Slick first-half show bodes effectively
England’s model of play was a bone of competition all through Gareth Southgate’s tenure however Lee Carsley is seen as a coach able to bringing a extra expansive, attack-minded method. There have been actually indicators of it through the first half on the Aviva Stadium.
England have been wonderful in these opening 45 minutes, slicing by means of the hosts repeatedly with Trent Alexander-Arnold allowed to dictate proceedings from his pure place, at right-back, and Anthony Gordon providing a continuing menace in behind.
The targets have been superbly labored, notably the second, which concerned Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice combining to arrange Jack Grealish with a sequence of slick one-touch passes. England, so stodgy at Euro 2024, moved the ball rapidly and incisively.
Whereas the primary half showcased welcome attacking intent, the second was a reminder that previous habits die arduous. “Ireland were there for the taking,” mentioned Roy Keane. However England have been unable to press residence their benefit because the hosts got here again into the sport.
The second-half dip drew parallels with the aspect below Southgate. Total, although this was an encouraging begin. England’s first-half show is one thing for Carsley to construct on.
Nick Wright
Grealish shines with freedom to play
Carsley gave Grealish the right tonic from what he known as the “worst summer of my life” following his Euro 2024 snub, giving the inventive participant licence to roam in a free position behind Harry Kane within the England assault.
It is not a stage of freedom the Man Metropolis participant has usually been afforded for membership or nation, however he has mentioned he prefers enjoying centrally on the odd event over time – and he flourished.
Grealish popped up on each flanks as Carsley’s need to create overloads swamped the Eire defence earlier than half-time, when you might virtually see Pep Guardiola directing his late run into the field to obtain Rice’s cut-back for England’s second.
The 28-year-old’s absence from Gareth Southgate’s remaining match squad was one of many main shocks of his announcement in June, a lot so senior members of the squad broke ranks to query the supervisor to his face.
What a distinction two months makes. The return of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer will put Grealish’s place below fast menace ought to they return for the October internationals, however for now Carsley’s first experiment has paid off impressively.
Ron Walker
Trent returns to right-back – and impresses
Amazingly, this was the primary time since 2021 that Alexander-Arnold has began an England recreation at right-back. He appears destined to remain there below Carsley.
He was not examined notably sternly in a defensive sense, admittedly. However the Liverpool man actually appeared to relish the chance to imagine his pure place.
He was nonetheless instructed to tuck into midfield in sure phases of play, discovering Gordon with a chic ball excessive from the center of his personal half within the lead-up to the opening purpose. However at different occasions he offered the width, organising a superb headed probability for Harry Kane with one pinpoint cross from the best early on.
Crucially, regardless of enjoying at right-back fairly than in midfield, the place he appears uncomfortable anyway, Alexander-Arnold was nonetheless capable of end the sport having had extra touches (108) than every other England participant, with Carsley having maximised his affect from his finest place.
Nick Wright
Gordon has Carsley’s belief
Anthony Gordon felt he was able to take Euro 2024 by storm over the summer season – however Gareth Southgate disagreed. The England winger was restricted to only six minutes, regardless of being one of many kind gamers coming into the match.
Carsley’s arrival as interim, nonetheless, presents a recent begin for the winger. This can be a coach he is aware of effectively from the Beneath 21s and one who totally trusts him. That was clear in Dublin, with Gordon named as a starter on the left wing for England.
Gordon delivered from the off, offering a menace in behind the Irish defence and being a continuing nuisance out of possession. He had a game-high eight touches within the opposition field, with a purpose the one factor lacking from his efficiency.
Gordon, star of Carsley’s U21 Euro-winning aspect, can count on lots extra probabilities to interrupt his duck if the FA decides to advertise from inside as soon as once more.
Zinny Boswell
Carsley will get Pickford again to passing fundamentals
Jordan Pickford was a significant a part of England’s ball retention and high quality in constructing from the again in Dublin, in addition to making a wise second-half save to disclaim Sammie Szmodics.
The Three Lions No 1 was criticised for his wasteful lengthy balls throughout Euro 2024, bypassing England’s technical gamers and aiming hopeful and infrequently wayward passes as much as Harry Kane.
Towards Eire, Pickford stored most of his distribution brief, solely going lengthy with 17 per cent of his passes as England stored greater than 77 per cent of possession. He despatched at the least half of his passes lengthy in 4 of their seven video games at Euro 2024.
Pickford’s extra thought-about use of the ball stopped England giving it up so simply as they did through the summer season match; solely certainly one of his 27 passes did not discover a team-mate on the Aviva Stadium, permitting the Three Lions to maintain the strain on their host and spend much less time defending.
Throughout seven video games on the Euros, he gave the ball away 78 occasions.
For now, the 30-year-old’s No 1 spot seems to be unlikely to be challenged, not solely due to his expertise with England however his potential with the ball at his toes, one thing Carsley is already cherishing.
However it’s already refreshing to see his technical high quality being utilised once more below the brand new regime, because it was as soon as by Southgate earlier than such a weird act of self-harm to their build-up play in Germany.
Ron Walker
