Lee Carsley’s bold selections paid off as Gordon and Grealish shine, he’s an avid note taker and brought a freedom that was missing from side at Euro 2024, believes CRAIG HOPE

Lee Carsley got his tenure as England manager underway with a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. 

Goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish secured victory – although it was a result that drew stinging criticism from television pundit Roy Keane. 

All eyes were locked on Carsley – and not just because he chose not to sing the national anthem – and the tactics and players he used. 

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope was on the ground in Dublin to run the rule over the interim Three Lions boss… 

It was the first game in charge of the Three Lions for interim manager Lee Carsley (pictured)

TEAM SELECTION

So here were two picks Gareth Southgate would not have made this summer – Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back and Anthony Gordon at left wing. The former boss should have done, given Kyle Walker was badly out of form all tournament and the team were crying out for Gordon’s pace and incision out wide.

Carsley’s other big calls were to include Jack Grealish from the off – he was not even deemed worthy of a place in Southgate’s squad – and to start with Levi Colwill at left back, a position that continues to be a problem for England.

How did it all play out? Grealish and Gordon were excellent in the first half and justified their selection. 

Alexander-Arnold also impressed during that period of dominance, but showed why he could still be a liability when his passing became risky and wayward after half-time.

But this was a selection supporters applauded before the game – primarily because of Grealish and Gordon – and it paid off.

Anthony Gordon (left) was excellent and more than justified the start handed to him by Carsley

TACTICS

Pass forward, do it quickly and get it wide – to two natural wingers! Now there is a novel concept… But Carsley’s team could go through the middle, too, especially given his use of Grealish at No.10 and the instruction for Declan Rice to join the attack. 

The second half was a non-event, really, but the opening 45 minutes were extremely encouraging in terms of revealing the manager’s attacking intent.

They played with freedom and, while Southgate’s side were just as capable of dispatching of such bang average opposition, there did appear to be more enjoyment to England’s play in the final third. 

The challenge now would be to take that expression into matches against top opposition.

TOUCHLINE DEMEANOUR

A tricky start when he sat in the Ireland dugout by mistake. And, just as he said, he did not sing the national anthem. After that, he spent a lot of time crouching on the sideline, springing to his feet to offer instruction. 

He looks to be a keen note-taker, too. He celebrated the opening goal with a big smile and even bigger fist pump and, despite the controversies of the previous 24 hours, he looked to thoroughly enjoy this senior bow.

Carsley (right) spent a lot of time crouching down in his technical area as they game played out

SUBSTITUTES

The game was won by the time he started making changes in the 77th minute, and maybe he could have brought on the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze earlier, given his side’s attacking impetus had faded.

But substitutions, as Southgate found, are judged more so when your team is trailing or on the back foot and in need of fresh ideas and inspiration.

WORDS

He laughed off his pre-match misstep when sitting in the Ireland dugout. 

‘I did spend a lot of time on that bench,’ he said, in a nod to his Ireland playing career. 

He also stood by his decision not to sing the national anthem and refused to bite on some of the criticism, instead insisting he respects the opinions of others. 

He spoke with good grace and a clear pride in managing England for the first time.

Carsley spoke to media with good grace despite the scrutiny on him not signing the anthem

VERDICT

Hard to fault any of what he or his players did. It was always going to be difficult to fluff this one against opponents who failed to muster the Irish spirit of old in this fixture. 

But Carsley can be proud of navigating an afternoon he may have feared going the same way as a turbulent pre-match.