World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate got it wrong - but there was one bright spot from Belgium defeat
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Updated 29/06/2018 at 13:55 GMT
Paul Parker was unimpressed with the selection choices made by Gareth Southgate for England’s 1-0 defeat to Belgium but pin-pointed one player who took his chance and should stay in the team.
Gareth Southgate, Manager of England looks on prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
Southgate got it wrong
I said before the game that I didn’t agree with making so many changes even despite the reports that Belgium were going to do so as well. We had a great opportunity to go and win three games on the bounce in the group stage. The first two will always be regarded as gimmies and we got what we should have out of them but we could have made a statement by coming away with nine points.
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England's coach Gareth Southgate applauds after the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between England and Belgium at the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad on June 28, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
More than anything in competitions this short, continuity and momentum are key. Just because Belgium are putting out their reserves why did we feel we had to put out our reserves as well? Was it because we were worried about losing to those reserves and that might send out the wrong message? If that’s the case and we’re going to be concerned about that then perhaps we don’t deserve to be in the competition.
The most important thing at the end of the day is to beat what’s in front of you and it doesn’t matter which side of the draw you are on. When you reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup teams start to raise their game so I’m not sure there really is any easy route. In 1990 we played against Cameroon and they nearly shocked us. Even in the third/fourth place play-off everyone wanted to play, Peter Shilton told Sir Bobby Robson he wanted to start.
Maybe Gareth was cautious or maybe he got himself embroiled in the idea of resting people. Continuity gives you the best chance of winning games and we failed by stopping that and losing our momentum. Some people argue it’s about using all the players but if you are using 14, 15 or 16 players in a tournament and you’re getting to your fifth or six game that means you’re doing well. Those players might get frustrated but they would accept that if the team remains unbeaten you can’t ask the manager why they’re not playing. The main thing was to go out and play our strongest side and win. If we had played a proper team it would sent a message to the rest of the tournament that England want to win.
Back three were losers from defeat
Even if we had lost with a full-strength team the back three would have been given a proper test against a tough side who moved the ball well. It’s so important for that back three to play as many high-tempo games together as possible as they are still learning that system. As a reserve side Belgium were better than us and the way they attacked would have helped our defence in the long run. They’ve missed that opportunity and now they go into a match against a good team with technical players who will try and pass the ball through the lines.
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John Stones of England speaks with Raheem Sterling of England on the bench, as he sits with an icepack after coming off injured during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kali
Image credit: Getty Images
But the real winner is Rose
I thought Danny Rose did well for the balance for the team because he got wide and he crossed the ball early with his left foot. Ashley Young prefers to cut back onto his right when he plays there but Rose makes the cross as soon as can. An average early cross will always do more damage than a great cross that comes in after a touch or two.
Yes, Rose made a mistake for the goal but Young has made a few positional errors over the first couple of games against poorer teams. Rose wants to defend and whilst he can be impetuous he gives a better balance in attack and defence. As a wing-back you need to get in wide areas and send early balls into Kane like at Spurs and at the moment he doesn’t get that from the left because Young always checks back. When the ball is given to Rose and Trippier they will send in good balls and Kane knows that because he plays with them for Spurs - that connection is important.
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Gareth Southgate, Manager of England gives instructions to Danny Rose of England during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
Kane could have embarrassed Belgium
Even if we made some changes Kane still should have played, he is always going to want to play and score goals. When people say he might have got injured I’d say there’s a chance he can get injured in training!
He would have put pressure on Belgium and it would have embarrassed them because they haven’t earned the right to do what they’ve done; they’ve flattered to deceive so far.
Group stage thoughts
After three games we have to remember that whilst the Panama win was brilliant - and scoring six in a World Cup game is no mean feat, albeit against a poor side - the competitive games are where the team will be judged. The players will have loved scoring six but they will know the real tests come against the top sides.
The group stage as a whole has been noticeable for the lack of quality, which is a concern with the move to a 48-team tournament. It doesn’t make any sense, 2026 could be a poor man’s Gerry Cottle’s Circus with that many teams because the early stages will be uninteresting.
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