Thursday, September 19, 2024

Euro 2024: Alan Shearer says England need midfield balance and pattern of play

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It is difficult to judge players properly when they come on late in a game, but Cole Palmer did well against Slovenia, and we looked more of a threat.

It was the same with Gordon, who had a couple of runs down the left, and, with him on the pitch, we probably looked more dangerous down that flank in the final five minutes as we did in the rest of the three games combined.

The move right at the end that started with Bellingham and Gordon on the left and ended with Palmer’s shot being saved was probably the best thing we did all night.

It was the only time at these Euros that I saw us move the ball from left to right with pace, and it caused the opposition problems.

We need to see much more of that, and Palmer and Gordon could be the key to providing the spark and energy we have been badly missing.

That’s what gives me the most hope because there’s not been very much else to get excited about.

Palmer and Gordon have given Southgate something massive to think about – and he has got some huge decisions to make.

One tiny positive from our tournament is the side of the draw we are now on, because avoiding Spain, France, Portugal and Germany has done us a huge favour.

But I am not sure we can go into any game right now feeling confident about winning.

Normally, I’d say that our tournament starts here, but I don’t really know what to expect in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, whoever we end up facing.

Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan in Berlin.

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