The Way Forward | An England Team to Believe In and Be Proud Of

This Time Feels Different, This England Team Are Making Me A Believer 

A decade ago I began writing a blog about football. Among analysing teams, players and managers, I put a lot of focus around my passion; youth development and coaching. Over the course of a few years I had written dozens of blog posts about this topic. This was an era which involved the tragic exit in the 2010 World Cup to Germany, the loss on pens to Italy in 2012. It was during the period of Barcelona and Spain’s dominance. English football was behind the best. And it didn’t even feel close. 

Still obsessing about a “Golden Generation” which only ever reached a quarter final of a major tournament, the culture of the English football team was one of misery and failure. The blog led to a book about the national team and Academy football. The Way Forward : Solutions to England’s Football Failings (available for £2.99 on Kindle) was my comprehensive analysis of the failures of English football across decades, of a culture of football built out of Charles Reep and Charles Hughes long ball, 3 passes or less philosophy. This put England decades behind the best nations in terms of player development and international success. 

 

Constant disappointment became the norm for England fans. I don't remember 1990 or even 1992. My first memory of a tournament was World Cup ’94. England had tragically not qualified under Graham Taylor. We all ended up supporting Ireland! Then came Euro ’96, my most fondest memories, signing Three Lions in Year 6 assembly. And then the pain of defeat hit. The same happened in 1998. And the love of England, the belief and hope, became frustration and disappointment. A team which continued to break hearts. Time and time again. Would we ever win a tournament again? 

 

A vision for success

In 2015 Dan Ashworth laid out the FA’s new vision for the England national team. Greg Dyke had set a something ambitious plan for England to win the World Cup in 2022. Many scoffed and mocked this idea. How could England become World champions? Yet the FA had a plan and vision – not just to be World champions, but to the best.  As Ashworth said; “What’s my dream? One day it’s us, and people are asking us how we became world champions, what happened in English football that turned it. We’ll be the fashionable ones.”

 

And so here we are in 2021, a year before the World Cup, and seemingly on the cusp of winning our first tournament since 1966. Being talked of as being one of the best nations in the world, the greater producers of talent in the modern game. Ashworth's vision has become a reality. 

 

That goal in 2015 seemed lofty but it was necessary. It gave a target. And Dan Ashworth delivered on his plan. He created a world class model of development at St George’s Park. He invested in a holisitic development plan for the young players, from U15’s through to the senior team, to be coached by the best, to be supported by sports scientists, psychologists and top analysts. They recruited top talent and made the FA a highly functioning, high performance centre. And the rewards were reaped. In 2017 the U17's became World champions, as well as runners up in the Euro's, the U19's won Toulon Tournament and won the Euro's. And the U20 became World Cup winners. What a year for the England setup. What a sign of how promising the future for England was. Ashworth had put in place a high performance culture so that it would maximise the success of all these groups. And it paid off. Top talent along with the right culture. A recipe for success.

 

Dan Ashworth has departed to work at Brighton, others like Dave Reddin and Matt Crocker have left also. Others who were part of that initial plan have also moved on. But the decisions and processes put in by this team 6 years ago have bared fruit now. Perhaps the most important appointment was making Gareth Southgate England's senior manager. That perhaps was what took the DNA, the vision, the success at youth level, a reality at the senior team. 

By luck or strategy, Southgate revolutionised the senior team

The decision to give Gareth Southgate the reigns as national team manager may well have been the long term plan all along, but it certainly felt fortunate. Sam Allardyce took over from Roy Hodgson after the exit of 2016. He lasted one game before an undercover reporter got him to admit acting inappropriately of bypassing third party rules on players and accepting a £400k offer to represent a Far East investment firm as a keynote speaker. This cost him his dream job. A shame for him. To be England manager is an honour, to end so quickly and under such circumstances, well the dream became a nightmare. 

