GRAEME SOUNESS: England are alleged to have management teams!

England’s players need to take a good, hard look in the mirror today and ask themselves what more can I do?

A non-functioning midfield is an issue for any team but there’s more to it than just that.

Harry Kane says they are unsure about their pressing roles. Big players don’t need a manager to sort that out. Pressing isn’t rocket science. You talk to each other on the pitch and work it out.

They are supposed to have leadership groups – well b****y lead then!

If there are still mixed signals coming across then it is up to the leaders in that group to talk to the coaching staff and ask them to make it clearer.

Their football so far has been nowhere near good enough. I said they were my favourites, but they have been stumbling through the games and there has to be a monumental sea-change in what they are producing for them to have a chance of winning this tournament.

They were selected for their country because they play fabulously well for their clubs every week in what is the hardest league in the world. Sometimes they are brilliant but most importantly they are consistent. Two games in to this tournament and they have only been consistent in being average. They can give so much more.

I find it strange that Gareth Southgate talks about the problem in replacing Kalvin Phillips, well Kalvin Phillips is yet to prove he is a Premier League player. I didn’t like the term ‘experiment’ around Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s unfair on him.

Playing wide as a full-back, to me, is the easiest position on the pitch because you have more time and space. In midfield it is a whirlwind. The action is coming at you from all angles, it’s often frantic and you have a nano-second to make a decision – and half the time you won’t get that right.

You have to be a bit of everything: have a defensive head, be creative and be able to mix the physical side too.

Trent is a wonderful kicker of the ball, he can deliver it on a sixpence. At Liverpool, they dominate sides so there is space, but to task him to play this role when England are trying to establish dominance is a hell of an ask. He doesn’t possess that equipment. In this England set-up, I see Trent Alexander-Arnold best suited to an impact substitute role when you are chasing a game and you need his delivery and accuracy of passing.

England should revert Jude Bellingham back alongside Declan Rice, put Phil Foden behind Kane and put either Eberechi Eze or Anthony Gordon on the left.

When you’re a manager, you have to take the excuses away from players. Foden wants to play in the middle, so play him there. He certainly looked capable of creating chances when he ventured into the middle against Denmark and on one occasion smacked the post with a fierce shot – and Kane wants someone closer to him.

Rice has wonderful defensive qualities but he is not a cute passer of the ball, he needs someone that can do that alongside him who also knows the discipline of the role. I don’t see Conor Gallagher as the answer, it’s not Trent and I don’t see Gareth turning to Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo just yet.

Bellingham is 20 years old with great athleticism. He has been coached to be a midfield player all his life which will have included doing the hard yards running back towards his goal.

He is capable of finding a pass, breaking forward to create a goal and then, if you lose possession, sprint back equally as hard to get goalside and in defensive shape. Rice has the intelligence to cover. 

None of this ‘well I’m a ten or I’m a six so I do this…’ No! I’m sorry but I don’t buy into this hanging numbers on people. If you’re in midfield you do the hard yards, no excuses what number is on your back. We are all in it together. Do your duty. Deal with it.

As is the way, if the manager doesn’t sort these problems out, he’ll pay the ultimate price for failure.

Tartan Army deserve more from their players 

I have to say if there was a league table for supporters at Euro 2024 then Scotland would be topping it.

They have been absolutely phenomenal in sticking by their team so far in Germany. The only problem was that Scotland started as if they didn’t believe they belonged on this stage.

As I’m all too aware from past tournaments, it’s a familiar scenario now of having win the final game to go through but the goal difference suffered in that first game could ultimately come back to haunt them.

What they gave against Switzerland was the bare minimum of heart and soul. They earned a scruffy goal but just need that bit of quality at the top end of the pitch tomorrow night (Sunday).

We don’t know what Hungary will turn up. Whether they are feeling sorry for themselves or angry at not performing better but if I was Scotland I’d prepare for the latter. One thing is for sure, you will certainly hear the support.

I’m so happy to be ribbed by Alan Hansen 

My very good friend Alan Hansen has been taking the mickey out of me this week and I’m delighted for that to be the case.

It has been incredibly encouraging to speak to him not once but twice in the past few days and he was bang on form.

Alan has been fighting for his life but he called me last Sunday while I was getting on a train from Berlin to Dusseldorf. I could see the number was Big Al and I was worried about answering at first but I called back and was delighted it was him who answered. I spoke to him again two days ago and it is all so encouraging. He’s been in a difficult place, but the way he sounded, he’s on the way back.

I said last week I was praying for him and couldn’t wait for him to return to p***-taking duties, well he’s definitely back to that. It’s a great indicator that he is on the right path with his sense of humour, and I can’t wait to reciprocate. I’ll have my day, Big Al!

A wager with Rod Stewart 

Many of you will know I lost a bet with my old pal Rod Stewart over Celtic winning the Scottish Premiership League title which saw me donate £10,000 to his very worthwhile charity St Andrew’s Hospice, in Airdrie, as my forfeit. 

Well, he may be a Celtic fan but I’m delighted to say Rod, who is exceptionally generous when it comes to donating to good causes, has returned the favour with £10,000 to my chosen charity DEBRA.