Everytime Saka went on the outside of his marker and did a cutback, I screamed at Kane not being in a more central position holding up the CB. This guy has a big frame and a strong body, but he kept hanging around the diagonal front of the CB, making the cutback harder. For the love of god, block the CB, scruff it up a little.

I think I've worked out Southgate's tactics. It is called Repetition Compulsion. Where people unconsciously get themselves into contexts that re-enact their traumatic past. He is tactically setting England up to make it as likely as possibly that we will draw games and end up in shoot outs, thereby, giving him the opportunity to work through his Euro '96 penalty trauma.

That average position map was shocking - Toney and Watkins must be so frustrated

Kane and Trippier are the remaining issues in terms of selection. Kane was utterly useless against Switzerland. He walks around like a lost panda.

You've been the Spain of punditry throughout the tournament ❤

Saka really is a fabulous footballer. Big set of bollocks to step up and bury that penalty too. Fair play to the lad.

Mark Goldbridge was right - every time England conceded a goal, it triggers the highly skilled/elite English players to dump the tactics that Southgate instructed them to do and tried to win the game by relying on their individual skills, experience and intuition. In other words for the most part, Southgate's tactics have very little to do on why they're still in the tournament.

I'll probably get some stick for this, but you have to give the management props for the pens. I've never been more comfortable watching england take pens, and I know there were great penalty takers in there but it was clear they were all using a process , slowing it down and executing - they looked very prepared. For someone who grew up on England losing by pens since 1990, it was wonderful to see and Management should get some credit for it.

"Fake right, dive left". Pickford - fakes left, dives right. Definitely got his lefts and rights mixed up

Special mention to Konsa, thought he was excellent! On the other hand, Kane was very poor throughout, offering nothing in attack and generally looking laboured.

Whenever England have abandoned Southgateball and embraced chaos, they've scored almost immediately

Foden and Bellingham had no-one to pass to, because Kane was so utterly dreadful. Like a shuffling zombie.

Harry is becoming our Ronaldo this tournament, holding us back

Saka was awesome on the right as he always is. Maybe Luke Shaw will come in on the left for the Semi Final.

That extra time average position is just the 5 of them deciding to play rondo while the other 5 are not allowed to join. Two pairs of them started chatting out of boredom while Stones is obviously the unpopular kid. Can I have your job now?😂😂😂

To me it looks like Kane's continual dropping back is also partly to blame for Foden and Bellingham iffy performances. They don't have the threat of a forward pass to keep the central defenders away to allow space to threaten a dribble.

Glad to get this honest take. The BBC analysis was infuriating - deliberate gaslighting - pretending that we were watching a totally different game where England were playing great. Seriously what was going on with that? An editorial decision to blow smoke up them so they couldn't be accused of being negative?

With every result of England’s I’ve just been relieved we made it through rather than happy with the performance

I’m pleased for Saka, he’s tried all tournament and deserved his goal. Kane should be paid in buttons for that performance. His lack of movement was absolutely disgusting at times.

I also get annoyed when people say penalties are a lottery. Germany haven’t lost a penalty shootout since 1976. Lottery odds are not in effect there

Massive credit to all 5 penalty takers, who delivered under pressure. If anyone watched Copa America, you would have seen Messi miss his penalty in the shoot out against Ecuador, when he attempted a Panenka and it hit the bar.

In before we get France v England and the worst EURO final of all time.

Saka such a brave player imagine being the one in the team that everyone looks to for a bit creativity every time

Kane needs to start on the bench. Bring him on when we need penalties

We won despite Southgate, lets go on and win it by accident. come on england

the system drew with the swiss. they beat them on penalties

Two things have infuriated me this tournament (well maybe more than two). 1. Pickford kicking long when there's an easy pass, and when that easy pass is eventually taken we don't trust the midfielder to receive the ball turn and break the line. 2. Harry Kane. We are crying out for a 9 that will stretch the play. He's like a statue. Yesterday he was defending in his own box coming out with the ball with no one in front of him to pass to (obviously). Get up the pitch man!

Spain's emphasis on passing through the middle versus England's lack of strength in the middle seriously worries me if we were to get to the final

Toney at 9 and Shaw at LWB will improve the team in 3-4-2-1. Maybe enough to nick it - and that's all we need.

You nailed it on an earlier video. Without Gordon (and with Foden) the team is totally unbalanced and creates nothing. Only individual moments of quality have kept us in it. My starting XI JP, LS, MG, JS, TAA - BS, DR, KM, JB, AG - IT

Saka on the right and Gordon on the left would presumably create more danger as sides would have their attention split? At the point where Switzerland made changes to deal with Saka the stage was perfectly set for Gordon to come on and terrorise from the left.

