FOWLER

whether he should be. Like every other manager, he’ll live or die on results and that’s it. Full stop.

So there is no point in hand-wringing or moaning, or second guessing. Let’s get on with it. Looking at Southgate’s squad, he’s not really got much option but to start with the team I’ve named on the left.

Keeper is obvious, defence pretty much picks itself, with Chris Smalling injured, and the same with the midfield.

The only real questions are over formation and the front line. He played three at the back against Germany, but I can’t see him doing the same against Lithuania for one simple reason: It’s not necessary.

Why play an extra defender when we’ll have most of the ball and be attacking almost constantly?

I can see why he chose that formation in Germany – England would have less of the ball and needed security if their full-backs got forward, so the extra defender was a reasonable idea. It worked pretty well too. Going forward, I believe it could be the way for Southgate’s team to line up.

For a start, it plays to the strengths of the players he has available and it also replicates the way Chelsea and Spurs have often played this season.

I like the system, I liked it when Liverpool played that