Nations League has been a write-off and we’ve had problems with creativity all the way through Southgate’s time. Remember we only got to the WC semi by pretty much scoring only corners and set pieces.
Hard to know if it’s the players or Gareth’s caution, or a bit of both, because there’s not much I’d change about his personnel. We’re not good enough in midfield so need the two holding midfielders, and not good enough in defence so we need the 3 centre backs. So you run out of attacking options. You could try Trent, but he can’t defend. If Grealish started in the middle we’d get overrun.
Gareth has an unbelievable amount of credit in the bank though. WC semi and EUROs final is so much more than any other England manager has achieved since the 60s, even Bobby Robson and El Tel didn’t get us to a final. He changed the whole mood around England and got the nation to fall back in love with this team. Memories are short. On record alone, he’s been one of the best England managers ever.
He’s absolutely earned the right to take us into this World Cup and choose the time of his own departure. And a bloke of his unbelievable integrity, he won’t hang around when he knows it’s time to leave.
Lamps as caretaker manager?? Jesus.