Euro 2020: Southgate’s inability to player Sancho proving costly in Group C
Just like England to have all the firepower in the world but still make their qualification into the knockout stages in Euro 2020 a difficult one. One problem as light as day, Gareth Southgate’s weakness to make impactful changes.
Match information
England 0-0 Scotland
Man of the Match
Billy Gilmour – Scotland
Match stats:
England vs. Scotland match recap
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A surprisingly even contested affair when England ran out against Scotland at Wembley. The Three Lions understandable went into the stalemate as favourites to win, with the Scots losing their opening match to group leaders, the Czech Republic.
Those who came closest to scoring did so in the first half. Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes (second-half opportunity was his best) for the Scottish and John Stones and Mason Mount for England on the other end.
However, nothing came of these golden opportunities and the game stayed deadlocked. Both teams needed alterations and some fresh ideas – something that looked a distant plan from Southgate’s thought process.
Steve Clarke happily had his men playing for the draw as a point earned from the fixture was an important point earned by the Scottish. The only changes came from the 60th minute with Jack Grealish replacing Phil Foden and then later Harry Kane coming off for Marcus Rashford.
It upped the tempo, however, the Scottish still ended the game with more shots at goal but were second best in other departments for a large part of the 90 minutes. The huge difference? The young Chelsea man and Man of the Match in the centre of the park, Billy Gilmour.
His qualities were on full display and the inclusion of him, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams were the difference for Scotland adn Clarke, which in turn improved their quality on the pitch.
England player ratings
Jordan Pickford – 7.5; Luke Shaw – 6.5; Declan Rice – 6.3; John Stones – 7.0; Harry Kane – 6.0; Raheem Sterling – 6.4; Kalvin Phillips – 7.0; Tyrone Mings – 7.0; Mason Mount – 7.5; Phil Foden – 6.0; Reece James – 7.0
Subs: Jack Grealish – 6.6; Marcus Rashford – 6.0
Scotland player ratings
David Marshall – 7.0; Stephen O’Donnell – 8.0; Andy Robertson – 6.8 Scott McTominay – 6.9; Grant Hanley – 7.5; Kieran Tierney – 7,2 John McGinn – 6.2; Callum McGregor – 6.5; Lyndon Dykes – 6.8 Ché Adams – 6.8; Billy Gilmour – 8.5
Subs: Stuart Armstrong – 6.0; Kevin Nisbet – 6.0
What we learnt from Group D’s Matchday
Firstly, we can now, and for a long period, confirm after many poor decisions, Gareth Southgate doesn’t know what to with an abundance of quality at his disposal.
For Jadon Sancho, a player who enjoyed 38 games while scoring 16 goals and assisting a further 19 across all competitions, not to play a minute of Euro 2020 football is just a crime.
For Kane to be subbed without having any involvement at all shows the gameplan suits nobody, or the wrong gameplan is being deployed when the wrong set of players are on the pitch.
The Three Lions have everything to play for as topping Group D is vital to what comes next in the knockout round. They go up against an in-form Czech side. As per normal, on paper they should be wiping the floor with their opponents.
Sadly, with Southgate as the boss, it will always be a 50/50 toss-up of what comes next from one of the “supposed” favourites in the tournament.
Scotland and Croatia take part in a must-win affair if they are to try and get past the group phase. The biggest surprise of it all, England are not even the best team in Group D with the Czech taking the reign as the dark horse.
Next up for Group D
Czech Republic vs. England – Tuesday, 22 June, 20:00
Croatia vs. Scotland – Tuesday, 22 June, 20:00