one of disappointing when it really counts?
This is a time for Stones, not Cahill. A time for Alli, not Rooney and for the new generation under an interim coach that knows them well. ‘We have Marcus Rashford’, let’s use him shall we?
Who should Southgate look to integrate during his time in interim charge of England? Let us know in the comments below
