LEE CARSLEY unleashed a rarely seen tactic during England's match against Greece.
The Three Lions faced off against Greece at Wembley in the Uefa Nations League.
However, with captain Harry Kane rested as a precaution following a knock he received with Bayern Munich, Carsley opted to go bold with his selection.
Rather than simply replace Kane with one of Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke in the line-up, Carsley went for a team filled with talented attacking midfielders.
Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were asked to be the team's main attacking force down the middle, while Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon provided the width.
And in a shock twist, ITV's chief statistician, "King Joel", could not find another example where England had played without a recognised centre-forward.
Roy Keane and Ian Wright were baffled by the exclusion of Aston Villa ace Watkins, with Keane saying "he will be fuming".
Wright added he was "disappointed for Ollie Watkins", given it would have been a strong chance for him to try and stake a claim to start.
Taking to social media, fans had a mixed reaction to the bold new tactic.
One user said: "Exciting, innovative, Barcelona did something similar when [Cesc] Fabregas tended to be their furthest man forward."
A second said: "Agree, Watkins won’t be happy. Foden barely played this season, odd move by Carsley."
A third said: "Feel this is another manager sacrificing balance just to accommodate players it can be OK if we bench players no matter who they play for."
Another said: "A team packed full of wingers and No10s but no striker. That could be a fun watch."
A fifth added: "We've gone from one clown to another it seems! No striker in the 11 but two sitting on the bench."
A sixth said: "All out attack. [Gareth] Southgate would never."
A tribute was also paid to the late George Baldock, who died at the age of 31 earlier this week.
Jumachelsea
0
England 🏴 didn’t lose to Greece 🇬🇷 in all their 10 meetings since 1971, until palmer started for England. 😂
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go f*** yourself
raddimry
0
I was disappointed by this decision of midfielders
Augustine⭐
0
this guy isn't even good enough for an interim job
Joecnpty
0
Only Pep can pull off a winning stunt like dat with midfielders
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Not only Pep…Klopp has done that for years ,Mourinho & Conte…they are all great coaches that can play without a stricker..
Kesadlor
1
hope we will never see him again 🙏🙏🙏
Kirk4ujm
3
Only Pep can pull off a winning stunt like dat with midfielders
Tesikmotyz
2
England is still very far from will any major trophy. With all these blind experiments. A Spanish team can try it and still win a match comfortably. But not an English team that plays direct kind of football.
Ciuelnopuy
0
at the end zero result, England su*ks
yzi
0
England victory vs Greece😄😂[Crylaugh]even the poster confused himself languagecly
Noyabdelmp
0
hyped English men their best player is saka
Rinelrty
0
That went well..."is he Eric Ten Hag in diguise!"...same tactics, same results.
blacknight8235IN
0
apart from Bellingham early strike at goal, the only time England appears threatening was when Madueke came on and the other changes afterwards, none of the players wanted to take on the defence, Saka and Gordon hadn't made a penetrative run at the defense during their time on the pitch, generally, England didn't seem to have a plan, they was poor in this match
sawalorsuz
0
The English press inadvertently pressured Carseley into this dumb selection. Now with the negative result, they will descend in him
EmeraldJ
1
Pickford from the start was very nervy and mistake prone
EmeraldJ
1
And he had the defeat England have never had before in the hands of the Greeks
Vowaeiklop
1
Bullshit tactics 🙄
msiwela07
0
trying to please city player how???
unnecessarily fielding them because he's a former city coach. he fields a rookie like Rico Lewis and accommodated Foden at the expense of some performing players
emondorock
1
exactly...foden and belingham....this guy has no idea
coyacdlotz
1
trying to please city players plus playing without a recognized striker. playing Palmer out of position. I'm happy the result came out with a lose. favouritism doesn't yield good results
Phil foden and stones don't deserve to start cause they got bad match stat and form ....
Josedad
2
England 🏴 didn’t lose to Greece 🇬🇷 in all their 10 meetings since 1971, until palmer started for England. 😂
Litelntz
0
trying to please city players plus playing without a recognized striker. playing Palmer out of position. I'm happy the result came out with a lose. favouritism doesn't yield good results
trying to please city player how???
jetbemrstu
1
Pick Ford was a bundle of nerves. For all his experience, he played like an amateur.
jetbemrstu
0
So England doesn't have a natural defensive midfielder??
wilbard10
0
sack him before is too late
booabru
1
very useless
yioelnpryz
0
But he has lost his first game
kugesuon
0
What a load of shite, couldn’t beat the girl guides….lots of good players with absolutely no team play, Palmer was like a lost lamb. Trent and Bellingham the only 2 trying
Palmer played the most through balls even playing double pivot with rice. He was played out of position so definitely he'll be lost since his an attacking player and lacks defensive quality.
Ledbmtyz
0
dumb squad
kugesuon
0
This would have won the match
msiwela07
1
trying to please city players plus playing without a recognized striker. playing Palmer out of position. I'm happy the result came out with a lose. favouritism doesn't yield good results
Sacrabluer
1
What a load of shite, couldn’t beat the girl guides….lots of good players with absolutely no team play, Palmer was like a lost lamb. Trent and Bellingham the only 2 trying
Pappy419
1
This same tactics Teng use
GRÄYSÖÑJäy
3
Pickford needs change
woccdikm
3
and what is the result
buzabiruyz
2
Tactic for a loss