I think that England are creating an aura of invincibility which is creating doubt in the minds of the opposing team. This idea that no matter how well you play and how poorly England play, England will always win.

If you only watched the BBC pundits, you'd think we won 3-0 and played like prime Brazil. They were obviously watching a different game.

I’m old enough to remember the 1966 World Cup and the controversy over dropping England’s talisman, Jimmy Greaves, in favour of Geoff Hurst - and we all know the result of that decision. I’d prefer to see Watkins and/or Toney starting instead of Kane and/or Foden. Look at the centre-backs that the Netherlands have and ask what type of centre forward they would like to play against - one that doesn’t play as a centre forward except for free-kicks and corners and they’re big enough, and have enough nouse, to defend against Kane.

Adam Clery delivering content on a Sunday morning is just what we need!

There are many things I can say negatively about England in this tournament , but one thing is that Switzerland beat Italy easily, so for England going into this game and stopping that momentum the Swiss had of beating a good side means England must be doing something right, even if it is boring football.

I've noticed that the only times we score goals is when we abandon Gareth Southgates tactics

hard to believe that you are one of many analysts who are missing the stark reality that Cole Palmer (when he is finally brought on by Southgate) is the main reason why Englad start to be more potent in attack, He is always attack minded, rarely loses the ball, can track back and win the ball and generally demonstates class as he floats around the pitch. If he starts we win well against anybody. If not we struggle again.

Kane surely is a world class striker , but currently I'd have Watkins start over him

Excellent work. Finally I found someone who actually understands football and clearly plays/played football rather than a regular fan.

The tactic employed by Mr Southgate after the Swiss goal was clearly relationism. You overload one side of the pitch with randomness to open space on the other. It worked beautifully. The man’s a genius.

So, what is Kane offering the team? If Toni is at least as good at penalties and more mobile he should start. Southgate probably doesn't want to destroy the confidence of his captain but Kane is basically a passenger at this point

When an England fan (myself) prays for penalties so we can get shots on goal there is still something seriously wrong with our football.

I was screaming at Kane to attack the front post every time Saka got the ball!! Even if it went past him, it would have created the space for Bellingham to attack the penalty spot and I guarantee we would have scored sooner.

We had more shots, more corners, more possession, more touches in the opposition box, and more successful passes. And we won. But we were “utterly minging”

If koeman has the balls to unleash both Frimpong and Dumfries at the right hand side to target trippier it would be a disaster. I wouldn't even be surprised if Southgate go for Gomez for the next match

Kane has been bad every game honestly if Southgate just ignores this and keeps playing Kane every game we are doomed to penalties or going home, please please give either Watkins or Tony a decent run out so we dont have all our out of date fat eggs in one Kane shaped basket.

The fact that Shaw played and could be a starter against the Netherlands we really need to start Toney or Watkins, Kane is holding this team back, he's normally fantastic at holding the ball up or linking up play but he's doing none of that, now we don't have the pace of Sterling and Rashford on the wings Kane just doesn't fit this team at all and i think that's why Bellingham and Foden haven't been creating chances, Watkins would suit both of them so much better

Hopefully next game Shaw can start over Trippier as the LWB. I appreciate everything Trippier has done for England, playing in an unnatural position and trying his best but it isn’t good enough now for where we are in the competition. As soon as Shaw was on we finally had that much needed balance. Also we need to be much more confident with quick passing on the ball. Whenever an England player receives the ball there’s always this hesitation that causes them to slow the pace down further and then eventually back pass. We need to push the ball forward more than back if we want to create more chances. We also need to start thinking about dropping Kane. Ik he’s our top goal scorer and all but I just don’t think he’s match fit or even in it mentally. Saka created two big chances in the box and where was Kane. He was at the edge of the box jogging in instead of busting his gut to get into the necessary position of a striker. He also keeps on dropping way too deep still which is why he’s never in the position we need him to be. Plus with his slow pace it’s just never gonna work. We have Toney and Watkins in the bench where they will stay in their forward position and will make them runs and presses needed. As for Foden. He’s still not able to produce anything even when he was finally in a 10 position which is really unfortunate. He’s not entirely to blame as our striker was never in position to receive the ball from him but the amount of times Foden lost possession is not good enough. Foden is here because of his technicality and his ability to keep the ball in tight spaces but it’s been non-existent this entire tournament so far. He needs to wake up.

Really enjoy your commentary and analysis - thank you for putting this together. We all have opinions and 'thoughts' but you use data to illustrate your points and that means you're much more that the 'bloke down the pub'. I guess we can all see that things are not right but the TV pundits usually use little phrases that make them sound as if they might have some secret inner knowledge without explaining what they mean (Micha Richards - I'm thinking of you). I've learnt so much more about tactics from these short analytical videos - and it's making a big change to how much I enjoy the match Bob - 70 years old - I remember 1966 well but have now found a new way to think about footie and am loving it.

Kane & Foden looked knackered. Their body is like...no pickle juice is working, I need to take a nap. Bench em, start with Gordon, Watkins or Toney... we will see.. Was it Foden who didnt wanna take a pen? He had no more in the tank.... Goal keepers have always had that list... Which doesnt always workout. Wish theyd just go with how they see it....

The obvious change is to replace Kane. As the Yanks say A No-Brainer. The one game that works for Saka there was no one in the box anticipating his cross. What a waste of talent.

Our system didn't beat Switzerland 😂. They attacked with speed for about 2 minutes took a shot and scored. Switzerland then missed a penalty.

Toney absolutely should start the semi final. He's done more than Kane has in his tiny cameos. No look penalty, ice in the man's veins and he feels he has something to prove with Southgate inexplicably making him ride the pine.

You forgot to mention that absolutely dire corner that went straight back to Pickford within something like 20 or 30 seconds. Only England could go to all that effort to gain that territory and almost immediately squander it. And these are supposed to be elite players? Embarrassing.

Unreal coverage again on my go-to channel post match. Hoping for two more of these 🙏

Hey everyone, let's all be sure to like and subscribe so Adam can pay his electricity bill.

For this match England went to the formation that Palace uses under Glasner. It’s telling that Mateta executed the striker duties for Palace SO much better than Kane did for England. Kane is done.

I was going mental watching this match. Saka absolutely tearing apart the Swiss left multiple times and having absolutely nobody to cross to because Harry was too busy chatting to John stones. Thank god he gave up and decided to do it himself! Kane needs sent home, never mind putting him on the bench.

The first half was very good. 2nd half the Switzerland manager changed some things and did some subs. Southgate in game management is terrible. He has no clue

it wasn’t the system, it was once again the quality of player..Bellingham last game and now the starboy

Gareth Southgate wearing the same outfit to every game so far just sums him up really.

Genius as ever Adam. One thing you didn't comment on was the brilliant Jujitsu Gareth did to force Harry's substitution. I think he must have been following your analysis on that point at least. :)

They didn't beat Switzerland, they drew and then won on penalties. To say otherwise is just delusional. Up until the Saka goal, England made three shots on target the entire knockout phase, all ended up in goal. This has been a dreadful squad that somehow, by some miracle is in the semis. There's nothing else to it, 10% brilliance of punctual plays by world class players, 90% sheer luck. It's shameful.

Honestly i have 3 issues from southgates selections 1 why only bring 1 natural left back that hasnt played in 4/5 months. Secondly (I may be wrong because i havent watch bayern) but doesn't Eric Dyer do the exact job southgate is asking of rice? Why is he not in the team? And thirdly Kane be a number 9 that is literally your role in the team please do it

If you think he’s not going to start kane, then you’re SEVERELY misunderstanding the amount of arrogance that is essential to the existence of this english organization

Kane's back injury is being underplayed. Tuchel stated back in May "He can't travel. He was already at the limit in Madrid. He had a complete blockade in his back, it's gotten worse and bothers him in everyday movements" it was reported he had been playing with injections. He could be playing with a herniated or ruptured disk, which might explain why he was ducking out of headers and not making any sprints against the Swiss. It would explain why some of the pundits turned on him in the first game? Why Toney is annoyed at getting 2 minutes against Slovakia? Kane needs to admit he's not fit enough and/or Southgate needs to call it out and drop him....

Err... we didn't beat them we drew!

Needs to play Watkins against the Dutch. Foden and Kane are Southgate's new Sterling.

I hate to admit it but kanes too old or either not fit. Need someone with pace and stamina, Kane at the moment seems to be playing as an impact player but doesn’t have the fitness to go further up the park. Against defenders who are fit you need someone like that

Great analysis as ever, thank you. One comment; Mainoo still looks like our best player on and off the ball. I wish the team would play through him more. He's always available, making space for others too, and is so good on the ball. Overall the first half (despite not having a striker at all) was actually decent.

Got to be worth trying 3-5-2 with Toney up front as well

I beg that we start Watkins he’s a proper number 9 not whatever Kane is

Well I'm glad someone said it, because I didn't have a clue what that was and it still confuses me how he doesn't utilise the whole squad , leaving Toney, Watkins and Palmer on the bench and then playing Kane, who had zero effect, all had hardly any shots on goal and then listening to Lineker and Richards go on about how much better it was, crazy! Clearly Southgate has no clue what he's doing and is just playing the same big players game after game, ignoring any advice anyone gives him just makes it even more concrete.

Love your work man 👍🏾🐐

Kane needs to be dropped. He's a great player but way too slow up front. Will be hilarious if England win the tournament inspite of Southgate

I do think the value of England having high-impact subs on the bench is massive in international tournaments, it’s just trying to get the management to play them early enough. And 100% certain that at least one of Palmer, Gordon and Toney should be in the starting 11.

Spot on about Kane, but we also need to have a conversation about Walker. He is struggling big time this tournament.

How many lives does Cat Southgate have?

I still think we need Gordon on that left wing. And start Watkins over Kane.

Kane is looking alarmingly out of sorts. Whether it’s an injury he’s carrying, exhaustion, or just nerves, I don’t know, but he’s our weakest link. I cannot understand why Southgate isn’t starting Watkins. He’s younger, fitter, fearless and will make the runs that will make things happen. Give Kane 15/20 minutes at the end if we need additional goal threat, but persisting with him from kick off and just hoping that *this* is the game he finds his form is nuts.

I went so mental after seeing Trippier still on the left that I went into another room to calm down and missed the first 7 minutes. But like Adam, I had to swallow that anger when I saw Saka skinning his opponents. Then I shouted at Walker's continually piss poor passing and the lack of anyone getting into the Swiss penalty box in open play during 90 minutes. Ok, Kane did drop back and make one great tackle in the second half as the Swiss got on top, but he failed to clear it up the pitch to himself. Anyway, for the next match, same formation, start with Shaw (PLEASE!), drop Foden for Palmer, Walker for TAA (not going to happen) and order Kane to be in the box when Saka or Shaw have the ball wide.

I mean, there is a clear problem that Kane is both: a) Tired/injured/off-form b) The undroppable, talismanic team captain

Harry Kane terrible runs. Always waiting around

Another brilliant breakdown.... Another blood boilingly frustrating "tactical" performance from England (no not England; Southgate)

Big tournament games are made of moments. The pressure for every team makes tactics go out the window a lot of the time. The performances are obviously not fun to watch but if we are solid defensively, our attacking players are some of the best in the world and will usually find a goal or two. If Watkins was on the pitch we score 2 or 3 goals through Saka in the first half and it’s very comfortable. Switzerland were also a team that looked great before that game and we made them look very average.

Please do a tactical analysis of the Netherlands, they have been shit, but somehow they keep making things happen (And please let it be Cleary who does the analysis)

Southgate needs to un-invert the fullbacks. There's no point having Foden/Saka both looking to cut inside with no overlap on the right, and vice versa with Bellingham and Trippier on the left. Swap Trippier for Trent too and we might see some dynamic attacking for once.

Southgate can not keep trotting Kane out there for 90+mins every game… It’s getting ridiculous at this point

Gareth Southgate the GrandMaster of Tactics.

Thank you. The only reference Ive seen in 'football media' today that highlights Kane's lack of dynamism and alertness in the box. Desperate stuff. Almost like he actively doesn't want to involve himself. I've been up there as one of Kane's biggest advocates for years. But he tests my patience every tournament. This one he's pushed me over the edge.

Now that they're getting a real test, in the Netherlands, there's no way this will keep working.

Doing a forensic breakdown of Southgate's tactics and then immediately skyving a samosa is the most English thing I've ever seen

Harry Kane is such a liability for this team I wonder why he keeps starting. 7:05 Look at his average position, you'd think its Mainoo or Rice. What the heck is he doing in the middle of the pitch in a team that has Saka, Bellingham, Foden, and even Rice. Kane needs to be benched ASAP

And i was wondering why foden only one didnt make more chances and cuz he likes thread balls in behind to the striker but kane was always behind him

We had the exact same debate over Kane 6 years ago in the semi against Croatia - he was left isolated up front by Southgate, kept dropping incredibly deep, and appeared to be injured moving at walking pace Meanwhile, his perfect foil (or replacement) Vardy was left on the bench the entire tournament

Theres a famous saying from WW2 that the Americans were so effective because they "Practiced Chaos on a daily basis. I'm starting to think southgate is following that mantra 😂

As has been demonstrated several times before, especially in this tournament, it has a lot to do with one team trying to hold onto a one goal lead instead of getting a second marker. The opposing team then press more and more because . . . they have to. It's not really a formation change as much as an attitude change on both teams that ultimately decides the outcome. England only seem to respond when they fall behind, but they are not the only ones. Should they score the first goal in the next game and not go after a second, I'd be worried.

I have to seriously disagree with the fact that Southgate had no plan when making the triple substitution. Bellingham knew he wasn’t coming off, and you could say that was arrogance if it weren’t for Konsa coming off when his number didn’t even go up. This triple substitution was planned. Whether it was a good plan or not is another matter but it was most definitely planned

Honestly was waiting to see if Pickford also shouts at the team when the penalties go in