Why England Dominated Serbia (And Then Why They Didn't) 

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It’s unfair to put an English man under lights this bright, thanks for telling me about tactics little pink fella

Proper breakdown, puts TV pundits to shame.

Someone just said that Gareth Southgate puts his phone on low battery mode at 99%

Serbia used Trippier as a pressing trigger and he would pass back and it would end up to Pickford who would launch it for Kane to compete with the tallest team in the tournament.

Pickford constantly going long in the second half against the tallest team in the competition was unbearable. That's how you cede control and invite pressure.

I woke up early to see the game. 5 minutes after the goal I fell asleep. A masterpiece by Southgate

Well explained regarding Bellingham and Foden in similar spaces.

Foden and Trippier’s pass maps look identical.

My guys on a proper comedown 😅

Using "doth butter no parsnips" in relation to positional play in the final third is the sort of phrase one uses when in the mildly hallucinatory, borderline hysterical stage of a hangover. And it's brilliant.

"Nobody's gonna know" "They're gonna know" moment when they just pulled the same pass map for Trippier.

Southgate seems to have a complete inability to see or react to tactical tweaks by the opposition. How many times have we seen it now- starting well, opposition manager visibly animated and making adjustments, Southgate sitting with hands in pockets looking completely bewildered and doing nothing. England games are like watching a chess match where only one of the players is making any moves, and the other player’s just gormlessly staring at the board

Amazing how similar Trippier's and Foden's passing map is. Down to every single pass. Being exactly the same 😆

England's off-the-ball movement often seems lacking to me. That forces them to play most balls to feet instead of into space.

Those eleven players can rock up in almost any formation, but we should remember we had 3 RBs on the pitch.

Gordon swapped in for foden and thisll be much better

So glad to see someone watched a similar game to me! Thought the first half was very good and as you say all but a good save it’s 2-0 and games over. Second half got nervy as a viewer but we managed the game quite well especially the last 5-10 minutes when Gallagher was on. Kane was superb at holding up the ball and all in all a good win - 2016 we threw that away against Russia.

Your pronunciation of surname Gudelj is about as good as it can get from non-Slavic speakers, lj is tricky sound. Also spot on with Ivan Ilić and his impact,Mladenović deserves mention as well. Was expecting much more from England with generational talent at its disposal ,now criticism of Southgate seem justified to me and his team selection is questionable, it would be a shame if squad is squandered with him. Cheers from Serbia,and keep up the good work!

The classic Southgate go 1-0 up, park the bus, give control and possession to the other team, hang on

Been waiting for this one 🙌

I can almost smell the beer sweat from here. Great breakdown.

Smashed it again, Adam, despite what is clearly one mother of a hangover! You somehow manage to regularly see far more than I do - and you were probably half-cut in the stadium as well!

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed Jude and foden were getting in each other’s way

The issue worrying me is the Serbian team quickly analysed the issue, adapted and imposed their plan on the game and England didn't. The players should be able to work this out for themselves and adapt, more worrying is the England staff did not make changes quickly enough to adapt. Second half the defence dropped too deep too quickly and the first attacking line did not give the team an out ball allowing the team/defence to squeeze the play up to halfway and control the game in the Serbian half! Having said that winning the first game is very important, the issue now will Southgate learn and adapt for Denmark?

It's the same game we had against Croatia all those years ago, the same as the loss against Italy, it's the same game we always get from Southgate. Extremely boring sideways football, if we get lucky great but when it fails (and it always has) we get excuses that we are building for the next tournament. Players can have a whole career and retire in the time Southgate needs to get a team tournament ready.

Lovely move for the goal, but 'picture perfect' feels strong given Saka was aiming for Kane at the front post and got incredibly fortunate. Bellingham's ability to adjust and attack the ball was key.

Good breakdown. Informative, and most importantly not over the top reactionary stuff. Nice 👍

I don't understand why from a young age playing with both feet is not insisted on. How can someone be worth tens of thousands/hundreds of thousands per week with only one foot. It is a trainable skill, not an innate ability!

I think most England fans want to see signs that the team are improving and that they can go all the way. Just can't see it myself.

Great analysis! Very detailed and looking forward to your other videos during the Euros

Back to old days with Lampard vs Gerard debate with Bellingham and Foden

Love these videos. Watching it live I can't see why it's going badly so these videos really help me understand

Great analysis and explanation ... I actually learnt something. The £tens of millions spent on tv pundits.... what an absolute joke....

