Lee Carsley has not dominated out utilizing a false 9 once more regardless of admitting it didn’t work tonight as England had been “second finest” in opposition to Greece at Wembley.
With out the injured Harry Kane, Carsley opted in opposition to a like-for-like substitute within the type of Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke and as an alternative utilised Jude Bellingham as a makeshift ahead forward of attacking midfielders Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon.
It resulted in a disjointed efficiency that noticed England create little as an attacking drive – they’d simply two photographs on track, together with Bellingham’s late aim that regarded to have given them a degree – whereas in addition they regarded undermanned defensively with Rico Lewis and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s willingness to push into midfield repeatedly seeing John Stones and Levi Colwill uncovered.
Vangelis Pavlidis scored each targets for Greece, together with the winner deep into stoppage time, because the guests honoured the reminiscence of George Baldock, who died yesterday after drowning in a swimming pool in Athens, with a stirring efficiency and a well-deserved win.
🗣️ “We tried to overload the midfield… It was one thing that we tried for 20 minutes yesterday, it’s one thing we experimented with.”
Lee Carsley on England’s new system#ITVFootball | #NationsLeague | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/7C39UZ3dWc
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) October 10, 2024
Carsley advised ITV: “We had been second finest for lots of tonight, it’s disappointing. You’re going to get setbacks and it’s vital we reply.
“We tried one thing completely different and tried to overload the midfield. We tried it for 20 minutes yesterday, we experimented, and disenchanted it didn’t come off. It’s unrealistic to anticipate an excessive amount of and we must strive once more. All of the targets had been from errors, which is disappointing.
“It’s positively an possibility going ahead. When you will have somebody of Kane’s high quality although it guidelines it out when he’s accessible. However sooner or later it’s a must to have the braveness and skill to strive issues.
“We tried one thing completely different. It doesn’t change something. My remit is to do the three camps.”
Stones – the onus was on us to ship
Stones wore the captain’s armband for the primary time however was partially in charge for each Greece targets with some light-weight defending.
The Manchester Metropolis defender stated: “On a private observe, completely gutted. To have a consequence like that with the armband for the primary time.
“We ready like we usually do and it didn’t come off. From the beginning they put us proper beneath strain. They had been very compact.
“We all know the system as gamers and once we are on the market as gamers now we have to ship. The onus is on us to ship – and we didn’t.
“A troublesome evening, loads was driving on it for me personally and we noticed it as an excellent alternative to high the group. We’ve to maneuver ahead.”
🗣️ “It was a particular sport for us due to George and we gave the whole lot for him and his household.” ❤️
Nicely stated, Vangelis Pavlidis 👏#ITVFootball | #NationsLeague | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/CFSczZGb7m
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) October 10, 2024
Pavlidis – that win was for ‘particular man’ George
Former Sheffield United full-back Baldock gained 12 caps for Greece after making his debut two years in the past. The Greece gamers held up a shirt together with his title on the again after every aim and once more after the ultimate whistle.
Pavlidis stated: “It was a very special occasion for us due to George. We’re folks and it’s a particular evening due to him.
“[We have thought about him] loads since we heard it yesterday. A troublesome second for us as a result of George was a part of the workforce. Particular man. We’ve to play for him and it doesn’t matter the rating at this time. We gave the whole lot for him.”
