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Southgate: We’re not football snobs, we’ll go route one when we want
GARETH SOUTHGATE has told England not to be “football snobs” and to go back to route one if they feel the need at the Euros.
England’s opening 1-0 win against Croatia saw them dominate possession against a side renowned for their control of the ball.
But Southgate has reminded them that direct is not a dirty word with Harry Kane to aim for.
The England manager has overseen the development of a more refined style of playing out from the defence but in tournament football wants effectiveness put ahead of artistic impression.
Southgate said: “We don’t have as long to work on those patterns playing from goal kicks as you do at a club and also we’re one mistake away from it being more
costly – across 38 games that’s different. There was a little spell where we went long and we just talked about that at half-time.
“We didn’t want to do that every time but there are moments to go longer.We’ve got a centre forward who wins more of his share of the ball.
“We shouldn’t be football snobs. It’s great to play out from the back and get to the halfway line in control of the ball.
“But it’s just as effective to go to the centre forward and be in control of the ball and be able to play from there.The variety is important against top opposition.”
At one point against Croatia when Jordan Pickford did launch the ball long, John Stones – whose blunder playing out from the back against Holland two years ago led to England going out of the Nations League at the semi-final stage – argued with the goalkeeper wanting it played shorter.
“I think they were just deciding,” said Southgate. “We give them pictures and it depends how the opposition press and there were times where it was on to take on. Those guys are able to make those decisions.“
Southgate insists England already have their feet firmly back on the ground after their win, which was watched by a peak TV audience of 11.6million.
“The country can enjoy it for as long as they want but we can’t, we’ve got to move on to the next one,” he said.
“Expectations are always going to be there.We have to handle that. But as long as that’s realistic.”