NHC We need to talk about England
I've not really been paying much attention to how our southern neighbours are getting on, but I notice that they've now been relegated from the Nations League to the second tier.
Gareth Southgate says England's performance in their defeat by Italy was "a step in the right direction" despite the Three Lions being relegated to the Nations League's second tier. England are without victory in five games for the first time since June 2014 following the 1-0 loss in Milan. They have also failed to score a goal from open play in 495 minutes. "It's difficult for me to be too critical of the performance," said England manager Southgate.
In England's defence, they are playing some of Europe's elite teams and I'm not sure we would fare any better. But for a nation with so many good players, they should be doing a lot better than current performance.
So has Southgate's honeymoon period and earlier successes come to an end and now we're seeing a rocky divorce on the horizon. Or have we written them off too soon and they peak at the World Cup?
Gareth Southgate says England's performance in their defeat by Italy was "a step in the right direction" despite the Three Lions being relegated to the Nations League's second tier. England are without victory in five games for the first time since June 2014 following the 1-0 loss in Milan. They have also failed to score a goal from open play in 495 minutes. "It's difficult for me to be too critical of the performance," said England manager Southgate.
In England's defence, they are playing some of Europe's elite teams and I'm not sure we would fare any better. But for a nation with so many good players, they should be doing a lot better than current performance.
So has Southgate's honeymoon period and earlier successes come to an end and now we're seeing a rocky divorce on the horizon. Or have we written them off too soon and they peak at the World Cup?