England verdict: We’ll get out of the group barring disaster, but expect Southgate to tinker – and return to 3-4-3
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GARETH SOUTHATE stressed the starting XI against Iran has earned the right to face the United States.
And in any case, everyone would have thought the England manager had lost his marbles had he decided to do some tinkering after a brilliant win on the opening day.
This was not great, neither was it a disaster. It was certainly not a blockbuster for the crowd of 68463.
Yet starting with on Tuesday, and surely into the knockout rounds, Southgate is certain to mix and match both his formations - and personnel - depending on the opposition.
Had his Three Lions not humiliated Iran 6-2, then England would have probably started with a back three and wing-backs last night.
He will now think about ditching the back four for what is now an intriguing game with the Welsh even though England, barring a disaster, are through.
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At his pre-match press conference on Thursday evening, Southgate had warned fans not expect goalfests against either States or Wales.
He said: “I guess people wouldn’t expect us to be like that having watched us for a couple of years and the style of football we play. Maybe we will regress to the norm!”
Southgate was only half joking when he spoke about returning to normal and unfortunately, that is what happened.
The full-backs, in particular, Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw, both struggled defensively.
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Both did well enough going forward but at times, both John Stones and Harry Maguire - England’s best player - were exposed and defended well, particularly as they were not being protected well enough by the midfield, where there was a bit of a gap.
It was certainly a reality check. But a tap on the shoulder which, in turn, may not hurt England too much.
At the back, in particular, Shaw found himself over-run with right-back Sergino Dest, of Juventus, getting forward to support Weston McKennie, with Raheem Sterling not always getting back quickly enough to help protect.
McKennie wasted one good chance then did brilliantly to create the chance for Christian Pulisic whose shot rattled the crossbar.
Trippier, who was guilty of some slopping passing, foolishly invited Pulisic to take the shot, not realising it would be such a terrific effort from a difficult angle.
At the end of the first half, Shaw delivered some bright moments with a couple of good passes at the other end.
Equally, it would have not been the greatest of surprises had Southgate decided to change things at half-time.
Things did not improve as they were forced into some proper last-ditch stuff and it was a relief, with just over 20 minutes to go, when Henderson was brought on to steady the ship in place of Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish for Raheem Sterling, who lacked energy.
In fairness to Sterling, though, he was certainly not the only one.
Southgate will not allow himself or the team to get too downhearted by this performance.
In the same way the coach and his 26-man squad were not doing a conga along Al Wakrah beach after their win on Monday.
It would have been nice for England to blow the States apart but maybe we were asking a bit too much.
There were more Three Lions fans inside the Al Bayt Stadium compared to the first game - and the team will certainly need them against Wales.
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Do not forget how the Welsh players celebrated when England were knocked out of Euro2016 by Iceland.
It would nice to get one back - big style.