BIG MATCH ANALYSIS

PLAY A THREE... AND STICK TO IT!

ENGLAND are expected to line up with a back three tonight but we are still not sure whether this is the way Gareth Southgate wants his side to play. However, these tactics will allow England to be more ruthless. Against Scotland with a back four they were tepid. They needed to assert themselves, but the midfield passed sideways too often. A back three would have been the best option as the formation forces you to play forward with full backs pushing on. I understand the need to be flexible, but Southgate needs to be assertive to get England playing the way he wants them to. There is no time to lose in getting this side ready for the World Cup.

THUMBS UP FOR CAPTAIN KANE

HARRY KANE would be the safest pair of hands to entrust with the England captaincy in the long run. I can understand why Southgate is not rushing to name a permanent captain as he wants a team full of leaders. But it looks like Kane will be the first-choice striker for the foreseeable future and the 23-year-old would be a good fit for the captaincy.

JOE MUST LOOK AT HIMSELF

I STILL feel that Joe Hart is England’s No 1, but he needs to take a good look at himself. Yes, Leigh Griffiths scored two outstanding free-kicks at Hampden Park, but Hart did not move quickly enough to get to them. It has not been the easiest of seasons for Hart. He was not shown much love by Pep Guardiola and was sent to Torino, where he conceded 62 goals in 36 league games. Wherever he is playing next season, the 30-year-old will feel he needs a strong start to the campaign to claim his place in goal for England’s remaining qualifiers.