UEFA Nations League: England are boring? So what? Good football doesn’t win tournaments – The Warm-Up

WEDNESDAY'S BIG STORIES England are a serious outfit Ad/> England drew 1-1 with Germany at the Allianz Arena. It leaves the Three Lions rock bottom of Nations League Group A3. It was not a performance without fault.

In fact, there were many. The defence looked disjointed, the midfield overrun and the attack subdued. The latter of which probably had a large bearing on the former.

England are undoubtedly a better team when on the front foot. UEFA Nations LeagueKane: Draw with Germany shows England have the 'mentality' to succeed11 HOURS AGO England under Gareth Southgate may have already peaked with their appearance in the final of the Euros last summer. Perhaps a meandering, laboured performance was a function of fatigue after a long season or perhaps wider issues are afoot.

A clearer picture of England's current state will be available when this Nations League group is concluded — after a solid summer break — in September after return fixtures against Germany and Italy. However, Southgate's England have put together a body of consistency that affords them the benefit of doubt. Thus, with said benefit given, focus should settle upon the positives.

They were two-fold. Firstly, England's options from the bench were game-changing; both Jack Grealish and Jarrod Bowen gave an otherwise rudderless performance drive and vigour. Southgate deserves credit for making said changes.

Secondly, England salvaged a draw from a game they would have almost certainly have lost in years gone by. Harry Kane called it «character» in his post-match interview. But it was something different — more an understanding of what they represent.