BACK JACK TO SET HARRY FREE
Southgate must make the big call
The game against Czech Republic is the perfect chance for Gareth Southgate to find ways to get Harry Kane into the game. Jack Grealish is one of them.
We may have picked up four points from our two games – I’m not too despondent about the Scotland draw – but we’ve only scored one goal. With one of the world’s best strikers in our ranks, we have to put that right.
Jack can play in one of two roles, off the left or in the No.10 position. Against the Czechs I’d stick him on the left with a free role to roam and get as close as possible to Harry.
I’d have Marcus Rashford off the right, even though he hasn’t always been that comfortable there, because of his ability to get in behind. Harry needs the kind of link-up that he has with HeungMin Son at Spurs.
One or two of the players being rotated won’t be too happy. I’d certainly be cheesed off. Raheem Sterling, for example, scored in the first game and played very well. But these are the big decisions managers have to make.
Gareth has shown already that he is not afraid to make the big decisions or choices the public won’t agree with.
And for all our efforts, we haven’t managed to get Harry into the game so far.
So if anyone has any complaints, it will be an easy conversation for Gareth to have. Far easier than it would have been going into the Scotland game.
On top of that, we are not talking about a Phil Foden being replaced by an average player. We are talking about top-class performers coming into the side to freshen things up.
If Harry Maguire is fit, for example, I would bring him back in to get him up to speed. John Stones and Tyrone Mings have done well and have had two clean sheets but Gareth will need Harry ready to rumble going into the last 16.
As for the knockout stages, I know some of the other countries are fascinated by the concern here around who we might face in the second round if we top the group.
It would be one of France, Germany or Portugal from Group F. But I don’t think it’s a case of fear about who we play. It’s more a shame that if you win the group you come up against one of the best teams in world football so quickly.
We obviously do have the quality to beat them. Our players have won Champions Leagues with their clubs and beaten the best along the way to do that.
So I wouldn’t be making 11 changes against the Czech Republic and hoping to finish
Top-class performers will freshen things up
second. Finishing top of our group will mean we stay at Wembley in the knockouts. That will be a big advantage.
You have your home comforts, you’re not staying in lesserquality hotels. You are in familiar surroundings.
I was at the first game against Croatia and 22,000 fans sounded like 90,000.
All we need now is for Gareth Southgate to find the formula to help Harry Kane to be Harry Kane. Tomorrow night’s game provides the England manager with the perfect opportunity.