Gareth not for scrapping tried and tested three at back
England will not be ditching the tactical plan Gareth Southgate believes can deliver World Cup success.
The Three Lions boss insists his three-man defence is here to stay – and that he has been right to employ the system in the Nations League despite a miserable campaign that has seen the Three Lions suffer a chastening relegation.
Kyle Walker, Eric Dier and
Harry Maguire did not look secure in the 1- 0 defeat against Italy in Milan on Friday night.
And England have now failed to score from open play for 495 minutes as Harry Kane and Co suffered from a lack of service at the other end.
But Southgate is not for turning with the World Cup opener against Iran just two months away and Monday night’s clash with Germany at
Wembley his final chance to prepare for Qatar.
Southgate said: “I don’t see the formation as the issue. Of course, if you don’t win matches people will look at everything and we’re always open-minded.
“But I think it gives us the best chance over the next few months because we’ve got depth in those positions. If we get injuries, we’re not changing the system again and starting from scratch. I know I’ll get derision for saying this, but I thought we played well against Italy.
“If we want to play four at the back there’s a risk because we’d be playing a right-footer on the left and then we’d be criticised for having the wrong balance.
“I think the defenders who are playing well are playing in back-threes. We went to four men after Italy scored, but I think we were dangerous with the three and with the four.”
England appeared inhibited by the formation they were asked to employ.
And the goal drought for a frontline that included Kane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden in the San Siro rarely looked like coming to an end.
Kane’s penalty in a 1-1 draw in Berlin is the only goal England have scored during the current campaign.