England have slipped into third place in their UEFA Nations League group after a 1-0 defeat at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Gary Neville has criticised Southgate’s tactics and defensive selection policies
Gary Neville questioned Gareth Southgate’s “predictable” tactics and defensive selection policies in the wake of England’s defeat to Denmark. England have slipped into third place in their UEFA Nations League group after a 1-0 defeat at Wembley on Wednesday night. Christian Eriksen scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. As the Three Lions struggled to create any clear chances. Their cause was hampered when Harry Maguire was sent for his second reported offence at the half-hour mark. With Manchester United defender punished for hitting Kasper Dolberg after failing to control an easy pass. Kyle Walker fouled Thomas Delaney in the box four minutes later. And Eriksen sent the resulting spot-kick past Jordan Pickford in emphatic style. Mason Mount almost levelled the score with a delay. But Kasper Schmeichel managed to hold on to his close header while Denmark held onto the famous victory.
Gareth’s tactic is a little predictable
Reece James was also shown a red card after the final whistle for voicing his frustrations towards Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano. With Three Lions now facing an uphill battle to advance to the Nations League final. Southgate has stuck with the same tight formation that saw England 2-1 win over Belgium on Sunday. Still, Neville criticized the 50-year-old’s conservative approach after seeing the team’s obvious attacking flaws exposed by the Danes. “The problem with 3-4-3 over the last two games is that you end up with eight defensive/positionally tough serving players,” Gary Neville said. “If you add Harry Kane to that who is more of a permanent hitter, you have nine players who don’t interchange and rotate.”
Belgium took a 2-1 win over Iceland to return to the top of League A, Group 2 after four games. With England determined to face Roberto Martinez’s squad again during the next international break in November. England have struggled for goals throughout their current UEFA Nations League campaign. They beat Iceland 1-0 thanks to Raheem Sterling’s late penalty last month before being held to a zero draw by the Danes.