He was only on the pitch for 15 minutes, but in that time Duncan Watmore managed to turn Monday night’s game with Switzerland in England Under-21s’ favour.
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Solly March came close in the eighth minute with a curling, left-footed effort from the edge of the area that went just high and wide of the far left post but from then until half-time England were uninspiring, with Lewis Baker’s shot from midfield, well within reach of Switzerland goalkeeper and captain Yvon Nganoma, their only effort on target.
The youngster came on as a 75th minute substitute, with England trailing 1-0 in the Euro qualifier.
Without Watmore’s influence that positive picture could easily have been vastly different, however, and may have prompted questions about Southgate’s persistence with a patient passing game.
His confidence, pace and directness had made the crucial difference to an uninspired team who, though tidy and composed in possession, lacked an attacking threat, and ultimately took England three points clear in first place of qualification Group 9.
Without results it would eventually prove hard to persist with his model but the manager has no intention of altering his patient approach, believing that their use of the ball prior to Watmore’s introduction had provided the platform on which the forward ultimately thrived. What really impressed me is our experienced players took a lead, we had to play two different systems to do that – tactically they took those things on board – but it’s the mentality that will make them top players. We’ve conceded one goal in four games. Defensively we’ve looked solid and that’s despite having an enormous number of changes as a group.
“I think we knew it wasn’t going to be easy and tonight was a real test for us”. You win a penalty, score a goal and create another.
He said: “The Swiss coach thought we should have put the ball out of play but the rule is the referee stops the game”.
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“It’s always a nice honour for me and to lead them out is fantastic, it’s a pleasure to captain such a great group of lads”.