 

Hodgson and then Allardyce had the feeling of the old guard, the old English mentality, the culture of 442 and defensive first. Even Capello was more about defending than attacking. Sven Eriksen had been the 442 Anglophile after Bob Houghton and Hodgson had revolutionised Scandinavian football in the 70’s and 80’s. All these men were built on defensive, rigid systems. They were the old English culture. Not their fault, this is what they were brought up on. 

 

But these coaches seemed to go against the current crop of exciting youngsters emerging from the Academy system. After some tragic exits in 2012 and 2014 the feeling was that England’s next tournament, Russia 2016, felt like the same again under Allarydce. We would have that famed ‘Plan B’, but it could now become our ‘Plan A’. 

 

Southgate steadied the ship. Here was the face and voice of the FA DNA project of Ashworth. Perhaps Ashworth couldn’t risk the outcry if Southgate had been thrust into the managers seat after Hodgson. Allarydce was the people’s favourite – like Redknapp he was the man the fans felt England had needed for so long, yet was always overlooked. The English has had a few issues recently with being given a choice about the direction the country should take – but Ashworth went with the consensus. Fortune would mean Allardyce would be out after one game and he was able to let Southgate come in for a few games while they ‘searched for a replacement’.

 

The master plan worked, Southgate impressed, won over the fans and they gave him the reigns on a permanent deal. Southgate brought in some new vigour. He carried himself with confidence but humility. If he is an FA 'yes man' then that is only because he believes in the vision the FA set out. And ever since we have seen a steady and impressive growth of the national team. The DNA has been achieved, the youth success and philosophy has been seen at the senior level. Southgate and Steve Holland have built a long term plan, trusted to carry it out, and we now lie on the precipice of history. 

 

This is the third semi-final appearance under Southgate. 2018 World Cup, the 2019 Nations League and now Euro 2021. As England’s Academies have started to bring through some of the most exciting talent in the world the stability and vision of the FA’s DNA has come together to provide a perfect combination of excellent players and a style and philosophy which seeks to bring out the best of the players and the team. It’s a great example of a long term vision being actioned, followed through, invested in and having the right staff to guide, support and drive the philosophy. The investment has paid off. 

 

Southgate’s team have come a long way since their 2-0 win against Malta in October 2016. But that is what a long term plan allows. Almost 5 years later, three semi finals (and perhaps even more this time around), Southgate and Steve Holland have built a strategy which appears to be recipe for success. 

So now we’ve looked at the history, let’s assess the tournament so far. And how England got to this point.  

 

Everyone knows best

From the start Southgate was lambasted and criticised for his selection and tactics. “Too defensive” and “Negative” were the main critiques of his team versus Croatia. Many didn’t think Sterling should play. Many wanted to see Grealish and Sancho. Southgate has been vindicated on each game and decision. Perhaps he knows best. 

I didn’t however expect Kalvin Phillips to be as important and be as good as he has been. I expected a single pivot in Declan Rice, but this double pivot has worked wonders – has enabled a strong defensive structure and helped control the games with secure possession. 

To beat Croatia 1-0 was not only a statement win, but a sign of what to expect from England. Cautious, organised and controlled. Not a free for all of attacking football. The counter-pressing has been excellent. The pressing triggers, organisation and intelligence all excellent throughout. Highlighted best against Ukraine. Personally I’ve felt Sterling is England’s most important player and believed that he is the player this team should be built around in terms of attacking threat. And so it’s proved. 

Southgate and Holland have meticulously planned this tournanment, their strategy and learnt the lessons of previous winners. The truth that the teams who win major tournaments in recent times are not always the most exciting or adventurous, but teams built on a strong defence, an organised block, looking more to counter and transition than dominate or play too open. 

Germany’s 2014 success was built off a a very organised and well functioning 4-4-1-1 mid-block, using pressing to counter to great effect. Portgual’s 2016 success was a team built on a very organised defence, as too France’s 2018 win, which while possessing some fantastic players was all about a strong defence and rapid transitions. Even Spain between 2008-2012 were a possession dominated defensive side – using possession as a defensive strategy and utilising their high pressing/counter pressing game to great effect. 

