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In the vernacular of Covid-19, England returned a false positive with the result of its Belgian test.
The victory over the world’s number one soccer country disguised the virus that was eating away at our national team.
That Belgium’s 2-1 loss followed a 3-0 step against Wales served to heighten a false sense of complacency, which barely had time to take hold before England returned to Wembley only to be beaten by an indifferent Denmark.
A previous goalless draw in Copenhagen and a 1-0 win in Iceland were conveniently forgotten.
As is the uncomfortable truth that England was outclassed by Belgium and lucky to win.
As for that virus, in this case diagnosed as indiscipline, there was a second spike with the expulsion of Harry Maguire that reduced Gareth Southgate’s team to ten men and was quickly followed by the winning penalty from Denmark. Never mind that this marked England’s only defeat in a year. The rot is setting this fall as this hodgepodge of European competitions is getting more serious.
The lack of professionalism is as out of control as the coronavirus at the north power station.
Two of England’s supposed next-generation stars were sent packing from Iceland after being caught smuggling a couple of local groupies into the team’s hotel.
Three more were expelled from the team before the Wales game for going to a socially remote party.
So far the dedication to the game or the obedience to the pandemic restrictions.
They were young, stupid and should consider themselves lucky if they ever see the white England jersey again. But it is Maguire who remains exposed as the epitome of the problem.
The alcohol-fueled altercation in which he became involved with the police while on vacation on a Greek island was beyond the children’s antisocial indiscretions.
So far the captain of Manchester United and the supposed pillar of the defense of England who is expected to set an example.
Certainly, Maguire is entitled to a qualified presumption of innocence while appealing against a hat-trick of convictions in Greece. But that doesn’t necessarily extend to his being selected for his country, nor for his club, until the final verdict is delivered.
Which is where Southgate, and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, sadly got it wrong. They could simply have left Maguire on the perfectly reasonable basis that his mind cannot be fully focused on the game while the wheels of justice turn even slower than he can on a soccer field.
Choosing him sent the wrong message and how much his managers were punished for their misplaced tolerance: Maguire sent off at Wembley; Manchester United 1, Tottenham 6.
The more time passes, the more it is revealed that Maguire is vulnerable to extreme pace in the spin. Like Virgil Van Dijk, by the way: Aston Villa 7, Liverpool 2.
The world’s two most expensive defenders, not just the Premier League, now look ridiculously overrated, overpaid and overrated.
Maguire is very embarrassing. He was circling Wembley on Wednesday night like a rudderless ship and the second yellow card must have been almost a personal relief.
Which left his England coach struggling to once again deal with the issue of discipline, or rather the lack of it, on and off the pitch.
In part, this is Southgate’s own doing. It was his decision to trust Maguire’s version of events in Greece and continue to give him the honor of playing for England. Overheated Formula 1 race cars are not that counterproductive.
There has been a tendency to sympathize with Southgate, despite England’s continued failures at the World Cup and the Euro, and to protect him from criticism for the misconduct of many of his players.
To some extent that is understandable. Our man in the vest is courteous, attentive, patient, plausible, intelligent, pleasant, very nice.
But when it comes to managing soccer teams, it’s very easy to be too nice.
Southgate has young players with the potential to take England away. But only if they are clear that they will be taken to the reserve if they leave the side down.
Maguire has to go. So does Jordan Pickford if England wants to find a successor to this country’s line of great goalkeepers again. And they are not alone.
Spoiled kids with inflated egos are also a problem. Reece James ruined an impressive England debut by joining Maguire at Wembley’s club of shame in ranting against the referee after the final whistle on Wednesday night. Presumably he couldn’t bear defeat.
Unless Southgate quickly lines up his rogue team, he better get used to that sinking feeling. Belgium, by far, is next.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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