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By Dan Tracey
Carsley‘s tactical gamble was certainly a bold decision ahead of Thursday’s encounter, and with the question of who should play as England’s No. 10 being a hot topic over the summer, Carsley’s answer was to crowbar all of the potential candidates into the starting eleven against Greece.
It was a gamble that spectacularly backfired at Wembley and something that is unlikely to be repeated on Sunday when the Three Lions move on to Helsinki to face Finland – a team that that has already beaten by England in this current Nations League cycle.
That was the night where Harry Kane celebrated his 100th international cap by scoring a second-half brace and after not being risked on Thursday, the Bayern Munich talisman will be itching to help his country return to winning ways.
Especially as only top spot in this four team mini-league secures automatic promotion to League A and following defeat in midweek, England find themselves three points off the pace now set by the 2004 European Champions.
A scenario that suggests that nothing less than a win will do in Finland and especially against a side that is yet to open their current Nations League account.
Things did look promising against Ireland on Thursday when Joel Pohjanpalo put Markku Kanerva’s men ahead in the first half. However Liam Scales would restore parity after the break and Robbie Brady would secure Ireland’s first win under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson with just seconds of the game remaining.
A poor finish by the Finnish but with England’s lions currently wounded, Sunday’s hosts will now look to cause further anguish and it will be interesting to see if manager Kanerva unlocks the shackles that were on display at Wembley last month.
Before Kane found his shooting boots after the interval, Finland’s resolve was rather robust in the first 45 minutes and if they can create the same levels of early frustration with a home support behind them, it may offer further impetus to attack their superstar opponents.
There’s no doubt that England will go into the game as favourites, but they had the same status against Greece a few days prior and if they fail to end the week on the high, the FA may have to re-think their plans as they continue the search for Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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