''We tried it for 20 minutes'' | A look into England's defeat against Greece in the Nations League
England’s Surprise Defeat to Greece: A Night to Forget?
As the dust settles on England’s shock 1-0 defeat to Greece at Wembley, questions are being raised about the tactical decisions made by manager Gareth Southgate. In an interview with ITV after the game, former pro Lee Carley revealed that the team spent just 20 minutes working on their game plan the night before the match. Is this a concern, or was Gareth Southgate being honest about the limitations of his squad?
One of the main issues with England’s performance was their struggles in front of goal, with the team managing just two shots on target all night. This raises questions about the wisdom of playing a false nine formation, with players like Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish swapping roles and leaving the team without a focal point up front.
The graphic above shows the average positions of England’s players, with Bellingham and Grealish often finding themselves dropping deep and picking up the ball, rather than creating a clear threat in the box. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who was playing out of position on the left wing, struggled to make an impact, and Anthony Gordon’s touches in the opposition box were limited.
The introduction of substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Dominic Solanke in the second half changed the dynamics of the game, with England ultimately playing to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This shift in shape brought more joy to the team, but it was too little, too late.
As England look to bounce back from this unexpected defeat, Gareth Southgate’s future at the helm will depend on his ability to adapt and evolve as a coach. The prospect of facing Finland in the Nations League on Sunday will be a stern test, and it remains to be seen whether the manager will stick with his experimental tactics or return to a more tried and trusted approach.
For now, the FA will be pondering the same questions, weighing up the pros and cons of promoting from within or making a change at the top. As Roy Keane so aptly put it, "you have to do the basics, you have to have urgency – the basics are so poor, [and] that’s the problem." England’s players must rediscover their punishing edge and hunger to succeed at the next level.
What’s Next for England?
With Harry Kane expected to return to the fold for the game against Finland, it’s difficult to see how England can fit all of their attacking talent into the same team. Fans will be keen to see if Southgate will opt for a more traditional approach, with one of Foden, Bellingham, or Palmer making way for the Tottenham star. The numbers from England’s previous games against Finland and the Republic of Ireland suggest that a more balanced approach could be need, with the team averaging 19 shots in those games compared to just 12 against Greece last night.
The verdict on England’s disappointing performance? It’s a night to forget, and one that will test the mettle of Gareth Southgate and his team.