England have certainly embraced the trend of a strong defence and a mixed pressing game. Each game has offered a different kind of threat and Southgate has shown a superb ability to adapt and be flexible in the formation, strategy and used of personnel to achieve the result. 

 

The toughest game - a mix of strategy and luck

Now I didn’t get to reflect on the Germany game in the blog so I will do a mini-review here. This was a game where the result determined the reaction. This was not so much a masterclass or a perfect game. It was an extremely tight and evenly matched game. Both teams had periods of domination and being in control, while also being under pressure and looking shaky. Both teams had big chances. I would argue that Germany were the better team for much of this game. They started much better. Had the best chance of half with Werner and in the second half had more control and dominating the ball. Sterling had a shot well saved, Maguire missed a good header and Kane almost scored, but the second half chances felt even harder to achieve. 

The game could have been very different had Werner converted or if Kelvin Phillips had not been sent off for a pretty bad challenge – which other VAR calls have sent off other players. England seemed to have the luck in their favour. 

In the second half it was tense and tight. Then both teams made their subs and sought to bring on their spark. Gnabry who has been great for Bayern for a few years now hadn’t had the best tournament, while Grealish created the goal which beat the Czech’s and had looked very lively. Who was going to be the catalyst for success? While Gnabry offered little to nothing, Grealish changed the game. 

Sterling switched sides, and it was his dribble which opened up Germany, moved players out of positions and Grealish fed Shaw whose boxpass found Sterling. Muller missed a chance you’d expect him to take and it was that moment you knew it was England’s game. Germany tried playing high and long balls up for the final 20 mins and England’s solid defence mopped them up. Germany looked void of ideas. The wing backs seemingly nullified. None of the subs enhanced the team. They had become lost. The first goal knocked them. And it ignited England. Luke Shaw pressed and won possession from Gnabry, a counter attack led to Grealish crossing for Kane. Game over. Kane had finally delivered. Grealish had changed the game. 

 

The Ukraine game saw a change in formation, a start for Sancho, and saw Kane come to life. It wasn’t a hard match overall, Ukraine looked exhausted but also mentally fatigued against an England team which pressed with such intent in transitions, which kept possession very well and tired out already tired legs. And which just looked energised, confident and a cohesive unit. Pickford made a big save at his near post first half but after that England just dominated and killed the game. This was the least stressed I've ever felt in a knockout game. 

 

Individual stories of vindication, difficulty 

I’d just like to touch on a few players who have shown that it’s not an easy journey in professional football. Some players have serious setbacks, some struggle with form, some face severe criticism. And yet this summer there are players who are winning the hearts and minds of the nation.

Luke Shaw suffered a terrible leg break in 2015. He was playing well under van Gaal but this meant a long time on the sidelines. He came back was ridiculed for his size and apparent weight issues. His new manager Jose Mourinho treated him badly, to the extent of bullying him, he still does now. Shaw has been magnificent in this tournament, and across the season for United. He has shown fantastic mental resolve and resilience to overcome the injuries and doubters. It’s great to see him vindicate himself right now. 

Jordan Pickford wouldn’t have been my choice if Nick Pope was fit. But he has always been Southgate’s No.1. And that trust is paying off this tournament. He has made some excellent saves, has been consistent and solid. He has shown more mental strength and focus than I believed he had. I’ve been very proud of th maturity and character he has shown. And to have 5 clean sheets is truly magnificent. 

John Stones was written off by many a few years ago. Issues off the pitch may have affected his performances. But for me he is England’s best centre back. And this season has been back to his best. His partnership with Walker at City and England is very good, as too with Maguire – where we have looked solid, composed and dominant all tournament. It’s great to see the redemption stories, of players coming back to prove themselves. 

