Nobody can take that away from him, nor should they. The facts are that he took England to a WC semi-final, even if for me personally it wasn’t enjoyable to watch. I remember running down the street towards the nearest pub as soon as Dier’s penalty went in, jumping off the sofa when Alli put the second in against the Swedes, and some bloke in the pub in London I went to after work lobbing his pint glass into a ceiling fan after the winner against Tunisia. All good, fun moments in isolation, but surrounded by real drabness and a sense that we were constantly playing with the handbrake on.
At the time, I thought it was excellent progress. You’re right to say that going to a WC semi two years after what happened in France was great - it’s a good point that a lot of people often overlook. We went from being crap and hopeless to boring but hopeful. I remember thinking, “I actually like the England team again, it isn’t very fun to watch at present but it’s about getting results and bedding in a new group, and more and more exciting and talented young players are about to appear on the scene. The next couple of tournaments should be fantastic - they’ll only get better and stronger.”
Issue being, we’re three years further along and it’s becoming apparent that what might actually be happening is an ultra-defensive manager is never going to make another game enjoyable to watch, and is going to take some of the most exciting attacking players England has had in years and squeeze the life out of them. England can’t have a squad containing players like Kane, Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Sancho, the pace of Sterling, not to mention flying full backs who play like wingers for their clubs - top clubs who win top trophies regularly - and spend their best years playing hyper-defensive, slow-paced football. It’s like having a garage full of sports cars and never taking them above 50mph, even on a motorway.
I think the English press is continually unhelpful and counterproductive, and I’m rolling my eyes as much at them as I am what’s happening on the pitch, by the way. I’m not screaming “Southgate out” while spitting lager all over the telly, but I do think this isn’t going to cut it at present. It’s a bit of a shame to watch a young team full of so much talent, who largely play so well and with so much intent for their clubs being muzzled. Like I say, the end point will prove the manager right or wrong.
