It was drab, dreary and like a pre-season friendly. But how many times have England taken part in these sorts of games and not gone on to win?
So let's take the result as a positive and not be too dismissive of Iceland. Even a France team boasting Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman only beat them 1-0 in European Championship qualifying courtesy of an Olivier Giroud penalty.
Iceland had only 22 per cent possession and wanted to frustrate Harry Kane, who looked flat and had little joy in front of goal.
With 20 minutes to go, I would have liked to see Jack Grealish introduced. There was a lack of creativity coming from midfield.
Southampton's James Ward-Prowse is a good footballer and a nice passer, and Manchester City starlet Phil Foden was making his international debut.
But while Iceland were sitting back, Grealish sat on the bench kicking his heels. The Aston Villa captain is capable of special things in tight areas and he would have backed himself to find Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho in those channels.
At the Euros next summer, if Southgate stands by 4-3-3, you'd expect the front three to be Sterling, Kane then one of either Marcus Rashford or Sancho.
They need to be supported by creativity in midfield. Teams can try to stifle you, as Iceland did on Saturday evening, and that's when you need someone who can unlock doors. Grealish is of that ilk.
Kane was robbed of his 33rd England goal by an incorrect offside and it could have been a different game had that early strike counted. Maybe then Iceland would have shown some attacking intent.
But on the plus side, Southgate's players huffed and puffed and got the win in the end.
Yozadmoz
0
Well I am a Birmingham city fan so this is as near to a compliment as you are going to get from me about a Aston Villa captain. He goes down if you Breathe too hard around him, it’s got to be worth having him in the team, if only to get the five free kicks a game he gets from flopping all over the place......... see that was almost a compliment🤬😂
Spursfan4lifeoffic
0
Imagine this squad[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
visbckmu
0
the media is so fuckin english.talk big and then destroy many their own player
maxm70
2
English media really likes to hype English players a lot. Grealish is good but he is no magician.
JohnElvis
0
The problem with England is that there is no creativity in the midfield. So he should be starting Foden or Grealish because they are creative.
he started foden haha
joobkltu
1
The problem is this is THE FIRST game that England is playing and clowns and idiots expected world class performance. Grealish is no magician . If he is, Las Vegas is the place for him to perform.
bigdog7661
3
The problem with England is that there is no creativity in the midfield. So he should be starting Foden or Grealish because they are creative.
kross5
2
England always wants to go for there overatted stars and just because one plays for a bigger club than the other not considering the game someone brings... If a star doesn't deliver have him replaced to show them that it's a national team not a club
Zaobdikoyz
4
I don’t know why England haven’t learnt this till now...that they need to build a squad who can play as a team not as individuals...they did the same mistake with their golden generation and they are doing it again...England never appears as they are playing as one team...what’s the point of calling it a national team if still people consider themselves as Manchester player or Liverpool player...it’s a shame. Southgate should build a squad that blends perfectly and shouldn’t go for big names if required.
chiderau
1
the problem with the England team is that they change their squad too much and that disorganised the balance of the squad they bring in one season wonders and think they can bring about immediate change like for example Spain team they have the blend of old and new that is why they work so well because the old players with experience are there to guide the young once
vostoko
1
the only thing Southgate can offer to England fans is nothing but heart attacks
Leontheguru
0
or jst use this kid or the one and only of a kind jesse lingard buy him😂😂😂😂
[image]
he played
MickyAista
4
or jst use this kid or the one and only of a kind jesse lingard buy him😂😂😂😂
Jimklmoprs
7
England is always overrated.... once the big games comes they will fall flat.
vamdeze12
1
He is a great player, but putting him up against Sterling & Sancho in the starting line up is a Big NO , I don't think he would enjoy playing for England with those two still very young
Biaabdnopt
3
That's why MU should sign this man, he has that versatility to play as AMF and Winger, he also can help lower the burden for Bruno as he has that creativity