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Fans slam Southgate’s ‘Sunday League’ tactics as midfield experiment fails

20 June 2024 , 18:13
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Southgate went bold with one tactical play later on
Southgate went bold with one tactical play later on

ENGLAND fans have slammed Gareth Southgate for his "Sunday League" tactics against Denmark.

Southgate selected Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield in a repeat starting XI of the team that beat Serbia 1-0.

Fans slammed Gareth Southgate for his 'Sunday League' tactics with Trent Alexander-Arnold against Denmark eiqrriqqkitdprw
Fans slammed Gareth Southgate for his 'Sunday League' tactics with Trent Alexander-Arnold against DenmarkCredit: Rex
Alexander-Arnold did not have his finest game against Denmark
Alexander-Arnold did not have his finest game against Denmark
Alexander-Arnold failed to influence the game as desired
Alexander-Arnold failed to influence the game as desired
He was unable to get on the ball as much as he would have liked
He was unable to get on the ball as much as he would have liked

Things appeared to be going well when Harry Kane tapped home a deflected Kyle Walker cross after 18 minutes.

However, Morten Hjlumand equalised with a fine strike from range after 34 minutes.

England had retreated into themselves after the opener, a fact Jamie Carragher highlighted.

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Southgate made his first roll of the dice with a personnel switch with Conor Gallagher replacing Alexander-Arnold after 54 minutes.

And fans were left upset at the Liverpool star, who most often plays right-back for his club, seemingly only being selected in midfield for his passing range.

Taking to social media, one fan said: "Slapping a man in midfield cos he’s good at passing is so Sunday league lmao, how is it happening at the highest level?"

A second said: "It’s soooooo forced it’s a joke, Southgate is playing Fifa."

A third said: "Slapping an RB in midfield due to his long range passing but having no pace outlet on either side."

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Another said: "Southgate wants Trent playing QB but doesn’t have any runners up top. I have to laugh."

Southgate later shocked fans as he made a triple substitution by hauling off his attack of Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden for Ollie Watkins, Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen.

But ironically, with Alexander-Arnold, 25, already off the pitch the best player to exploit the added mobility was unable to use it.

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Tony Robertson

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