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Czech Republic 2-1 England: Gareth Southgate accepts responsibility for loss

Last updated on .From the section Englandcomments300

We didn't play well enough, simple as that - Southgate frustrated by England defeat

Manager Gareth Southgate says he has to "accept responsibility" for England's first qualifying loss in 10 years, ending a run of 43 unbeaten games.

A poor showing from the Three Lions saw them beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic in the qualifiers for Euro 2020.

England last lost a Euro or World Cup qualifier in October 2009 when they were beaten 1-0 by Ukraine.

"Clearly that was not a night that we wanted to be a part of in terms of that record," said Southgate.

"We didn't play well enough, simple as that. We conceded possession of the ball too cheaply. Particularly in the first half we didn't create enough chances.

"Second half we had some good chances that we didn't take and throughout the night we were too open out of possession. Some of that was because of giving the ball away.

"And in terms of a wake-up call, I think we've had a lot of plaudits.

"We've always maintained that there's a lot of work to be done to be a really top team."

Harry Kane's penalty after five minutes gave England the perfect start but they fail to build on it as goals from Jakub Brabec and debutant Zdenek Ondrasek turned the game around for the Czechs.

Southgate initially deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Chelsea's Mason Mount given a first start in the number 10 role, but it is not a system the national side have used since playing Slovenia in 2017.

With the midfield overrun in the opening period, it was changed back to the usual 4-3-3 setting, but Everton defender Michael Keane and Tottenham full-back Danny Rose particularly struggled.

Southgate added: "Look, I always have to accept responsibility. We tried something to make ourselves a bit more solid without the ball, and that didn't happen.

"We didn't look any more solid, and we were poor at using the ball in the first half. That said, at 1-1, at half time, we were able to change that. I think we were better in the second half and we created chances to win the game.

"In terms of the players, I think there are players who are not playing well for their clubs, but that is the situation we are in at the moment, certainly in a couple of positions.

"We collectively have to accept the result, but of course, as the manager, then I have got to accept that as well, absolutely."

England missed the chance to qualify this time but can still progress on Monday if they beat Bulgaria and Kosovo do not beat Montenegro.

Captain Kane said there were "no excuses" and the side have to "do better".

"Every away game in Europe is difficult," said the Tottenham striker. "They had the crowd behind them, maybe the pitch isn't as great and as easy to play on.

"It is a bit of a wake-up call, of course we are still in a good position so there is no need to panic.

"We obviously have to win the game on Monday but, for sure, we have still got stuff to work on."

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300 comments

  • Comment posted by Pharaoh, at 10:50 12 Oct 2019

    Why are you picking players who in your words "are not playing well at their clubs" then?

  • Comment posted by User0185931207, at 10:29 12 Oct 2019

    I don't think Southgate is under any illusions as to where we really are in the grand scheme of things.

    BBC Hype Machine take note!

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 10:51 12 Oct 2019

    There are lots of issues but I simply do not understand how Henderson has over 50 caps. He cannot defend, he has no vision to be creative and never scores. Simply not worth a place. Rose was awful and has been like that for 2 seasons. We desperately need a creative midfield player.

  • Comment posted by User0211788046, at 11:36 12 Oct 2019

    Qualification is not a worry, it will happen.

    What is more concerning is Southgate himself. Is he learning?

    The selection of Trippier, Rose and Keane ahead of TAA, Chilwell and basically anyone else shows muddled thinking.

    Had Maddison been fit, would he have played?

    Why are we playing out from the back when its losing us goals?

    What is our formation?

    These are the real issues.

  • Comment posted by clwydianrange, at 11:14 12 Oct 2019

    We are not as good as we, or rather the media, think we are

  • Comment posted by Jose Tubb, at 12:19 12 Oct 2019

    To think we have to give up premier league footbal for this rubbish
    just ruins the weekend

  • Comment posted by U DO MY EDIN DZEKO, at 10:45 12 Oct 2019

    Poor Gareth. Are the BBC trying to rub this in. There are ThreeHYS open to have a pop at him

  • Comment posted by GreatCharacter, at 13:48 12 Oct 2019

    I think the fact we hadn't lost a qualifying game in 10 years says more about the low quality of the groups we've been put in, rather than the quality of our sides over the years.