This is great. I was at the game too, and memory a wee bit shaky but this absolutely rings true. Bellingham did the all action Captain England performance, but I really felt like there was a bit of unnecessary show boating at times. He also covered a ridiculous amount of ground, but don't think he needed to at times and gassed himself as a result. Disclaimer: I do love Jude, I just feel he needs to be a bit more disciplined positionally.

Love your videos. I think England should bench Foden and use him as a super sub. They need a left winger, Anthony Gordon maybe, to start the game. I also felt like Trent Alexander was good in the game, but not great. I'd prefer him at Right Back and maybe move Kyle Walker to Left Back. Being an England Manager is hard when you have so much world-class talent available. Strange that they couldn't find a single fit Left Back to come to the tournament.

Best / most interesting breakdown on the internet by far. Keep em coming!

I have been waiting so long for this

Mate, this is my go to for accurate and insightful analysis. Top work. Will be following throughout the tournament 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 COME ON ENGLAND!

The best analysis so far

Such incredibly good analysis

Lesson learned: withhold judgement on England until Adam has explained to me exactly what they did and didn’t do.

Another great video

Been waiting for this. 😃

Fantastic analysis again!

One thing he forgot to mention was that England defended in pretty conservative 4-5-1 mid block and did not bother to press their centre backs and 6, it allowed Serbia to get comfortable possession at the back, and play themselves into the game

Wow! This was an incredibly informative video.

The main difference in the second half is that Serbia started pressurising/fouling whenever we got the ball. They took Saka, Foden and Kane out of the game by putting them under intense pressure and shoving them as soon as they got the ball. Saka should have gone down but was too honest, so got to the point where he felt like he couldn't do anything on the ball. (Subbed for Bowen, very obviously our most physical winger option off the bench, clearly Southgate saw this happening). Kane eventually learnt and went down after being shoved, but it still killed any possible rhythm. It also meant that our whole front line had to just pass the ball backwards whenever they got it, because there was a man right behind them. The rest of the team are then at a loss because they keep passing forward just to get it back, slowly our confidence dwindled. I do think we looked tired also, but I think this was more psychological because of the chain reaction above.

Good analysis

I've just stumbled on this channel and it's doing my head in trying to think what other channel I saw you on. Was it Whatculture Wrestling and Gaming?

Brilliant analysis again. Will be watching your posts all the way through the tournament. Possible solutions that could have been introduced in-game, and also applied to the next or upcoming games would be interesting to hear. As already commented below, totally puts shouty pundits to shame. Cheers

I mean this respectfully. There’s no need for the FourFourTwo RU-vid analysis to be this good. Having watched several videos. Adam is brilliant.

Best analysis I’ve seen so far 👏

Great analysis! I was pleasantly surprised by the first 15-20 mins when England seemed to have very flexible positions, especially Foden. But soon after they scored it stopped and England looked toothless for the majority of the rest of the game. I would guess that Foden's heat map before and after the goal are completely different.

Excellent analysis, although I think another factor was the lack of bite in England's tackling 2nd half.

Excellent analysis mate

I love your analysis! Im a gooner (so i should hate him 😂) but I agree Kane had a really good game overall- battled hard against tough oppo, had some lovely touches and held it up well. However I feel its my duty to point out that IMO youve missed a trick not highlighting that, if England wanted to sit deep- keeping Kane on for 93 mins and not subbing him earlier for Toney/Watkins (or even injecting some pace elsewhere (Getting Foden off for Gordon maybe...?)) really scuppered Englands ability to get up the pitch and release pressure. Against a better side (Even against that energetic and well-organised Austria side) it wouldve caused us problems. Not sure why Southgates reluctant to use his squad. Seems to be a common fault. Anyway- Peace and Love 🫡 ❤

Great, intelligent, measured analysis, with none of the hysteria that the mainstream pundit adopt.

Good video. Proper

Thank you for this video- it was very informative. One point though, given the change that Serbia made, how should have England restructured to restore their earlier dominance?

Finally some proper analysis of this game!

Spot on analysis of the second half Adam

I think one thing that is worth noting is Trent got disppossed twice in dangerous areas when he was facing his own goal. I'm a Liverpool fan and we've seen it at times this season when he comes into midfield - it can happen to him as he's not used to facing his own goal. I'm a bit concerned that when we play someone good they're going to jump on him and press him and turn over the ball close to our box. people say Southgate is risk adverse but he's really gamblling playing Trent as a midfielder in a major tournament when he doesn't play there for his club. I hope it comes off, but he needs runners and foden isn't one, nor is Kane. There is no one better in the world at switching the play than Trent, I think we should play Gordon if we play Trent, As Tripper isn't going to do an Andy Robertson. and fly up the wing and cross it in.

