
Originally Posted by
GlennMiller
Apologies for the delay in responding Heliospan - I've only just returned from A&E where I've been treated for a cardiac arrest and 3 strokes!
My reservations about Southgate's selection is our lack of any threat down the left. As a result, the Swiss knew that each time we played it down the left, it would inevitably be played back/sideways until it landed with Saka who provided our only attacking threat.
Yet again, Southgate was extremely fortunate in that he didn't change his stubborn set up until well after we'd gone behind. Had he made his changes on 60 minutes, when it was obvious that the Swiss were getting on top, we could have gone one up instead of chasing the game yet again.
The further we go in this tournament, the more Southgate will believe that his conservative approach is the correct one and we will be left wondering what might have happened if Gordon and Palmer had started. Admittedly, it may not be as successful, but boy it would have been more exciting finding out.
BTW, I'm delighted we've progressed to the semis!!