Southgate’s big problem is England’s soft centre

GARETH SOUTHGATE (left) has a big problem – England’s midfield.

If he didn’t know it before facing Scotland and France, he certainly knows now.

Against Scotland they were uninspired, but got away with it because they’ve got pace going forward.

Against France, they were punished. But it’s the game at Hampden that summed England’s problem up for me – because Scott Brown was there to highlight it.

The English may have Three Lions on their shirt, but they don’t have one wearing it.

The lack of leadership is obvious, and the manager looks puzzled.

At the moment, he doesn’t seem to know whether he wants a five or a four in the middle of the park.

He’s also unsure who should play.

Jordan Henderson’s return from injury should help because he has some fire in his belly.

And that’s what England need before next year’s World Cup Finals.

They will qualify, whatever happens. That isn’t in doubt.

But they won’t get away with being soft in Russia.

Southgate must fix it, because it doesn’t matter how much firepower you have if you don’t have a foundation to set it on.