With my England hat on - I don’t blame Lee Carsley one bit

I'm sporting my England cap while discussing the latest updates on Lee Carsley.

For me, it's all about Newcastle United—always my top priority, no matter what.

Still, I have a fondness for England and am excited about the finals coming up this summer.

In other words, I believe we can all agree that summers without a World Cup or European Championships are quite dull.

As you might know, Lee Carsley kicked off his tenure with two impressive displays, securing 2-0 victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

After that, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Greece, and it felt like everything was falling apart.

These Nations League matches feel like nothing more than fancy exhibition games. If you can't use this opportunity to test new strategies or take risks, when else would you?

Due to Harry Kane dealing with an injury, Lee Carsley opted for an alternative formation, using Bellingham as a false nine instead of opting for Watkins or Solanke in the central forward position.

Lee Carsley wasn't to blame for the poor performance of Pickford and the defense, who let in five goals and were fortunate that three others were ruled out. John Stones failed to stop the attacker, allowing him to get by him in the box for the first goal that counted.

Although I found Southgate to be an underwhelming England manager, seemingly relying on luck more than even Steve Bruce, I've noticed that England players often struggle to replicate their club performances on the international stage. This trend has been apparent for many years, stretching back to the 1990s.

No matter what formation Lee Carsley chose, we would definitely have anticipated more from standout players like Foden, who was named PL player of the season, the exceptional Bellingham, and Saka, Arsenal’s top creative talent, among others.

The media tends to overlook the reality that Greece is not to be underestimated these days.

In the eight games leading up to their victory over England, the team had only experienced one loss (not including a goalless match that they lost in a penalty shootout). That lone defeat came from an 89th-minute goal against Germany, despite Greece initially being ahead 1-0 before ultimately falling 2-1. This streak also featured a draw against France. However, you’d think England had lost to a team like San Marino, judging by how journalists and so-called ‘experts’ were reacting to what was essentially a high-profile friendly match.

The intense criticism directed at Lee Carsley has been surprising.

Even Henry Winter, someone I genuinely admire, seems to be seeking attention by posting this absurdity on his Twitter/X account:

Carsley expressed his desire to be "bold" and "explore new options" in the match against Greece, particularly since England hasn't secured a trophy since 1966. However, leaving out a traditional striker like Watkins or Solanke wasn't an act of bravery; it was more like a reckless decision. Thankfully, a true striker, Kane, will be back for the game against Finland. It's important to have a reliable outlet and maintain balance in the team.

Why is it considered unwise to attempt something new?

England frequently appears to be less impressive than the talents of its players suggest. Why not explore a new formation that could lead to better results?

Teams like Arsenal and Manchester City (before they signed Haaland), which have been the most successful in the Premier League in recent times, frequently operated without a true striker.

Leeds Carsley clinched the Under-21 European Championship just last year, using a unique formation featuring a false nine. Although Anthony Gordon was listed as the main striker, Carsley employed a flexible strategy, allowing Gordon to move around instead of always playing centrally. This interchangeability with teammates was key. Cole Palmer also played a more central position, similar to his recent performance. Notably, Anthony Gordon was recognized as the tournament's best player for his impressive display in the false nine position!

I just came across this exclusive news piece that was released late Saturday night.

It’s hard to fault Lee Carsley for not wanting to take on the England job on a full-time basis.

You have to endure a lot of nonsense from commentators and reporters who are eager to grab attention. They often resort to extreme negativity or hysteria to stand out.

The Telegraph's exclusive article – October 12, 2024:

Lee Carsley isn't interested in taking on the full-time role as England's manager.

Exclusive: Those within the national team are confident that the interim manager does not wish to take over permanently from Gareth Southgate.

Sources have indicated that Lee Carsley is not interested in becoming the next permanent manager of the England national team.

The Football Association has chosen not to provide any comments, and it remains uncertain if Carsley, whose temporary role as head coach is set to conclude next month, has explicitly communicated to them that he is not interested in taking on the position permanently.

Telegraph Sport has learned that Carsley has led those in the England team to believe he is not interested in taking over from Gareth Southgate permanently.

It’s thought that Carsley hasn’t yet responded to the loss against Greece at Wembley on Thursday night, and there have been significant questions about his willingness to be considered for the permanent position even before that match.

Carsley has not yet announced if he is interested in the position, and the FA has chosen not to provide any updates on the search for Southgate's replacement. However, many think they may need to consider other options. Pep Guardiola is the top choice, while Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Eddie Howe are also seen as strong contenders.