Harry Maguire has been immense this tournament. As he has all season with United. After his issues on holiday and the police, along with a red card at that same time, it felt he could fall off from his lofty progression, but he came back stronger and became a greater leader for both club and country. Many questioned him after those incidents, but he proved himself. 

My final player who I think deserves credit is Raheem Sterling. 3 goals and 1 assist so far, for me our best player in the tournament. He faced a tough season for a title winning City team. He wasn’t at his best, but wasn’t shocking. He had just set such a bar in recent years that an under-performances meant he wasn’t good anymore. Myopic thinking of a reactionary culture. But he perhaps more to prove than any other English player at this tournament. Many questioned if he should play. And he did prove them all wrong. Without him I don’t think we would be where we are now. He has proved himself once again. Under all the criticism, the negative stories, the racial undertones. He wears the 10 shirt. And while the 9 is the most revered in England, for me the 10 is the main guy. And Sterling is proving himself at the top stage. Bravo young man. Proud of you!

 

Cohesion is key

I wrote an article back in 2014 when Germany won the World Cup about their cohesion and team togetherness.This was the catalyst for success. A team all working together, for each other and believing in the strategy of the staff. Along with Italy, England look the most cohesive team in this tournament. It is not a surprise that many expect these two sides to meet in the final. And why is it? 

It is the long term planning from the coaches, the collective nature of the vision and a trust in the tactics of the staff. These teams believe in their manager and each other. The group celebrations - the togetherness on and off the pitch is evident. 

I think it’s fair to say that teams like Germany and France played like a team who weren’t fully behind their managers approach and tactics. Substitutions didn’t always work or make sense. Luis Enrique has been lucky with this also. Holding on twice in extra time and penalties for poor changes and tactical switches. It may have galvanised Spain’s belief but that team feels unsure of who they are. Italy and England however look like they know and believe in themselves. 

 

What we are seeing with England is a group of very talented players, all who have come through the system together, who play in the Premier League together, Premier League and Champions League winners and finalists. Players who have won for England at youth level. This is a group of Champions League level players, world class talents. 

Before it felt that we didn’t have enough English players playing in the best competition in the world, now we have players who have been key in helping their teams win it. Mason Mount is amazingly a divisive player – yet he is absolute brilliant. His energy and intelligence along with his technical quality is sublime, and he works so hard for the team. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho are the some of the most exciting players in world football. We have teenage talents like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka that are just incredible and able to perform on the biggest stage with poise and belief. 

The DNA success

It is a brilliant example of a coming together and trust between the clubs and FA. Before there was the club vs country battle, or perhaps the club vs club rivalry. But now we have a joined up approach. Academies developing top talent and England nurturing this talent into cohesive national squads. The DNA has worked. The vision has become a reality. Dan Ashworth deserves a lot of credit for what has matereliased. Gareth Southgate deserves the credit for making it a reality with the senior side. 

Steve Holland and Southgate have transitioned the team, integrated the new generation, built a game model which is tactically flexbile and fluid, as well as being defensively solid and fantastic in transiton. While seeing the value in set pieces. Effectively in 5 years they’ve built a holisitic team which has enhanced in all elements of the game, as well as improved it’s mentality as individuals and as a collective. It’s not an overnight success. And it shouldn’t be. This is a team who had strong foundations built and which has been cultivated over time. It has won over the fans, the sense of belief and pride of the national team has grown. Southgate has become a trusted figure. As well as a man of high morals and values. He believes in empathy and trust in his players. He is a modern manager – a great communicator, a brilliant leader of a high performance team, values the importance of being genuine and importantly sees the value in the team and the importance of togetherness. 

This is a manager and team which is an inspiration and role models to young people. A group of people achieving great things. After such a difficult year, with all the issues of Covid and politics, the division in society, these men are inspiring people to believe in hope and to respect one another. Nothing brings people together more than the England national team. Success this summer could bring a divided back together. A manager like Gareth Southgate could be the leader this country truly needs. 

The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress