Why Lee Carsley’s England Should Excite You

[@BestBoyPatrick]

As someone who actually did watch the U21 euros like a little nerd… I am so unbelievably excited to see what we do under Carsley. The football we played in that tournament was the best football England have probably ever played at any level. Utterly dominant whilst being intricate and expansive and expressive. I think you can already see based on his first squad that he is going to put system above all else. Players like Angel Gomes, MGW, Noni Madueke etc weren’t getting a sniff under Southgate because there were simply bigger names. I don’t think carsley cares about the names. He wants to put together the best team for each individual game. I can’t wait man.

[@tspcontent4630]

I agree with you on almost everything you said but the reason MGW & Noni weren’t getting opportunities was because they’ve got Bellingham, Foden, Eze, Palmer, Saka & Bowen (arguably Maddison as well) who also play in their positions and are better players right now

[@Si-ns3wj]

And yet the senior team were an embarrassment at the Euros 🤣​@@tspcontent4630

[@iilwjcanc]

​ That's exactly his point. Bigger names. Better on paper players. But maybe not the exact perfectly shaped peg for the holes

[@LGEightZero]

Agree. Not necessarily saying there isn’t inherent risk to it, but hopefully we’ll at least learn whether the u21 system that was so successful could be replicated at senior level. Felt like a bit of a travesty seeing the youth groups play with so much more freedom and balance than watching how the seniors were set up to play at the last euros. Also, to learn whether some big players just don’t fit their positions. Angel Gomes is obviously not be a better overall player than Rice for example, but he’s a far better bet to be able to play the role of collector from the back 4, turning quickly and passing it forwards. Rather than the slow, plodding progression we saw this summer.

[@tspcontent4630]

@@iilwjcanc I don’t really think they’re square pegs in round holes. Noni isn’t that different stylistically to saka. MGW isn’t that different to Eze or Palmer or Jude. Those players are better on paper and better on the pitch. If Bellingham was fit Carsley would’ve picked him ahead of MGW. As for Noni, Carsely benched him for Palmer for the U21 Euros. So I don’t think he’s now gonna be ahead of him for the seniors

[@ScottMansfield]

I think he's on the money. Carsley might do for the seniors what he did for the u21's. I'm glad you made the comparison to the Spanish u21 manager too, that was an important point to make and you're spot on

[@AlexJBethell]

After watching England Vs Finland this all makes so much sense

[@Rogersdream]

I watched that European U21 tournament and it was the best football any England team has ever played. It was a joy to watch😊

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Carsley gives every player in Football Manager a role with “roams from position” hard-coded.

[@martinherrington9499]

I’m excited! Let’s have Lee Carsley as England manager to the next World Cup. Bringing in a big-name Klopp / Mourinho would be a slap in the face of the good work the FA itself has done.

[@IsaacLevy-td4sm]

I think Ancelotti would be a brilliant international manager. His whole philosophy at Madrid is to play to his players strengths.

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

That’s exactly the kind of manager England need. Build the tactics around the talent, and keep it simple.

[@sthill1993]

Names like Pep and Klopp often come up when someone mentions a manager who'd take England to a trophy, but I think Ancelotti would be the best bet for any international team. Proven pedigree of managing big names and dressing room with no conflict or dramas, flexibility to play in different ways, but being good at all of them. Other managers might oversee better play, but I'd love to have someone of that calibre in charge of England.

[@daveyfunk]

Watching this video after the Republic of Ireland game and you were absolutely bang on!!! The 2nd goal was a thing of footballing beauty and throughout the game there were more runs from midfield and was much more fluid

[@karmababy5077]

Carsley deserves the backing of the fans instead of having people regurgitate the garbage spat out of the Telegraph.

[@jamesduffy7549]

I think the papers and social media are giving a false idea of how much the general public really care about that

[@redcoatgaming4141]

@@jamesduffy7549 there a bloke I got into an arguement with who said Lee is a xenophobe because he doesn't sing the anthem and he should be sacked. that is twice this week something I read or heard has caused my brain to hurt which is impressive considering the brain doesn't feel pain

[@annonimouse170]

Great video Adam, thanks for adding to my enjoyment of watching the game. All the best for Sunday. "When the burn starts..." quite apt for Newcastle...

[@Pinkybum]

England also won the U-17 world cup which sort of tracks. Some of those players are in the current national squad (Foden, Guehi) and some are in the U-21 (Gibbs-White)

[@mh.1.]

Gibbs-white just made the senior squad btw

[@JD-cf3mv]

I know it’s early but Watching the Ireland v England game you can already see there’s better passages of play being implemented between players. Ok the 2nd half went flat but the subs he bought on rescued it at the end. But ultimately it looks so much more encouraging than what southgate was doing

[@paulmaple6887]

Great video, very informative and good to hear a little optimism for the future.

[@mark6139]

There's this assumption that your international team should be made up of your best players, but how many tournaments have we seen amazing players struggling to play together in systems they're not used to. If you took a set of players who played together from a young age, had a lot of success together and, under the same manager, promoted them as a collective to the senior team, regardless of their domestic circumstances - I'd bet you would have a pretty successful tournament team. Hypothetically, if you took a Premier league team and put them in the World Cup, I reckon you could go quite far down the table and have a good chance of winning - Brighton? Aston Villa? Spurs?

[@JacobCash420]

problem with England is there is so much talent jammed into one team instead of balancing a team they just shove all the best attackers in the team

[@sthill1993]

@@JacobCash420The point being made here is that Carsley has already tried to bring a core of the U21 team into the senior team. Some absences are enforced, but having a number of the successful U21 winners will help smooth the process.

[@findingaether]

Not Tottenham for obvious reason. I can see the other 2 winning something with some luck.

[@hooky17]

It's true. It's why Spain dominated for so long in the 00's. They were primarily made up of players from 2 teams. Who could play a certain way together and knew a system from club to country

[@Pwecko]

I've often thought that Manchester City would slaughter the England team and probably most international teams.

[@jameshart3869]

This is a nice different take. Thanks for focusing on something unexpected (and being POSITIVE about England!)

[@djmattblack]

I watched that final, England had to be thankful to James Trafford who played a blinder but if Carsley can transform this England team like he did the U21's then we could be in for exciting times. However, persuading the senior England team to play that way might take some time as he will have to get rid of quite a few of the old guard first

[@BreezeElna-gi6di]

Some players really gotta go, excluding John Stones, Kane should be called but shouldn't start

[@Anchises]

The sheer bravery of doing a video on Carsleyball the day BEFORE England play. Could it be we're finally going back to the Venables era and the beautiful fluidity of 1996? Can I actually start looking forward to England games again?

[@IAmCrumpton]

We’re all wishing so!!! 😆

[@kristian33]

Weeeeell

[@Anchises]

@@kristian33 Playing Gomes and Grealish was a step forward, seems Carsley has bottled it and gone back to Southgate era football

[@johnmckiernan2176]

For those unaware of Carsley's career as an Ireland international and for Everton, Blackburn, Birmingham, etc., he was a consummate professional and what he lacked in natural ability he made up for in attention to detail and commitment. In other words, exactly what you would need in a coach. As an Ireland fan pains me to see him lead England to a 2-0 victory over the national team with two former Ireland youth internationals scoring, but, um, at least the Irish diaspora are doing well?

[@PapaLazarou1977]

Good luck for Sunday Adam!! 🙂

[@KaraWisdom]

I am super excited by Carsley, he's going to build on the recent (relative) success and make the team kick on.

[@harryzaman1023]

I genuinely mean this, Adam really ought to be working for the big boys. His enthusiasm and obvious research makes him compulsive viewing for people who actually know the game beyond a superficial level. I've been harping on about Carsley for a couple of years now as he is a very Unbritish type of manager. He understands possession is 9/10s of the law and understands and implements the 'total football' way of playing. I've also been calling for Angel Gomes to be in the England squad for the last 2 years or so. As a United fan, I've always thought highly of Gomes and he reminded me of Fabregas when he was in the United youth teams. He had this innate ability (and still does) of the game slowing down for him. Great players have this ability. Whilst watching every England game at the Euros, I just thought 'imagine Angel Gomes playing instead of Rice.' Add the dynamism of the likes of MGW and Gordon, I think England will be far more dangerous. I also think, once Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Jacob Ramsay are playing regularly for their respective clubs, they'll add another dimension to the England squad. Throw in the likes of Smith Rowe and Macatee, and England will have skill, speed and unpredictability that they just didn't have at the Euros. As good as Kane and Bellingham are, they looked either injured or knackered at the Euros. Foden looked half the player he is because he couldn't get the ball quick enough before the defensive lines were set because Rice and Trippier were such a hindrance in the build-up play. I am fairly certain Carsley will eventually drop Rice as the number 6 and probably number 8 as well. Now England have a manager who won't stick with the same players due to Carsley being so versatile and flexible with his tactics unlike Southgate who couldn't think outside of the box if it hit him in his face. Enough of my ramblings, I am excited and intrigued to see if Carsley will be able to change the same old England style of play and how quickly he'll be able to do it.

[@Anchises]

I will never understand why Rice was converted from a CB to a midfielder.

[@carlaspinall7418]

Great reaction video

[@Didibotts]

Great video. It's also worthwhile remembering Greece winning the 2004 Euros with no 'superstars'.

[@Salacious-Crumb]

I did watch all the games and we were brilliant, was a lovely touch from players to ramsey who got injured ... Anyway i fully expected a fluid front 4 or 5 yesterday and carsley delivered.... If pep turns it down in the summer id be more than happy for Lee to have the job permanently and got a sneaking suspicion he will anyway 🦁🦁🦁

[@stephenwebster3304]

Superb analysis.

[@0_DR]

Carsleys biggest challenge will be convincing Englands big names to play in this style and for some of those to sit on the bench to accommodate it. Let’s hope they all buy in to the DNA approach.

[@lariberaaltamalc]

It was nice to see an England team turn up and look as if they'd actually met - let alone played together - before. It speaks well for Carsley that he hasn't spoken up.

[@johnb3599]

Bring on Carsball! Already more flowing than anything under Southgate

[@user-xo4mz9pk8z]

Fantastic video!

[@NorthLondonForeverCOYG]

The ultimate question will be that how will he put in Saka, Foden and Palmer in the same team? Two 10s? Will he be able to bring the best out of Foden because the other 2 delivered more than him in the Southgate team?

[@BestBoyPatrick]

I honestly don’t think he’ll try. You can see from that first squad with players like Angel Gomes and MGW who have never gotten a sniff before that he’s putting the system first. Those players were key to executing his system at the euros and they’ve IMMEDIATELY gotten called up over bigger names. I think he’s gonna put the system above names and reputation and, seeing how that euros went, I think that is exactly what we need.

[@LeslieSharp-v9v]

It’s not all about putting big names in teams also foden played as a 10 with Bellingham and did nothing

[@AdamRowe-w9c]

The correct answer is you don’t

[@humzachudhary2056]

@@AdamRowe-w9ctbf Bernardo Silva, Foden, and De Bruyne all play together regularly and they are all 10s primarily. You obviously need fluidity and tactical nous, something Southgate didn’t have.

[@AdamRowe-w9c]

@@humzachudhary2056 not sure I’d call Bernardo a 10. He is also possibly one of the most versatile players of all time

[@eddwincedeno5387]

I'm honestly happy with how they played in their first game under Carsley, hope it continues against stronger sides. I think England might actually be going the right way the managers since their best period recently was with a former U21 manager who was also supposed to be interim. Southgate was in Carsley's position before and he got England to 2 finals and 2 Semi finals. If U21 managers continue to do well, I can definitely see Carsley doing well in the job and keeping England competitive in major tournaments.

[@onyxityyy]

if lee wins something with england ill give him all my life savings

[@JacobCash420]

England are not even bad better than 95% of other teams has the talent just a lot of the time are put in systems that dont suit the players england have one of the weakest defences

[@renaultmeganesuperleggera]

Lmao just buy the tickets & merchandise for the national team instead of gambling away your money.

[@rouseyboi]

He already did win something LOL

[@stevekingswell9143]

Brilliantly inspiring, even if none of this came true going forward. But, I’d love to see us try, I am a Southampton supporter and we have Harwood Bellis and Archer, lucky us. Great analysis as usual. Writing this with the hindsight of last night’s win over Ireland, the number of forward passes through the lines was very encouraging. Does your analysis tools allow you to see the speed of the ball for each (total average) passes. I am sure our speed of ball when passing was 20% faster with the players still able to control the ball. That makes a huge difference. Good luck with the run.

[@davidgould5708]

Quality as ever 👌

[@frankroberts8372]

Excellent. Thank you

[@hooky17]

Let's see how he does. What we don't want is a couple of friendly wins against Narnia to act as smoke and mirrors and then the FA hand him a 5 year contract

[@jamesduffy7549]

We don't really have anyone decent to play against though. It's just nations league group until March at least, and due to the whole seeding process it's doubtful well get a tough world cup group. Friendlies against narnia is sort of all we've got

[@rio197]

Oh he was U-21 boss? That makes a lotta sense

[@Dom-lt2kz]

It’s all about picking the players that work in the system which doesn’t always happen.

[@Seids_89]

Great breakdown as always Adam. An England manager that appreciates Trent Alexander-Arnold and plays fluid attacking football would be a dream come true.

[@benthornhill7903]

You've convinced me that they should just give Carsley the job, Adam. A 4-4-2 renaissance would be a very British renaissance, no? Flipping the old image of the Dyche-style 4-4-2 into something flipping dynamic and exciting. It's perfect.

[@HB2K-h8m]

If Carsley can convince the boneheads he is playing 442 and keep them quiet whilst actually playing expressive, expansive progressive football then he's got the job for life!

[@Booyabeeba]

England DNA project shows the value of quiet, competent leadership and a long-term mindset. The very antithesis of the moronic “Why won’t he sing the national anthem?” Daily Mail mob.

[@birgirthorarinsson8799]

super entertaining as always..

[@stephenbritton9672]

Insightful interesting content as usual.

[@gtramsay]

Best of luck in the Great North Run, Adam - have fun.

[@liswanisonjekwa6022]

Hope one day you will talk about my beloved Barcelona

[@gsampson97]

I hope he has the guts to drop big players who don't fit. Jude and Foden can't play together so drop one to the bench and use as a sub.

[@theqaz1828]

There was an infamous game between Chelsea and QPR years ago where Chelsea had 2 players sent off and John Terry got banned for saying he didn't call a player the n-word. But what was interesting is how Chelsea basically abandoned a structured attacking shape and went completely positionless (with a rotating cast staying back to cover as another went forward). Chelsea (bring 2 men down) lost the game, but the performance stuck with me and i knew then that was the future of football. A team with a defensive structure and one where players covered for each other running forward, but with almost complete freedom for any player to attack when they had defensive cover. Thie is the future of football tactics.

[@Anchises]

There is a strong argument that England's best moments at the Euros came when our shape and tactics became utterly chaotic.

[@Rassalcon]

@@Anchises I don't think there's an argument against it

[@jonarific8504]

You're describing total football invented by the cruyff dutch team of the 70s. Its not new.

[@johnferguson4869]

@@jonarific8504with a direct line to Pep Guardiola’s City via Barcelona (& a certain Terry Venables, who had Darren Anderson & Steve McManaman swapping sides when he was England coach)

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

@@theqaz1828 my favorite premier league attack was when Man Utd had a trio of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez. You could never tell where anyone was going to be, and they were constantly interchanging, with no real set positions. It takes an incredible amount of feel from the players, but ditching positions makes an attack impossible to defend

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

First half the played well, especially with Grealish given a free role to move where he wanted. Much better already, now negative Southgate has gone!

[@alexflorek6527]

Why does he look so similar to ETH? His face on the thumbnail is literally a perfect imitation of his smile as well 🤣😂

[@MuhamadHisyam-vh6oq]

True 😮

[@LeoDragon34]

I wouldn’t care too much if we didn’t win everything with this type of football. Just to watch an England team playing exciting football would be amazing. So fed up with the dour fare served up by Southgate.

[@Michael-me6qu]

agreed. those saying a win is a win have forgotten that the reason we pay our subscriptions is cos we enjoy watching football

[@deadlypalms]

It's just an AUTO-LIKE these days with this channel. Top-notch or 'Champions league' quality (as some random guy jittering out on drugs on a late-night train recently tried to tell me about what he had just smoked).

[@mcnetchaiev]

Imagine the potential of that brilliant u21 team of Carsley's with the likes of Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Trent etc added on.

[@chrisstevens2944]

Whoever they want to replace him should be given the u21s before main team

[@Michael-me6qu]

not a bad plan. gotta prove thier worth

[@robellis4768]

As a dreamer, I'll say, I'm excited. Stuff and things could happen... 🎉

[@earl.c]

Dela Fuente and Scaloni rose up the ranks before being manager, so this makes sense.

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

I hope my countryman HH (Ireland coach) comes away with a win. I normally have a "soft spot" for England but this time I want Ireland to win.

[@SuperEthel]

Lee Carsley will be a breath of fresh air...watching southgate was so frustrating he just played superstars kane foden jude did not work....gordon watkins or toney MGW palmer even gallagher all played out of thier skin ....happy he never picked maddison that kid has a huge attitude problem now hes left Leicester City ..

[@jonarific8504]

Every time I watch him get hyped about something I fall for it. Hook, line and sinker. Then it goes and bes Scotland in the Euros or something.

[@nistar3977]

Need this for USMNT with Poch

[@steveallen3434]

I like the idea of continuity with the players but I also think some of England's problems is a mental thing in tournament football. funny how Palmer and Gorden had such an impact in the euros

[@ryanlloyd395]

Hi Adam, did the first few games show Lee Carsley playing mindbending Cars-ball that made everybody fall in love with football all over again?

[@memonm786]

Waiting for this one!!!

[@thefutbollfanatic]

Video on how Arsenal can setup for the NLD with all the injuries

[@sakibrahman5614]

Saka/palmer + Foden/jude + jack/gordon/eze + kane/Watkins. All he gotta do is pick and match from each. But he must choose one from each not both

[@dirtydawg448]

Interesting - it’s quite similar to Ange at Spurs - both have been successful playing a different kind of system to the norm but not at the top level

[@T.E.S.S.]

It's worth a go innit.

[@wall-lion94]

I just can't wait to see what he's going to do with senior players like Trent Stones Rice Saka and Kane (not just the ireland game) Foden Grealish Watkins?

[@TWW-zk9gw]

It's ridiculous that he hasn't made peace with Ben white though. One of the best defenders in world football, he should be playing.

[@gobsmack84]

White is obv a tit

[@jamesduffy7549]

The common denominator is ben white so I think it's up to him

[@konzza]

Nooooooo!!!! Gordon was pretty good, but absolutely hated his pick as the best player of the team above Cole Palmer. Not trying to make revisionist history after Palmers stellar season, but truly felt that Palmer was the attacking hub of the team, while Gordon did great job at running at defences from the flank. That having been said, i don't hate the idea of giving Carlsley at least to show what he can do with the team. U-21's had way more fluid and exiting tactics than Southgate ever managed to put together.

[@Swisswavey]

Hoisin crispy owl? Yum

[@mikeanthonyjr6067]

England finally have a coach

[@fordcass4325]

Yes!!!

[@HB2K-h8m]

My first impression is that this sort of football looks very difficult to coach in the amount of time available to an international coach. But I guess it was the same for the U21s?

[@khalifab9646]

Adam is easily the best analyst in the game. Get him on sky sports

[@samuelomondi3315]

Retro tactics please!!!!!!

[@MokaBeats664]

Wait... Is this Carsley shirt in the back a keeper one ?

[@matthewdobson100]

An Irish one I think, who he played for.

[@davidalf5159]

Carsley will need to learn fast, no longer the stale old no press, but time for the new, the strength of a Morgan Rodgers maybe as a 9, the standout no.10 in Palmer, real width in Gordon, and Madueke, maybe Saka. Rico Lewis too, so exciting. Bellingham the no.8. Make exciting bold decisions please; there is the talent, he’s just gotta be strong. No more square pegs pls.

[@bananarama3624]

Titling this video as though the previous manager didn't get to a major international competition final less than 2 months ago, and brought England their greatest success in international tournaments since 1966 Gareth Southgate always got and still gets way too much hate and disrespect.

[@funkiestcord67]

Foden seems like the player Smith-Rowe was in that tournemant

[@tswelopeleseleka9641]

This just proves that Cole Palmer is that guy extremely creative as seen with stats and eye-test and long range specialist as seen in the final vs Spain.

[@tricky1506]

Ah yes, the next dele alli/jack wilshere/ james Maddison bla bla bla bla. Come tell us when he wins something😂

[@cedarstuff]

I'll get excited when Kane retires.

[@paolo7688]

If Southgate was part of this whole set up from the outset why did he not play this way with the seniors.

[@dalziiosrs]

Well let’s just see how he does in the nations league before we give him the job

[@cjwill9920]

The media will ruin it 🎥 📸

[@oghenetegasagua]

How was the marathon, Adam?

[@rocketiain84]

Why cant the senior team not be dynamic and intelligent, you really need someone to answer that one Adam ?? 😂😂😂

[@linsithebe7080]

This is the England ethos now, lets hire a caretaker till he proves he can be permanent

[@markjgibbons6966]

Carley first foreign manager sense fabio carpelo

[@sthill1993]

When did Birmingham declare independence?

[@markjgibbons6966]

@@sthill1993 born in cork Ireland 1924 weeks ago declared independence

[@jsbach6529]

By eventually playing Palmer & Madueke together ?

[@MichaelBoogerd]

watch these ballers lose their bottle the moment they start playing for the seniors.

[@ohforgodsake8486]

So basically what you're saying is that your Granny could have done a far better job than Southgate 😉 I 100% agree.

[@doghouse100148]

The character of Grealish was half of his success and I’m not talking only about his football.⚒?

[@egs1567]

So depressing that we kept Southgate for those last two tournaments, hopefully the new era is more fun to watch

[@logosul-]

Remember romania u21 beating England u21 4-2?

[@jp3622]

Playing Maguire and mainoo is a massive red flag

[@nicob4115]

This aged well

[@RichardHobbs-sv5wg]

Can Lee tell Kane to stop dropping deep clogging up midfield. Just stay forward press run the lines. Also when foden and Bellingham are on the pitch with Palmer u can only have 1 number 10. Too many can stifle creativity. This is difficult for Lee to execute. But I have belief. COE🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@jamesduffy7549]

Kane coming deep isn't a problem if someone else goes forward. Sometimes it's better to have someone with more pace as the most advanced player as kane isn't a great presser he lacks the legs

[@leanderian]

Which means there's no place for Harry Kane in this team?

[@armyaj]

And Anthony Gordon played like 13 minutes for y'all lmfaoo

[@RS-vy9qv]

I just want pep. Don’t care how good he is.