  • Comment posted by kopprophet, at 17:56 12 Oct 2019

    Plays the same players that collapsed against Kosovo - and the Spurs players that were embarrassed against Bayern. Plays out of form Man Utd and Everton players. Plays Hendo after 2-3 of his worst games ever for Liverpool. Plays a slow CF with pacey wingers. Plays players that have barely started for their clubs. Hands out caps to average plodders and under-performers. Why are we surprised?

  • Comment posted by HeyNow, at 17:26 12 Oct 2019

    England have a few decent players in attack for sure
    It is frustrating only beating teams we should be beating in competitive games

    But GS makes no positive difference. Anybody could achieve what he does with the group of players at his disposal. Let's face it, he's not overachieving like Michael O'Neill

    Many will disagree but GS isn't a good choice as a manager, let alone the national one

  • Comment posted by User0642132446, at 11:47 12 Oct 2019

    Southgate and Mr Claim is now like previous Eng managers and Rooney

    He is regarded as undroppable whilst his form and fitness are well short. Taking a good pen is nowhere near enough

    He must be the only person in the country apart from Poch to see that Rose is not intnl standard

  • Comment posted by Jake, at 11:28 12 Oct 2019

    So Southgate says that players aren't playing well for their clubs. So don't pick them then. Is he trying to say that Rose and Trippier are playing better than Alexander- Arnold and Chilwell?!! And Keane should be nowhere near the first team.

  • Comment posted by irlinit, at 12:42 12 Oct 2019

    Southgate is a big problem. Keane and Rose ahead of Gomez and Chilwell? Rice and Henderson? Rashford on ahead of in form Abraham? He really does shoot himself in the foot. We need players who can create and pass I.e Winks, Foden, RLC but he persists with Rice and Henderson, it was no surprise to me that we gave up possession so easily when he plays a midfield who can’t keep the ball! Clueless

  • Comment posted by Paul, at 15:26 12 Oct 2019

    Kane, "There are no excuses" followed by three lame excuses, could we have a captain rather than a bland spokesman.

  • Comment posted by artdecade, at 15:25 12 Oct 2019

    Oh sod this, I'm gonna start supporting Portugal.....🤔🤔...oh hang on, I'm a wolves fan...i already do

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 14:42 12 Oct 2019

    when will we get it into our heads that we have over paid , over rated players. the opposition weren't great and they still beat us ; it's always the same when we play anyone other than those also ran teams. \put us up against decent opposition and it shows how crap we really are.

  • Comment posted by kopprophet, at 21:20 12 Oct 2019

    Look at the English born players having a great season so far - Coady, Mee, Tarkovsky, Maddison, Grealish, Tomori, Abraham, Townsend, Redmond, Barnes, Westwood, etc. - none of which started last night's game. There in lies the problem folks. Why does Southgate bother to watch games?

  • Comment posted by Albo, at 10:59 12 Oct 2019

    the defence needs attention but we can make changes

    we’re still top of group with game in hand

    chill down all

  • Comment posted by Pete_B, at 13:08 12 Oct 2019

    Unbelievable reaction to our first defeat in qualification for years. Unlike some I never got carried away by Southgate, who has been doing a decent job. Our real problem is that we always fail to lift ourselves for actual tournaments, and that’s where we need to focus not this meaningless qualification game. I have no idea why Alexander-Arnold doesn’t make the team.

  • Comment posted by Hard Labour, at 15:38 12 Oct 2019

    173.
    Get rid of Henderson and get a midfielder in that can actually pass the ball forward.
    ==
    Henderson is a scapegoat for that midfield. What did lightweight Mount or glorified defender Rice do? Exactly the same as lightweight Alli/Lingard and glorified defender Dier did. A midfield 3 that consists of 1 lightweight, 1 defender and 1 midfielder will never win anything. Southgate is clueless.

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