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Coaches can make a big impact in summer tournaments by being brave, clever and reactive. Equally, it is sometimes better to do very little.
Last Friday, Scotland’s Steve Clarke went home knowing his influence had hauled his country back into Euro 2020. Four team changes, players moved into different positions and a tweaked tactical set-up earned Clarke his point at Wembley.
On Tuesday night, back at the same venue, it is expected that England’s Gareth Southgate will steer clear of anything so dramatic and that feels right.
There is no need for Gareth Southgate to make drastic changes against Czech Republic
Southgate does not need to be so bold, not yet. England’s two performances thus far have not excited anyone but two clean sheets and four points act as Southgate’s security blanket ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Czech Republic.
Last night’s results meant England have already qualified, and a win on Tuesday night against a team ranked 40 in the world takes them to the top of the group.
So Southgate’s unflustered take on progress so far — and now the absence of Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell (yet to kick a ball anyway) — was appropriate.
‘Who plays instead? Somebody else. We crack on,’ said Southgate. ‘It’s only been the last two games when we’ve had the same attacking three players on the pitch.
‘We’ve had to change because of the late arrivals and so some of that cohesion as a team takes time.’
Southgate reiterated his faith in Harry Kane despite the striker's slow start to the tournament
Tuesday night is important for England. Southgate suggested on Monday that home advantage is not so important because of Wembley’s reduced capacity. But do not underestimate
