Southgate is building something, and his spirit level is the star of the show
GARETH SOUTHGATE likes to talk about the spirit in his squad. Doesn’t every football manager?
But boy, Southgate has a point.
This is a squad that, collectively, is probably aware of its shortcomings.
Even in victory over the world’s No.1-ranked nation, they were a little unimaginative, a little cautious.
Their passing was not as s crisp as the Belgians’ and, if push came to shove at a major tournament, you would probably back Roberto Martinez’s side. But organised and disciplined, this is a squad that knows how to stay in a match.
Again, even in another win here, there was plenty to criticise.
Jose Mourinho has faith in Eric Dier at centre-back, so, it seems, does Southgate. The problem is that it looks like Eric Dier does not have faith in Eric Dier at centre-back.
Kieran Trippier acquitted himself decently but the absence of a naturally left-sided player is an obvious issue.
When you have Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice in front of what can become a back five, creativity is scarce.
And while Mason Mount is adored by his national manager and scored the deflected second-half winner (celebrating, below) he does not have the ingenuity of a Jack Grealish.
But that is this England for you. Pick holes in the squad, highlight their failings all you want, but they often find a way to win.
Against slick Belgium, they adapted their game, ground it out.
And England have enough attacking options to always be a threat.
They got lucky with the two goals. A hand on Henderson’s shoulder was enough for him to take a dive and earn the penalty that cancelled out Romelu Lukaku’s spot- kick, and Mount’s shot was never going to trouble former Liverpool
keeper Simon Mignolet until it ballooned off Belgium centreback Toby Alderweireld.
But on the counter-attack, they always asked tough questions and what will particularly encourage Southgate is that Marcus Rashford MBE reminded everyone that he is not just a top lad.
He was not brilliant – no one was – and his touch was occasionally poor, but he unnerved the Belgian defence every time he ran at them.
With a bit more confidence, with better club form in his locker, he might have finished England’s best move of the match and given the scoreline a margin that would not have reflected proceedings.
But he converted the penalty with some aplomb and combined nicely on a couple of occasions with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Calvert-Lewin flicks on a long ball, Rashford runs in behind. It was old school stuff at times.
Everton’s in-form striker Calvert-Lewin did not last the entire game and England finished with a front trio of Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and Rashford.
With Raheem Sterling to return, it will be three from those four and Rashford did nothing here to suggest he will not be anything other than key to Southgate’s grand plan, to the manager’s Project Big Picture.
Because in case you had forgotten, Rashford is not just the nation’s conscience, he is one of its most exciting footballers.