Hope some of the England coaching team watch this. Incredible analysis. (Plus 'doth butter no parsnips'... first time hearing that on RU-vid)

Not sure the why there's criticism on Trent when his interception should have led to a goal by Walker and especially when Foden and Kane were practically non existent in that game.

I agree with the left side issues but hopefully shaw is fit for the later stages and unless I am mistaken Palmer is natrually left footed, and would allow bellingham and himself to switch during the game if Southgate grows a pair and realises foden is not working in this system, might be a good replacement for bellingham if he is struggling with tiredness having performed so well for Real Madrid this season and is now expected to carry England

How many magazines must I buy to find out what was censored?

We did look pretty good in the first 30 mins, although still didn't have many attempts on goal. Saka, Trent, Bellingham, Foden and Kane linking up is exciting. But we didn't capitalise or push on. 2nd half we lost all control, couldn't deal with the Serbian pressure and Pickford was going long too often. Trippier keeping the width is okay, but as highlighted, he isn't going to get round the outside or play a forward pass/cross. Either we get Shaw back fit and he does a similar role, allowing Foden to come inside, rotating with Bellingham, or, we should be brave and play Foden/Palmer as the right-sided 8 (replacing Trent), with Bellingham as the left-sided 8 and Gordon/Eze at LW. Or, if Southgate thinks that's too risky, Bellingham can just sit a bit more and play alongside Rice, with Foden/Palmer as a no.10. But if Bellingham is to play deeper, I think you still need the full-backs to get forward when needed (i.e. Shaw). But the attacking shape/structure means nothing if we can't deal with the press and keep possession. Or if our own press is disorganised and easy to play through. The 2nd half was worrying and if we play like that against stronger opposition, we'll easily concede goals. * also, the pass maps for Foden & Trippier were identical

since southgate doesnt like to get exotic two quick changes to address the width and even more so the vertical threat they need, Gordon on left for foden as hes not inverted and has pace. Going forward to win tournament I love idea of keeping foden in let him play as ten keep jude in midfield with rice and mainoo who seem ot have great chemistry. Put watkins up top with saka. Watkins not only gets forward and uses pace but he would be in same role he is with villa and how he plays with bailey. Thats a chnage that not only gives saka a partner ut its a strong front two that once they get a goal are perfect style and threat to keep scoring and put games away which they never do. He reminds me so much of feranndo torres and how he provided a different dynamic on that soain team and it kept back line of oppenents honest and that midfield more room to play comfortable. Foden has been too good and hes yet to e realized for england. Against france, portugal or anyone with dynami left wing play walker. AGainst other teams play trent if he wants his passing ability and more so his ability form free kicks. Hes great at both but youn cant put him in midfield for those reasons and play walker against serbia thats just strange and feels so forced an unnecessary. Those qualities in modern football are gravy its just not necessary to play 3 right backs. Plus mainoo with rice allows you more retention that allows jude to roam and get on ball more and Rice can stay back to hep back 4 since that is the weakness to worry about in knockout rounds. Plus kane, saks, foden, and jude with how southagte lays him as a 10 all drift into same area its too easy to defend and its not explosive enough to punish and put away games once they are up liek that serbia or so many other games not least of which was final against Italy. Its really frustrating and that could really gie you a balance that allows enlgand much more dynamic team and attack. Harry can come on at 60 and still score 3 goals especially against a tired back line and fresh legs I just think its all positive. Love the channel enjoy and good luck. Hope they make final and Id love ot see them win it would be heartbreaking if they beat portugal my family is from the azores..but Id love to see england celebrate. Its such a great feeling and country is full of football junkies and thats what its all about. Bom dia amigo

Great work as usual Adam. I'm going 3-4-2-1 next time. Walker, Stones, Guehi, A-A, Rice, Belligham, Gordon, Eze, Watkins, Foden. Kane is the big problem. He's too slow and immobile for 4-3-3, if he plays it has to be 4-4-2.

Best argument for having Grealish in the team.

Why is it England either utterly dominate their opponent or are hanging on for dear life? there is literally no inbetween.

Would swapping Foden and Saka be a good idea if Bellingham and Foden get in eachothers way.

Totally agree with the analysis of the goal except for the Harry Kane run. Getting across his man to the near post is the most dangerous run he can make to score there. GKs are helpless to a near post finish. If the cross wasn’t deflected, Kane would have been there to finish - it wasn’t just a dummy run. still, a well coordinated team goal with Jude’s run and fodens position.

