‘Southgate hasn’t silenced England critics – he is lastly listened to them’
Gareth Southgate has silenced his critics by, erm, listening to them.
So not sure why we’re now being told he’s rammed their words back down their throats. He’s done the opposite. He’s taken them on board. There’s no shame in that, either.
Southgate has helped turn England’s Euros campaign around by changing things up. OK, those who chucked empty beer cups at him are, quite literally, t*ssers.
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But let’s not be ignorant of the fact the Three Lions boss has been helped by changing personnel, tactics and timing of substitutions. Everything he was being criticised for.
England were told to let the handbrake off more and don’t play so negatively. They did that against the Dutch, for the first 45 minutes at least.
Do you think it’s finally England’s time at Euro 2024? Let us know in the comments section
![Ollie Watkins of England celebrates with the team after scoring a goal to make it 1-2 during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33232249.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Netherlands-v-England-Semi-Final-UEFA-EURO-2024.jpg)
(Image: Getty Images)
Southgate was told to get Kobbie Mainoo into the team. He eventually did that after wrongly going for Conor Gallagher in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the group stages.
The introduction of Ollie Watkins with 10 minutes to go in the semi-final was also a vast improvement on giving Ivan Toney just over a minute to change things. Remember, the Brentford man was getting seconds until Jude Bellingham pulled one out of the mire against Slovakia.
Goodness me he even stuck Bukayo Saka at left wing back for a brief period against Slovakia after Ian Wright upset the whole Arsenal fan base for suggesting it on ITV.
![England's Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024, quarter-final match at the Dusseldorf Arena, Germany.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33220454.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_England-v-Switzerland-UEFA-Euro-2024-Quarter-Final-Dusseldorf-Arena.jpg)
(Image: PA)
OK, it might be a bit too far to suggest Southgate plucked his three-at-the-back change up for the Switzerland game from a post on social media that went viral. But if he suddenly drops Harry Kane for tomorrow’s final with Spain then it will be the boys in the pub picking the team as much as the England boss!
On a serious note, he does deserve huge credit for turning this tournament around but easy on the ‘egg on the faces of his critics’ shouts please. It’s fine margins in international football.
If the Three Lions beat Spain tomorrow in Berlin then it will be immortality for Southgate and ‘Arise Sir Gareth’ shouts. Yet Southgate was heading for the guillotine until Bellingham’s overhead kick with barely a minute to go against lowly Slovakia.
![Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33229784.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Netherlands-v-England-Semi-Final-UEFA-EURO-2024.jpg)
(Image: Getty Images)
Then but for five fine penalties he’d have been slaughtered for slumping out against Switzerland. England were deserved winners against Holland on Wednesday so he gets his flowers for that, as the kids say these days.
But they still allowed the game to drift in the second half and a better side than Ronald Koeman’s may have punished them for it before Watkins sent the nation wild. They will need to step up another level against Spain, the best team so far in this tournament.
They’re certainly more than capable. As this column said before the Euros, they’ve got the strongest squad in the competition. So winning would be leaving Germany with the trophy and then Southgate can bask in actual glory rather than just celebrating progress.
Silverware is the true barometer of success, not just reaching finals or last fours so it’s not job done yet. But he should thank the critics rather than lauding it over them if they do win. They’ve fired England up and helped find the answers.
![Man Utd trying to 'hijack' Arsenal deal for player who's already blown Gunners legend away](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/article33205935.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/2_erik-ten-hag-file-photos.jpg)
(Image: PA)
Erik ten Tag has taken a huge kicking as Manchester United boss for their terrible season last term until they won the FA Cup. But maybe it’s time English football thanked him.
OK, it wouldn’t take a genius to spot Kobbie Mainoo might be a very good player. Although, it did take Gareth Southgate longer than it should have! But Dutchman Ten Hag wanted Mainoo to start the season for United until injury struck in pre-season.
Then he made it a priority to get the teenager fit and as soon as he was 100 per cent he plunged him in at the deep end against Everton in November and he’s not looked back.
![Kobbie Mainoo](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33216775.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Netherlands-v-England-Semi-Final-UEFA-EURO-2024.jpg)
(Image: Getty Images)
It wasn’t because United were struggling or short of numbers, it was because he had full faith in him. Ten Hag has got a lot wrong at United and if he didn’t lead his side to two trophies in two seasons then he may have got the chop this summer.
But he deserves credit for believing in Mainoo and now English football could reap the rewards if he helps them beat Spain tomorrow in Berlin.
ONSIDE: ITV pundits for fairly assessing the Harry Kane ‘non’ penalty against Holland. Honesty for viewers rather than cheerleading. Unlike Lee Dixon on comms.
OFFSIDE: US officials and FIFA will need to ensure there’s better security at stadiums for the World Cup after the Darwin Nunez fiasco this week in Copa America