My choice to start in England’s midfield instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold has always been KOBBIE MAINOO.
Kobbie Mainoo came on at half-time for England
Conor Gallagher was hooked for the Manchester United teenager
He may have explained why in tonight’s second half.
However, I continue to think that Conor Gallagher was treated unfairly by being substituted out at halftime.
First of all, we think it was our strongest half of the competition.
Furthermore, it did not seem like a move made by Gareth Southgate.
Gallagher’s confidence will undoubtedly be undermined.
Although he only gets half of it, he will have felt that this was his chance.
Nevertheless, the second half was stronger and Mainoo shown that he is the man—or boy—to play there going forward, despite the dismal outcome.
Even at the age of 19, he has a deep understanding of the game and its requirements.
In addition to being more skillful with the ball than Gallagher, he also gave Declan Rice more opportunities to get forward in the second half than he did in the first.
Although it may not seem like it, altogether, England WAS better.
It was a 4-1-4-1 formation.
It maintains the breadth and offers you two pocket players: Mainoo and Bellingham in the second half, and Gallagher and Bellingham in the first.
It was difficult for Slovenia to continue pushing across when they were defending in their four.
One of them would eventually be running a little bit behind schedule, which would create a gap in the queue that you could jump.
That is what happened with the goal that was disallowed. Even though Foden was clearly well offside, we ought to have done more with Rice’s style of ball.
We appeared to be in greater control and had more of the ball. But I wanted more bravery from us.
It demonstrates that Declan Rice is capable of handling that role by himself.
It may sound odd to say, but he appeared to have greater flexibility to move forward despite playing a more reclusive position.
Gallagher was best when he was positioned. He gave the ball away a few of times, and I felt he might have done better with it.