Great analysis!!! You should be working with a PL team

England have always been lopsided, over the years we have played right footed players on the left and it rarely works. Foden was having to play wide which is not his natural position and ended up just running into trouble half the time. The other issue we have is we dont have a ball winner in midfield, Rice is better playing as an 8 which Arteta realised late in the season but without a player like Partey or Jorginho hes having to do that defensive job in midfield. Problem is we dont have a player like that in the squad as thats what Kalvin Phillips used to do well

England is not a perfect squad like thier fans think they are. The team literally has a disfunctional left side of the attack and the players don't have enough familiarity between them to counter that. You could change players but still it seems like the players tend to play exactly like how they play for their clubs which is the problem England has now imo. Players need to make sacrifices of their bits of game to accommodate other player's abilities.

A lot of the lower ranked teams have really stepped up so far and took it to the bigger name teams as we've seen, whether that momentum runs out or not we'll have to wait and see.

Foden and Bellingham overlapped. England's press was a mess with Watkins better suited than Kane to the task. To be undone be a simple Serbia substitution is poor. England ceded control to a timid Serbia team which has just one well-known player (Vlahovic), not to Austria or Slovakia who were actually good and organized.

Thanks

After this video I now think it’s coming home

So in essence, Jude and Phil's partnership didn't work. Also, Trippier as a LB didn't work as well as a left-footed LB would.

People keep saying Foden should play in the 10 - like against Bosnia and Iceland where he was also anonymous. Foden should be a bench warmer.

If Shaw is still not fit against Denmark, and Southgate doesnt want to use Foden in midfield/no.10, he might have to drop him for Gordon. Either that or hope Foden & Bellingham can develop a better understanding on that left side. Trent & Saka should have the right side sorted, with Walker in support. But we have to keep the ball better and improve with our press

That attacking shape was a mess. No mention of us sitting back in a 451, on the edge of our own box, for 45 minutes?

Most coherent explanation of why England didn't perform well in the 2nd half that I've seen. Thankyou.

I'm surprised they didn't drop Foden into left back when in possession and building out from the back. That would've stopped the ease with which Serbia were able to set pressing traps due to two right footers on the left of our defence. Once England had transitioned to the middle of the park they could revert to their more normal positions. Also surprising that with Serbia in man to man coverage, Rice and and Alexander Arnold didn't just take their men high so Bellinghan could drop in as a single pivot. Bellingham is very press resistant, much more so than Rice or Trent, and would gave been very likely to move the ball forwards from short passes from the back. If they didnt manage that, that would put two players much closer to Kane to help pick up second balls or link with him, if we did go long.

Good video chaps, interesting breakdown. Although 2nd half was disappointing, in tournament football, getting 3 points on the board is crucial in the 1st game. Jude was a beast in the first half but tired. Foden was largely ineffective, prob due to the reasons you point out. Trent was OK but I don’t think it worked, looked better with Gallagher. Guehi, Rice, Walker, Saka & Jude all very good overall. Denmark will be a different test.

Drop Kane, put someone in who will make runs in behind and work the channels. Create more space and opportunities for Foden and Bellingham between the lines. If we're playing Kane, drop Foden for Gordon so we have the width to feed Kane from either side.

Decent assessment. Good spot for Bellingham taking up leftish position with Foden. I think the key is a left back that will overlap Foden and give him his space. Otherwise a good performance against a strong Serbia in their first game

No need for the dig at Rio mate.

You have Trippier and Fodens pass map which is exactly the same illustration?

442 used to dominate the small australian football fan media ecosystem. Despite the magazine leaving the country, the forum connected to the magazine is still a major fan hub and active to this day. Will you guys ever come back to australia?

Love to see Bellingham next to rice as he has the power and size to dominate the middle of the park. Plus him and rice can take turns in getting into the box. Play foden in the middle with Gordon on the left and saka on the right.

This is an example of why youtube, or in general more social media choices for people is such a benefit. Mainstream media analysis focuses negativity, and yotube channels like this really give better insights.

Hey Adam can we get some review of Portugal's games

You make the point (essentially) that the Serbs made one adjustment and that nullified England's intially successful approach. However, I would like to see some analysis about the substitutions England made in the second half and what the thinking was behind those changes and also what (if any) impact resulted.

That seems like a pretty interesting and innovative system in the first half then…comments fully ignoring that part.

But why did England play soooooo deep in the second half? Why did literally nobody press the Serbians in their own half? It seemed like every time the Serbs got the ball, our lot did a headlong retreat to our own half and waited for them to come and attack. It's not good for my blood pressure, Southgate, please don't do that again!

Adam should do this half-cut more often.