WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

CENTRE-HALVES

ARGUABLY the biggest issue for England. Harry Maguire is out of form, Conor Coady did not start against Hungary at Molineux and even John Stones was exposed.

They have players coming through like Marc Guehi (inset) – he did little wrong against Hungary – and Fikayo Tomori, who shone against Italy, while Ben White is not far behind. Is there time for a complete revolution?

FORMATION

ENGLAND have regularly played with a back three during Southgate’s reign. The chopping and changing of formations smacks of a manager not quite sure on his best line-up or players.

They must establish a direction and formula. Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland settled on a back three a year before the 2018 World Cup and honed it to perfection.

They must get a clearer idea in place for September – and the World Cup.

WIN BACK THE FANS

CRITICISM from TV pundits, radio bigmouths and social media is one thing… but when you lose the matchgoing fan, that is quite another. They properly turned on Southgate for the first time during and after the 4-0 defeat to Hungary.

Once the fans turn, can you ever win them back? It’s hard to think of an example of a manager at club or international level who has.

That is the challenge facing Southgate now. The mood of the nation is crucial and has previously lifted the team. Now it could weigh them down.

GOALS

IT IS unthinkable that England have not managed to score a goal from open play in these four games. That’s six hours in total. If you consider the attacking talent at their disposal, that is unforgivable. England rely far too heavily on Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.

Phil Foden (right) is such a superb talent, such an incredible player, that he must surely be established as a mainstay of this team.