THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO GO BACK TO BASICS

Southgate wants England to be winners rather than entertainers so his attacking experiment is now over

GARETH SOUTHGATE is ready to go back to basics to turn England’s fortunes around.

And that means fans better brace themselves for a return to a more conservative style of football ahead of the World Cup in November.

Southgate wants England to be winners rather than entertainers and the disastrous Nations League campaign has shown experiments can backfire in spectacular fashion.

In the space of 11 days, the positivity and optimism surrounding the squad has been replaced with negativity and doubts, culminating in the 4-0 defeat by Hungary on Tuesday night.

No goals from open play in six hours, the team selection and performances have thrown up more questions than answers. But the clamour for more attacking performances, to use flair over industry has been overwhelming.

And while England coach Southgate insists that did not sway him, it has left him more staunch in his view that being good defensively is always his top priority.

He said: “I think some of the desire to see open play... we saw against Hungary that you’ve got to have the balance of a team right. And you’ve got to get those decisions right.

“And with a club, maybe if you’re at the top, and you’ve got a long time working with the players, you can play a more expansive game.

“But even the top teams, they’re bloody good defensively, they’re good on transition, the balance of everything is right.

“So the idea we can just play lots of attacking players and rely on talent to win… it’s not the way it is. And that was a reminder to myself in the second half against Hungary that it’s a gamble.

“You go for a gamble to try to win the game because you think that’s important. But what happened can happen...”

The message was pretty clear. Whether that means a return to a back three and a more defensive-minded formation remains to be seen.

But there are key issues to resolve within a squad now shell-shocked by the first really bad run under Southgate. The dressing room was quiet and stunned after the game.

Southgate told the players that results were down to him. Many went straight off on holiday, whisked away in FA cars having been told by the manager not to stew on it because it was his responsibility. Players like him because he shoulders the blame.

But some were disappointed this time as they believed they were given the impression they were going to play... and then didn’t. That can quickly spread in a dressing room.

Maybe it has also shown the likes of James Justin, Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen are not good enough. There is a huge concern over the centre-halves with Harry Maguire out of form and Conor Coady sweating on his place with new faces emerging.

And they surely missed Jordan Henderson’s leadership and experience this time.

The players remain supportive of Southgate but the match-going fans have turned on the manager for the first time. That affects the dressing room.

And he admits it could herald a return to the bad old days when the shirt weighed heavily on their shoulders and stopped them playing with freedom.

The players were nervous and timid against Hungary.

“I think you have seen the anxiety start to creep back,” said Southgate. “But this is the reality of professional football.

“This group of players have given the best outcomes for 50 years. It’s important they stick with a group of young players because they need the support all the time.”