Picking a side that is solid in the middle of the field is common sense rather than negativity – this is not fantasy football
In games such as these it can be hard to resist the urge to bemoan Gareth Southgate’s reluctance to play a freewheeling 1-0-9 formation, with Phil Foden playing the sweeper role and Harry Kane leading a gung-ho attack of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Gary Lineker, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Pelé, Maradona and Ali Daei.
Just why does Southgate refuse to go for it? Why is he so determined not to entertain? Is he actually Otto Rehhagel in disguise? All of these questions were bubbling away when England, struggling to find their passing game on a horribly slow pitch, were being held by Albania, who were refusing to be good sports by rolling over and making life straightforward for the bigger side.
Related: Harry Kane takes centre stage as efficient England see off Albania
Related: Albania 0-2 England: player ratings for Gareth Southgate’s team
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